MOLD
Molds are fungi that live in soil and in dead or decaying matter. Mold spores are found almost everywhere in the environment. They need moisture to germinate and take only a day or two to grow. While all indoor environments have some mold that comes in from outdoors, damp environments encourage mold growth indoors. For mold to grow, it needs water, oxygen, a warm temperature and something that contains carbon to feed on, such as dirt, wood and paper. Unresolved water incursion problems in schools can lead to extensive mold growth and potentially to health problems for building occupants.
Most molds are harmless, but some molds produce toxic substances called mycotoxins. Common health effects of mold exposure include allergic reactions (runny nose, congestion, irritated eyes), upper respiratory symptoms, cough, wheeze, breathing difficulties, new or worsening asthma, flu symptoms, fatigue, headaches, hypersensitivity and skin and mucous membrane irritation. Not everyone has the same symptoms, and some people are not bothered at all.
Moisture control is the key to reducing mold growth. Moisture problems in schools can be caused by flooding, poor drainage, misdirected sprinklers or leaky roofs, pipes, windows, foundations and other structural openings. They can also result from poor ventilation during regular maintenance activities like carpet cleaning or damp mopping of floors or from reduced use of air conditioning or heating during school breaks. High humidity can support the growth of mold once it has begun. The following practices are known to be effective in reducing moisture problems and mold growth in school buildings:
- Maintain indoor air relative humidity below 60%
- Inspect for water damage and eliminate standing water
- Identify moisture sources and make necessary repairs
- Conduct follow up inspections to make sure leaks are completely stopped
- Do not install carpeting where there is constant moisture (drinking fountains, sinks, showers and pools) or on concrete slab
- Clean up spills or pools of water on smooth-surface flooring as soon as possible
- Clean and dry spills on carpets within 24 hours
- Clean and dry out wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours. If completely soaked, materials such as ceiling tiles, wallboard or insulation often need to be removed and discarded by trained personnel using the proper personal protective equipment
- Make sure areas are well ventilated after cleaning of carpets or damp mopping of floors by opening windows, doors and using exhaust fans. Be careful not to over wet or soak carpet with liquid cleaning or rinse solutions so that the carpet can quickly dry and be back in service in just a few hours.
- Perform regular maintenance on heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Keep HVAC drip pans clean, keep air flowing properly and do not block the airflow with furniture, books and papers.
- Do not let building foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation. Cut back trees and shrubs that are touching the walls to allow sunlight and fresh air keep the building dry.
- For renovations and new construction, keep building materials dry and keep the site dry. Ensure that the building is designed to be easy to clean and keep dry.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
Question: I think there is mold in my classroom at school. Should I ask for mold testing?
Answer: The best practice is to prevent mold from growing in the first place, not to test for it afterwards. The time and money spent on testing can be better spent on cleanup and repairs. If you suspect that mold is growing, the first thing that should be done is a visual inspection. Any mold found should be remediated according to federal or state guidelines. Testing done after remediation may be useful to verify that the repairs were effective and did not spread the mold beyond the contaminated area.
Mold air testing should not be done as a first step. It is time-consuming, expensive and often unreliable. There are no standardized protocols for mold testing and there are many unqualified individuals currently performing testing and analysis of mold samples. Thousands of substances, including mold, have no regulated exposure limits. There are no established standards or regulations to say what is hazardous to health and what is not. Testing is not necessary most of the time and it may not reveal mold in hidden areas and surfaces. If you see mold or smell mold, you have a problem. If you see water damage you may have mold in hidden places or it may develop within a few days.
Question: How do I read a mold report?
Answer: Mold is measured in Colony Forming Units (CFUs). The numbers are very large and not that important. Since there is no standard or regulated exposure limit for mold, we do not know how much or how little it takes to cause adverse health effects.
Laboratory reports of the analysis of air samples should compare the outside air with the inside air. The report should show a row for each mold tested for; a column for outside air and a separate column for each area where inside air was tested.
You have a problem if the lab discovers different types of mold inside than outside or different numbers (mold spore counts) inside than outside. The problem is not so much that mold is present, but that more mold is growing inside the structure than outside and/or that different molds are growing inside than outside.
Question: What are the signs that mold may be growing in my school building?
Answer: The signs of possible mold growth are the same as the signs of excessive moisture in the building. You should look for:
- Discolored or stained walls, ceilings or floors
- Standing water in refrigerator or air conditioner drip pans, or under plumbing
- Water droplets or signs of uncontrolled moisture on duct interiors and near humidifiers, cooling coils, or outdoor air intakes.
