Schools have to learn to control air quality problems

Central Alberta school reopens after air quality concerns over mould

Mold, chemicals and particles may affect
the health of students, teachers and staff.

An elementary school in west-central Alberta has reopened after it was shut down due to air quality concerns.

Lochearn School in Rocky Mountain House was shut down after high levels of airborne mould were initially detected in at least three of the classrooms from tests by Alberta Infrastructure taken on Jan. 31.

Results from a second round of tests on March 7 were released Thursday afternoon and confirmed the recent cleaning and repairs were effective and all air standards meet Health Canada guidelines.

Health Canada guidelines state that acceptable readings of airborne mould can be up to a maximum total of 150 colony forming units per cubic metre of air.

From the Jan. 31 test, some classrooms were showing results of 643 and 468 units, but the test taken last week found no classrooms over 75.

Danielle Spencer, the school's principal, said in a press release that health and safety of students and staff are her Number 1 priority.

The division expected good results after remediation work was conducted at the school on Feb. 20 and 21, said Gordon Majeran, the associate superintendent of corporate services with the Wild Rose School Division.

The recommendations in the first report from Alberta Infrastructure involved the replacing of all water stained ceiling tiles, a disinfection and cleaning of all identified areas with mould and targeted mould remediation -- meaning encapsulation -- on some of the bulkheads overhead at the school entrance, Majeran said.

"We will continue with testing to monitor the air quality and we will also be developing a roof repair plan,'' Majeran said.

Structural problems were pointed out in the school early in the new year when the onset of warmer weather combined with the heavy snow load on the roof began to cause leaks, especially in the north wing.

Concerned about mould, the division followed up with an air quality test, Majeran said.

The first results came back on Feb. 12 but staff were only told the results on Wednesday evening, which sparked the decision to close Lochearn on Thursday.

"They were concerned ... and not comfortable now that they knew the levels ... They didn't want the students there so as a precautionary measure we decided it may be best to close the school until the new results came in,'' Majeran said.

There was "no particular reason'' staff weren't told about the exact levels of mould found in the school, he added.

"They knew there was work being done but they didn't have the results... We didn't share them with them. ... At the time we decided it was better to concentrate on cleaning it up.''

Lochearn School serves students from kindergarten to Grade 5. The building is well over 30 years old, Majeran said, and the roof has been the source of numerous problems over the years.

Source: OHS Canada

Poor air quality in schools can affect children, teachers and staff. Electrocorp has designed easy-to-use air purifiers for schools and universities that contain activated carbon and HEPA to provide the best possible air in educational environments. Contact Electrocorp for more information and a free consultation.

Hotel rooms can make you sick

A hotel room may look clean, but the reality is the stuff of nightmares.

The Healthy Hotels Program, which provides hotels in Australia and New Zealand with certification of their health and hygiene standards, has compiled some facts to find out just how much hotels can affect health.

In the guest room, door handles, swipe keys, carpet, glasses, light switches, remotes, key board, furniture, bedding, curtains, taps and fittings, the toilet, shower, ice bucket, refrigerator, chair, bed and pillows each present a potential for transmission.

Poor indoor air quality in hotel rooms
can impact visitors' health.

The desk in a hotel room will be home to 400 times more bacteria than the toilet, the reason being that most toilets are disinfected, while furniture typically is not.

Equally one of the greatest potential threats to health in the guest room is the air we breathe.

The resting adult will inhale between 10,000 to 20,000 litres of air per day including sleeping time, where the face and mouth are pressed directly onto the pillow.

Air can be home to any number of micro-contaminants, including mold spores, fine dust, pollen and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some of the most dangerous airborne pollutants, which are also the easiest to avoid, are air fresheners, pesticides and many conventional cleaning products.

The most common VOC sources in the guest room are cleaning chemical residue and the byproduct of a process called ‘off-gassing’. Typical of newer building materials such as fresh carpets or furniture, gases from the glues, sealants and coloring agents can leech into the air for a period of time, often being mistaken for that fresh new carpet smell.

Any substance which is not considered toxic to the touch must be considered completely differently if inhaled. Only 30 per cent of contaminants inhaled are ever exhaled, the remainder are broken down by the body, usually within the liver.

