Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities Introduction to Mold Mansel A. Nelson June 2011

Northern Arizona University The Mountain Campus Flagstaff, AZ

Presentation Introduction to IAQTC Introduction to Mold (Short Version) What is mold? Factors contributing to mold growth Health impacts www.nau.edu/iaqtc

Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities The IAQTC project activities will focus on prevention and control of indoor air contaminates. Radon Indoor asthma triggers Indoor air quality management in schools.

Work Plan Conferences, meetings, and outreach to Tribes Seminar development and delivery in conjunction with national meetings Web resources Technical assistance

Technical Assistance Projects Respond to technical and non-technical questions Facilitate development of partnerships and collaborations within tribal community to address IAQ issues.

An Introduction to Mold

Types of Molds What are molds? Under a microscope What are molds? Part of “Fungi” kingdom that includes molds, yeasts, mushrooms, rusts Microscopic organisms that form and colonize through airborne spores

Types of Molds (continued) Over 100,000 different types; about 10 different species common indoors

Factors Contributing to Mold Growth What do molds need to grow? Food supply Warm temperatures Moisture

Factors Contributing to Mold Growth #1 - Food Sources Organic sources Building materials

Factors Contributing to Mold Growth #2 - Heat Warm air holds more moisture than cold air Mold likes same temperatures as humans

Factors Contributing to Mold Growth #3 – Moisture and vapor sources Moisture sources Building envelope leaks Plumbing leaks Water vapor sources High relative humidity (RH) Damp soil & basements Occupant activities Condensation happens in cold spots

Optimum Relative Humidity

Control of Mold Control Moisture!

Health Impacts “Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all.” www.CDC.gov/mold Health impacts vary widely and are individual in impact. Health issues can result from a variety of environmental issues and it can be difficult to identify specific causes.

Health Impacts Irritant Allergen Infectious Toxic

Mansel A. Nelson, Senior Program Coordinator Environmental Education Outreach Program (EEOP) Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities (IAQTC) Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Northern Arizona University (NAU) http://www.nau.edu/eeop/ mansel.nelson@nau.edu Voice 928 523 1275 or 1496 FAX 928 523 1280 PO Box 5768, Flagstaff, AZ 86011 www.nau.edu/iaqtc