2420 Mold Contamination Flashcards
What did Peter Sandman famously say about risk?
Risk = Hazard + Outrage
If workers are aware of a hazard, and not educated properly, then they will become outraged about it. Risk of worker relations issues.
What basic things does mold require?
Food
Water
Oxygen
Correct temperature
What is mold?
A type of fungus.
-multicellular filaments (hyphae)
[versus single-cell yeasts]
There are many species.
It aids in decomposition of organic material.
Mold can grow on dead organic matter everywhere in nature, but are only typically visible when forming large colonies.
Some mold can remain alive/dormant when conditions are extreme or not conducive to growth.
How does mold reproduce?
Spores are produced, which may be sexual or asexual).
Some spores are hydrophobic, making them proficient at wind dispersal over long periods/distances.
List common molds in Canada.
*Cladosporium
(the black mold usually found around windows/bathrooms)
Aspergillus
Stachybotrys (controversial toxic black mold - debated & rare in Canada)
Penicillium
Trichophyton (athlete foot, ringworm, jock itch)
What is it about mold that can cause disease?
Exposure to partial or whole fungal hyphae
Exposure to mold spores
Exposure to mold by-products (mycotoxins or MVOCs)
{MVOC, Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds}
What is a MVOC?
Microbial Volatile Organic Compound.
Produced as part of metabolism and usually responsible for musty smell.
Can be a respiratory irritant, but usually little more than an annoyance.
Discuss health effects associated with mold.
Most people have no reaction to mold exposure.
The most common health effects of mold exposure are allergic or irritant reactions.
Flu-like sympoms, asthma-like reactions, and skin rashes may occur. Symptoms often resolve with removal of mold.
Fungal infections are possible, usually in immuno-compromised individuals.
Sometimes mold is incorrectly identified as a cause of disease.
List acute and chronic symptoms of mold exposure.
Acute: Fatigue Headache Eye/nose/throat irritation Cough Asthma aggrevation
Chronic: Joint pain Morning stiffness Poor memory and difficult speech Tingling/numbness of skin
Discuss mold overexposure as addressed in BC OHSR.
There are no OEL, therefore no overexposure.
OHS claims for respiratory inflammation due to exposure to fumes/vapours/mists/gasses/dusts/irritating substances that occur within 48-72hrs can be approved.
There are some known allertic alveolitis diseases with specific repeated exposures. (mushroom workers)
Is Canadian OHS law regarding mold prescriptive?
No. Very non-specific, and very performance-based.
Discuss mold investigation.
Primary investigation method is to think about likely locations and visually inspect.
Secondary method, usually not recommended, is air sampling. Context important. Mold in air is considered normal. Source would still need to be found visually.
Describe 4 methods of remediation for mold caused by clean water.
Wet Vacuum & steam cleaning
Damp-wipe Surfaces
-wiping surfaces with water +/- detergent. Scrubbing PRN.
HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) Vacuum
-after fully drying
Discard
-dispose of materials in sealed plastic bags, regular garbage.
What are the two mold common molds in Canada? Why?
Cladosporidium and Penicillium.
Nutrient recycling by decay of organic material. Lots of leaves and organic material to break down, therefore lots of these molds.
What are hyphae?
Multi-celled filaments that make up a mold colony.
When disturbed, hyphae can break and become airborne particulates, which can be allergenic.
