1. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference1 John L. Murray, Jr., CHMM, CSP, CIH Safety Director Occupational Health & Safety Baystate Health System Springfield MA “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think it might be mold.”

2. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference2 “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.” Where to Start Contraindications Low relative humidity No visible growth Complaints of revolving illness

3. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference3 “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

4. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference4  Baseboard  Wall paper paste/wall paper seams  Inside ventilation ducts  Inside wall cavities  Typically wet areas – e.g. window sills “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.” Places to look

5. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference5 Microscopic Analysis – Non-viable  Tape Samples  Spore Trap Incubation – Viable Samples  Swab  Agar Plate OPD – Open Plate Deposition Active “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.” Sampling methods & analysis

6. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference6 “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.” Microscopic Analysis

7. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference7 Sampling Plan Bioaerosol sampling A minimum of four samples: Complaint Area, Non-complaint Area, Outside and a blank. Sampler is cleaned between plates with 91% isopropyl alcohol. Samples are delivered to the lab for incubation and identification. Reference: NIOSH Method 800 Bioaerosol Sampling “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

8. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference8 Active viable sampler SKC – Anderson N6 “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

9. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference9 “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

10. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference10 Incubated Culture plate “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

11. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference11 Wind speed & Direction Temperature Humidity “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.” Weather Effects

12. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference12 Qualifications Speciation Media Choice TSA, PDA, SDA, MEA……. Data presentation “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.” Relations with Lab

13. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference13 Lab # Sample# Bulk Air Comments***** 3OUTH03x ____No fungi isolated ____ _____ ____ 1 C.F.U. x Penicillin Species 17 C.F.U. X Cladosporium Species C.F.U. Alternaria Species “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

14. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference14 Lab Data Conversion “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.” CFU/m 3 = Colony Forming Units * 1000 liters time in minutes * sample flow rate in liters/minute m 3 For the previous page 18 CFU * 1000 l = 218 CFU/m 3 3 min * 27.5 l/min m 3

15. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference15 Local Mycology Labs “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

16. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference16 “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.” Case Study – Office Suite

17. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference17 1.Break Room 2.Main Lobby 3.Office #1 4.Office #2 5.Office #3 6.Warehouse 7.Print Shop 8.Outside Collection Points “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

18. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference18 Sampling Locations #1 #8 #2 #3#4 #5 #6 #7

19. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference19 Results – Background and Reference No viable colonies isolatedBlank380 Blank >2800 CFU/m 3 Penicilllium sp., Cladosporium sp., Alternaria sp. and Streptomyces sp. isolated. Outside, NE corner of building 380-O1 273 CFU/m 3 Penicilllium sp., Cladosporium sp., Alternaria sp. and Streptomyces sp. isolated. Print Shop380NC2 754 CFU/m 3 Penicilllium sp., Cladosporium sp and Alternaria sp. isolated. Warehouse, Near Pick Area380NC1 “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

20. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference20 Air Flow Patterns 2800 CFU/M3 754 CFU/M3 273 CFU/M3

21. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference21 182 CFU/m 3 Penicilllium sp., and Cladosporium sp Office #2380C5 221 CFU/m 3 Penicilllium sp., Cladosporium sp and Alternaria sp. Office #3380C4 221 CFU/m 3 Penicilllium sp., and Cladosporium sp. Office #1380C3 299 CFU/m 3 Penicilllium sp., Cladosporium sp and Alternaria sp. isolated. Main Lobby380C2 325 CFU/m 3 Penicilllium sp., Cladosporium sp., Alternaria sp. and Streptomyces sp. isolated. Old Break Room380C1 Results – Complaint Areas “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

22. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference22 The Organisms Penicillium is one of the most common molds found indoors. Because it is so common, the source of it may not be easily identified. It particularly likes to grow in basements on stored materials such as boxes, paper sacks, fabrics, gypsum board wall facings and cellulose ceiling tiles. Penicillium is one of the most common species found in house dust. As such, a positive test for Penicillium in most cases carries no health significance with it. “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

23. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference23 The Organisms Cladosporium A genus of mold which can be found within indoor environments. Cladosporium is the most common of the so-called black molds. It produces a black pigment that protects it from ultraviolet light. This characteristic as well as its growth and dispersal characteristics is likely responsible for its presence and abundance in the environment. Clinical Information Cladosporium A genus of mold which can be found within indoor environments. Cladosporium is the most common of the so-called black molds. It produces a black pigment that protects it from ultraviolet light. This characteristic as well as its growth and dispersal characteristics is likely responsible for its presence and abundance in the environment. Clinical Information Cladosporium is one of the most common mold species found in indoor and outdoor environments. In most cases, outdoor concentrations are higher than those indoors. Cladosporium produces a black pigment so that when it grows on a surface it looks black. Cladosporium, like all known mold species, can cause allergic sensitization in potentially sensitive individuals. As such, it can cause chronic allergic rhinitis, asthma, and possibly fungal sinusitis. Exposures to common molds like Cladosporium pose no unique health risks to a pregnant woman or her fetus. It may pose a risk to an asthmatic individual if they have been sensitized to Cladosporium. “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

24. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference24 Alternaria is a fungus commonly isolated from plants, soil, food, and indoor air environment. Alternaria is often found growing on carpets, textiles and horizontal surfaces such as window frames. It is known to be a common allergen. Alternaria is commonly found in water damaged buildings, and a significant increase in its numbers compared to outdoor levels can be a sign of growth. Although Alternaria is a source of allergic reactions, pathogenic infections are also reported infrequently. The Organisms “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

25. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference25 Streptomyces species are found worldwide in soil and are important in soil ecology. Much of the characteristic earthy smell of soils arises from chemicals given off by Streptomyces species. Streptomycetes are metabolically diverse and can "eat" almost anything, including sugars, alcohols, amino acids, organic acids, and aromatic compounds. Few species of are pathogenic for animals, although a few species cause plant diseases. The Organisms “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

26. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference26  Did you ever catch snakes as a kid?  Post remediation standards “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.” Pitfalls

27. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference27 Questions? “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”

28. January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference28 Thank you “…and staff are complaining about allergies. They think It might be mold.”