Mold: What Science Says Now

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I find this doc quite positive. I don't agree with every single statement,

but I think it is a step

in the right direction because it addresses both the health and the

financial concerns. It demonstrates the need to understand both aspects in

order to

effectively address this problem. It appears to me to be a major step in the

right direction.

_From Building Operating Management December 2005 Issue_

(http://www.facilitiesnet.com/bom/default.asp?id=)

environmental issues

Mold: What Science Says Now

Recent studies can help facility executives cut through the hype and

understand the real risks of mold in buildings

_Email the BOM editors._ (mailto:ed.sullivan@...)

____________________________________

The risks of indoor mold growth once again are grabbing headlines in the wake

of a devastating hurricane season on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Some of the news

stories report accurate information while others feature wildly

unsubstantiated claims fueled by dramatic pictures of the thousands of homes

and buildings

damaged or destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It is important for

facility executives to be able to separate the fact from fiction about

“killerâ€

or “toxic†molds; to understand what is known about mold and its possible

health effects; and to understand how to deal effectively with indoor mold

growth and protect buildings and those living, working or going to school in

them.

Can some molds kill? This question cannot be answered simply. Some molds and

mold byproducts can be very dangerous to some people, but exposure does not

automatically mean people will get sick and die. Aspergillus sp., for

example, can cause a rare, serious lung condition called aspergilliosis, which

can

be deadly. Those most at risk are people with severely compromised immune

systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, people with HIV/AIDS or those

who

have had organ or bone marrow transplants. Developing aspergilliosis is most

likely to occur in health care facilities, such as hospitals, retirement

homes and assisted living facilities — any place that houses people who are

older

or have compromised immune systems.

A variety of molds can produce mycotoxins at various times during their

lifecycles. Occupants can experience health problems if they are exposed to

high

levels of these compounds, but this is rare in most indoor environments.

Health effects include eye, nose and throat irritations; headache; dizziness;

dermatitis; diarrhea; and impaired or altered immune function. Although a lot

is

known about the effects of ingesting certain mycotoxins, such as moldy grain

in an agricultural setting, researchers have just started studying how

inhaling these substances may affect health.

Inhaling large concentrations of dust with mold spores may cause lung

irritation and in some instances a more serious condition called

hypersensitivity

pneumonitis. This condition is generally an occupational hazard in

agriculture, but it has been reported in individuals in residences and among

mold

remediators working without appropriate protection.

Dust not only carries mold spores, but it also contains many other

mold-laden particles. Two recent studies that examined dust samples showed that

for

every one intact spore in the air, more than 300 particles of dead parts of the

mold colony or digested bits of the substrate on which the mold grew also

may be in the air. (To locate these studies — labeled Górney et al. 2002 and

Green et al. 2005 — and others mentioned in this article, _see box below_

(http://www.facilitiesnet.com/bom/article.asp?id=3617#box) .) These particles

can

carry the substances that can cause immune system and allergic reactions. And

because these particles are much smaller than mold spores, they can be

inhaled more deeply into the lung. Dust from moldy materials is generally in

the

range of 2.5 microns or less, which is known to be a respiratory irritant.

Damp Buildings and Asthma

By far, the most common health impacts from mold are those associated with

allergies and asthma. Researchers estimate that about 10 percent of the U.S.

population is sensitive to mold allergens, with only about half, or 5 percent,

expected to develop allergic symptoms from exposure to molds (American

College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002). Symptoms can range

from

mild to transitory responses — such as watery eyes, runny nose, throat

irritation, coughing and sneezing — to chronic illnesses such as sinusitis

and

asthma.

One of the most intriguing avenues of research with respect to indoor mold

growth focuses on damp buildings. Two landmark studies released earlier this

year (Jaakkola et al. 2005 and -Gasner et al. 2005) provide the first solid

evidence that damp buildings and exposure to resultant indoor mold growth

are risk factors for developing asthma and not just in making asthma symptoms

worse. The results from these studies indicate that the risk for developing

asthma appears higher for, but is not limited to, people who are sensitive to

mold allergens or who have parents with asthma. Children are at greater risk

than adults because they breathe in more air with respect to their body mass

and as a result have a greater exposure to indoor environmental contaminants.

If buildings are damp — that is, they have moisture or water intrusion

problems — they can support indoor mold growth. As a result, the people

living,

working or going to school in these buildings have a higher potential risk for

developing asthma. This in turn puts facility executives and their

organizations at a higher risk for liability and bad publicity.

These studies carry significant weight because many earlier studies did not

follow children or adults from a time prior to their developing asthma until

sometime after, nor did they independently assess the indoor environments in

which the study participants lived and worked before and after they developed

asthma. Another factor in these studies’ favor is that the researchers

relied on medical diagnosis of the respiratory symptoms not just on interviews

or

surveys with adults who reported on their or their children’s symptoms.

The Jaakkola and -Gasner studies also update the often-quoted 2004

Institute of Medicine report, Damp Indoor Spaces and Health (IOM 2004). This

report

offered a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on asthma, mold

and other factors related to damp conditions in homes and buildings. The

Committee on Damp Indoor Spaces and Health concluded that there is sufficient

evidence that mold and damp conditions can cause asthma symptoms in people with

asthma who are sensitive to mold; mold and damp conditions can also cause

coughing, wheezing and upper respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy

people. The committee at that time did not find sufficient evidence to

establish

a clear, causal relationship for the development of asthma; however, the two

new studies were not then available.

In addition, the Jaakkola and -Gasner studies support the premise that

cleaning up and preventing indoor mold growth by eliminating moisture and water

intrusion is a critical factor for reducing the number of people who develop

asthma and the frequency and severity of attacks among those who do have

asthma.

Preventing mold growth

It is essential that facility executives not ignore mold problems or

moisture and water damage, which are strong indicators that a building is prime

for

indoor mold growth. These problems will not go away by themselves. Left

unchecked, indoor mold growth can cause serious damage to building materials

and

furnishings and may cause people to get sick, which can be a serious liability

issue. In addition, it is far less disruptive and expensive to clean up mold

as soon as a problem is found than later when the infestation may be more

extensive. Bear in mind that any cleanup efforts will be for naught if the

underlying moisture problem is not identified and eliminated.

When cleaning up mold, facility executives should be aware that it can look

dead, but the spores can still spread and colonize other building materials.

Without proper containment and removal, the risk of spreading mold spores

throughout the building is very high. Without adequate protection, workers

cleaning up the mold-infested area are at higher risk of inhaling enough mold

spores to possibly cause health problems.

Facility executives should find a knowledgeable drying company before one is

needed, as there may not be time to do a good search in a crisis. Develop a

moisture management plan and establish a water-incident (burst pipe, flood,

roof damage or window leakage, to name a few examples) response plan. When

selecting a qualified drying company, look for those that have expertise in

operating large-scale dehumidifiers, documenting activities for insurance

claims

and employing appropriate drying techniques to protect building integrity.

Also, be sure to hire a firm with extensive experience and credentials to

manage the remediation process.

Because of the complex nature of the issues and players surrounding water

intrusion and mold problems in commercial and educational buildings, litigation

can be an issue now or in the future. By contacting legal counsel early,

facility executives can avoid potential pitfalls. Legal counsel also can

provide

advice on general legal issues and offer invaluable assistance with

collecting information for insurance claims and negotiating with the insurance

company to ensure a full and fair settlement.