MOLD TRAINING
for
MCPS STAFF
Montgomery County Public Schools
Environmental Services/Indoor Air Quality (ES/IAQ)
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Team
April 2006
Why mold training?
• General awareness
• Causes of mold growth
• Preventing mold problems
• Correcting mold problems
What’s your role?
• School / Office Staff
• Building Service Staff
• Division of Maintenance
• Division of Construction
• IEQ Team
What is Mold?
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Mold is a type of fungi
Thousands of mold species (many colors)
Recycler of life’s nutrients
Always present outdoors and indoors
Microscopic airborne seeds (spores)
Spores present in air at all times
Health Concerns
• Most people have no reaction
• Generally a nuisance, not a hazard
• Associated symptoms can have other
causes (pollen, dust, animal dander, etc.)
Health Effects?
• Effects of indoor mold inhalation (nonagricultural settings) not well understood
• Associated with allergic reactions
– Coughing, wheezing, upper respiratory tract
symptoms
• Also associated with asthma symptoms
Other Health Effects?
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (lung
inflammation) might occur in genetically
susceptible people – rare ailment
• Might be associated with lower respiratory
tract illness in children – no strong
evidence
• Fungal infections – severely immunocompromised individuals
“Toxic Mold”
• Rumors of mold toxicity from buildings are
discredited medically and scientifically
• Eating or inhaling massive quantities in the
agricultural setting has caused illness
• All molds should be treated as potential
allergens, not toxins
Regulation Of Mold In Buildings
• No regulatory standards
• No “safe” level has been determined
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Guidelines for prevention and
remediation
Mold Sampling
• Air sampling usually not needed
• Concentrations are highly variable
• Results only reflect concentrations present
during sampling period
• No standards for interpretation
• Normal vs. Contaminated?
• Acceptable vs. Unhealthy?
• Visual determination usually adequate
Communicating About Mold
• People can be influenced by media
misinformation
• OK to discuss mold cause, extent, and
corrective measures
• Refer health concerns and other mold
issues to ES/IAQ (301-926-4409)
Mold In Buildings
Normal Background
Many types of mold are always present in the air and on
all surfaces
Normal Background
Mold might not grow where moisture is intermittent
Mold Growth
• Can grow where
surfaces stay damp
• Spores are released
during growth
Mold Growth
Dormant (dried) and dead mold can also be
allergenic when disturbed
Mold Growth
The amount of airborne mold present
at a given site fluctuates
Hidden Mold
Main Causes of Mold Problems in
MCPS Facilities
• Uncontrolled water
• Ventilation equipment problems
• Improper operation of ventilation
equipment
• Weather conditions
• Carpet cleaning (wet methods)
Uncontrolled Water
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Flooding
Plumbing leaks and overflows
“Sweating” pipes, valves, ducts
Roof leaks
Wall/ Window leaks
Poor rainwater drainage – roof drains,
underground drains
Ventilation Equipment Problems
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Improper cooling
Condensate leaks
Faulty air damper operation
Inadequate insulation
Improper exhaust fan operation
Ventilation Equipment Problems –
Improper Cooling
• Inadequate cooling/dehumidification can result from
improper coil temperatures caused by:
Chiller or water pump problems
Water valve or thermostat problems
Refrigerant leaks
• Inadequate cooling/dehumidification can also result
from airflow problems caused by:
Dirty coils or air filters
Obstructed air grilles
Ventilation Equipment Problems –
Condensate Leaks
• Condensed water (condensate) forms on coils,
collects in drain pans, and is removed via drain pipes
• Leaks can result from:
Improperly-pitched drain pans
Obstructed drains
Damaged drain pans or pipes
Excess condensate production
Ventilation Equipment Problems –
Faulty Air Damper Operation
• Air dampers modulate volumes of outdoor and return air
supplied by ventilation unit
• Improper damper position can cause:
Excessive supply of humid outdoor air
Inadequate outdoor air supply (excessive accumulation of
air contaminants – mold
spores, other allergens,
odors, carbon dioxide,
chemical vapors, radon, etc.)
