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More and more construction firms are involved in
removing toxic moulds from contaminated buildings. This
section explains
what moulds are
where they are found
why they are of concern
what health effects they may cause
how they can be identified
how they can be safely removed.
This section also covers the obligations of employers and
others under Ontarios Occupational Health and Safety
Act.
What are moulds?
Moulds are microorganisms that produce thousands of
tiny particles called spores as part of their reproductive
cycle. Mould colonies are usually visible as colourful,
woolly growths. They can be virtually any colour red,
blue, brown, green, white, or black. When disturbed by air
movement or handling, moulds release their spores into
the air. Given the right environmental conditions, these
spores can go on to form other mould colonies.
Where are moulds found?
Moulds can be found almost anywhere outdoors and
indoors. Indoor moulds usually originate from outside
sources such as soil and vegetation. Moulds love dark,
moist environments and can grow at room temperature on
various construction materials including wallpaper,
particleboard, ceiling tiles, drywall, and plywood.
Construction workers can be exposed to toxic spores
when working on buildings with some sort of water
damage from flooding, plumbing leaks, or leaks in the
structure itself.
Why are moulds of concern?
In buildings with water damage or ongoing moisture
problems, certain types of water-loving moulds may
reproduce to higher than normal levels and potentially
cause adverse health effects. Stachybotrys chartarum
(formerly known as Stachybotrys atra) is of particular
concern because it can be found in large colonies and
can cause adverse health effects.
Stachybotrys has gained special attention because it has
been discovered in portable classrooms with ongoing
moisture problems. It appears as small black patches and
grows well on water-soaked cellulose material such as
wallpaper, ceiling tiles, drywall, and insulation containing
paper.
In addition to Stachybotrys, construction personnel
working in water-damaged buildings may be exposed to
other types of toxic moulds such as Fusarium, Aspergillus,
and Penicillium.
What health effects can moulds cause?
Air movement and the handling of contaminated material
can release toxic spores into the atmosphere. These
spores cause adverse health effects by producing toxic
substances known as mycotoxins. Once released, toxic
spores must come into contact with the skin or be inhaled
before symptoms can develop. Not all exposed
construction workers will develop symptoms.
Exposure to toxic moulds may irritate skin, eyes,
nose, and throat, resulting in allergy-like symptoms
such as difficulty in breathing, runny nose, and watery
eyes.
Other symptoms such as fatigue and headache have
also been reported.
Workers who are allergic to moulds could experience
asthmatic attacks.
Workers exposed to Stachybotrys have also
experienced burning in the nose, nose bleeds, severe
coughing, and impairment of the immune system.
Stachybotrys does not cause infection and is not
spread from person to person.
People with weakened immune systems are
particularly susceptible to mould-related illness and
should not work in mould-contaminated areas.
How are moulds identified?
Owners of buildings that may be mould-contaminated
should conduct, at their own expense, an assessment to
determine whether or not the buildings are indeed
contaminated. The assessment should include building
inspection and analysis of bulk samples.
Mould on visible surfaces may be just the tip of the
iceberg. Since they thrive in dark, moist environments,
moulds may be hidden from view. Thorough inspections of
water-damaged areas must be conducted. This involves
looking into wall cavities, behind drywall, under carpets,
and above ceiling tiles.
Not all mounds are toxic. The type of mould identified and
the extent of the contamination will determine the
precautions to be taken.
Bulk sampling and laboratory analysis are used to
document the type of mould growing on surfaces. The
procedure involves scraping surface material into a
sealable plastic bag and sending it by overnight delivery
to an accredited laboratory.
An accredited laboratory is one that participates in the
American Industrial Hygiene Association's Environmental
Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing Program. The
chosen laboratory should have a competent mycologist (a
person that studies moulds) who can analyze the sample
and determine whether the mould is likely to pose a
health risk.
Based on the presence of visible mould, evidence of
water damage, and symptoms that are consistent with
allergic or toxic response to mould, it may be justified to
skip bulk sampling and go straight to remediation
(removal).
The person taking bulk samples or performing inspections
must be suitably protected for Level 1 work (see chart on
the next page) and must be careful not to unduly disturb
the mould.
How can moulds be safely removed?
Toxic moulds must be removed. However, special control
measures must first be implemented to prevent worker
exposure and the spread of moulds from the construction
area to adjacent areas. This is especially true for
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Stachybotrys because of its potentially severe health effects.
The extent of contamination governs what remediation
measures need to be taken in order to prevent the spread of
toxic moulds.
Note: The cause of moisture problems should be corrected
before any mould remediation takes place.
A follow-up inspection should be conducted 36 months
after remediation to ensure that the mould has not returned.
Obligations under the Act
Although there are no Ontario regulations specifically
addressing moulds, an employer must, under the
Occupational Health and Safety Act, take every
precaution reasonable in the circumtances for the
protection of a worker. Work practices set out by Health
Canada in Fungal Contamination of Public Buildings: A
Guide to Recognition and Management provide a
reasonable standard.
Employers have a duty to instruct workers in the safe
removal and handling of mould-contaminated material.
