Risk Assessment in Fungal Contamination Projects

RISK ASSESSMENT IN FUNGAL CONTAMINATION PROJECTS

Name of Facility:______Street:______State:______Zip:______Total Occupancy:______No. of High Risk Individuals:______

The goal of this section is to learn about the various hazards that may be present at the mold remediation site, learn about the levels of mold contamination, how to take appropriate precautions, and to understand the special circumstances that can have an impact upon risk assessment.

Before a remediation project can begin it is important to know of any hazards in the work area that might put the workers or occupants of the building at risk. These hazards fall into three main categories: physical, chemical and biological

In addition to the hazards that are present at the work area, their risk assessment must take into account the level of fungal contamination and the location of the contamination. The assessment must also allow for special circumstance, such as children, elderly, or the ill that are present in the building.

Physical Hazards

Many fungal contamination projects are at sites that have recently had water damage. This leaves the area wet and ready for mold growth. The wetness also can lead to direct physical dangers to the remediation professional. Saturated materials can fall, and long term moisture damage can lead to structural failure. Wet surfaces are often slippery, and the moisture or standing water increases the danger of electrical shock if power lines are down. If there are substantial amounts of standing water, drowning is a hazard. In addition, water can cause corrosion of pipes, leading to gas leaks.

There are other general physical hazards at fungal contamination sites that are not related to water damage. Cuts from sharp objects and tools, flying fragments from the use of hand power tools, and harmful dusts are other hazards. While these physical hazards can pose a danger to the occupants, the primary consideration in risk assessment for a mold remediation project is directed toward the worker who will be involved in the project.

Site:______

Location Hazard Present Risk Assessment for Water Damage

o Source and type of water ______o Time period between water entry and response______o Areas of the structure impacted by the water______o Desired outcome______

Chemical Hazards Chemical hazards are another area that a remediation professional should be aware of during a risk assessment. Corroded pipes or containers may leak dangerous chemicals. These may be residual pesticide or herbicides in the area. Oil, gas, and other flammable chemicals may also be present. The specialist should be aware of these risks, and be prepared to deal with them by wearing proper PPE and avoiding exposure.

Chemical Hazard Location

Biological Hazards

A third category of hazards that mold control personnel should be aware of is biological hazards. Standing water provides a potential reservoir for bacteria such as E. coli and Legionella to grow. Unsanitary areas can also contain viruses, which cause a variety of diseases.

Mold can also be a serious biological hazard, as detailed in Topic 3. Molds such as Stachybotrys, Fusarium, Asperigllus, and Penicillium produce toxins that can cause disease. Histoplasma and Cryptococcus can also cause serious illness. The remediation professional must know how to identify and deal with these potential hazards with appropriate PPE and engineering controls detailed in Topics 7-12

Biological Hazard Location

Development of a Mold Risk Assessment Should Include

Discussions with facility manager and occupants______Visual inspection of outside and inside conditions______Check of HVAC systems______Review of custodial practices and facility maintenance ______Charting and analysis of symptoms by medical professional’s ______Biological sampling and laboratory testing ______

Level of Contamination

Level of fungal contamination can be determined in a number of ways. Currently the most widely accepted method of judging the seriousness of fungal contamination is to Quantify the area with visible fungal growth. Rankings based on the amount of visible contamination are defined in the New York City Guidelines. Each level of contamination requires a higher level of caution in remediation. Refer to the tables founding Topic 5 for a description of each level of contamination, along with the recommended safety procedures.

Location Level of Contamination Present

Location In doing a risk assessment, the remediation professional should be aware of common areas for mold to grow. One of these areas is behind wallpaper. Vinyl wallpaper often acts as a vapor barrier, keeping the paste behind it damp. Mold grows behind the wallpaper, using the paste as a growth medium and nutrient source.

Drywall is another common area of mold growth. The drywall provides nutrients for the mold, and since the drywall is porous, moisture can spread through it. Mold also grows underneath carpeting, using the padding for nutrients while the carpet keeps the area damp.

The location of the contamination, its accessibility, and the type of surface on which it is found (i.e. porous, semi-porous, or non-porous) al play an important role in the risk assessment.

