Indoor Air and Molds PRESENTED BY: STEVEN C. STRAYER, CIH, CSP, REHS, RS COCCIARDI AND ASSOCIATES, INC. (717)

REGULATORY AGENCIES AND “WANNA BE’S” REGULATORWANNA BE OSHA/MOSHA NIOSH HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ATSDR EPA/DEP ASHRAE *TREND  RISK ASSESSMENTS

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

“TYPICAL” AIR QUALITY ISSUES POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY (SICK BUILDING SYNDROME) MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION HAZARDOUS MATERIAL EXPOSURE (CO, DIESEL EXHAUST, ALCOHOLS, ETC.) ASBESTOS LEAD BASED PAINT

HEALTH EFFECTS vs. COMFORT CAUSITIVE AGENTS SOURCES CONTROL METHODOLOGIES

HEALTH EFFECTS SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS) VS BUILDING RELATED ILLNESS (BRI)

HEALTH EFFECTS SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS) – A PERSISTENT SET OF SYMPTOMS IN > 20% – CAUSE(S) NOT READILY RECOGNIZABLE – COMPLAINTS/SYMPTOMS RELIEVED AFTER EXITING BUILDING

SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS) – EYE, NOSE, OR THROAT IRRITATION – HEADACHES – FATIGUE – REDUCED MENTATION – IRRITABILITY

SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS) – DRY SKIN – NASAL CONGESTION – DIFFICULTY BREATHING – NOSE BLEEDS – NAUSEA

HEALTH EFFECTS BUILDING RELATED ILLNESS (BRI) »MORE SERIOUS THEN SBS »AGENT DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR A DIAGNOSABLE ILLNESS Ex. ASBESTOS, LEGIONELLA

COMFORT ISSUES ASHRAE Criteria CO 2 Humidity Temperature (summer vs. winter) Others: CO, dust, etc. (NAAQS)

CAUSITIVE AGENTS INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANT TYPES – COMBUSTION PRODUCTS (heating, cigarettes, etc.) – VOLATILE CHEMICALS & MIXTURES – RESPIRABLE PARTICULATES – RESPIRATORY PRODUCTS – BIOLOGICS & BIOAEROSOLS – RADIONUCLIDES (Radon) – ODORS (TOXIN OR NUISENCE)

COMBUSTION PRODUCTS – CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) – OXIDES OF NITROGEN (NO X ) – OXIDES OF SULFUR (SO X ) – CARBON DIOXIDE (CO 2 ) – POLYAROMATIC HYDROCARBON’S (PAH) – TOBACCO SMOKE COMPONENTS

CAUSITIVE AGENTS RESPIRABLE PARTICULATES – METALLIC DUSTS LEAD – ORGANIC DUSTS – PAPER DUSTS – POLLEN

ODORS – ODORS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANT TYPE INDEPENDENTLY IN COMBINATION

PREVENTING IAQ PROBLEMS – SOURCES OUTSIDE THE BUILDING – HUMAN ACTIVITIES – BUILDING COMPONENTS & FURNISHINGS – OTHER SOURCES – VENTILATION SYSTEMS – BIOLOGICAL/WATER

CONTROL METHODOLOGIES SOURCES OUTSIDE THE BUILDING POLLEN, DUST, FUNGI INDUSTRIAL POLLUTANTS (NO X, O 3, etc.) GENERAL VEHICLE EXHAUST EXHAUST RE-ENTRAINMENT SEWER GAS

HUMAN ACTIVITIES HVAC Modification Odor “Masking” Food Storage Amazon Decor Smoking Open Chemicals (janitorial staff) Pesticide Application “Dirty” Conditions Copying Respiration Construction/Renovation Storage Air Cleaners Control Methodologies

Building Components Asbestos Lead-Based Paint New Material/Paint –Off-gassing (formaldehyde, acetic acid, VOC’s, etc.) Exhaust/Intake Locations Lighting Fibrous Glass Mercury Switches