There’s no avoiding the fact that any indoor environment which is home to human activity will ultimately be contaminated with the presence of human proteins, body fluids, bacteria and most likely the presence of mold and dust mites.

The average hotel bed will be home to more than 1370 people over a five-year period. We shed up to 3.6 kilograms of skin each year and an average bed can contain anywhere from 100,000 to 2,000,000 dust mites.

The Ohio State University entomology department says the weight of a two-year-old pillow can be comprised of up to 10 per cent dust mites and their excrement.

In addition, carpets and beds which are not regularly or correctly sanitized have been found to contain high concentrations of mold spores and bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli).

To add to the equation, when examined with black light most hotel room bed heads or head walls have been found to show evidence of human proteins.

A smell indicates poor indoor air quality -
but some dangers aren't easy to identify.

While it’s the ‘germ statistics’ that form the common rhetoric and always have, guests and hoteliers alike deserve to know the difference between the ‘gross factor’ and the elements which are more likely to cause potentially serious health concerns.

It’s unrealistic for any guest room not to show evidence of human habitation, however the presence of VOCs such as certain mold spores and chemical compounds within the air and furnishings should be taken far more seriously due to the demonstrated health implications they can represent from both short and long term exposure.

Certain species of mold represent arguably the greatest and most common threat to respiratory health in any guest room. Although the number is improving, comparatively few accommodation operators sanitize their beds and carpets correctly if at all, making these areas a haven for basic allergens and bacteria, through to potentially dangerous VOCs.

How to minimize risks in hotel rooms

If you’re a guest, there are several things you can do to have confidence before your stay:

• Ask about sanitizing practice before booking. Are the beds, pillows and carpets sanitized and if so, is it with a low moisture process or with steam which is counter-productive?
• Ask if housekeeping typically use bleach-based products or are there other safer alternatives in place such as vinegar or cloth cleaning?
• Ask if the property has their air quality measured regularly.
• Take your own pillow, have it either professionally sanitized or at the very least, vacuum it and leave it in direct sunlight for an hour.
• Ask if there’s an independent health certification in place.

During your stay:

• Open the windows if possible — fresh air is best.
• Wash hands regularly and avoid touching the nose, eyes or mouth unnecessarily.
• Wipe down items and switches with a disinfecting wipe.
• Take your own drinking water or boil the water and let it stand for a while.
• Turn off and unplug unnecessary devices, particularly before bed.
• Stay hydrated and be mindful to consume foods (preferably raw) with antioxidants such as most berries, prunes, apples and green tea.
• Avoid bright lights and device screens an hour before bed

Editor's note: This article has been edited for length. 

Source: News Network Australia

Worried about air quality in your travel establishment? Electrocorp can help improve the indoor air quality in hotel rooms, conference rooms, reception halls, dining rooms and other areas with long-lasting air cleaners for hotels and the hospitality industry. For travelers, there are some smaller air purifiers available. Contact Electrocorp for more information.

IAQ technology: Easier way to detect mold in homes and other buildings

Some molds can affect
human health and well-being.

Mold contamination is one of the most common indoor air quality concerns in the United States – especially in millions of foreclosed homes that are abandoned without adequate ventilation.

Mold spores are a natural part of the environment, and mold contamination often occurs after some type of water infiltration in the building, which could be a flood, plumbing problem or leak.

But scientists have come up with a new, simple and fast method to detect and identify even low levels of airborne mold.

While most molds are harmless, some have been linked to health risks in humans. According to doctors, 20-30 percent of the population may be susceptible to mold.

Traditional methods of mold testing often tried to identify the spores that molds release into the air.

The scientists’ new method involves collecting air samples on a piece of commercially available aluminum foil and analyzing the spores with Raman microspectroscopy (RMS). The technique allowed the researchers to identify single spores of seven common types of mold.

The report describing the technique appears in the American Chemical Society’s journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Source: American Chemical Society

Control mold in buildings with source control, ventilation and air cleaning

Mold problems can quickly get out of hand; that is why experts suggest fixing water infiltration problems quickly, making sure that there is adequate ventilation and clean air.

