Environmental Health Training in Disaster Response Building Assessments Robert Maglievaz, MSPH, RS, CIH Volusia County Health Department CDR John Smart, MPH, REHS U.S Public Health Service Indian Health Service

Building Assessment Objectives Know why environmental health assessments are conducted in buildings Identify building components and function Develop an awareness of building assessment processes, specific response issues, and close- out needs Introduce concept of building-related public health hazard and how it plays into building re- occupancy and recovery decisions

Building Assessment Purpose Assess impact to building function Identify building-related public health hazards Reduce or remove building-related public health hazards

Building Assessment The Why Why does a building exist? Physiological needs Psychological needs Must evaluate components holistically, not individually

Building Assessment Building Components Building envelope Structural components

Building Assessment Building Components Building envelope Structural components Interior furnishings and appliances

Building Assessment Building Components Building envelope Structural components Interior furnishings and appliances Utility infrastructure

Building Assessment Building Components Building envelope Structural components Interior furnishings and appliances Utility infrastructure Occupancy specific

Building Assessment Building Components Building envelope Structural components Interior furnishings and appliances Utility infrastructure Occupancy specific Building surroundings

ID facilities for assessment Building Assessment Assessment Process

ID facilities for assessment Determine assessment process Building Assessment Assessment Process

ID facilities for assessment Determine assessment process Identify assessment needs

Building Assessment Assessment Process ID facilities for assessment Determine assessment process Identify assessment needs Conduct the assessment

Building Assessment Assessment Process ID facilities for assessment Determine assessment process Identify assessment needs Conduct the assessment Document all information

Building Assessment Response Issues Team safety Situational awareness Know the building, contents and hazards Equipment needs/use Communication/contact needs Information sharing

Building Assessment Re-occupancy and Recovery A 3-step assessment process Chemical, physical or biological hazard present in the building? Does a pathway exist to transport the hazard to the occupant? If so, can the exposure be quantified? Pathway Occupant Exposure Source

A few things about mold… Take home points: A visual walk through will give you all the information you need –Look for mold growth and water damage Find moisture source(s) and eliminate Remove mold growth –Porous surfaces? Dispose and replace –Impervious surfaces? Clean and disinfect Should you sample for mold? –Typically not indicated for emergency response

A few things about mold… References: EPA, Indoor Environments Division website and –Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings (2001) –A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home (2002) –Mold Course - Introduction to Mold and Mold Remediation for Environmental and Public Health Professionals

A few things about mold… References: CDC National Center for Environmental Health –Cleanup and remediation –General information –Mold related issues –References

A few things about mold… References: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene –Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments (2002) OSHA –Preventing Mold-Related Problems in the Indoor Workplace: A Guide for Building Owners, Managers and Occupants (2006) –A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace (2003)

Building Assessment Re-occupancy and Recovery Public health hazard exists now or in future? Does hazard or remediation impact building use? Disaster need considerations Use Recommendations Occupant Risk Assessment Building Function Impact Disaster Needs

Building Assessment Closing out Assessment close out with owner/operator

Assessment close out with permitting authority Building Assessment Closing out

Robert Maglievaz, MSPH, RS, CIH Volusia County Health Department 1845 Holsonback Dr. Daytona Beach, FL CDR John D. Smart, MPH, REHS Indian Health Service 801 Thompson Ave., TMP-610 Rockville, MD