MOLD ACTIONS

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MOLD ACTIONS SOLUTIONS

• By Matt Johnston
• TERRACON
• 5217 LINBAR DRIVE, SUITE 309
• NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 27211
• [phone]

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WHAT IS MOLD?

• Mold is Subset of Fungi that Includes
• -Yeasts -Molds
• -Mildew -Mushrooms
• -Bracket Fungi (Trees)
• Mold is part of the Natural Environment
• -Outdoors - breaks down dead organic matter
• -Inside may cause adverse health effects

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HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MOLD EXPOSURE

• Molds produce
• Allergens
• Fungal Infections (Rare)
• Potentially Toxic Substances (Mycotoxins
  Microbial VOCs)

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Potential Health Effectsfrom Mold Exposure
Dermatitis
Sinusitis
Asthma
Rhinitis
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Potential Health Effectsfrom Mold Exposure
Aspergilloma
Invasive Sinusitis
Invasive Aspergillosis
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Potential Health Effectsfrom Mold Exposure

• MYCOTOXINS
• Ingestion of moldy foods
• Acute inhalation
• exposure in agriculture

• MVOCs
• Aldehydes
• Alcohols
• Keytones
• Hydrocarbons

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MOLD EXPOSURE PATHS

• Inhalation
• Skin Contact
• Ingestion

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PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST SUSEPTABLE

• People with Weakened Immune Systems (i.e. HIV,
  Cancer Patients)
• Infants and Young Children
• Elderly
• People with Respiratory Diseases

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ALLERGIC RESPONSES TO MOLD

• Sneezing
• Runny Nose
• Red Eyes
• Skin Rashes
• Upper Respiratory Discomfort
• Restricted Breathing
• Flu-like Symptoms

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ASTHMATIC RESPONSES TO MOLD

• Difficulty Breathing
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Constriction of Air Passages
• Inflammation of Air Passages

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MYCOTOXIN RESPONSES TO MOLD

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Respiratory Irritation
• Eye Irritation
• Discomfort
• Inability to Concentrate
• Dermatitis

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• SYMPTOMS OTHER THAN THE ALLERGIC AND IRRITANT
  TYPES ARE NOT COMMONLY REPORTED AS A RESULT OF
  MOLD EXPOSURE

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COMPONENETS FOR MOLD GROWTH

• MOLD NEEDS THREE COMPONENTS TO SUSTAIN GROWTH
• FOOD SOURCE
• MOISTURE SOURCE
• OXYGEN

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MOLD FOOD SOURCES

• Any Organic Material

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MOLD FOOD SOURCES

• Wood Products

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MOLD FOOD SOURCES

• Dirt

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MOLD FOOD SOURCES

• Cellulose Products

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MOISTURE SOURCES

• Relative Humidity
• Water Leaks
• Failing Window Seals
• Roof Leaks
• Pipe Leaks
• Condensation
• Flooding
• Miscellaneous

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MOISTURE SOURCES

• Relative Humidity
• Amount of Atmospheric Moisture
• Amount of Moisture if the Air were Saturated
• 100

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MOISTURE SOURCES

• Relative Humidity
• 40 to 50 is Desirable
• No Higher than 60
• (If Higher, Usually Improper Ventilation is the
  Cause)

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MOISTURE SOURCES

• Water Leaks
• Failing Window Seals

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MOISTURE SOURCES

• Water Leaks
• Roof Leaks

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MOISTURE SOURCES

• Water Leaks
• Roof Leaks

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MOISTURE SOURCES

• Water Leaks
• Pipe Leaks

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MOISTURE SOURCES

• Water Leaks
• Condensation

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MOISTURE SOURCES

• Water Leaks
• Condensation

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MOISTURE SOURCES

• Water Leaks
• Flooding

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FLOODING(Katrina)
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FLOODING(Katrina)
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FLOODING(Katrina)
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FLOODING(Katrina)
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FLOODING(Katrina / Memphis)
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MISC. MOISTURE SOURCES
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PROCEDURES AFTER MOISTURE INTRUSION

• Remove Standing Water
• Dry-out Area
• Check Dryness using Moisture Meter
• Use Comparison Approach
• Remove Materials that Cant Be Saved
• Note Prior to removing materials, determine if
  the material is/isnt asbestos-containing

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PROCEDURES AFTER MOISTURE INTRUSION

• Remove Standing Water
• Wet/Dry Vacuum
• Siphoning Pumps
• Squeegees
• Any Other Extraction Equipment

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PROCEDURES AFTER MOISTURE INTRUSION