Electrocorp has designed industrial-strength air cleaning systems with activated carbon, HEPA and UV germicidal filtration that can provide cleaner air and control mold.

The HEPA filter can help trap mold spores, while a UV lamp can help neutralize them and an activated carbon filter can help remove odors and mycotoxins that are associated with some molds.

Whether it’s air cleaners for mold and asbestos restoration projects or other industrial or commercial applications, Electrocorp’s wide range of units and customizable options provide the largest adsorbent surface areas, the most relevant filter media and 24/7 air cleaning.

Contact Electrocorp for more information.
  

Saving energy without compromising health

Indoor air quality is a huge concern in today’s efforts to make homes more energy-efficient

Airtight buildings and homes can affect the occupants'
health and well-being, experts say.

People all over North America are putting their renovation dollars where they think it counts – in eco-efficient updates and insulated structures that tighten up homes.

But while saving energy and thereby money in form of fuel costs is a good idea in general, it should not be done without special consideration to potential health impacts.

Airtight buildings do not have a natural air exchange between indoor and outdoor air that older buildings may have and insufficient ventilation and higher concentrations of indoor air pollutants have become serious public health risks.

Some of the most serious concerns include

• Buildup of allergens indoors that can cause or aggravate conditions
• VOCs like formaldehyde from constructions materials, flooring, cabinets, furniture and other sources
• Toxic chemicals from new computers, appliances and common household cleaning products
• Mold from lack of ventilation and high humidity or moisture problems
• Undetected high levels of radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer
• Carbon monoxide from appliances, fireplaces and other sources

Poor indoor air quality can cause people to experience symptoms of sick building syndrome and respiratory effects. It is no wonder that asthma rates are rising exponentially.

In any home, whether energy upgrades are being done or not, indoor air quality needs to be considered and measures need to be taken to keep indoor air pollution to a minimum.

Source: Maine Indoor Air Quality Council

Remove indoor air pollutants during and after home upgrades

Choosing the most eco-friendly and non-toxic materials and making sure there is adequate ventilation during and after renovation or building projects are important steps to better indoor air quality – but after all is said and done, an air cleaner with the right air filters will provide the most complete protection from airborne pollutants.

Electrocorp has designed portable air cleaners for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications that will also be the safest and most effective air filtration systems during and after home energy upgrades and construction projects.

The air cleaners feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter as well as HEPA filtration and optional UV lamps to capture not only airborne chemicals, VOCs, gases, fumes and odors but also particles, dust, allergens, mold, bacteria, viruses and other toxins.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and options.

First wildfires, then flash floods? New Mexico officials worry about more disasters

Natural disasters: Wildfires and floods can affect
rescue workers and residents in the area.

The Las Conchas wildfire has turned into the most destructive raging fire in the state’s history, and now residents may have yet another problem on their hands – the seasonal rains that are moving toward New Mexico.

In a recent article from Reuters, officials could claim that progress was being made in saving the Indian pueblo lands on the north end of New Mexico’s largest wildfire, which triggered the temporary evacuation of the Los Alamos nuclear laboratory.

However, the charred land may be unable to cope with the monsoon rainfalls that are coming, officials said.

"We've gone straight from fire danger to flood danger, so it's one thing after another," the article quoted a frustrated Jason Lott, superintendent of the Bandelier National Monument, a revered ancestral home of New Mexico's pueblo Indian natives.

The risk to flooding has been aggravated by the raging wildfire which has burned off trees, ground-hugging grasses and vegetation, raising concerns that any run-off will barrel down canyons unchecked, causing creeks to burst their banks.

Crews have worked hard this week to clear stream beds, removing logs and other debris creating a clearer path so waters cannot back up and flood historic sites and buildings.

Many buildings will be sandbagged and hopefully sealed from the waters, Lott said.

The wildfire was ignited on June 26 when strong winds tipped an aspen tree onto nearby power lines in the Santa Fe National Forest about 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos, the article says. It has scorched 14,400 acres of land.

Natural disasters and indoor air quality

Wildfires and floods not only affect buildings and land, they can also cause adverse health effects for residents once they return to their homes.

Outdoor air pollution combined with indoor air pollutants can aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma.

