Sunday, September 28, 2008

Synthetic Mineral Fibers - Fiberglass Hazards

As per OSHA - Synthetic mineral fibers are fibrous inorganic substances made primarily from rock, clay, slag, or glass. These fibers are classified into three general groups: fiberglass (glasswool and glass filament), mineral wool (rockwool and slagwool), and refractory ceramic fibers (RCF). There are more than 225,000 workers in the US exposed to synthetic mineral fibers in manufacturing and end-use applications.

There is insufficient evidence that synthetic mineral fibers cause respiratory disease in humans. Results from animal experiments have led to conservative classifications of certain synthetic mineral fibers as possible human carcinogens. Specifically, insulation glass wool, continuous glass filament, rock (stone) wool, and slag wool are not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans. The following resources aid in recognizing synthetic mineral fiber hazards in the workplace.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/syntheticmineralfibers/recognition.html

Friday, September 26, 2008

EPA Provides Water Well Precautions and Actions

Release date: 09/18/2008

(Dallas, Texas – September 18, 2008) Homeowners with water wells need to take special precautions and actions in the aftermath of hurricanes. What follows is a "how to" concerning the steps homeowners should take to ensure a safe return to water well operation. Because of the extensive flood area and the speed and direction of ground water flow, your well may not be a safe source of water for many months after the flood. The well can become contaminated with bacteria or other contaminants.Waste water from malfunctioning septic tanks or chemicals seeping into the ground can contaminate the ground water even after the water was tested and found to be safe. It will be necessary to take long range precautions, including repeated testing, to protect the safety of drinking water.

For remainder of press release please visit the source: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/324e040292e1e51f85257359003f533a/9f01a66fa1df931e852574c800621c67!OpenDocument

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

EPA Issues Notice to Galveston Residents

Attention Returning Galveston Residents

Release date: 09/23/2008
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or Francisco Arcaute at 213-798-1404 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas – September 23, 2008) Before drinking, cooking or brushing teeth, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends these water precautions for residents returning to Galveston:
a) If possible, use bottled water that hasn’t been exposed to floodwaters;
b) If none is available, boil water. For cloudy water, filter with a cloth; draw off the clear water and boil for one minute. Then store in a clean container with a cover;
c) If you can’t boil water, add 1/8 of a teaspoon of household bleach for each gallon of water. Stir well, and let it stand 30 minutes before using.
d) Pay attention to local authorities, who will announce when it is safe to use and drink water or flush toilets.

EPA has several recorded public service announcements (PSAs) offering safety tips on how to safely operate a generator, how to properly use household cleaners, how to handle and dispose of hazardous materials, and how to safely deal with asbestos and mold, among other useful information. To listen to these PSAs or to learn more information on how to respond to disasters, please visit http://www.epa.gov/hurricane.For more information about EPA, go to http://www.epa.gov/region6.

Source: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/dc16a9e4257d2b6a852574cd005ce11f?OpenDocument

Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Asbestos Advisor PC Compliance Program

The Asbestos Advisor is an interactive compliance assistance tool. Once installed on your PC, it can interview you about buildings and worksites, and the kinds of tasks workers perform there. It will produce guidance on how the Asbestos standard may apply to those buildings and that work. Its guidance depends on your answers. It can provide general guidance and may, also, be focused on a particular project. It provides pop-up definitions through "hypertext".

Version 2.0 reflects updates for revisions, corrections and clarifications of the rule published by OSHA in Federal Register September 29, 1995 and August 23, 1996. The program is not intended to replace or amend the official text of the regulation, as published in 29 CFR 1910.1001 (general industry), 1915.1001 (shipbuilding), and 1926.1101 (construction). The Asbestos Advisor computer program is intended to provide an introduction to the scope and logic of the regulation and summary guidance to facilitate compliance. Effort has been made to insure the accuracy of information provided by the program, but the guidance provided by the program should not be relied upon as being comprehensive or binding on the government. The Asbestos Advisor's option listed as "Provide detailed text of regulations" allows the user to view and print the full regulation texts associated with selected topics. Users are encouraged to subsequently read the full text of the OSHA Asbestos Standards (29 CFR 1910, 1915, and 1926), and to seek appropriate legal counsel.