- Condensation forming around windows, pipes or indoor surfaces of exterior walls
- High humidity in locker rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and boiler rooms
If you see fuzzy, slimy or discolored surfaces, especially in damp or wet areas, it is probably mold. Molds are often green, black, purple or orange in color. An earthy or musty odor, or a smell like alcohol, is often a sign of hidden mold.
Question: How do I clean up the mold I found in my closet at school?
Answer: Do not use students to remove moldy materials and do not do it yourself!
Guidelines for safe removal of mold are available from federal or state environmental protection and health agencies. When investigating or cleaning up mold, trained personnel should wear protective equipment, including gloves, goggles and a mask or respirator. Clean up mold on hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry completely. Remove and properly dispose of any porous materials (wood, sheetrock, ceiling tiles, paper products) that have been significantly damaged by mold.
Question: What kind of mold or moisture problems have you found during a school walkthrough inspection?
Answer: Most of the mold/moisture problems that my Tools for Schools Team found during our walkthroughs had to do with unreported leaks and carpet spills. Another source of water damage we found came from aquariums and watering indoor plants. We also discovered attempts to address leaks cosmetically, either by continuously replacing ceiling tiles instead of fixing the leaky roof or by spray painting ceiling tiles to cover up water stains.
In one classroom, we found cardboard boxes filled with books and papers stored on a windowsill. The condensation from the windows was getting into the boxes and creating a moldy mess. In several other classrooms, we discovered that humidifiers brought in by teachers to make their rooms more comfortable were actually creating excessive moisture and causing mold growth.
We found several areas of hidden mold growth. The first involved a marker board placed against an outside wall. Moisture condensed on the cool wall behind the board, didn’t dry and resulted in mold growth. In the second case, a chalkboard installed over sheetrock had a loose chalk tray. When the chalkboard was washed, water got behind the board and mold grew. The third incident involved a drainpipe in a 100-year-old building. The clay pipe drained water from the roof of the building into a basement drain and was hidden between closets in two adjacent classrooms. The pipe cracked and slowly leaked water into the two closets that were stuffed with cardboard boxes of teaching materials. The smell of mold finally alerted us to the problem.
RELATED LINKS:
EPA Mold website:
www.epa.gov/iaq/mold/index.html
EPA Mold Resources website:
www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html
EPA Mold Remediation Guide
www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html
EPA Tools for Schools Kit Appendix H – Mold and Moisture:
www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/guideh.html
EPA IAQ Design TfS Moisture Control:
www.epa.gov/schooldesign/moisturecontrol.html
EPA Molds and Asthma:
www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma/molds.html
EPA Fact Sheet on Mold in Schools:
EPA Fact Sheet on Mold in Schools.pdf
EPA A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and your Home:
www.epa.gov/moldpublications.html
EPA Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers Appendix C – Moisture, Mold and Mildew:
www.epa.gov/iaq/largebldgs/pdf_files/appenc.pdf
EPA Frequent Questions:
http://iaq.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/iaq.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php
EPA A to Z Subject Index:
EPA Indoor Air Quality Scientific Findings Resource Bank on Indoor Dampness, Mold and Health:
www.iaqscience.lbl.gov/mold-summary.html
American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Adverse Human Health Effects Associated with Molds in the Indoor Environment:
www.acoem.org/guidelines.aspx?id=850
American Lung Association Biological Pollutants Facts:
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35369
American Lung Association Flood Cleanup Fact Sheet:
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35694
Centers for Disease Control Mold Resources:
CT DPH IAQ Testing Should not be the First Step:
IAQ Testing Should not be the First Move.pdf
CT DPH Remediation Guidelines for Mold Abatement Contractors:
CT Guidelines for Mold Remediation Contractors_Final .pdf
CT DPH Mold Clean-up Guidance for Residences:
Get the Mold Out Fact Sheet-pdf
CT DPH IEQ website mold section:
http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3140&q=387466&dphNav_GID=1828&dphPNavCtr=|#Mold
Healthy Schools Network, Inc. Guide to Molds at School:
http://healthyschools.org/clearinghouse.html
US Department of Labor OSHA A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace:
www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101003.html
Washington State School IAQ Best Practices Manual:
WA Best IAQ Mngmnt Practices Manual.pdf
Get The Mold Out: Mold Clean-Up Guidance for Residences
Introduction
This fact sheet provides basic information that individuals should consider before beginning a mold
clean-up project or hiring a professional to evaluate or clean up mold in a home. Get The Mold Out
reviews basic concepts concerning indoor mold, third party oversight, training, environmental
assessment, abatement/remediation (including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
systems), health and safety, and hazard communication. Get The Mold Out also contains information
about when to seek professional assistance, and informs individuals about technical guidance
documents that professionals should be following, such as the Connecticut Guidelines for Mold
Abatement Contractors, prepared by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH).