However, it’s not just asthmatics who need to beware of smoke, researchers say, but also patients with heart failure, (who) should be particularly aware.

After floods, the extreme moisture often causes active mold growth and associated health problems.

Activated carbon can remove airborne
chemicals and odors.

Electrocorp offers air filtration systems with high efficiency particle filters and deep-bed activated carbon filters as well as UV germicidal filtration to help remove harmful chemicals, particles and odors associated with tobacco and wildfire smoke as well as mold.

See also:

• Wildfires lead to busier ERs: Report
• Water infiltration - bad news for buildings
• Clean-up tips for flood-related mold 
• VIDEO: LANL employees return to work

Water infiltration -- bad news for buildings

Water infiltration can lead to mold problems
and sick building syndrome.

For anyone owning, managing or occupying a building or house, water leaks and water infiltration can become big problems.

Not only can extreme moisture lead to active mold growth after only 24 to 48 hours, the source of the water problem is often very difficult to find.

As Canadian building and renovations specialist and TV series host Mike Holmes explained in a recent column, there are many ways water can sneak past a building’s defenses.

Most people connect water infiltration with a leaking roof and will call a roofer right away, but Holmes points out that in many cases, the problem has nothing at all to do with the roof.

Common causes for water infiltration in a home or building:

• The obvious causes: a hole in the roof or a crack in the foundation or caulking
• Damp spots can be caused by water vapor entering through the exterior walls, if there is a break in the house wrap and water barrier
• Water infiltration through permeable materials like wood or concrete
• Condensation from inside the home or building disguising itself as a leak
• Leak in the chimney flashing

Some of the entry points of the water can far away from where the water leak actually shows up.

How to deal with mysterious damp spots:

1. Start with a good roofer. Water makes its way from top to bottom, and so should you.
2. Use common sense. If the water damage appears underneath a window, it is likely because of the window.
3. Identify the building’s vulnerable points. Materials wear out, dry out or crumble over time. Inspect the roof, the flashing where the chimney or soffits meet the roof or where different types of exterior sheathing meet, the chimney, the caulking around windows and doors.
4. Enlist the help of a building inspector with a thermographic camera, which can be used to trace the water path and identify the source.

Source: “Water isn’t always the result of a roof leak” by Mike Holmes, Making it Right

Indoor air quality in buildings with water intrusion

Many buildings suffer from mold if water intrusion has occurred. Mold produces mold spores, which in turn contain mycotoxins that can be harmful to human health. People who react to mold can experience symptoms like nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, skin irritation and even fever and lung infections.

Besides finding the source of the water intrusion, dehumidifying the air and ensure adequate ventilation, an air filtration system with activated carbon + HEPA can improve the indoor air quality immensely by removing airborne chemicals, vapors, particles, mold spores and mycotoxins.

Electrocorp has designed air filtration systems for large buildings (facility management), mold and asbestos abatement, construction and renovation projects as well as for Home and Office use (sold under the AllerAir brand).

Contact one of our air quality experts for more information.


Related Posts:

• Clean-up tips for flood-related mold
• Flood waters: Mold growth and serious IAQ concerns
• The damaging effects of mold in libraries and archives
• Mold wreaks havoc on materials stored in evidence rooms
• Prevent and control mold growth in commercial settings
• The mold factor: Mold issues, health effects and cleanup

Clean-up tips for flood-related mold

Mold removal may be necessary
after a flood.

The American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) warns that mold grows easily in flood-related conditions, which include standing water, humid air and wet surfaces.

      The longer these conditions remain, as in the current flooding in the South and the Midwest, the more the mold growth can spread. To address this, ASSE offers the following tips for people to consider when looking at how to clean up mold and minimize its adverse effects.

      Be prepared for the worst case scenario

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that ‘surfaces wet longer than 48 hours with “clean water” should be considered as potentially contaminated, and any surfaces in contact with “dirty water” should be considered contaminated’.
Be aware of local laws and regulations in your area concerning mold, and ask local experts for guidance.

