Re: NEW NIOSH / CDC MOLD ADVICE FOR WORKERS IN DAMP BLDGS

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"Contradicting research results exist regarding whether
toxigenic mold found indoors causes unique or rare health
conditions such as bleeding in the lungs." is a step in the
right direction for them - as compared to, "Can't prove it, so
didn't happen".

On 6/18/10, Rem Dude wrote:
> At least the CDC is attempting to dispell much of the hype
> and hysteria surrounding "toxic black mold".
>
> CDC - Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce
> toxins (mycotoxins), but the molds themselves are not toxic,
> or poisonous. Hazards presented by molds that may produce
> mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common
> molds which can grow in your house or workplace.
> Contradicting research results exist regarding whether
> toxigenic mold found indoors causes unique or rare health
> conditions such as bleeding in the lungs.
>
> I am also pleased they are informing folks that extensive
> testing is a waste of time and money.
>
> Now if we can just get them to grasp proper remediation
> techniques and stop telling folks that soap and bleach are
> effective...
>
> RD
>
> On 6/13/10, Susan wrote:
>> URGENT ATTN: JUNE 1, 2010: NEW NIOSH / CDC MOLD ADVICE FOR
>> WORKERS IN DAMP BLDGS
>>
>> THE FOLLOWING WAS UPDATED 6/1/2010 ON THE NIOSH / CDC
>> WEBSITE
>>
>> THIS IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE REQUESTS MADE OF CDC BY
>> CENTER FOR SCHOOL MOLD HELP AND WHO INFORMATION, WHICH IS
>> NOT CITED ON THIS PAGE
>>
>> THIS INFORMATION WILL IMPACT EVERY WORKER IN AMERICA WHOSE
>> WORKPLACE IS DAMP, WATER-DAMAGED, AND/OR MOLDY. PRINT THIS
>> REPORT DIRECTLY FROM THE URL BELOW AND SHOW YOUR
> PHYSICIAN,
>> ATTORNEYS, AND EMPLOYERS IF YOU THINK YOU ARE ILL FROM A
>> DAMP BUILDING.(Susan Brinchman, Director, Center for
> School
>> Mold Help, www.schoolmoldhelp.org)
>>
>> ----------------------------------------
>>
>> http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv/mold.html
>>
>> NIOSH
>> Workplace Safety and Health Topics
>> Industries & Occupations
>> Indoor Environmental Quality
>> INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
>> Dampness and Mold in Buildings
>>
>> On this Page:
>> What is Mold?
>> "Toxic Mold" & Stachybotyrs chartarum
>> Remediation of dampness and mold contamination
>> I suspect mold in my workplace. How do I test for mold?
>> Symptoms related to dampness and mold
>> What workers can do?
>> What management and building owners can do
>> Resources
>> References
>>
>>
>> Dampness results from water incursion either from internal
>> sources (e.g. leaking pipes) or external sources (e.g.
>> rainwater). Dampness becomes a problem when various
>> materials in buildings (e.g., rugs, walls, ceiling tiles)
>> become wet for extended periods of time. Excessive
> moisture
>> in the air (i.e., high relative humidity) that is not
>> properly controlled with air conditioning can also lead to
>> excessive dampness. Flooding causes dampness. Dampness is
> a
>> problem in buildings because it provides the moisture that
>> supports the growth of bacteria, fungi (i.e., mold), and
>> insects.
>>
>>
>> In the presence of damp building materials the source of
>> water incursion is often readily apparent (e.g., leaks in
>> the roof or windows or a burst pipe). However, dampness
>> problems can be less obvious when the affected materials
>> and water source are hidden from view (e.g., wet
> insulation
>> within a ceiling or wall; excessive moisture in the
>> building foundation due to the slope of the surrounding
>> land).
>>
>> What is mold?
>> Mold is a fungal growth that forms and spreads on various
>> kinds of damp or decaying organic matter. There are many
>> different mold species that come in many different colors.
>> Molds are sometimes referred to as mildew. They are found
>> both indoors and outdoors in all climates, during all
>> seasons of the year. Outdoors, molds survive by using
>> plants and decaying organic matter such as fallen leaves
> as
>> a source of nutrition. Indoors, molds need moisture to
> grow
>> as well as a carbon source from building materials or
>> building contents.
>>
>> Excess moisture is generally the cause of indoor mold
>> growth. Molds reproduce by releasing tiny spores that
> float
>> through the air until landing in other locations. When
> they
>> settle on wet or moist surfaces, the spores can form new
>> mold colonies. Moderate temperatures and available
> nutrient
>> sources make most office buildings ideal for mold growth.
>>
>> Recent media attention has increased public awareness and
>> concern over exposure to molds in the workplace. While
> this
>> may seem to be a new problem, exposure to molds has
>> actually occurred throughout history. In fact, the types
> of
>> molds found in office buildings are not rare or even
>> unusual. It is important to understand that no indoor
> space
>> is completely free from mold spores – not even a surgical
>> operating room. Molds are everywhere, making our exposure
>> to molds unavoidable, whether indoors or outdoors, at home
>> or at work.