Workers in turn have the duty to follow these instructions.
Building owners must ensure that trade contractors follow
proper remediation procedures.
The chart on the opposite page summarizes mould control
procedures recommended by the Environmental Protection
Agency in the United States.
For various kinds of material, the chart indicates how mould
growth can be prevented within 2448 hours of water
damage and also provides general advice on remediation.
This information is intended only as a summary of basic
procedures and is not intended, nor should it be used, as a
detailed guide to mould remediation.
Although the chart may look complicated, it becomes clear
and useful when taken one step, or one ring, at a time.
1) Start at the centre.
2) In the first ring, identify the material you are
concerned about.
3) In the next ring, find out what actions to take within the
first 24-48 hours of CLEAN water damage. Actions are
numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and so on. Each is spelled out
under the Action within 2448 hrs column at right.
4) Proceed to the next ring if mould growth is apparent
and more than 48 hours have elapsed since water
damage. Determine whether the contaminated area is
less than 10 square feet, between 10 and 100 square
feet, or greater than 100 square feet.
5) Proceed to the next ring and follow the clean-up
method indicated for the size of the contaminated
area. Methods are lettered A, B, C, and D. Each is
spelled out under the Clean-up Methods column.
6) In the next ring, determine the level of personal
protective equipment required. This is indicated by M,
L, or F under the PPE column.
7) Finally, in the outermost ring, determine whether
containment is necessary and, if so, whether it must
be L (limited) or F (full). These requirements are
explained in the Containment column.
Action within 2448 hrs
Actions are for damage caused by clean water. If you
know or suspect that water is contaminated by sewage or
chemical or biological pollutants, consult a professional.
Do not use fans unless the water is clean or sanitary. If
mould has grown or materials have been wet for more
than 48 hours, consult Clean-up Method in the chart.
1. Discard non-valuable items.
2. Photocopy valuable items, then discard.
3. Freeze (in frost-free freezer or meat locker) or
freeze-dry.
4. Remove water with water-extraction vacuum.
5. Reduce humidity levels with dehumidifiers.
6. Accelerate drying process with fans and/or heaters.
Dont use heat to dry carpet.
Use caution applying heat to hardwood floors.
7. Discard and replace.
8. May be dried in place, if there is no swelling and the
seams are intact. If not, then discard and replace.
9. Ventilate wall cavity.
10. For all treated or finished woods, porous (linoleum,
ceramic tile, vinyl) and non-porous (metal, plastic)
hard surfaces, vacuum or damp-wipe with water or
water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if
necessary.
11. For porous flooring and carpets, make sure that
subfloor is dry. If necessary clean and dry subfloor
material according to chart.
12. Wet paneling should be pried away from walls for
drying.
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Mould remediation chart
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Clean-up Methods
Methods are for damage caused by clean water. If you
know or suspect that water is contaminated by sewage or
chemical or biological pollutants, consult a professional.
These are guidelines only. Other cleaning methods may
be preferred by some professionals. Consult Action
within 2448 hrs in the chart if materials have been wet
for less than 48 hours and mould growth is not apparent.
If mould growth is not addressed promptly, some items
may be damaged beyond repair. If necessary, consult
a restoration specialist.
A. Wet-vacuum the material. (In porous material, some
mould spores/fragments will remain but will not grow if
material is completely dried.) Steam cleaning may be
an alternative for carpets and some upholstered
furniture.
B. Damp-wipe surfaces with water or with water and
detergent solution (except wood use wood floor
cleaner); scrub as needed.
C. Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum
once the material has been thoroughly dried. Dispose
of HEPA-vacuum contents in well-sealed plastic bags.
D. Remove water-damaged materials and seal in plastic
bags inside containment area, if there is one.
Dispose of as normal waste. HEPA-vacuum area once
it is dried.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Use professional judgment to determine PPE for each
situation, particularly as the size of the remediation site
and the potential for exposure and health effects increase.
Be prepared to raise PPE requirements if contamination is
more extensive than expected.
M Minimum Gloves, N-95 respirator, goggles/eye
protection.
L Limited Gloves, N-95 respirator or half-face
respirator with HEPA filter, disposable overalls,
goggles/eye protection.
F Full Gloves, disposable full-body clothing, head
gear, foot coverings, full-face respirator with
HEPA filter.
Containment
Use professional judgment to determine containment for
each situation, particularly as the size of the remediation
site, and the potential for exposure and health effects,
increase.
NR None Required
L Limited From floor to ceiling, enclose affected area
in polyethylene sheeting with slit entry and covering
flap. Maintain area under negative pressure with
HEPA-filtered fan. Block supply and return air vents
in containment area.
F Full Use two layers of fire-retardant polyethylene
sheeting with one airlock chamber. Maintain area
under negative pressure with HEPA-filtered fan
exhausted outside of building. Block supply and
return air vents in containment area.
Endnotes
a) Upholstery may be difficult to dry within 48 hours. For
items with monetary or sentimental value, consult a
restoration specialist.
b) Follow manufacturers laundering instructions.
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