 

      Take steps to protect your business or store from mold growth
In addition, to lessen the chances of a mold colony growing in a store/business, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that 1) the humidity level be kept below 50 percent; 2) an air conditioner or dehumidifier be used during humid months (depending on the climate); 3) adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans, in the kitchen and bathrooms, be used; 4) to add mold inhibitors to paints before applying them; 5) bathrooms be cleaned with mold-killing products; and, 6) not to put carpeting in bathrooms, basements, or other areas where moisture or water could be a concern.
 

      
Learn how to recognize mold and be aware of the health risks
Mold, ASSE members note, is a group of microscopic fungi, which also includes mildew and other organisms that rot materials on which they grow. Molds can often be invisible to the eye. A blotch of black, gray, white, red, orange, yellow, blue or violet fuzzy or slimy growth is usually the result of widespread mold growth. Besides infection and allergic reactions, excessive mold growth indoors can result in offensive, musty odors from the gases released by certain molds as they grow and die.

      
Clean up the mold
ASSE offers the following tips for cleaning a facility/building area affected by mold:

• Avoid direct contact with affected mold areas as much as possible.
• If it can be thrown away, throw it away. Replacements may be less expensive in the long term (and short term) than attempting to decontaminate some surfaces.
• If it cannot be disposed of, decontaminate and then dry as thoroughly as possible. Moisture removal is a key factor to preventing future growth.
• Wallboard can often be cut to the point of contamination and replaced with new sections.
• Clean all tools after use, or dispose if possible, and also clean tools after each shift.
• When in doubt about the structural integrity of a facility, obtain an evaluation by a licensed and qualified builder or structural engineer before entering. Medical clearance may also be necessary based upon the severity of mold in the area.
• Individuals involved in mold remediation should be aware that attempts to mix chemicals to clean surfaces can cause further damage, such as the toxic gases that can be released when ammonia and bleach are mixed. Workers need to exercise caution, so as not to create additional hazards. The power supply (circuit breakers) should be turned off in the specific damaged areas/ high levels of moisture to avoid electrical shock hazards.

Source: Cherokeean Herald

Concerned about mold in your building? 

 Electrocorp offers a range of indoor air purification units for mold and asbestos abatement projects to help keep workers and occupants safe during cleanup and to control mold in the future.

Contact us to find out more.
   

Flood waters: Mold growth and serious IAQ concerns

Flood - Courtesy of Elspeth and Evan

Reports of flooding in communities across North America have dominated the news recently, and while a flood can be scary, the after-effects can be even more dangerous.

Excess moisture and standing water caused by natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. When returning to a home or building that has been flooded, mold will be present and become a serious health risk for all occupants.

Active mold growth usually starts within 24-48 hours of excessive moisture. The indoor air quality in flooded or previously flooded buildings or homes can also remain problematic due to bacteria and chemicals or other hazardous substances that are present in the flood water.

Companies specializing in mold remediation should also consider the indoor air quality and take the necessary steps to improve IAQ as part of the mold removal process.


Possible health effects

After buildings have been flooded, moisture can remain in drywall, wood furniture, cloth, carpet, and other items and surfaces and can lead to mold growth. Exposure to mold can cause hay-fever-like reactions (such as stuffy nose, red, watery or itchy eyes, sneezing) and asthma attacks as well as headaches, leading to poor memory retention and decreased productivity.


How to recognize mold growth

Mold removal is necessary to avoid
health problems later on.

    Sight (Are the walls and ceiling discolored, or do they show signs of mold growth or water damage?) and/or
    Smell (Do you smell a bad odor, such as a musty, earthy smell or a foul stench?)


How to deal with mold growth in a building after flooding

• Talk to a doctor or healthcare provider, a health and safety officer or nearest practitioner if your building has been flooded.
• To prevent mold growth, clean and dry everything that has come in contact with flood water and throw away anything that can’t be cleaned or dried quickly (like paper or padded furniture).
• If there are large amounts of mold and serious health and safety concerns, hire professional mold remediation help.
• Clean and dry all hard surfaces.
• If something is moldy, and can't be cleaned and dried, throw it away.
• Use a detergent or use a cleaner that kills bacteria and other pathogens.
• Do not mix cleaning products together or add bleach to other chemicals.
• Wear an N-95 respirator, goggles, gloves so that you don't touch mold with your bare hands, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and boots or work shoes.

