January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference1 John L. Murray, Jr., CHMM, CSP, CIH Safety Director Occupational Health & Safety Baystate Health System Springfield

January 25, 2005 USDA Teleconference 1

John L. Murray, Jr., CHMM, CSP, CIHSafety DirectorOccupational Health & SafetyBaystate Health SystemSpringfield MA

“…and staff are complainingabout allergies. They think it might be mold.”


“…and staff are complainingabout allergies. They think It might be mold.”

Where to Start

Contraindications•Low relative humidity•No visible growth•Complaints of revolving illness




BaseboardWall paper paste/wall paper seamsInside ventilation ductsInside wall cavitiesTypically wet areas – e.g. window sills

“…and staff are complainingabout allergies. They think It might be mold.” Places to look


Microscopic Analysis – Non-viableTape SamplesSpore Trap

Incubation – Viable SamplesSwabAgar Plate

•OPD – Open Plate Deposition•Active


Sampling methods & analysis



Microscopic Analysis


Sampling Plan

Bioaerosol sampling

A minimum of four samples: Complaint Area, Non-complaintArea, 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



Active viable samplerSKC – Anderson N6





IncubatedCulture plate



•Wind speed &

Direction

•Temperature

•Humidity


Weather Effects


Qualifications

Speciation

Media ChoiceTSA, PDA, SDA, MEA…….

Data presentation


Relations with Lab


Lab # Sample# Bulk Air Comments*****

3 OUTH03 x ____No fungi isolated

____ _____ ____

1 C.F.U. x Penicillin Species

17 C.F.U. X Cladosporium Species

C.F.U. Alternaria Species



Lab Data Conversion“…and staff are complainingabout allergies. They think It might be mold.”

CFU/m3 = Colony Forming Units * 1000 liters time in minutes * sample flow rate in liters/minute m3

For the previous page

18 CFU * 1000 l = 218 CFU/m3

3 min * 27.5 l/min m3


Local Mycology Labs“…and staff are complainingabout allergies. They think It might be mold.”



Case Study – Office Suite


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 complainingabout allergies. They think It might be mold.”


Sampling Locations

#1

#8

#2#3#4

#5

#6

#7


Results – Background and Reference

No viable colonies isolatedBlank380 Blank

>2800 CFU/m3

Penicilllium sp., Cladosporium sp., Alternaria sp. and Streptomyces sp. isolated.

Outside, NE corner of building

380-O1

273 CFU/m3


Print Shop380NC2

754 CFU/m3

Penicilllium sp., Cladosporium sp and Alternaria sp. isolated.

Warehouse, Near Pick Area380NC1



Air FlowPatterns

2800 CFU/M3 754 CFU/M3

273 CFU/M3


182 CFU/m3

Penicilllium sp., and Cladosporium spOffice #2380C5

221 CFU/m3

Penicilllium sp., Cladosporium sp and Alternaria sp.

Office #3380C4

221 CFU/m3

Penicilllium sp., and Cladosporium sp.Office #1380C3

299 CFU/m3

Penicilllium sp., Cladosporium sp and Alternaria sp. isolated.

Main Lobby380C2

325 CFU/m3


Old Break Room380C1

Results – Complaint Areas“…and staff are complainingabout allergies. They think It might be mold.”


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.



The Organisms

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.



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 complainingabout allergies. They think It might be mold.”


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 complainingabout allergies. They think It might be mold.”


Did you ever catch snakes as a kid?

Post remediation standards


Pitfalls


Questions?



Thank you


Documents

January 25, 2005USDA Teleconference1 John L. Murray, Jr., CHMM, CSP, CIH Safety Director Occupational Health & Safety Baystate Health System Springfield