>>
>> "Toxic Mold" & Stachybotyrs chartarum
>> Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce
>> toxins (mycotoxins), but the molds themselves are not
>> toxic, or poisonous. Hazards presented by molds that may
>> produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other
>> common molds which can grow in your house or workplace.
>> Contradicting research results exist regarding whether
>> toxigenic mold found indoors causes unique or rare health
>> conditions such as bleeding in the lungs. Research is
>> ongoing in this area.
>>
>> Mold growing in buildings, whether it is Stachybotrys
>> chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) or another mold, indicates
>> that there is a problem with water or moisture. This is
> the
>> first problem that needs to be addressed.
>>
>> Remediation of dampness and mold contamination
>> First and foremost, determine the source of moisture and
>> take appropriate measures to make repairs. Damp or wet
>> building materials and furnishings as a result of leaks or
>> flooding should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent
>> the growth of mold. Mold can be cleaned and removed from
>> hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or
>> a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1
>> gallon of water. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other
>> household cleaners. Mold in or under carpets typically
>> requires that the carpets be removed. Once mold starts to
>> grow in insulation or wallboard, the only way to deal with
>> the problem is removal and replacement. (CDC- Facts about
>> Stachybotrys chartarum and Other Molds) For complete
>> remediation guidelines go to the New York City Department
>> of Health and Hygiene’s Guidelines on Assessment and
>> Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments at
>> www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt.... For "green"
>> environmentally friendly cleaning solutions, go to
>> Greenguard Environmental Institute at www.greenguard.org.
>>
>> I suspect mold in my workplace. How do I test for mold?
>> CDC does not recommend routine sampling for molds.
>> Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of
>> mold growing in a building. Measurements of mold in air
> are
>> not reliable or representative. If mold is seen or
> smelled,
>> there is a potential health risk; therefore, no matter
> what
>> type of mold is present, you should arrange for its
>> removal. Furthermore, sampling for mold can be expensive,
>> and standards for judging what is and what is not an
>> acceptable or tolerable quantity of mold have not been
>> established.
>>
>> Symptoms related to dampness and mold
>> Health problems associated with excessive damp conditions
>> and mold include:
>> ALLERGIES
>>
>> Allergic responses like those to pollen or animal dander
>> are the most common types of health problems related to
>> mold. Typical symptoms include sneezing; irritation of the
>> nose, mouth, or throat; nasal stuffiness and runny nose;
>> and red, itchy or watery eyes. Inhaling or touching mold
> or
>> mold spores can cause a person who was not previously
>> allergic to mold to become allergic to mold. For people
>> with known allergies, molds can trigger asthma symptoms
>> such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough.
> Irritation
>> can also occur in non-allergenic (non-sensitized) people.
>> Additionally, scientific studies indicate that exposure to
>> molds in the workplace can make pre-existing asthma worse.
>> Recent NIOSH investigations document that some damp
>> buildings are associated with developing new asthma.
>> HYPERSENSITIVITY PNEUMONITIS
>>
>> Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a kind of lung
>> inflammation that occurs in persons who develop immune
>> system sensitization (similar to an allergy) to inhaled
>> organic dust. It can be mistaken for pneumonia, but it
> does
>> not get better with antibiotics for infection.
>>
>> Symptoms of HP can vary. Some persons have shortness of
>> breath, cough, muscle aches, chills, fever, night sweats,
>> and profound fatigue. These symptoms usually first appear
> 2
>> to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other
>> affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and
>> cough, as well as weight loss. Work-relatedness may only
>> become apparent over long holidays if symptoms resolve and
>> then recur on return to work. With continued exposure, the
>> persistent lung inflammation of both kinds of symptoms can
>> lead to scarring and permanent damage. The slow
> progression
>> of symptoms and the persistence of symptoms away from work
>> may result in delayed recognition of work-related lung
>> disease by both workers and physicians.
>>
>> HP has been referred to as Bird breeder’s lung and
> Mushroom
>> picker’s disease in specific occupations with a risk of HP
>> from biological dusts. HP has been documented in workers
> in
>> buildings with mold and bacteria contaminated air-
>> conditioners (including spray-water cooling systems), and
>> contaminated ductwork and filters. This lung disease has
>> also occurred in workers who worked in water-damaged
>> buildings with roof leaks, plumbing leaks, poorly draining
>> condensation pans, and high indoor relative humidity.
>>
>> HP is not contagious and is due to a person’s immune
> system
>> reaction to inhaled microorganisms, whether dead or alive.
>> It is possible for workers to have both dampness-related
> HP
>> and asthma at the same time. Additionally, workplaces that
>> have workers with HP may also have workers with building-
>> related asthma.
>> ASTHMA
>>
>> Asthma is a form of lung disease in which the airways
>> develop inflammation and bronchospasm (reversible
>> narrowing) in response to sensitizing or irritating
>> exposure. Affected individuals can experience episodes of
>> shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, and wheezing.