Additional tips for mold removal in schools and commercial buildings from EPA

• Consult health professional as appropriate throughout process
• Select remediation manager
• Assess size of mold problem and note type of mold-damaged materials
• Communicate with building occupants throughout process as appropriate to situation
• Identify source or cause of water or moisture problem
• Plan remediation, adapt guidelines to fit situation
• Select personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Select containment equipment
• Select remediation personnel or team
• Choose between outside expertise or in-house expertise
• Remediate
• Fix water or moisture problem
• Clean and dry moldy materials
• Discard moldy items that can't be cleaned
• Dry non-moldy items within 48 hours
• Check for return of moisture and mold problem
• If hidden mold is discovered, reevaluate plan

Helpful resources:

• Natural disasters and weather emergencies – flooding 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Mold remediation in schools and commercial buildings

Improve indoor air quality in buildings affected by mold

Electrocorp has designed air filtration systems that are uniquely suited to mold applications. Our units purify the air with a powerful deep-bed activated carbon + HEPA filtration technology.

Many of our air cleaners can also be equipped with a sterilizing ultraviolet light, which helps neutralize biological contaminants such as mold spores, bacteria and viruses.

Find out more about our air scrubbing machines for mold and asbestos remediation as well as other contaminants.


Related posts:

• Prevent and control mold growth in commercial buildings
• The mold factor - mold issues, health effects and cleanup
• The damaging effects of mold in libraries and archives
• Mold wreaks havoc on material stored in evidence rooms

The damaging effects of mold in libraries and archives

Valuable books and collections
can be destroyed by mold.

Mold is a serious issue for people as well as for materials and documents – as the archives staff at Emporia State University in Kansas recently found out.

In a detailed three-part series, The Bulletin’s editor in chief Kelsey Ryan explained how employees at ESU’s archives have struggled with this serious indoor air quality concern.

The Anderson Library building, which houses a portion of Emporia State’s historical archives and historical collections, has a major mold problem. The university’s archivist first discovered active mold bloom in September 2009 and subsequently found mold on more than 300 records, papers, photographs and books in the rare collections.

The Anderson building stores the majority of ESU’s archives, including over a hundred years’ worth of historical photographs, academic journals, archived issues of The Bulletin and bound issues of The Sunflower, ESU’s yearbook.

Some of these documents are in jeopardy because of alleged moisture and humidity problems in the building due to roof leaks, inadequate HVAC, high humidity levels and poor building maintenance.

The personnel have been asked to take care of the problem in-house, even though a better and quicker option would be to outsource the job to mold remediation professionals.

Mold can create health problems

The archive employees were hesitant to give details, but they spoke in general terms about their worries regarding their health.

Mold can affect human health, depending on the type of mold and exposure. According to EPA, all molds have the potential to cause health effects because they produce allergens, irritants and in some cases toxins.

Building occupants may begin to report odors and a variety of health problems, such as headaches, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and aggravation of asthma symptoms; all of these symptoms could potentially be associated with mold exposure.

There are no regulatory guidelines or regulatory issues on mold at this point by Environmental Protection Agency or Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to the director of the university facilities, but the workers were given personal protective equipment if they wanted it.

A lengthy process

In order to properly clean the documents and get the mold spores off of them, items that have mold on them must be separated from others and dried out. Once the mold is flakey, it can be vacuumed using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner.

The archives staff keeps a clean room within William Allen White Library where they clean documents before they are stored into compact shelving.

The university has considered selling the building, but finding a buyer may be difficult since the building requires extensive renovations and maintenance. This, even though the university spent $250,000 to fix Anderson Library in the last six years, on things like the new heating system, roofs, gutters, pointing, maintaining and dehumidifiers.

The building has been plagued by mold, water intrusion and mice.

Source: Emporia Gazette

Manage mold problems with air cleaners

Source control and remediation is important when it comes to mold problems. But for a complete mold solution, to avoid health and safety complaints and enhance the protection of valuable documents and materials threatened by mold, the indoor air quality of the building needs to be improved and protected.

Electrocorp has designed air filtration systems for

• Libraries and archives
• Facility management
• Mold and asbestos remediation

Contact us for more information.