For complete information and to download program go to www.osha.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/asbestos/index.html

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Where Asbestos Hazards May Be Found In The Home

As per the document: Consumer Product Safety Commission andEnvironmental Protection Agencyand theAmerican Lung Association (The Christmas Seal People) - Asbestos In The Home
CPSC Document #453

Where Asbestos Hazards May Be Found In The Home

  • Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.
  • Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation.
  • Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977.
  • Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.
  • Older products such as stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds.
  • Walls and floors around woodburning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets.
  • Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.
  • Hot water and steam pipes in older houses may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.
  • Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.

Source: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/453.html

Credits: the American Lung Association, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

OSHA deploys staff and resources to safeguard cleanup and recovery personnel in areas hit by Hurricane

National News Release: 08-1280-NAT
Sept. 5, 2008
Contact: Sharon Worthy David Sims
Phone: 202-693-4676 202-693-1898


U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA deploys staff and resources to safeguard cleanup and recovery personnel in areas hit by Hurricane Gustav

WASHINGTON -- To help protect crews performing cleanup and recovery operations in the wake of Hurricane Gustav from hazards such as downed power lines and falls from heights, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has sent safety and health experts into storm damaged areas of Mississippi and Louisiana.

"OSHA is helping employers protect their employees from the many potential dangers they can encounter in this difficult but important work," said Edwin G. Foulke Jr., assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. "We want to ensure that the men and women working to restore the homes of other people make it safely back to their own homes at the end of the day."

In southern Mississippi, regional OSHA personnel monitored more than a dozen cleanup and recovery operations involving downed electrical lines, fallen tree limbs, sand drifts and other debris left behind by floodwaters and high winds. They advised employers on how to minimize safety and health risks to their employees on the job and made certain that worksite hazards they encountered were promptly corrected.

OSHA deployed staff to the Louisiana State Police's Emergency Operations Center and the federal Joint Field Office coordinating relief efforts, both located in Baton Rouge, La. OSHA personnel provided technical assistance throughout the affected areas and distributed educational materials to employers on such topics as how to safely operate chain saws and portable generators.

The agency also deployed its Specialized Response Team (SRT) to Baton Rouge to support OSHA's regional operations. The SRT includes industrial hygienists, engineers, and other occupational safety and health experts who are highly trained in identifying and mitigating hazards associated with catastrophic events. The team arrived with a trailer housing specialized monitoring devices as well as respirators, gloves and other personal protective equipment for use in assessing safety and health hazards.

In addition to the technical expertise being offered in the field, the Labor Department's hurricane recovery assistance Web page at http://www.dol.gov/opa/hurricane-recovery2008.htm provides online resources to help ensure that cleanup and recovery efforts for Gustav and future hurricanes are conducted in the safest way possible. Employers and employees looking for more information or with specific questions should call the department's toll-free helpline at 866-4-USA-DOL (487-2365).

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/ .

Dealing with Debris and Damaged Buildings

As per the EPA - EPA's guidance has been requested on the demolition of structurally unsound buildings damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Various federal regulations apply to building demolition activities. Areas of primary federal concern include asbestos demolition requirements, the proper disposal of electrical equipment containing PCBs (i.e., distribution transformers and capacitors) and storage tanks. EPA recognizes the difficult circumstances faced in demolishing structurally unsound buildings damaged by Hurricane Katrina may make full compliance difficult. However, in any event, you should take the actions set forth below to the extent feasible.

Efforts to restore the damaged areas to their pre-disaster condition often involve removing or repairing damaged structures. There may be a natural tendency at this stage to overlook certain hazards, such as asbestos, that are not immediately life threatening. However, such hazards are serious and may manifest themselves many years from the time of exposure and should be taken into consideration. Given the health hazards associated with asbestos, PCBs, lead, and other harmful substances, it is reasonable that adequate measures be taken during emergency situations to minimize exposure to such materials from the demolition of buildings.

