Understanding Mould In The Work Place

1. Understanding Mould In The Work Place

2. Mould 101 • 100,000 species • ubiquitous • natures decomposers • Feed by absorbing nutrients • Reproduces by microscopic spores • Prolific in both indoor and outdoor environments

3. Mould 102 Metabolites mVOC’s Spore Hyphae Substrate Mycelium

4. Growth Needs • Viable spore • Organic food source (substrate) • Temperature range 2° to 57° Celsius • Moisture • Time after 72hrs

5. Food Sources VIRTUALLY ANYTHING • Dust, drywall, wallpaper • Carpeting, paper & cardboard • Insulation, bird droppings • Plants, ceiling tiles • Furniture/fabrics • Paint, window caulking • Particle Board/wood • Foods

6. Moisture Sources • Flooding • Spills and leaks • Condensation • Humidity >60% • Wind driven rain • Building envelope • Vapour migration • HVAC

7. Means of Water Entry into a Building Wind-driven rain and snow Humidification Vapour diffusion Cooling-coil bypass Condensation Air Movement Flooding Water spills, leaks and other internal sources Crawlspace/Basement Capillary Action Ground Water 7

8. Genus & Species Moulds are named and identified by their Genus and Species • genus: • cladosporium • aspergillus • penicillium • species: • - cladosporium herbarum • - aspergillus funigatus • - a. niger

9. Associated Health Effects • Irritation (dermal contact) • Allergic (hay fever, asthma) • Toxic (carcinogens, neurotoxins, etc) • Pathogenic (infectious, healthcare)

10. Not All Moulds Are Bad! • tolypocladium niveum(cyclosporin) • penicillium chrysogenum(penicillin) • claviceps purpurea(migraines) • beauveria bassiana(pest control) • production of cheese, food and alcohol

11. Protecting Assets, Contents And Structures

12. Drying • Respond Immediately and Aggressively • Extract bulk water • Dehumidify • Move air (not mould) • Encourage Prompt Drying • Dry according to IICRC S500 Standard

13. Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations

14. Duties of Employer An employer (supervisor) shall, • Sect 25(2)(h): take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker • information, instruction (written and oral) and supervision, training to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker;

15. Duties of Workers Section 28 A worker shall: • work in compliance with the Act and the regulations; • use or wear equipment, protective devices/clothing as required; • report to employer or supervisor any hazards

16. Duties of Owners Section 29 The owner shall ensure that: • facilities as prescribed are provided; • facilities prescribed are maintained; • workplace complies with the regulations; • Workplace is constructed, developed, or reconstructed according to the act and regulations

17. Health and Safety Control Measures

18. Exposure Pathways • Inhalation - primary route • Skin contact - minor • Ingestion - minor

19. Types of Controls • Administrative Controls • Engineering Controls • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

20. Containment and Negative Pressure

21. Personal Protective Equipment • Respirators • Gloves • Suits • Goggles • Hard hats

22. Air-Purifying Respirators • Air-Purifying Respirators (APR) • Clean contaminated before it is inhaled • Contaminants removed by (filters or cartridges).

23. Air-Purifying Respirators Full-face Respirator Disposable Dust Masks PAPR Half-mask Respirator

24. Respirator Cartridges P100 Particulate • Use proper filter • NIOSH approved N95 or P100 (HEPA) filters. • Understand limitations (IDLH, 02 deficiency) • Training and programs Organic Vapour/Acid Gas

25. Investigation Methods

26. Mould Investigation Investigation approach should be phased • Phase 1 – Building history • Phase 2 – Identify problem areas (water damage) • Phase 3 – Sampling & Interpretation • Phase 4 – Risk Communication • Phase 5 – Invasive/Destructive testing • Phase 6 – Remediation • Phase 7 – Preventative Measures

27. Visual Inspection

28. Equipment • Relative Humidity Meter • Temperature • Moisture Meter

29. Sample Methods • Bulk (material) • Surface (tape/swab) • Air (viable/non-viable)

30. Air Monitoring • Not needed for routine assessment; • Clearance after removal; • Necessary if mold is hidden; • Outdoor comparisons needed;

31. Sampling Limitations Non-viable • Spores/m³, spores/gram, spores/cm² • Aspergillus/Penicillium spores cannot be differentiated • Immediate results Viable • CFU/m³, CFU per cm² • Identifies to species level • 11 day incubation of sample

32. Criteria for Sample Interpretation • Total concentrations (viable & non-viable) • Indoor samples vs. outdoor samples • Species population distribution • Current guidelines • Baseline levels

33. Remediation Requirements and Techniques Remediation Requirements and Techniques

34. Find it Identify it Contain it Remove it Dispose of it Document it The Remediation Process Source of Water Damage MUST Be Controlled

35. Which Guidelines to Follow ?

36. Non-porous metals glass hard plastics Semi-porous wood concrete Remove or Clean ?? • Porous • drywall • particle board • Carpet • insulation

37. Removal Control Measures • Dust control (barriers, misting, drop sheets) • Worker protection (PPE, hygiene) • Negative air pressure (HEPA) • Careful removal • Contain waste • Detailed cleaning

38. Canadian Construction Industry Mould Removal Guidelines & EACO

39. CCA 82 • Canadian Construction Association • Three levels: • Small < 1m2 • Medium > 1m2 to < 10m2 • Large >10m2 • 2 levels for HVAC: up to 3m2 and> 3m2

40. CCA 82 • Extensive outline of construction practices to minimize moisture intrusion including: • Building design • Architectural detailing and practices • Construction considerations

41. Level 1 (Small) < 1m2 • Occupants should not be present in area • Half face respirator (N95), eye protection, gloves and disposable coveralls • Turn off HVAC systems • Clean area with HEPA vac

42. Level 1 (Small) < 1m2 • Drop sheet below areas of removal • Dust suppression • Remove substrate 30 cm (1ft.) past mould growth • Clean all exposed surfaces in work area – wet wipe or HEPA vacuum • Remove waste in 6 mil plastic bags

43. Level 1 (Small) < 1m2 • Clean all equipment used in work with HEPA vac and wet wipe • Dispose of all waste materials • Wash face and hands • Leave all areas dry and free of contamination and debris

44. Level 2 (medium) 1 m2 – 10 m2 • Level 1 plus the following: • Should consult health and safety professional; • Competent supervisor present during all work; • Full body coveralls with hoods, secure with tape

45. Level 2 (medium) 1 m2 – 10 m2 • Isolation of work area with 6 mil poly • Provide negative pressure • Consider decontamination area • Document abatement work in writing

46. Level 3 (large) >10 m2 • Level 1 and level 2 plus the following: • Must consult health and safety consultant • Full face P100 respirator (suggests PAPR) • Impermeable gloves, coveralls with hoods, and disposable boot covers

47. Level 3 (large) >10 m2 • Isolate work area • Provide negative air • Regular documented inspections of work area • Worker decontamination facility including clean change room, dirty change room, and wash station

48. Level 3 Enclosure Set-up

49. HVAC Levels Generally: • Small HVAC > 3m2 = Medium Removal • Large HVAC < 3m2 = Large Removal

50. Dust Barriers