Ventilation Equipment Problems –
Inadequate Insulation
• Inadequate insulation of
water pipes, valves,
ducts, and access panels
can result in
condensation
• Condensation can lead
to mold growth on
insulation, ceiling tiles,
and other materials
Ventilation Equipment Problems –
Improper Exhaust Fan Operation
• Excessive exhaust can cause:
Building depressurization
Uncontrolled entry of humid outdoor air
• Inadequate exhaust can cause:
Poor removal of humid air
Excessive accumulation of air contaminants
Improper Operation of Ventilation
Equipment - Thermostats
• Thermostat settings
Low settings (below 74-degrees F) can cause overcooling –
condensation and mold growth on room surfaces
• Pneumatic thermostats are fragile!
Only Dept. of Facilities Mgmt. personnel authorized
to adjust settings
• Thermostat obstructions
Affect cooling/dehumidification
Can cause overcooling
• Heat sources near thermostats
Overcooling, condensation
Improper Operation of Ventilation
Equipment – Air Filters
• Dirty air filters:
Reduce air filtration
Reduce cooling/dehumidification
Reduce ventilation
Cause mechanical damage
Can grow mold
• Filters should be checked
monthly and replaced,
as needed
Improper Operation of Ventilation
Equipment – Turning Units Off
• Ventilation units designed for continuous operation
• Turning units off can:
Affect temperature control
Reduce cooling/dehumidification
Reduce air filtration
Reduce ventilation
Improper Operation of Ventilation
Equipment – Air Flow Obstructions
• Obstructions of unit-mounted, wall, and ceiling grilles can:
Reduce cooling/dehumidification
Reduce ventilation
Reduce air filtration
Weather Conditions
• Ventilation units designed primarily for
temperature control, not dehumidification
• Elevated outdoor humidity levels can cause
elevated indoor humidity levels
• Dehumidification by ventilation units least
effective when:
Outdoor humidity levels are high
Outdoor temperatures are moderate or cool
Carpet Cleaning (Wet Methods)
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Wet cleaning methods can cause mold growth
Carpets must be completely dry within 24 hours
Don’t open exterior windows, doors during summer!
Rapid drying can be achieved by:
Using wet methods during the winter only
Minimizing water use
Using portable fans, dehumidifiers
• Dehumidifiers can be borrowed from IEQ Team
Recognizing Mold:
Mold-Friendly Conditions
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Standing water
High humidity
Condensation
Water leaks
Water damage
Dirty surfaces
Recognizing Mold: Hidden Mold
Hidden mold can grow:
Under carpets
Behind walls, wall
coverings
In ceiling spaces
Behind cabinets
Recognizing Mold: Unexpected
Encounters with Hidden Mold
• Note cause and extent
• Temporary seal
• Clean work area
• Contact ES/IAQ (301-926-4409)
Recognizing Mold: Ventilation Equipment
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Air unit
Pipe insulation
Cabinet insulation
Ceiling plenum
Grilles, diffusers
Ducts
Is this mold??
Is this mold??
Corrective Action
• Dry wet materials, reduce humidity
• Clean or discard moldy materials
Objective – remove, not kill, mold growth
Dead mold can still be allergenic
• Repair/replace building components and/or
ventilation equipment causing problem
Ventilation equipment
Insulation
Walls, windows, roofs
Drains
Pipes, valves
Drying Wet Materials
• Locate and stop the
water source
• Remove standing
water (extract)
• Move wet contents
• Portable fans
• Portable
dehumidifiers
Reduce Humidity
• Portable dehumidifiers can be obtained from the
IEQ Team
• Contact Building Service Supervisor or call IEQ
Team (301-926-4409)
Clean/Discard Moldy Materials
• Minor problems can be corrected by
Building Service Staff
• Significant problems
Contact Supervisor
Contact ES/IAQ (301-926-4409)
Clean/Discard Moldy Materials
• Minor Mold/Moisture Problem
Total affected surface area < 10 square feet
Caused by clean water (not sewage, polluted water, etc.)