The following guidelines are provided to help minimize the health, safety and environmental risks associated with the demolition of structurally unsound buildings (structures that remain standing but are in danger of imminent collapse). In the case of such buildings it would be unsafe to enter or inspect a structure to determine the amount, types, and location of building materials containing asbestos, PCBs, lead, or other harmful substances. This guidance does not apply to the demolition of hurricane damaged but structurally sound buildings.
This guidance remains in effect through December 31, 2005, and applies only to areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

To the extent feasible, efforts should be made to perform the following steps:

Go to to http://www.epa.gov/katrina/debris.html for remainder of article

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Asbestos Exposure: Questions and Answers - Part I

As per the National Cancer Institute:

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers and can be separated into thin, durable threads. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been widely used in many industries.

There are two subgroups of asbestos: chrysotile, which has curly fibers and is in the serpentine family of minerals; and amphibole asbestos, which has straight, needle-like fibers and includes actinolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, and amosite asbestos. Chrysotile asbestos is the form that has been used predominantly in commercial applications worldwide (1, 2).

How is asbestos used?

Asbestos was mined and used commercially in North America beginning in the late 1800s. Its use increased greatly during World War II (3, 4). Since then, asbestos has been used in many industries. For example, the building and construction industry has used it for strengthening cement and plastics as well as for insulation, roofing, fireproofing, and sound absorption. The shipbuilding industry has used asbestos to insulate boilers, steampipes, and hot water pipes. The automotive industry uses asbestos in vehicle brakeshoes and clutch pads. Asbestos has also been used in ceiling and floor tile; paints, coatings, and adhesives; and plastics. In addition, asbestos has been found in vermiculite-containing consumer garden products and some talc-containing crayons.

In the late 1970s, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the use of asbestos in wallboard patching compounds and gas fireplaces because the asbestos fibers in these products could be released into the environment during use. Additionally, in 1979, manufacturers of electric hairdryers voluntarily stopped using asbestos in their products. In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos; uses established prior to 1989 are still allowed. The EPA also established regulations that require school systems to inspect for damaged asbestos and to eliminate or reduce the exposure to occupants by removing the asbestos or encasing it (2).

In June 2000, the CPSC concluded that the risk of children’s exposure to asbestos fibers in crayons was extremely low (1). However, the U.S. manufacturers of these crayons agreed to eliminate talc from their products. In August 2000, the EPA responded to reports it received about the adverse human health effects associated with exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite by conducting a series of tests to evaluate the extent of the risk. The EPA investigation concluded that the potential exposure to asbestos from some vermiculite products poses only a minimal health risk to consumers. The EPA recommended that consumers reduce the low risk associated with the occasional use of vermiculite during gardening activities by limiting the amount of dust produced during use. Specifically, the EPA suggested that consumers use vermiculite outdoors or in a well-ventilated area; keep vermiculite damp while using it; avoid bringing dust from vermiculite use into the home on clothing; and use premixed potting soil, which is less likely to generate dust.

The regulations described above and other actions, coupled with widespread public concern about the health hazards of asbestos, have resulted in a significant annual decline in U.S. use of asbestos. Domestic consumption of asbestos amounted to about 803,000 metric tons in 1973, but it had dropped to about 2,400 metric tons by 2005 (3, 5).

Source: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/asbestos

Monday, September 15, 2008

Asbestos Safety and Health Topics

As per the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 's website www.osha.gov - Asbestos is well recognized as a health hazard and is highly regulated. An estimated 1.3 million employees in the construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job. Heaviest exposures occur in the construction industry, particularly during the removal of asbestos during renovation or demolition. Employees are also likely to be exposed during the manufacture of asbestos products (such as textiles, friction products, insulation, and other building materials) and during automotive brake and clutch repair work. OSHA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asbestos rules are intertwined. The following questions link to information relevant to asbestos in the workplace.

Please visit www.osha.gov for relevant links

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Guidance Document for the Management of Asbestos

Guidance Document for the Management of Asbestos-containing Material (ACM) (Updated 09/10/2008) as published on the NJDEP (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection)

As per the NJDEP's website" The information outlined herein is intended to serve only as guidance to persons interested in understanding the regulation of asbestos disposal in New Jersey. This guidance must be consulted in conjunction with the solid waste regulations at N.J.A.C. 7:26 et seq. and other relevant regulations to understand the complete requirements for disposal of asbestos containing materials. For the reader's convenience, an unofficial version of N.J.A.C. 7:26 et seq. can be found using the "NJ Regulations" selection on the Department's Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste web page at http://www.state.nj.us./dep/dshw or directly by using the Web link http://www.state.nj.us./dep/dshw/resource/rules.htm "

