Nick s Inspection Services

Transcription

1 Nick s Inspection Services 909 Shorthorn Grain Valley Mo Phone: Cell: nicksinspections@att.net Building Inspection Report and Protocol Inspection Date: Reference: Odessa PD and EMS Prepared By: Nick s Inspection Services Report Number: Inspector: Nick Fortner Report Overview, Visual Inspection, Protocol, Test Results Scope of Visual Assessment/Exclusions. None of the information contained herein should be construed as medical advice or a call to action for evacuation or remediation. Only a qualified physician should make any decision relative to medical significance. THE SCOPE OF THE VISUAL ASSESSMENT IS LIMITED TO READILY ACCESSIBLE AREAS OR AREAS WHERE READILY OBSERVABLE. HIDDEN DAMAGE MAY APPEAR BEHIND WALLS AND OTHER AREAS DURING THE DEMOLATION. 1. The purpose of this report is to establish the presence of visible mold/water damage/bacteria. The visual inspection is still showing water damaged/molded ceiling tile, mold behind baseboard and animal feces above the PD and EMS. Bacteria s testing was done and the results will be forwarded when received. Swab sample was taken off the vent in the area of the jail and testing positive for mold. Air samples were also done in the EMS room and the area above the PD. The area above the PD is showing a slight elevation in the spore count. At this time the following would be recommended in the PD and EMS offices and

2 sleeping quarters. NOTE: ONCE THE BACTERIA TESTING RESULTS ARE IN IT MAY CHANGE THE SCOPE OF WORK. A. Remove all water damaged/molded insulation above all areas. B. Remove all water damaged/molded ceiling tile above all areas. C. Remove all carpet left in the PD. D. Remove all base board in the PD/EMS and any areas that have been wet. E. Supply air scrubbers and dehumidifiers as needed. F. Remove all wall board, insulation, ceiling and deteriorated framing. (2ft past any visible.) G. Clean all remaining framing and floors. H. Replace the flex duct in the building and clean all hard ducting. I. Clean HVAC units. Including the window units in the EMS rooms. J. It would be advised to contact a plumber during this remediation and fix the floor drain in the jail area. K. The Garage area should be cleaned after the office areas are cleaned and contained. Ten Things You Should Know About Mold 1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints. 2. There is no practical way to eliminate all molds and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. 3. If mold is a problem in your home, business or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture. 4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth. 5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by: a. venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; b. using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; c. increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning. 6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within hours to prevent mold growth. 7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with anti-microbial, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced. 8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation. 9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation). 10. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

3 The goal of remediation is to remove or clean contaminated materials in a way that prevents the emission of fungi/bacteria and dust contaminated with fungi/bacteria from leaving the basement area and entering an occupied part of the home. Level IV: Extensive Contamination: Industrial hygienists or other environmental health and safety professionals with experience performing microbial investigations and/or mold remediation should be consulted prior to remediation activities to provide oversight for the project. The following procedures may be implemented depending upon the severity of the contamination: Personnel trained in the handling of hazardous materials and equipped with: Full face piece respirators with HEPA cartridges; Disposable protective clothing covering entire body including both head and shoes; and Gloves. Containment of the affected area: Complete isolation of work area from occupied spaces using plastic sheeting sealed with duct tape (including ventilation ducts/grills, fixtures, and other openings); The use of an exhaust fan with a HEPA filters to generate negative pressurization; and Airlocks and decontamination room. If contaminant practices effectively prevent mold from migrating from affected areas, it may not be necessary to remove people from surrounding work areas. However, removal is still recommended for infants, persons having undergone recent surgery, immune- suppressed people, or people with chronic inflammatory lung diseases. (e.g., asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and severe allergies). Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in sealed impermeable plastic bags. The outside of the bags should be cleaned with a damp cloth and a detergent solution or HEPA vacuumed in the decontamination chamber prior to their transport to uncontaminated areas of the building. These materials may be disposed of as ordinary waste.