Related posts:

• Prevent and control mold growth in commercial settings
• The mold factor - mold issues, health effects and cleanup
• Indoor air concerns in the healthcare industry
• Poor IAQ linked to half of illnesses worldwide

Mold wreaks havoc on material stored in evidence rooms

Law enforcement officers have a dangerous job – even when their primary responsibility is to guard the property evidence and storage rooms. One of the biggest hazards they face is mold, and more specifically, the Aspergillus fungus.

Marijuana attracts the Aspergillus fungus.

Aspergillus grows on any biological item, but it really likes marijuana and it doesn’t need much moisture to prosper and grow. When marijuana is stored in plastic, even minute amounts of moisture that is held by the plastic can support the growth of Aspergillus.

Aspergillus can affect law enforcement officers' health

The problem is that even perfectly dried marijuana plants still contain 10-15% water. When property evidence officers handle the decaying material, they can be exposed to mold spores that enter the human body through the ears and nose. Reported health effects are stuffiness, a feeling of being unwell, coughing, wheezing and lung damage.

Another issue with plastic is the destruction of evidence. When officers use plastic to hold evidence, the retained moisture can cause it to mold, corrode or rust, and plastic is often blamed for destroying latent fingerprints. Some law enforcement officers ask that plastic is only used for drug-related items, except marijuana, and jewelry.

To stave off mold infestations, evidence storage rooms need to

• Install adequate ventilation systems and make regular filter replacements
  
• Implement an improved storage system: Don’t store copious amounts of marijuana, especially after a case has been adjudicated. Document and photograph excessive amounts of marijuana, and only keep samples. The samples must be cleaned and sealed appropriately
  
• Ensure good housekeeping procedures: discard all materials that are visibly affected by fungi, clean all surfaces and disinfect the area, supply workers with protective equipment
  
• Recognize the hazards and the best ways to deal with them
  
• Look into other air cleaning methods to protect law enforcement officers. Electrocorp’s industrial air purifiers, including the RAP and RSU series are powerful air scrubbers that can help provide better air in storage rooms
  
• Consider each case individually for marijuana storage. Burlap or paper bags let the moisture escape, but they also won’t hold off mold spores. Impermeable bags made out of plastics can cause the contents to turn into a mushy soup of questionable evidential value. The best choice is dependent on the amount of time it is stored, the quality of the material and the existing situation in the evidence room.

RAP Series

Electrocorp offers a variety of stand-alone, industrial-strength air purification systems that address not only live airborne bacteria and fungi, but also provide superior particle and chemical filtration capabilities. An air purifier provides better, cleaner and more breathable air. To learn more about Electrocorp’s powerful air cleaners for evidence storage rooms, click here.

Sources: Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, International Association of Property and Evidence

Prevent and control mold growth in commercial settings

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the following steps to prevent the growth of mold in commercial buildings:

Inspect air vents regularly to prevent mold

• Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.
• Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix source(s) of moisture problem(s) as soon as possible.
• Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity). To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair leaks, increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry), or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid).
• Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.
• Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside where possible.
• Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity (RH), ideally 30-50%, if possible.
• Perform regular building/HVAC inspections and maintenance as scheduled.
• Clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48 hours.
• Don’t let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation.

Other helpful tools to combat mold in commercial buildings

Besides airing out the building, ensuring that there is adequate ventilation and using a dehumidifier, a serious air purification system can help extract irritants and chemical mycotoxins out of the air and improve indoor air quality.

An ideal filtration system for the battle against mold combines the strength of three powerful air purification methods: a HEPA filter for particle and dust mite control, a UV lamp to neutralize live bacteria, mold spores and viruses and a deep bed of activated carbon to adsorb as many odorous gases and chemical vapors as possible.

Electrocorp manufactures industrial-strength air cleaning systems for all types of commercial and industrial applications, which can remove a wide range of indoor pollutants from the air. Talk to one of our Air Quality Experts today.

The mold factor - mold issues, health effects and cleanup

Mold does not shy away from busy commercial or industrial sites.

On the contrary -- as a natural part of the environment, airborne mold spores will start to grow anywhere if they land on spots with sufficient moisture and humidity.