Non-porous materials: Metals______Glass______Hard plastic ______

Semi-porous materials: Wood______Concrete ______

Porous materials: Ceiling tiles______Insulation______Fabrics______Sheetrock ______

Occupancy Patterns Inspections to develop a risk assessment should be timed to coincide with the lowest occupancy period of the building inspected, if possible. This will reduce the distractions and obstacles during the inspection, as well as keep the building occupants from becoming unduly alarmed.

Sector/Location Shifts/Times # of Occupants 0 Occupancy Time

At Risk Occupations While mold can grow in any building, putting almost anyone at risk of possible exposure, some occupations have more risk than others. Insurance adjusters and untrained remediation contractors are two emerging high-risk jobs. These risks can be minimized with proper training.

Insurance adjusters are at risk because they go into buildings that have water damage in order to determine the extent of the damage. Since water damage is one of the major contributors to mold growth, going into these buildings increases the risk of the adjuster being exposed toxic molds.

Untrained remediation contractors are even more at risk, since it is their job to clean up mold and other damage from water. This basically guarantees that they will be exposed to mold. Since many remediation contractors do not have training incorrect methods of mold remediation, they may put themselves in danger by using incorrect methods of mold removal, which can drastically increase airborne spore levels.

Personnel Entering Zone of Mold Contamination Based on Work Requirements

Department Name

Are Molds Present? What concentration? ______Types of species?______Nature and extent of problem? ______

Special Use Facilities

Certain buildings have lower tolerances for mold than others. Some of these buildings are:  Hospitals  Daycare centers  Nursing homes  Medical offices  Schools  Prisons

These buildings house people that are weak (e.g. children, the elderly, the sick) or confined in the building for long periods of time (e.g. inmates, school children).this greatly increases the risk from mold. Many molds are opportunistic pathogens that attack people who are already weakened, or after long periods of exposure.

Psychological Considerations

In conducting a risk assessment it is important to consider the psychological impact of the investigation on the occupants. Seeing mold control professionals in personal protective equipment in a building can alarm the occupants. For this reason, inspections and work should be done when there are few people around.

Another consideration is the use of surveys. A properly constructed survey is one of the best ways to determine the type and extent of symptoms suffered by building occupants. However, the act of asking some people if they have experience symptoms that they have not actually experienced.

Symptoms Reported Name Confirmed by Dr. Date Y/N

Development of Risk Assessment

While each potential mold remediation situation is unique here are common factors that should be evaluated when trying to gauge the risk from fungal contamination without the benefit of regulatory standards. A broad approach, common sense, and a conservative approach to protecting the health of occupants and remediation workers should be utilized when developing a risk assessment. Because of the variety of factors that need to be considered, and the range of data that might be available to interpret, a specific formula or template is not possible. In cases with significant reported symptoms, high-risk occupants or substantial legal ramifications a team approach utilizing inspectors, contractors, medical personnel, and legal assistance is advisable.

The summary list on the following pages can help remediation professionals collect appropriate information to formulate a risk assessment.

Summary of Risk Assessment Consideration* Type of facility - Number/density of occupants______- Number of occupants considered high risk( i.e. infants, elderly, immune suppressed, respiratory problems etc)______Type and severity of reported symptoms______Confirmation of symptoms by medial professionals______Sources(s) of water intrusion______Extent of water intrusion______Length of time water has been present ______Classification of water source/current condition (IICRC0)______Need for pump out/drying as part of response______Potential safety hazards -confined spaces______-Blood borne pathogens______- Electrical ______-Gas/propane/fuel/oil______-chemicals______Amount of water- impacted materials______-Non-porous______-Semi- porous______- Porous______Amount of visible mold growth______Potential for hidden mold growth______Potential mold growth in furnace/HVAC system______Sample results, viable and non-viable______Air ______-Settled dust______- Surface______-Water______Bacteria concerns______Insurance limitations______Ability to isolate area______Possible effectiveness of temporary engineering controls______- Room air cleaners______- HEPA vacuuming______- Sealing of opening/surfaces______- Encapsulants______Rearrangement of occupancy patterns to avoid impacted areas______Psychological state of occupants______Level of legal input ______

Each potential mold remediation situation is different, so this checklist should not be considered all-inclusive. Professional judgment should always be used in evaluation each situation. The involvement of medical professionals, safety/industrial hygiene experts, and/or legal counsel may also be warranted.