Source Page http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dshw/rrtp/asbestos.htm

Remediating Mold / Water Damaged Materials After a Hurricane or Flood

As per OSHA / U.S. Department of Labor:

  • Discard all water-damaged materials, materials that are visibly coated with mold that cannot be properly cleaned, such as porous materials (e.g., carpeting, drywall, insulation), and materials that have been wet for more than 48 hours
  • Wrap and seal the items that will be discarded in plastic bags or sheets to reduce the spread of spores. These materials can usually be discarded as ordinary debris
    Minimize dust disturbance to reduce the spread of fungal spores
  • Do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas
  • Provide natural or local exhaust ventilation during all cleaning steps
  • Clean hard and non-porous materials using a detergent. After rinsing, if needed, disinfect with an appropriate biocide such as bleach. Don’t mix bleach with ammonia-containing products
  • After an area has been cleaned and is completely dry, vacuum the area with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum. HEPA vacuums are also recommended for cleaning up dust that may have settled on surfaces outside the work area

Source: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hurricane/mold.html

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Hurricane eMatrix by OSHA

As per OSHA website Purpose and Use of This Matrix

Work conditions change drastically after hurricanes and other natural disasters. In the wake of a hurricane, response and recovery workers will face additional challenges, such as downed power lines, downed trees, and high volumes of construction debris, while performing an otherwise familiar task/operation.

In this Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix, OSHA provides information on many of the most common and significant additional hazards that response and recovery workers might encounter when working in an area recently devastated by a hurricane. This Matrix highlights a number of tasks and operations associated with disaster response and recovery. The Matrix is designed to help employers make decisions during their risk assessment that will protect their employees working in hurricane-impacted areas.

source: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hurricane/index.html

Friday, September 12, 2008

Mold Remediation Course

Mold Course as per EPA

If you are an environmental and/or public health professional, take the Mold Course - Introduction to Mold and Mold Remediation for Environmental and Public Health Professionals.

This web-only course contains information on mold prevention and remediation. It is designed primarily for environmental and public health professionals. The Mold Course has nine chapters; these chapters are further divided into smaller lessons. At the end of each chapter there is a voluntary quiz to test your understanding of the material covered. Each chapter may be accessed at any point in the course using the menu on the left side of the page. If you would like to take a short quiz on your current mold knowledge, begin with the Pre-Test. A Mold Image Library contains mold-related images in seven categories: mold in the environment; magnified mold; moisture and moisture damage; prevention; mold in buildings; finding mold and moisture; and cleaning and remediation. These photos may be used for presentations and educational purposes without contacting EPA.

Read more about the course

Source: US EPA

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Plan the Mold Remediation Before Starting the Work

As per the US EPA's website:

Remediation Plan:

Assess the size of the mold and/or moisture problem and the type of damaged materials before planning the remediation work. Select a remediation manager for medium or large jobs (or small jobs requiring more than one person). The remediation plan should include steps to fix the water or moisture problem, or the problem may reoccur. The plan should cover the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and include steps to carefully contain and remove moldy building materials to avoid spreading the mold.(2) A remediation plan may vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the job, and may require revision if circumstances change or new facts are discovered.

The remediation manager's highest priority must be to protect the health and safety of the building occupants and remediators. It is also important to communicate with building occupants when mold problems are identified.(3) In some cases, especially those involving large areas of contamination, the remediation plan may include temporary relocation of some or all of the building occupants.

The decision to relocate occupants should consider the size and type of the area affected by mold growth, the type and extent of health effects reported by the occupants, the potential health risks that could be associated with debris, and the amount of disruption likely to be caused by remediation activities. If possible, remediation activities should be scheduled during off-hours when building occupants are less likely to be affected.