Additionally, readers are referred to other sources and reference materials for detailed “how to”
information.
Mold Abatement/Remediation
The words abatement and remediation are often used interchangeably- both refer to correcting the
problem. Realistic goals for mold abatement should be to eliminate visible mold, reduce hidden mold,
and/or reduce the amount and types of mold to what is normally found in similar, non-affected indoor
areas. Because molds are carried indoors on clothes, shoes, pets, through open windows and doors, and
via ducted ventilation systems such as those that supply forced hot air heat and/or central airconditioning
for cooling, it is not possible for mold abatement contractors to make homes totally free
from all mold.
Mold needs water to grow. If there is no past or current moisture problem, there will be no mold
problem in a home. However, evidence of water damage suggests that there might be a mold problem.
The first step to take when thinking about mold abatement is to look for evidence of water damage,
chronic leaks, and/or mold growth. Initially, most people can do this themselves. If you can see that
water is getting into the home, steps must be taken to stop the water before beginning any mold cleanup
activities. If you decide to hire a professional mold abatement contractor, be sure to tell them where
you think the water entered the home, even if it was an old leak or moisture problem that has since
been repaired.
Evaluation and Testing
1. Who Should Evaluate Mold Problems in A Home?
If the water source causing the mold is straightforward, such as a flood, sump pump failure,
hole in the roof, or leaking faucet, you may choose to do the inspection yourself.
If you choose to hire a professional, a home inspector licensed by the CT Department of
Consumer Protection and certified by the American Society of Home Inspectors, National
Association of Certified Home Inspectors, or CT Association of Certified Home Inspectors
can look for water damage. (Please see the resource list at the end of this fact sheet for further
information.) Please note that the state of Connecticut does not license individuals or
entities that perform mold inspection or mold abatement.
In situations where someone living in the home lacks a healthy immune system (due to cancer
or other diseases), or there is a concern about hidden mold, mold growth on or in complex
building materials/structural elements, or an extensive area of visible mold growth, you may
choose to hire an industrial hygienist (IH) or indoor environmental professional (IEP) who is
specifically trained in the area of indoor mold assessment and credentialed by an independent
professional organization, to help you evaluate the situation and design a remediation plan, if
appropriate. The state of Connecticut does not license or credential industrial hygienists
or IEPs.
2. What About Testing?
In most instances, CT DPH does not recommend testing the air or contaminated surfaces to
find out how much or what kind of mold is present. The most important types of testing are
the eyeball and nose tests - can you see or smell mold, and/or, do you see evidence of water
damage?
If you can see or smell mold, the next step is to identify the source and then remove it. If you
smell a musty odor but cannot see visible growth, mold may be hidden behind wallpaper,
paint, inside of wall cavities, etc.
There is little to be gained scientifically from air testing in most home and work place
environments, especially if there is a visible source, because:
• Mold is everywhere – if you test the air, you will find some mold
• There are no standards for “acceptable levels” of mold in indoor environments, because
different types of mold vary in ability to produce allergy or illness, and, people vary in
individual susceptibility/resistance.
• Knowing air test results will not change the abatement outcome - removal of the moldy
source is still the recommended course of action.
Sometimes, people may choose to perform testing as part of an investigation for
documentation purposes (i.e., for insurance or litigation). However, testing rarely contributes
to understanding what has occurred from a health perspective. For further information about
testing, see the CT DPH Fact sheet, Indoor Air Quality Testing Should Not Be Your First
Movehttp://www.ct.gov/dph/LIB/dph/Environmental_Health/EOHA/pdf/ieq_testing.pdf
When to Call A Professional Mold Abatement Contractor
If any of the following conditions apply to your home, you may wish to consider talking to a
professional mold abatement contractor.