In commercial buildings, moisture and subsequent mold problems often stem from roof leaks, landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under the building, unvented combustion appliances and insufficient maintenance.


Exposure to mold can affect workers' and occupants' health

If these issues are not addressed, the occupants or workers in a building can be exposed to mold and develop serious health problems, starting with irritation in the nose, eyes and throat.

As public outcries over mold problems in schools show (Haughton Middle School, Louisiana, and an Andrew Jackson Middle School in Kanawha, West Virginia, both in 2009), failure to provide good IAQ can lead to damaged reputations and legal action, not to mention the anxiety and anger parents will feel over their child’s compromised health.


Mold remediation needs to be done right

To control mold in commercial buildings or schools, maintenance workers or superintendents need to address humidity issues first.

During cleanup, they need to make sure that the irritants, toxins and pollutants associated with molds won’t bother people on site who may be sensitive to them. The cleanup is best done at a time when the least number of people are around. It’s not enough to just kill the mold; it needs to be removed as well.

If the mold covers an extensive area, it's best to get advice from an environmental consultant or hygienist and professional remediation services.


Air purifiers provide cleaner air

Electrocorp offers a variety of stand-alone, industrial-strength air purification systems that address not only live airborne bacteria and fungi, but also provide superior particle and chemical filtration capabilities.

An air purifier provides better, cleaner and more breathable air. Learn more about Electrocorp’s powerful air cleaners for schools, universities and commercial buildings and air filtration systems for mold and asbestos remediation.

Traveling? Take note of the indoor air quality in your hotel

Poor indoor air quality is a common complaint in public lodging establishments such as hotels, apartments and motels. 

Websites like tripadvisor feature many warnings by concerned hotel guests about issues such as poor housekeeping and mold. A search for “mold” brought up hotels in the U.S., Italy, Taiwan, Mexico and Thailand.

Hotels often suffer from poor indoor air quality because they have a greater density of people per square foot than office or apartment buildings and cannot control environmental conditions in rooms.

Hotel guests can be sensitive to mold and mildew

Mold spores are a natural part of the environment and they will settle down and thrive when they find a spot with enough moisture or humidity. Many people will notice a bad smell in rooms that harbour mold.

According to mold remediation professionals, typical causes for mold in hotels or motels are deficient air conditioning systems and air and water leaks in the building walls. Most hotel rooms have little fresh air exchange and let mold and bacteria thrive in an environment of vinyl wall paper and shower steam.

Reported health problems to mold exposure include breathing difficulties, headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal ailments, skin rashes, severe allergic reactions and neurological damage.  

Mold growth a costly concern in public lodgings

Mold problems not only turn off visitors, they can also be expensive. Insurance companies are catching on to an increase in mold claims and are raising their prices accordingly.

When a hotel in Hawaii had to close 453 rooms in 2004 to take care of a mold problem, the estimated cost for finding the source of the mold and removing it was $10 million.

Thankfully, more and more hotel administrators and public health authorities are addressing mold abatement concerns. For example, the Florida Department of Health  has set up a division where people can call or write in to lodge complaints about indoor air quality in hotels and motels.

Industrial air cleaners offer additional protection against the effects of mold

If a mold problem already exists, an industrial-strength air purifier is an important tool in the mold abatement process. Improper clean-up practices may result in health and liability issues, especially if hazardous materials are released in the air and contaminate neighboring areas.

For a list of powerful air scrubbers, click here. Electrocorp has designed industrial air cleaners for the hospitality industry.

In terms of mold prevention and improvement of overall experience, hotel owners and managers are starting to make improved indoor air quality, air exchange systems and other IAQ services a priority.

Some hotels have realized that better, cleaner air is an important part of their business and even offer a free-standing indoor air purifier in certain rooms, on top of well-maintained ventilation systems. The best air cleaners feature a combination of activated carbon, HEPA and a UV light to remove odors, chemicals, gases, particles, dust, mold spores, bacteria and viruses from the air.

Hotels are in the business of keeping customers happy. The more people realize the dangerous effects of mold and demand rooms with top indoor air quality, the more hotels will listen and act accordingly.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and the best air cleaners for your hotel, motel, inn or hospitality business.