>> These symptoms occur after exposure to nonspecific
>> irritating substances in the air or after exposure to
>> substances to which an individual is allergic. Medical
>> testing typically reveals evidence of bronchial
>> hyperresponsiveness such as an abnormal methacholine
>> challenge test or reversible airways obstruction on
>> spirometry (a test of lung function). It is important for
>> affected individuals to have a comprehensive asthma
>> treatment plan and regular follow-up with their physician.
>> Early diagnosis and removal from the impacted damp office
>> environment can cure asthma caused by workplace exposures.
>>
>> In approximately 15&37; of asthmatics, the illness may
> have
>> been caused, or made worse, by workplace exposures. Some
>> occupational exposures are well known risks for asthma
>> development (e.g., western red cedar; isocyanates). Indoor
>> environment research has identified evidence of an
>> association between damp buildings and asthma symptoms in
>> individuals with pre-existing asthma. There is also new
>> evidence of an association between damp buildings and new-
>> onset asthma. In an individual with new-onset asthma or
>> worsening of stable pre-existing asthma, measurements of
>> lung function made several times a day at work and at home
>> over several weeks may reveal a pattern of changing lung
>> function that suggests a workplace cause.
>>
>> For individuals with new-onset asthma or worsening of
>> stable pre-existing asthma that is suspected to be related
>> to the indoor environment, controlling or eliminating the
>> sources of indoor contaminants, along with optimal medical
>> treatment, may lead to symptoms of improvement or
>> resolution.
>> What workers can do
>> When workers suspect their health problems are caused by
>> exposure to building-related mold and dampness, workers
>> should:
>>
>> Report concerns immediately to supervisors or those
> persons
>> responsible for building maintenance
>> See your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment
>> Ask your doctor whether you should be medically restricted
>> from the affected environment
>> What management and building owners can do
>> When health problems are believed to be caused by exposure
>> to mold in the workplace, owners and managers should:
>>
>> Advise workers to see their doctor for proper diagnosis
> and
>> treatment
>> Evaluate the work area for evidence of mold and dampness
>> Repair leaks and remediate water damaged materials
>> Communicate with workers about areas of the building with
>> evidence of mold or moisture damage and provide the status
>> of remediation plans
>> Arrange for relocation of workers whose doctors restrict
>> them from the implicated work environments
>> Resources
>> Facts About Mold - American Industrial Hygiene Association
>> (AIHA)
>>
>> Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Indoor Mold
>> Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association 2008.
>> ISBN 978-1-931504-91-1
>>
>> Facts About Mold and Dampness - Centers for Disease
> Control
>> and Prevention (CDC)
>>
>> Mold Resources - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
>>
>> Damp Indoor Spaces and Health - Institute of Medicine (IOM)
>>
>> Preventing Mold-Related Problems in the Indoor Workplace -
>> Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
>>
>> Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in
> Indoor
>> Environments - New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH)
>>
>>
>> References
>> Brandt M, Brown C, Burkhart J, Burton N, Cox Ganser J,
>> Damon S, Falk H, Fridkin S, Garbe P, McGeehin M, Morgan J,
>> Page E, Rao C, Redd S, Sinks T, Trout D, Wallingford K,
>> Warnock D, Weissman D. Mold prevention strategies and
>> possible health effects in the aftermath of hurricanes and
>> major floods. MMWR. 2006 June; 55(RR-8):1-27.
>>
>> Cox-Ganser JM, White SK, Jones R, Hilsbos K, Storey E,
>> Enright PL, Rao CY, Kreiss K. Respiratory Morbidity in
>> Office Workers in a Water-Damaged Building. Environ Health
>> Perspect. 2005 April; 113(4): 485-490.
>>
>> Fink JN, Ortega HG, Reynolds HY, Cormier YF, et al. Needs
>> and Opportunities for Research in Hypersensitivity
>> Pneumonitis. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical
>> Care Medicine, 2005 April 1.
>>
>> Hoffman RE, Wood RC, Kreiss K. [1993]. Building-related
>> asthma in Denver office workers. Am J Public Health 83:89-
>> 93. Environ Health Perspect. 2005 April; 113(4): 485-490.
>>
>> Park J, Cox-Ganser J, Rao C, Kreiss K. Fungal and
> endotoxin
>> measurements in dust associated with respiratory symptoms
>> in a water-damaged office building. Indoor Air 2006 Jun;
>> 16:192-203.
>>
>> Park JH, Cox-Ganser JM, Kreiss K, White SK, Rao CY.
>> Hydrophilic fungi and ergosterol associated with
>> respiratory illness in a water-damaged building. Environ
>> Health Perspect. 2008 Jan; 116(1):45-50.
>>
>> Sahakian NM, White SK, Park JH, Cox-Ganser JM, Kreiss K.
>> Identification of mold and dampness-associated respiratory
>> morbidity in 2 schools: comparison of questionaire survey
>> responses to national data. J Sch Health. 2008 Jan; 78
>> (1):32-37.
>>
>> Page updated June 1, 2010