1. Size of Visual Contamination
If you see more than a few isolated areas of mold, such as half of the ceiling or wall, you may
need to hire professionals to perform the abatement. While there are no firm rules about when to
do the clean-up yourself or hire a professional, many people use the guidelines published by the
New York City Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene (“NYC Guidelines”). While the New York
City Guidelines recommend the use of a professional mold abatement contractor for areas larger
than 30 square feet (such as several wallboard panels), the guidelines suggest that small, isolated
areas less than 10 square feet, and even mid-sized isolated areas less than 30 square feet (such as
individual wallboard panels) can be handled safely by non-professionals, as long as they are
trained properly and wear proper protective gear.
2. Hidden Mold
If you can smell mold or a musty odor, but can’t find it, it may be in an inaccessible location,
such as in a wall cavity or above a suspended ceiling. It may even be hiding underneath
wallpaper. It is not uncommon to find mold underneath vinyl wall covering, especially in
bathrooms and rooms that are air-conditioned or have high humidity. Sometimes, the tip-off is
that a household member is experiencing chronic respiratory problems that improve when they
leave the building, but worsen when they return to the building. If you think you have hidden
mold your home, consider calling a professional mold abatement company.
3. Floods
If water has been standing in an indoor space for longer than 48 hours, any porous materials that
were soaked, such as carpets, furnishings and wallboard, should be discarded, as there is a strong
chance that mold will be growing on these materials. Mold may also be growing on the surface
of tile floor covering and sealed wood. A professional mold abatement contractor may be
needed to perform an assessment to determine the extent of the damage, and to perform the
abatement in a safe manner according to established guidelines such as the Connecticut
Guidelines for Mold Abatement Contractors, which are available on the CT DPH website at:
http://www.dph.state.ct.us/BRS/EOHA/Documents/CT Guidelines for Mold Remediation
Contractors.pdf
4. Special Populations
If mold abatement is to occur in the home of an individual who lacks a healthy immune system
(such as people with cancer, AIDS, etc.), special set-ups and procedures may be needed related
to the containment structure and equipment and methods used to perform the mold abatement.
These practices may be similar to abatement protocols used in hospitals and other health care
facilities. It is important that you discuss these issues with a professional mold abatement
contractor who is accustomed to doing this type of work.
Additional Information About Mold Abatement That You Should Know Before Getting
Started
If you decide to hire a contractor to perform the mold abatement, ask if the contractor has
received any formal training specifically in mold abatement. CT DPH does not certify training
providers, however, there are a number of reputable professional organizations that conduct
such trainings. See the “Hiring Professionals” section of the Resource List at the end of this
fact sheet. In addition, make sure the contractor you select has a copy and is familiar with the
CT DPH document, Connecticut Guidelines for Mold Abatement Contractors.
All mold removal projects should include some type of containment or isolation to prevent
mold spores from spreading and contaminating other parts of the home. If your home has
forced hot air heat or central air-conditioning for cooling, and the ducts are contaminated with
mold, there are special procedures that should be followed. Lastly, if contractors or consultants
suggest the use of chemicals called biocides, it is important for you to understand their pros and
cons, and whether they are necessary for a particular project.
1. Containment
For small, localized mold removal, such as cleaning surface mold off of a windowsill or a few
spots on a bathroom wall, isolation with plastic sheeting is not needed. You can perform these
types of clean-up projects yourself. You should contain the mold spores by disposing of the
cleaning materials (paper towels, sponges, etc.) in a sealed, zip-lock bag. For larger jobs (see
When to Call A Professional Mold Abatement Contractor [p. 3]), the area may need to be
cordoned off with plastic sheeting, some type of containment system may need to be built, and
units called “negative air” machines brought in to create an air pressure differential to keep the
“dirty air” inside of the containment and prevent it from escaping into the clean area outside of
the containment while the abatement work is going on. There are specific guidelines for
contractors regarding building containments for various scenarios. Make sure that the
contractor you select is familiar with containment systems and is planning on using one
appropriate for your job so that the rest of your home does not become contaminated with mold
spores during the abatement process.
2. Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC)
If your house/school/office has a forced hot air ventilation system or central air conditioning
system that has become contaminated with mold from floods, excessive condensate, or fouled
duct liner, these systems should be remediated separately. There are special guidelines for the
remediation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Check with your
contractor to see if they will be following these guidelines. See resource list at the end of this
fact sheet.
3. Biocides
Biocides are chemicals that kill microorganisms. In general, CT DPH does not recommend
biocide use for most mold abatement. Biocide use is not a substitute for cleaning and following
proper abatement procedures! Some contractors have been known to leave mold in place, spray
or paint it with a biocide, and call that practice “mold abatement”. THIS IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE!!! It is crucial that moldy materials be removed and discarded, and the area
thoroughly cleaned. Biocides must only be used to treat microorganisms for which the product
is registered. While many biocides are effective against bacteria, most are ineffective against
mold. Biocides may cause chemical exposures which must be explained to people living in the
home before they are used.
