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Mold and Moisture

Mold and Moisture. Leif Albertson University of Alaska Fairbanks Bethel, Alaska. Moisture. Living in damp conditions can be bad for you Cough, wheeze, asthma… Bacteria Viruses Mites And, MOLD. Mold is bad for you…maybe….

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Mold and Moisture

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  1. Mold and Moisture Leif Albertson University of Alaska Fairbanks Bethel, Alaska

  2. Moisture • Living in damp conditions can be bad for you • Cough, wheeze, asthma… • Bacteria • Viruses • Mites • And, MOLD

  3. Mold is bad for you…maybe…. “Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all.” www.CDC.gov/mold A surprisingly contentious topic

  4. Mold and Moisture • What is mold? • Fungi kingdom • Mushrooms • Yeast • Mildew

  5. What is Mold? • Mold spores • Found indoors and outdoors • More than 1,000 kinds of in U.S. Homes • Cannot be eliminated from indoor environments • Up to millions of spores can be released from small areas • A culture of one mold can • Release 10,000 spores/min from area of 1 square centimeter • Mold is ubiquitous

  6. More on Mold… Not great evidence mold is bad for all people Those sensitive to mold should avoid it People have been living with mold a long, long time

  7. More on Mold… • Mold problems are moisture problems • Oxygen, cellulose, moisture, heat…. • Mold is ubiquitous in rural Alaska • Thermal stratification • ToyoStoves

  8. Mold is bad for buildings… Bethel firehouse rotting over employees' heads MOISTURE TRAPPED: Replacing structure may cost up to $7 million By KYLE HOPKINSkhopkins@adn.com Published: July 17th, 2009 09:13 PM Bethel fire station so rotted with water damage, firefighters banned from staying the night….

  9. Dealing with Mold • Fix moisture first • Prevention is easiest • Keep it dry • After a flood • 48 hours • Fans, heat, mop, etc. • Drywall…take it down • Carpets…pull it up

  10. Mold Cleanup • Level of clean-up depends on size of mold area < 10 sq ft • PPE (minimum) • N-95 respirator, gloves, goggles • Containment: None required • Between 10 sq ft and 100 sq ft • PPE limited or full (use “professional judgment”) • Respirator (N-95, half-face, full-face) • Gloves, goggles, foot covering • Disposable overalls/disposable full body clothing

  11. Mold Cleanup (cont.) • Containment: Limited • Polyethylene sheeting ceiling to floor around affected area, slit entry, covering flap • Maintain area under negative pressure with HEPA filtered fan unit. • Block supply and return air vents within containment area

  12. Mold Review Questionswww.epa.gov/mold/moldcourse • Most important factor influencing mold growth is • A. temperature • B. light • C. moisture or water • D. organic matter

  13. Questions…. • Molds have potential to cause health effects such as allergic reactions • True • False

  14. Questions…. • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worn to limit mold exposure. Minimum PPE for mold remediation includes • A. helmet and gloves • B. safety glasses and protective shoes • C. N-95 respirator, gloves, goggles

  15. Questions… • Water-damaged furnishings and building components should be dried within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth • True • False

  16. Last one…. • Mold cannot be eliminated from indoor environments. Some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in dust; however, they will not grow if moisture is not present • True • False

  17. Quyana Leif Albertson Bethel, Alaska lflea@uaf.edu (907)543-4553 Questions?

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