Remediators, particularly those with health-related concerns, may wish to check with their doctors or health care professionals before working on mold remediation or investigating potentially moldy areas. If you have any doubts or questions, you should consult a health professional before beginning a remediation project.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/iedmold1/i-e-r.html#f-2

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Mold Remediation - Key Steps

As per the US EPA, the key steps in mold remediation are:

* Consult health professional as appropriate throughout process
* Select remediation manager
* Assess size of mold problem and note type of mold-damaged materials
* Communicate with building occupants throughout process as appropriate to situation
* Identify source or cause of water or moisture problem
* Plan remediation, adapt guidelines to fit situation, see Table 1 & Table 2
* Select personal protective equipment (PPE)
* Select containment equipment
* Select remediation personnel or team
* Choose between outside expertise or in-house expertise
* Remediate
* Fix water or moisture problem
* Clean and dry moldy materials See Table 2
* Discard moldy items that can't be cleaned
* Dry non-moldy items within 48 hours See Table 1
* Check for return of moisture and mold problem
* If hidden mold is discovered, reevaluate plan

Source: http://www.epa.gov/iedmold1/i-e-r.html

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

How to Identify the Cause of a Mold and Mildew Problem

Mold and mildew are commonly found on the exterior wall surfaces of corner rooms in heating climate locations. An exposed corner room is likely to be significantly colder than adjoining rooms, so that it has a higher relative humidity (RH) than other rooms at the same water vapor pressure. If mold and mildew growth are found in a corner room, then relative humidity next to the room surfaces is above 70%. However, is the RH above 70% at the surfaces because the room is too cold or because there is too much moisture present (high water vapor pressure)?

The amount of moisture in the room can be estimated by measuring both temperature and RH at the same location and at the same time. Suppose there are two cases. In the first case, assume that the RH is 30% and the temperature is 70oF in the middle of the room. The low RH at that temperature indicates that the water vapor pressure (or absolute humidity) is low. The high surface RH is probably due to room surfaces that are "too cold." Temperature is the dominating factor, and control strategies should involve increasing the temperature at cold room surfaces.

In the second case, assume that the RH is 50% and the temperature is 70oF in the middle of the room. The higher RH at that temperature indicates that the water vapor pressure is high and there is a relatively large amount of moisture in the air. The high surface RH is probably due to air that is "too moist." Humidity is the dominating factor, and control strategies should involve decreasing the moisture content of the indoor air.

Exerpted from http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html

Monday, September 8, 2008

Fact Sheet on Natural Disaster Recovery: Fungi

OSHA.gov - Flood conditions contribute to the growth and transmission of many kinds of fungi, some of which can cause sickness. Cleanup workers are at increased risk of exposure to airborne fungi and their spores because they often handle moldy building materials, decaying vegetable matter, rotting waste material, and other fungus-contaminated debris. The fungal material is carried into the respiratory tract when airborne dust particles are inhaled.

There are many different kinds of fungi, including mildew, molds, rusts, and yeasts. Most of these are harmless, but some can cause respiratory and other disorders when workers inhale or come into contact with fungi. Inhalation is the route of exposure of most concern to flood cleanup workers. The recommendations below offer strategies for workers renovating flooded buildings, homes, and structures to protect themselves while handling building materials that are visibly contaminated with fungi.

For workers cleaning up flooded buildings, homes, and other structures, excessive moisture or water accumulation indoors will encourage the growth of the fungi that are already present. Some fungi have the potential to cause adverse health effects such as allergic responses and asthma attacks. Individual who are sensitive to molds may have signs and symptoms of allergic reactions such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, and wheezing. These individuals should minimize fungal exposure by wearing respirators, gloves, and eye protection. They should also seek to eliminate fungi, as described below.

See source document by http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/fungi.html

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Mold Removal After a Disaster (Hurricane / Flood)

A video public service announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is avaliable for download at: http://www.emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/psa/video/moldremoval.asp

The video discusses how to safely remove mold after a hurricane, tornado or flood.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Health Concerns Associated With Mold After Hurricanes

Health Concerns Associated with Mold in Water-Damaged Homes After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita --- New Orleans Area, Louisiana, October 2005

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita made landfall on August 29 and September 24, 2005, respectively, large sections of New Orleans (Orleans Parish) and the three surrounding parishes (Jefferson, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard) were flooded for weeks, leading to extensive mold growth in buildings. As residents reoccupied the city, local health-care providers and public health authorities were concerned about the potential for respiratory health effects from exposure to water-damaged homes. On October 6, CDC was invited by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) to assist in documenting the extent of potential exposures. This report summarizes the results of that investigation, which determined that 46% of inspected homes had visible mold growth and that residents and remediation workers did not consistently use appropriate respiratory protection. Public health interventions should emphasize the importance of safe remediation practices and ensure the availability of recommended personal protective equipment.