• Dry-out Area (within 24 - 48 hours)
• Fans
• Dehumidifiers (Maintain)
• Dehumidifiers are ineffective and may cause more
  problems if they are not maintained
• Wet/Dry Vacuum Upholstered Furniture
• Check Material Dryness

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PROCEDURES AFTER MOISTURE INTRUSION

• Remove Materials that Cant Be Saved
• Carpet (Some Carpet May Be Saved)
• Ceiling Tiles
• Papers/Files/Folders
• Personal Items

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HIDDEN MOLD

• Mold Under Wallpaper

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HIDDEN MOLD

• Mold on Interior Wood Paneling

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HIDDEN MOLD

• Mold Under Wall Baseboard

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HIDDEN MOLD

• Mold Debris on Air Duct Damper

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HIDDEN MOLD

• Mold on Fan Coil Unit Drip Pan

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HIDDEN MOLD

• Mold on Fan Coil Unit Fan Blades and Coils

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MOLD IDENTIFICATION METHODS

• Visual Observation
• Air Sampling
• Swab Sampling
• Bulk Sampling
• Tape Sampling

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MOLD REMEDIATION

• Greater Than 10 Square Feet Contract a
  Remediation Firm Under the Guidance of an
  Industrial Hygienist (3rd Party).
• Less Than 10 Square Feet May be Performed by
  Trained Individuals (Maintenance Staff).
• 24 to 40-Hour Course on Mold Identification
  Remediation

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MOLD REMEDIATION

• Less Than 10 Square Feet of Mold Impacted Area
  Maintenance Activities
• Establish a Written Plan, that will include
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Remediation Protocol
• Clearance Protocol
• Recordkeeping

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MOLD REMEDIATION(Maintenance Activities)

• Personal Protective Equipment, to include
• Latex Gloves

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MOLD REMEDIATION(Maintenance Activities)

• Personal Protective Equipment, to include
• Tyvec Cover-alls

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MOLD REMEDIATION(Maintenance Activities)

• Personal Protective Equipment, to include
• N-95 Respirator (minimum)
• Typically Would Want Medical Surveillance

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MOLD REMEDIATION(Maintenance Activities)

• Personal Protective Equipment, to include
• Eye protection (goggles)

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MOLD REMEDIATION PLAN(Maintenance Activities)

• Remediation Protocol
• Tools (Hand Tools)
• Keyhole saw
• Utility Knife
• Hammer
• Etc.
• Cleaning Solutions
• 10 Bleach Solution
• Detergent Solution
• Manufactured Solution - Sporosidin
• Cleaning Procedures
• Capturing Solutions

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MOLD REMEDIATION PLAN(Maintenance Activities)

• Cleaning Protocol Fan Coil Units
• Filter Change-out
• Cleaning Fan Blades
• Cleaning Coils
• Cleaning Drip Pans
• Inspection Condensate Lines

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MOLD REMEDIATION PLAN(Maintenance Activities)

• Cleaning Protocol Lay-in Ceiling Tiles
• Place Plastic Sheeting under Tile
• Mist Tile with Spray Encapsulant
• Carefully Lower Tile to Ground
• Place Tile in Garbage Bag Tape
• Inspection Grid System for Moisture or Molded
  Materials
• Clean Surrounding Area

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MOLD REMEDIATION PLAN(Maintenance Activities)

• Cleaning Protocol Sheetrock
• Place Plastic Sheeting on Floor of Immediate Area
• Mist Impacted Area with Spray Encapsulant
• Carefully Cut Impacted Area away from
  Non-impacted Area
• Place Debris in Garbage Bag Tape
• Inspection Surrounding Area for Moisture or
  Molded Materials
• Clean Surrounding Area

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MOLD REMEDIATION PLAN(Maintenance Activities)

• Clearance Protocol
• Visual Inspection

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MOLD REMEDIATION PLAN(Maintenance Activities)

• Recordkeeping
• Log All Remediation Activities
• Log Complaints
• Location
• Date Time
• Weather Conditions
• Origin of Complaints

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SUMMARY

• Mold Is Everywhere
• Mold Overexposure May Cause Adverse Health
  Effects
• People with Asthma Allergies
• Immuno-compromised People
• Mold Needs Three Components to Grow
• Moisture
• Food Source
• Oxygen

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SUMMARY

• Upon Moisture Intrusion
• Remove Standing Water
• Dry-out Area (24-48 Hours)
• Remove Materials that Cant Be Saved
• If Mold Impacted Area is Greater Than 10 SF,
  Contract a Remediation Firm

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SUMMARY

• If Impacted Area is Less Than 10 SF, May Be
  Performed By Trained Maintenance Personnel.
• Document All Activities

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• QUESTIONS