Does not involve hazardous materials or equipment,
Not a persistent problem
No failure of building components, ventilation equipment
• Significant Mold/Moisture Problem
Total affected surface area - 10 square feet or more
Caused by dirty or polluted water
Involves hazardous materials or equipment
Persistent or building-wide problem
Apparent failure of building components, ventilation
equipment
Clean/Discard Moldy Materials - Overview
• Cleaning products
• Equipment
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Methods
Clean/Discard Moldy Materials –
Cleaning Products, Equipment
• Use only MCPS-Approved Products
• Maryland law requires each facility have:
Written Hazard Communication Program – see 29 CFR 1910.1200
Chemical Information List (copy sent to Maryland Dept of Environment)
• Cleaning Solution – Water/Detergent Mixture
• If necessary, lightly spray materials with water/detergent
solution for dust suppression
• Rags, extractor, fans
• Dehumidifier, HEPA vacuum
If unavailable, contact Building Service Supervisor
Clean/Discard Moldy Materials - PPE
• Respiratory protection
Filtering facepiece respirator – Dust Mask
Half-mask respirator with P-100 (HEPA) filters
• Eye protection
Goggles (unvented)
• Dermal protection
Gloves
Disposable overalls
Clean/Discard Moldy Materials –
PPE Use Requirements
• All workers using PPE must receive
OSHA-compliant training in proper
use, maintenance, limitations, etc.
• All workers required to wear
respirators (incl. dust masks) must be
included in respiratory protection
program (training, fit-testing, medical
evaluation, etc.)
• MCPS is required to comply with
applicable OSHA/MOSH regulations See 29 CFR 1910.132, 1910.133,
1910.134, 1910.138
• Contact supervisor with questions
Clean/Discard Moldy Materials –
Methods (Minor Problem)
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Ensure room is unoccupied first
Select, don necessary PPE
Turn off ventilation unit(s)
Damp-wipe surfaces with water/detergent solution
Dry surfaces, vacuum (HEPA vacuum)
Discard materials that cannot be thoroughly
cleaned
Porous or heavily-damaged materials
Seal in plastic bags, place in exterior dumpsters
• Questions?
Contact ES/IAQ (301-926-4409)
Clean/Discard Moldy Materials –
Methods (Significant Problem)
• Contact ES/IAQ (301-926-4409)
• Remediation can involve:
Isolation of affected location
Removal/disposal of affected materials
Furniture, building materials, carpet, books, etc.
Building component repair/replacement
Ventilation equipment repair/replacement
Action by multiple MCPS Units:
Building Services
Division of Maintenance
Division of Construction
IEQ Team
Isolation of Affected Location
Plastic barriers
Special ventilation
Responsibilities
MCPS Staff can work together to correct
and prevent mold problems!
• School/Office Staff
• Building Service Staff
• Division of Maintenance
• Division of Construction
• IEQ Team
Responsibilities: School/Office Staff
• Promptly report suspected ventilation, moisture,
and mold problems to supervisor and/or Building
Service Manager
• Report IEQ issues/concerns to ES/IAQ:
MCPS Form 230-23 (FirstClass, MCPS Web site)
Emergencies – call 301-926-4409
• Ensure continuous operation of ventilation units
(not possible for portable classrooms – Energy Mgmt settings)
• Do not obstruct air grilles or thermostats
• Do not obstruct ventilation units – allow access
for routine maintenance by building services
• Minimize standing water – plants, aquariums,
portable dehumidifiers
Responsibilities: Building Service Staff
• Maintain ventilation equipment
Open and inspect all units monthly
Replace air filters, as needed
Vacuum/clean interior, as needed
Ensure continuous operation of ventilation units
Ensure proper thermostat settings
Complete minor repairs
Report mechanical problems to Division of Maintenance
• Minimize probability for moisture problems
Ensure roof drains, condensate drains clear
Dry carpets rapidly after shampooing (within 24 hours)
• Correct minor mold/moisture problems
Clean or discard moldy materials
Report significant problems to ES/IAQ (301-926-4409)
Responsibilities: Division of Maintenance
• Repair/replace building components/ventilation
equipment
• Report significant mold/moisture problems to ES/IAQ
Responsibilities: Division of Construction
• Ensure appropriate building/ventilation system
design
• Ensure good construction/renovation practices:
Moisture introduction minimized
Materials installed clean and dry
• Repair/replace building components and ventilation
equipment under warranty
Responsibilities: IEQ Team
• Develop/modify mold prevention and
remediation protocols
• Investigate moisture and mold problems
• Correct significant mold/moisture problems
• Complete minor repairs of building components,
ventilation equipment
• Coordinate repair/replacement of building
components, ventilation equipment
• Address health concerns, consult health
professionals
Sources for More Information
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
http://www.epa.gov
• U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
http://www.osha.gov
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh
• Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH)
http://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/mosh.html
• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
http://www.aiha.org
• American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
http://www.acgih.org
• The National Academy of Sciences
http://www.nas.edu/
• American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
http://www.acoem.org/