If a professional suggests using a biocide, be sure to ask them what their reasoning is for its use,
and how this will fit with the mold abatement guidelines that they are following.
How To Ensure A Job Well Done
Mold abatement is based upon removing the source of the problem, preventing it from reoccurring,
and cleaning up any residue. CT DPH does not generally advise relying upon air
testing to assess whether a mold abatement project is completed (also see What About Testing?
[p.2]). However, documentation in the form of testing for insurance or litigation purposes may
be useful. At the end of a mold abatement project:
• You should not see or smell any mold after the abatement is complete. If you do,
consider hidden mold.
• Make sure all porous moldy materials have been removed, discarded, and replaced with
clean and dry materials.
• Make sure all non-porous, previously contaminated materials have been cleaned
thoroughly.
• Make sure all water leaks and moisture problems have been fixed and water can no
longer collect where it’s not supposed to collect.
Where To Find Contractors
The Connecticut Department of Public Health does not keep a list of mold abatement
contractors on hand. However, there are several websites that offer lists of companies. Some
of them enable you to locate a contractor near you by typing in your zip code.
Contractors performing work falling within the definition of “home improvement” (Connecticut
General Statute section 20-419) must obtain a certificate of registration from the CT
Department of Consumer Protection (CT DCP). This includes abatement contractors if their
scope of work includes replacing building materials and/or structural elements such as window
casings, sills, frames, sheetrock or plaster walls, studs, beams, etc. If the abatement contractor
is solely involved in cleaning and/or demolition, they do not have to register with CT DCP as a
Home Improvement Contractor. If you have further questions, go to the CT DCP website,
http://www.ct.gov/dcp or call 860-713-6110 or 1-800-842-2649.
Resource List
The CT DPH does not certify or endorse any of the individuals or companies listed by the
organizations mentioned below. Each organization has it’s own set of requirements for
membership, training, qualifications, and credentialing. Before you hire someone to perform
mold assessment or abatement in your home, you should ask questions about their training,
qualifications, experience, and credentials.
General Information About Mold and Home Clean-up:
Creating A Healthy Home: A Field Guide For Clean-Up of Flooded Homes
National Center for Healthy Housing (July 2006)
http://www.centerforhealthyhousing.org/FloodCleanupGuide_screen_.pdf
The Facts About Mold
American Industrial Hygiene Association
A booklet with sections for the public and the professional, plus resources, a mold glossary, and short section about
common indoor molds. http://www.aiha.org/Content/AccessInfo/consumer/factsaboutmold.htm
Fighting Mold – The Homeowners’ Guide
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. http://www.schl.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_005.cfm
Guidelines for Mold Remediation/Abatement:
Connecticut Guidelines for Mold Abatement Contractors.
Connecticut Department of Public Health (October 2006)
http://www.dph.state.ct.us/BRS/EOHA/mold_problems.htm (page down to “Remediation Guidelines”)
Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments
NYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene (This is the remediation guide that most people have been using.)
http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtml
Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (note – the principles are useful in residential settings as well!)
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/mold_remediation.html
Hiring Professionals
Licensed Home Inspectors
All Home Inspectors must be licensed by the CT Department of Consumer Protection (CT DCP). Go to
http://www.ct.gov/dcp/ or call (860) 713-6050. Licensed Home Inspectors may be affiliated with one or more of
the following organizations:
American Society of Home Inspectors: http://www.ashi.org/
National Association of Certified Home Inspectors: http://www.nachi.org/
CT Association of Certified Home Inspectors: http://www.ctinspectors.com/
Industrial Hygienists
American Industrial Hygiene Association: http://www.aiha.org
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists: http://acgih.org
American Board of Industrial Hygiene: http://abih.org
Indoor Environmental Professionals/Consultants
American Indoor Air Quality Council: http://www.iaqcouncil.org/
Mold Abatement Contractors
Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification: http://www.iicrc.org/
Restoration Industry Association ( Association of Specialists in Cleaning & Restoration ): http://www.ascr.org/
Indoor Environmental Quality Testing
Testing Should Not Be Your First Move http://www.ct.gov/dph/LIB/dph/Environmental_Health/EOHA/pdf/ieq_testing.pdf
Connecticut Department of Public Health http://www.dph.state.ct.us/Publications/brs/eoha/ieq_testing.pdf
For more information, contact:
Environmental & Occupational Health Assessment Program
Environmental Health Section
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Tel: 860-509-7740
Indoor Air Quality Testing Should Not Be The First Move
Many times, teachers, parents, administrators and other school stakeholders want to have
their schools "tested" to assure themselves of "good indoor air quality". This is usually not
the first move that responsible parties should make. Why do health professionals
recommend caution and a great deal of thought before testing the air? There are a number
of reasons.