4 The contained area and decontamination room should be HEPA vacuumed and cleaned with a damp cloth or mopped with a detergent solution and be visibly clean prior to the removal of isolation barriers. Antimicrobial product to: disinfect, sanitize, reduce, or mitigate growth or development of microbiological organisms; protect inanimate objects (for example floors and walls), industrial processes or systems, surfaces, water, or other chemical substances from contamination, fouling, or deterioration caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, algae, or slime. Use of Biocides The use of a biocide, such as chlorine bleach, is not recommended as a routine practice during mold remediation, although there may be instances where professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area, as a background level of mold spores comparable to the level in outside air will persist. However, the spores in the ambient air will not cause further problems if the moisture level in the building has been corrected. Biocides are toxic to animals and humans, as well as to mold. If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area, using outside air if possible, and exhaust the air to the outdoors. When using fans, take care not to extend the zone of contamination by distributing mold spores to a previously unaffected area. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because this may produce highly toxic vapors and create a hazard to workers. Some biocides are considered pesticides, and some states require that only registered pesticide applicators apply these products in schools, commercial buildings, and homes. Make sure anyone applying a biocide is properly licensed where required. Fungicides are commonly applied to outdoor plants, soil, and grains as a powder or spray. Examples of fungicides include hexachlorobenzene, organomercurials, pentachlorophenol, phthalimides, and dithiocarbamates. Do not use fungicides developed for outdoor use in any indoor application, as they can be extremely toxic to animals and humans in an enclosed environment.

5 When you use biocides as a disinfectant or a pesticide, or as a fungicide, you should use appropriate PPE, including respirators. Always, read and follow product label precautions. It is a violation of Federal (EPA) law to use a biocide in any manner inconsistent with its label direction. Health Effects Currently, there are no federal standards or recommendations, (e.g., OSHA, NIOSH, EPA) for airborne concentrations of mold or mold spores. Scientific research on the relationship between mold exposures and health effects is ongoing. This section provides a brief overview, but does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information, consult a health professional or your state or local health department. There are many types of mold. Most typical indoor air exposures to mold do not present a risk of adverse health effects. Molds can cause adverse effects by producing allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions). Potential health concerns are important reasons to prevent mold growth and to remediate existing problem areas. The onset of allergic reactions to mold can be either immediate or delayed. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms such as runny nose and red eyes. Molds may cause localized skin or mucosal infections but, in general, do not cause systemic infections in humans, except for persons with impaired immunity, AIDS, uncontrolled diabetes, or those taking immune suppressive drugs. An important reference with guidelines for immune-compromised individuals can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in some individuals who are allergic to mold. In addition, exposure to mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose and throat in certain individuals. Symptoms other than allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold in the indoor environment. Some specific species of mold produce mycotoxins under certain environmental conditions. Potential health effects from mycotoxins are the subject of ongoing scientific research and are beyond the scope of this document. Eating, drinking, and using tobacco products and cosmetics where mold remediation is taking place should be avoided. This will prevent unnecessary contamination of food, beverage, cosmetics, and tobacco products by mold and other harmful substances within the work area.

6 Visual Assessment The purpose of the visual assessment is to identify visual mold contamination or conditions that may be conducive to microbial growth, such as, musty odor and/or evidence of water penetration, in readily accessible area(s) of the subject property. The Technician is not liable for failure to discover any conditions other than readily apparent and accessible mold, including, but not limited to, water penetration. Following the visual assessment, sample collection and laboratory results, the client is provided with a written report stating whether mold or conditions indicating mold were found in the subject property. Air Sampling Air samples test for viable (living) mold. Testing for viable mold is done by placing the sample onto agar culture medium that supports the growth of the organism(s) in question and allows identification of the species and level of contamination. When colonization occurs one mold has overtaken your entire home. Colonization is the formation of compact population groups of the same type of mold species. Air samples also test for nonviable (dead) mold. Testing for nonviable mold is done by microscopic examination of the sample to identify fungal and non-fungal particles that may be allergenic to individuals. Mold Testing with Tape or Swab When a tape sample of actual mold from a moldy surface is taken using Biotope, a clear piece of Scotch Tape, or a sticky Cyclex slide, the sample will often show entire mold structures including spore forming structures and hyphea. These can be used to confirm mold growth more confidently and rule out the possibility that the sample was just settled spores only. Please feel free to contact me with any questions Nick Fortner, CMIA, ACMI, IAQS, IH, IAQCP