Transcript Biological Pollutants - Healthy Colorado Homes

Biological
Pollutants
(Bioaerosols)
Sources
Pollen
Plant material generally from the
outdoors
Spores
Mold and other fungi, both indoors
& outdoors
Dust
Animal dander, excrement
Insect parts, excrement
Skin Cells
Bacteria
Humans, Water, Soil
Viruses
Humans
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #1
Mold Problems are Caused by
Excess Moisture
Solve the moisture problem–solve the mold problem
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #2
Where Biological Pollutants
May be found in the Home
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Dirty air conditioners
Dirty humidifiers and/or windows
Bathroom without vents or
windows
Kitchen without vents or windows
Dirty refrigerator drip pans
Laundry room with unvented
dryer
Unventilated attic
Carpet on damp basement floor
Bedding
Closet on outside wall
Dirty heating/air conditioning
system
Dogs or cats
Water damage (around windows,
roof,or basement)
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #3
Solving Moisture Problems
• Block moisture entry
• Control or remove source
• Dehumidifiers and A/C equipment – possible
options
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #4
Biological
Pollutants
Health Effects
Spores
Pollens
Animal Dander
Dust Mites
These are allergens that may affect only
sensitive persons. These persons
experience symptoms such as sneezing,
nasal obstruction, and discharge,
redness, watering, and itching,
headache, eye and throat irritation,
nausea, dizziness, and fatigue
Viruses
Influenza, measles, etc.
Bacteria
Tuberculosis, Legionnaires’ disease, etc.
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #5
Biological
Pollutant
How Transported
Mold
Grows on organic materials and needs high
humidity.Spores are generated that become
airborne and move through the house to
land and form new colonies.
Dust Mites
Dust mites thrive on a food source of dead
human skin cells, at humidity levels above
45% and at temperatures above 65 degrees.
Heaviest populations are generally in
bedding, carpeting, upholstered furniture,
and other textiles. Vacuuming, bed making,
and other cleaning may cause the dust to
become airborne.
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #6
Biological
Pollutant
How Transported
Pollen
Generated by outdoor plants and enters the
house through cracks, open doors and
windows, and on shoes and clothing.
Because they are small, they can become
airborne.
Animal
Dander
Animal dander and saliva from pets, rodents,
and other animals can become airborne.
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #7
Biological
Pollutant
How Transported
Viruses
Persons with viruses can transmit the viruses
through coughing and wheezing.
Bacteria
Can be transmitted from persons with the
disease and from contaminated water.
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #8
Biological
Pollutant
How to Detect the Contaminant
Mold
Musty Smell, evidence of high humidity,
standing water
Animal
Dander
Pets in the home
Dust Mites
Pollen
Viruses
Bacteria
Cannot be seen or smelled
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #9
Controlling Mold
• Clean, disinfect, and dry surfaces
• Lower humidity levels
• Clean and disinfect humidifiers, dehumidifiers, refrigerator pans
and air conditioning coils
• Exhaust the dryer to the outdoors
• Run a bathroom exhaust fan during bathing or showering
• Use a rangehood to exhaust cooking moisture
• Fix plumbing leaks and seepage
• Raise the temperature of cold surfaces with insulation or storm
windows
• Increase air circulation by opening closet doors and moving
furniture away from walls
• Dispose of wet carpeting and other damp fabric furnishings
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #10
Other Mold Control Measures
• Lower humidity levels with dehumidifiers and air
conditioning
• Control moisture in crawlspace
• Correct drainage problems around foundation
• Waterproof basement walls and insulate
• Replace carpet with hard-surface floors in
basement
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #11
Dust Mites
• Replace fabric furnishings with hard surface
coverings
• Lower humidity levels
• Vacuum fabric furnishings with HEPA vacuum or
central vacuum system
• Wash bedding in hot water (130 degrees F)
• Use plastic coverings on mattresses and pillows
• Damp clean hard surfaces
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #12
General Control Measures
• Maintain and clean all appliances that come in contact
with water
• Change filters on heating and air conditioning units
according to manufacturer’s directions.
• Empty and regularly clean refrigerator drip pans,
humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and furnace attached
humidifiers
• Use air conditioning during the summer to reduce pollen
infiltration into the home and lower humidity levels
• Air cleaning devices may achieve an additional reduction
in the levels of biological pollutants when other control
methods do not result in acceptable pollutant
concentrations.
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #13
SUMMARY
• Remove the source of contamination
• Replace soft textiles with hard surfaces
• Use vacuums with high-efficiency filters or
central vacuuming systems
• Ventilate to lower humidity levels
• Use air cleaners only if necessary
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Slide #14
What is Stachybotrys?
A black, slimy mold that needs abundant moisture.
Can grow on paper, wood, and products made from
these:
 Cardboard
 Wallboard
 Ceiling tiles
 Drywall
 Wallpaper
 Newspaper
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Optional slide #1
Identification
• Black, slimy mold – grows on wet paper or
wood-based products
• Laboratory analysis – only way to tell for sure
• (Other, less harmful black molds are more
common in homes)
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Optional Slide #2
Health Effects
• Infants: lung hemorrhaging, coughing up of
blood, possible anemia or death
• Adults: severe breathing problems, other
symptoms, possible death
• Toxic spores are to blame
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Optional Slide #3
Cleanup
• Small areas: clean carefully with bleach;
personal protection important
• Large areas: get professional help
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes
Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module
Optional Slide #4