· There Are No Standards
There are no appropriate standards for indoor air quality (IAQ) in environments such as
schools and residences.
- There are some industrial standards for permissible exposure limits for certain
chemicals used in manufacturing and other work place settings, but these
standards should not be used for children, sensitive populations such as pregnant
women, the elderly, or people with certain illnesses. They should never be used
in residential settings.
- There are no standards for indoor levels of molds. This because there is great
variability in people’s reaction to mold. Also, there is no scientific support for
designating a particular mold measurement “safe” or “unhealthy.”
- The most current ventilation guidelines for acceptable indoor air quality are just
that - guidelines. They are not enforceable unless they are part of the building
code. Newer schools are generally designed according to newer ventilation
guidelines, but older schools built to a building code in existence at the time of
construction (especially pre-1989) may be outdated.
· The Lack Of Enforceable Standards Makes Interpretation A Tricky Business
It is difficult to interpret the results of air testing. This can add to the confusion and create an
air of mistrust between the stakeholders and the administration that ordered the testing.
- Testing as a first response does not usually lead to an answer or solution. Very often
air testing is conducted as a knee-jerk reaction to a reported IAQ problem. Such
testing done in the absence of a hypothesis, or as part of a well-planned investigation, usually produces data that raises more questions that it answers. It can raise expectations that a solution will follow, and subsequently raises suspicions
if no answer is found.
- Background Exposures – Most IAQ pollutants (mold, particles, volatile chemicals) are
present in school and other buildings at “background” levels. These contaminants
are present in most buildings without causing adverse health effects. Testing indoor
air will therefore always find something, usually background that does not have
significance for reported health complaints.
Therefore, DO NOT TEST IF:
- the results cannot be interpreted
- results will add no meaningful information
- just because someone wants it done
· What Is The First Step In Creating A Space With Good Indoor Environmental
Quality? What Should You Do Before or Instead of Air Testing?
- Walk through the building using your eyes, nose, and common sense to identify
potential problems.
- Look at general cleanliness (or lack thereof) in each of the areas you inspect.
- See if building services can substitute cleaning agents that have less of an odor ("low
emitters") than the stronger odor-producing ones that may be in use.
- In addition to classrooms, offices, gymnasiums, locker rooms, auditoriums, music
rooms, industrial and fine arts rooms, etc, also look at maintenance areas such as
janitor closets, mechanical rooms that house ventilation equipment, chemical storage
closets in labs and in custodial areas, etc.
- Take note of where carpeting is used. How is it cleaned, and how often? Does it
ever get wet from flooding, roof leaks, etc, and if so, how quickly is it dried out?
- Walk around outside of the building and look for potential pollution sources.
- Look for locations of fresh air intakes and exhausts. Are they too close together,
allowing exhaust air to be sucked back into the building via the intakes? Are the
intakes located near dumpsters or where busses, trucks or cars idle?
- Look at how the building is set on the land. Does the land slope downward towards
the building, allowing rainwater to pool along the foundation? Is the building located
on former swampland or landfill? Is there a high water table or underground stream
under the building? Is landscaping too close to the building?
All of these things can have an impact on IAQ. Here are some additional things that should
be done early on, before resorting to actually testing the air.
· Examine Building Usage
Compare the hours the building is used with any automatic timers that may be set to
turn the mechanical ventilation systems on and off, and make adjustments as
necessary. Those who schedule building usage for activities must be sure to
communicate this to facilities management. Mechanical systems should be turned
on early enough in the morning to let these systems attain full capacity by the time
school or work begins.
· Ask About Maintenance Service Contracts
Schools and offices often have service contracts to take care of certain parts or all of
the physical plant. This is especially true for the ventilation equipment. You can ask
questions about how often filters are scheduled to be changed, and about what other
components are included in an annual service contract (be sure to ask to see the
maintenance log for proof of when this work was completed).