OTHER SOURCES – ACCIDENTAL EVENTS SPILLS FLOODING FIRE DAMAGE (PCB’S) SUBSURFACE CONDUITS (i.e. sewers) RADON VENTILATION Control Methodologies

HVAC Maintenance (filters, condensate pans, etc.) Balance Energy conservation compromise Additional diffusers/returns –“dead air” Humidification / dehumidification Control Methodologies

CONTROL METHODOLOGIES Biological/Water Animals/Insects/Plants Minimize water infiltration –Microbials

NO REGULATORY CRITERIA DECISION MAKING/CHARACTERIZATION REMEDIATION –NYC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH –U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

I. DESCRIPTION A.Kingdom – Mycota (Mold, mildew, yeast, mushrooms, etc.) B.Produce sexually and asexually C.Physical Appearance: black, green, brown, gray, white, etc. “fuzzy”, “slimey” – Spores, Hyphae, Mycelium D.Likes – organic material (your building) and water/moisture – Poor construction, HVAC management and maintenance

DESCRIPTION Dislikes – lack of moisture and ventilation e.g. – Water Activity Constant < 0.8 – Primary Colonizers (i.e. Penicillium)  Colonizers 0.8 – Secondary Colonizers (i.e. Cladosporium)  Colonizers > Tertiary Colonizers (i.e. Stachybotrys)

II.WANTED FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, HEALTH, AND PROPERTY A.Mycotoxins – Defense mechanism (endo– or exo-) Irritation, respiratory disease, cancer, and immune disorders (i.e. Aspergillus, Aflatoxins; Penicillium, Stachy and Fusarium – Macrocyclic trichothecenes ) B.VOC’s – Metabolites (“Musty” smell) Chemical sensitivities and effects associated with alcohols, ketones, hydrocarbons, and aromatics C.Spores and Fragments – Allergies/ Hypersensitivity D.Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS) (i.e. Aspergillus/Penicillium ) Symptoms: Fatigue, fever, flu-like symptoms, eye/skin irritation, red blotches, cough, runny nose, congestion, etc. – possibly even death

A. Spores B. Food (your building) C. Moisture in materials/air (> 60% rlt) Leaks (wet greater than 48 hours) No HVAC make-up air HVAC humidifiers Lack of vapor barriers Tight construction and interference with natural circulation (i.e. mulch, etc.) Poor drainage Improper kitchen/bathroom ventilation Building trauma III. Causes

IV.IDENTIFICATION A.Visible (often hidden in interstitial spaces) B.Air Sampling (spores, metabolites, PCR, etc.) C.Bulk (similar to air) D.Wipe/surface (similar to air) E.Medical evaluation Recommend: Industrial Hygienist (certified), Mycologist, Biologist, Microbiologist, etc.

V.APPROACH: POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS A.Professional Remediator – Proper B.Professional Evaluator (See Above) C.Specifications – Clean-up Criteria D.Remediation by removal, dispose, and clean (HEPA Vacuum) * Suggest segregation of area, if possible * Find and repair source of moisture first * PA Dept. of Health suggests following New York City protocols

VI.LITIGATION AND INSURANCE ISSUES A.Limited coverage B.Construction Issues – Primarily negligence 1. Property Damage – Typically repair costs or value 2. Personal Injury – pain, suffering, medical care, lost wages, loss of earning capacity 3. Death – Loss of love, companionship, comfort, affection, society, solace, sex, moral support, physical assistance, financial support, etc.

VI.LITIGATION AND INSURANCE ISSUES Examples: 1.$350,000 against homeowners association (chronic water damage) 2. $900,000 against residential builder (leaking roof) 3. $545,000 against homeowners association (leaking pipes) 4.$1,353,000 against seller (disclosure) 5. $6,000,000 against general/sub-contractors (4 year-old courthouse w/leaks) 6. $14,200,00 against contractor and surety companies (Sick Building Syndrome in three courthouse buildings)