If your facility subcontracts out janitorial services, find out what is included in the
contract. Ask about the cleaning agents they use, and request "low emitting"
chemicals when available.
· Plan Minor Renovations During Off-Hours
- Schedule minor jobs such as painting, floor re-surfacing, carpet installation, etc.
during hours when school is not in use.
- Use low emitting paint, glues, polyurethane, and other building materials
whenever possible.
· Build Communication Into Large Renovation Projects
- Before major renovation projects are scheduled, meet with principal, teacher
representative, school nurse, facilities director and local health director in your
town or district. Set up a plan for communicating relevant information to teachers,
parents and students. EPA's Tools for Schools program can be very helpful
here - see below.
- Plan to do as much work as possible during non-school hours.
- Isolate construction areas from non-construction areas using barrier techniques to
minimize contamination in areas that will be used for normal school or office
activities.
Much of the time, a building assessment should be to identify basic problem areas. Once
these areas have been identified, you then may decide to call in the professionals.
However, as a first cut, here are some things you can do yourself.
·
What You Can Do Yourself
- Implement EPA's Tools for Schools Program*
- Develop proactive risk communication
- Do routine scheduled maintenance, especially on HVAC (heating, ventilation and
air conditioning) systems
- Remove pollution sources
- Substitute low emitting products whenever possible
- Fix all leaks promptly!
- Remove and discard all porous materials damaged by water. This includes
ceiling tiles, carpets, furnishings, and even wallboard.
- Schedule repairs/renovations during off hours
When Is Indoor Environmental Testing Useful?
Once a problem has been identified, the solution may be thought of as a puzzle. There are
many pieces, and air sampling may be one of them. Other important pieces of the puzzle
will include: a building walk through, taking a history of the physical plant and any past and
present maintenance problems, history of building usage and land usage on the property
and surrounding neighborhoods, review of architectural and mechanical blueprints,
interviewing maintenance staff, and anything else that would add information about the
physical structure of the building, and the activities that go on in and around the building.
It may also be useful to interview the building occupants. Ask for their help in identifying
problem areas. Set up good lines of communication between management, staff, and
parents. This is crucial and cannot be over emphasized! Ask the school nurse if she/he has
observed or documented an increased incidence of health complaints. Are they specific
types of complaints or more generalized in nature? It may be desirable to do a symptom
survey if lots of people are affected. Your local health director can help coordinate these
activities.
When all of the practical steps and investigations described above have been conducted,
there may be a place for air testing. Air testing may be used to confirm or refute a highly
suspected source that is uncovered during the walk-through inspection.
Air testing is most useful when a specific contaminant or contamination source has already
been identified as a likely culprit, and quantitative data are needed to:
- Document the degree or extent of the hazard, or
- Document different locations in a building where elevated levels or severe
conditions exist.
Air testing may also be useful in a qualitative manner when trying to differentiate between
several suspect chemicals or sources. Although air testing is sometimes useful in tracking
down chemical sources, air testing for mold is an entirely different story. A complicating
factor in interpreting air results from mold testing is that a variety of molds are present in our
everyday environment. Most of the time, you will find that molds normally found outdoors
are also present indoors. This is because they are carried in on our clothing and shoes, and
also enter building interiors via open windows, doors, and fresh air intakes.
So, to review, indoor air testing may be useful when:
It is part of an overall evaluation
When the data is interpretable
When the data has a descriptive component that helps to illustrate its place in the overall evaluation
NEVER alone
After undertaking the steps described above, you may find it necessary to hire one or more
professionals. Remember that varied problems may require more than one type of
specialist. For example, you may need a ventilation engineer, or a moisture specialist, or an
architect, or an industrial hygienist, or an environmental/ geology consultant. Here are some
tips to follow when hiring a consultant.
· When You Have To Call In A Consultant
- Discuss the problem with your local health director, and enlist their help with risk
communication to all of the stakeholders. He/she may also be able to help you
select the right kind of consultant for the job at hand.
- Review the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) consumer brochure:
Guidelines for Selecting An Indoor Air Quality Consultant. Go to
http://www.aiha.org/Content/AccessInfo/consumer/GuidelinesForSelectingAnIndoorAirQualityConsultant.htm
- Have a clear understanding of the problem, so that you can direct the consultant
properly.
- Make sure the consultant explains the scope of the project up front - what they
can and cannot do. Communicate this to all of the stakeholders so people will
have a realistic expectation about the process.
· EPA’s Tools for Schools Program: The U.S. EPA has developed an innovative program – Indoor Air Quality Tools For
Schools Action Kit – for schools to identify and address IAQ problems. The program is
based on the following key principles:
· Many IAQ problems can be prevented by the school community
· IAQ problems can often be resolved using the skills of school staff
· The expenditures and effort to prevent most IAQ problems are a fraction of that required to solve problems once they develop.
EPA’s Tools For Schools is based on an action kit providing all the materials necessary to promote a low-cost, problem-solving team approach to improving IAQ. Once a committee of administrators, teachers, maintenance staff, parents, and others investigates and prioritizes indoor air hazards, short and long-term strategies are developed to solve IAQ problems. The CT School Indoor Environment Resource Team is a consortium of agencies and organizations formed to assist schools to implement Tools for Schools. The Resource Team includes IAQ specialists, industrial hygienists, epidemiologists, educators, trainers and others who can assist schools. For more information, contact:
Kenny Foscue, CT Department of Public Health (860) 509-7740, kenny.foscue@ct.gov)
Joan Simpson, CT Department of Public Health, Tel: (860) 509-7740. joan.simpson@ct.gov
MOLD IN SCHOOLS
When mold grows in school buildings and portable classrooms, some staff and students, particularly those with allergies or respiratory problems, may report adverse health effects.
Mold requires oxygen, water, and a source of food to grow. There are molds that can grow on almost anything including: wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. Controlling moisture is the key to managing mold in schools.
Why is Mold Growing in Your School?
Mold grows in schools when airborne mold spores land on a damp “food source” and begin digesting it in order to survive.
The water required for mold growth can enter school buildings and portable classrooms through leaky roofs, pipes, windows, foundations, and other structural openings. Water may also enter schools due to floods, poor drainage, or mis-directed sprinklers.
Moisture problems in schools can result from scheduled maintenance activities or conditions during school breaks such as:
• Increased moisture due to painting or carpet cleaning;
• High humidity during the summer; and
• No air conditioning or heating system operation
(or reduced use) when school is not in session. When moisture enters the building and its interior structure, it can condense as it comes into contact with cooler indoor surfaces, such as windows, walls, and water pipes.
Where Does Mold Grow in Schools?
Mold growth often results from excess moisture or water build-up in the following areas:
Photos above: mold growing on the surface of a unit ventilator and a ceiling tile.
• On roof materials above ceilings;
•Around windows;
• Near water fountains;
• On walls, ceiling tiles, and other visible surfaces;
• On hidden surfaces, such as the back side of dry wall or wall coverings;
• Around bathroom tiles;
• In cooling coil drip pans and inside ductwork; and
• In books and carpet.
What Health Effects are Associated with Mold?
lungs of both mold allergic and non-allergic people. In sensitive individuals allergic reactions can be caused by breathing in or touching mold. Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some photo by Daniel FriedmanPotential health effects associated with mold exposure may include irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools
people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold and leave it there, the mold must be removed.
How Can You Manage Mold in Schools?
The key to controlling indoor mold growth in schools is
to control moisture.
Conduct maintenance as scheduled and perform regular
school building inspections for signs of mold, moisture,
and leaks.
Report all water leaks and moisture problems immediately
to your maintenance staff.
Clean and dry damp or wet building materials and
furnishings within 24–48 hours after a leak or spill to
prevent mold growth.
Keep indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50%:
• Ventilate bathrooms, locker rooms, and other
moisture-generating sources to the outside.
• Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
Scrub mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely.
Remove and replace porous materials, such as ceiling tiles or carpet, that become moldy.
Avoid installing carpet in areas with perpetual moisture problems:
• Near drinking fountains and classroom sinks.
• On concrete floors in contact with the ground and subject to frequent condensation.
Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation. Ensure that the school operates exhaust systems, such as bathroom fans, together with air conditioning or heating systems.
Establish policies that restrict moisture generating activities, such as carpet cleaning, during vacation unless moisture removing equipment is operating. Consider cycling the air conditioning system several hours every day or running portable dehumidifiers.
Participate in U.S. EPA’s IAQ Tools for Schools Program. This program provides guidance on good maintenance practices that help prevent mold growth and other IAQ problems.
Additional Resources
You can find more information on mold-related issues and moisture prevention in the following EPA documents:
• Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings
• A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
• IAQ Tools for Schools Kit
• Managing Asthma in the School Environment
For free copies, call the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318 or (703) 356-4020, fax (703) 356-5386, e-mail iaqinfo@aol.com, or visit EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/iaq.