Remaining report can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5502a6.htm

Friday, September 5, 2008

Mold Prevention and Possible Health Effects Report

The duration and extent of flooding and the number of structures flooded as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita make the likelihood of massive mold contamination in buildings a certainty. Many structures remained flooded weeks after the hurricane and became saturated with water. Some early observers suggested that as many as 60% to 80% of residential structures in New Orleans sustained severe flood damage. Outside New Orleans, extensive hurricane damage without prolonged flooding occurred. This more typical pattern of destruction as a result of wind and rain will result in problems with mold, but will not be as extensive as in New Orleans.

This publication provides comprehensive information on how to limit exposure to mold and how to identify and prevent mold-related health effects. It will be especially useful to public health practitioners, health care providers, building managers, custodians, and others who are responsible for building maintenance. Contractors and other professionals (e.g. environmental consultants and other health or safety professionals) who respond to mold or moisture situations in buildings will also find the information of use, as might the public.

The entire publication can be found at http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/pdf/2005_moldreport.pdf

How to Disinfect Well Water After A Flood or Hurricane

If your well becomes submerged due to flooding, it may have become contaminated with bacteria. The Department of Health recommends disinfecting the water in wells that have been submerged. If you notice a change in taste, odor, color or appearance, it is recommended that you use bottled water.

Follow these steps to disinfect (chlorinate) your well water:

Prior to chlorination, draw off enough water for about 24 hours of household use not for drinking, but for flushing the toilet. Bypass any water conditioning equipment.

Remove the well cap, and pour one gallon of bleach into the well. (NOTE: Dug wells require 2 gallons of bleach.)

For remainder of article, please visit Anne Arundel County, Maryland Department of Health website http://www.aahealth.org/a2z.asp?ID=24

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Mold Prevention in the Aftermath of Hurricanes and Floods Report by CDC

Mold Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects in the Aftermath of Hurricanes and Major Floods

Summary -

Extensive water damage after major hurricanes and floods increases the likelihood of mold contamination in buildings. This report provides information on how to limit exposure to mold and how to identify and prevent mold-related health effects. Where uncertainties in scientific knowledge exist, practical applications designed to be protective of a person's health are presented. Evidence is included about assessing exposure, clean-up and prevention, personal protective equipment, health effects, and public health strategies and recommendations. The recommendations assume that, in the aftermath of major hurricanes or floods, buildings wet for >48 hours will generally support visible and extensive mold growth and should be remediated, and excessive exposure to mold-contaminated materials can cause adverse health effects in susceptible persons regardless of the type of mold or the extent of contamination.

For the majority of persons, undisturbed mold is not a substantial health hazard. Mold is a greater hazard for persons with conditions such as impaired host defenses or mold allergies. To prevent exposure that could result in adverse health effects from disturbed mold, persons should 1) avoid areas where mold contamination is obvious; 2) use environmental controls; 3) use personal protective equipment; and 4) keep hands, skin, and clothing clean and free from mold-contaminated dust.

Clinical evaluation of suspected mold-related illness should follow conventional clinical guidelines. In addition, in the aftermath of extensive flooding, health-care providers should be watchful for unusual mold-related diseases. The development of a public health surveillance strategy among persons repopulating areas after extensive flooding is recommended to assess potential health effects and the effectiveness of prevention efforts. Such a surveillance program will help CDC and state and local public health officials refine the guidelines for exposure avoidance, personal protection, and clean-up and assist health departments to identify unrecognized hazards.

For remaining report visit source listed below:

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5508a1.htm

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Hurricane - Mold Prevention, Control, Cleanup

Keeping mold under control

Mold can cause serious health problems. The key to mold control is moisture control. After a flood, remove standing water and dry indoor areas. Remove and discard anything that has been wet for more than 24-48 hours.

Safely cleaning a flood-damaged home (cdc.gov)

repair your flooded home (redcross.org)

Mold cleanup in schools and commercial buildings. information for building managers, custodians, and others who are responsible for commercial building and school maintenance.

General - Mold, moisture, and your home

Basics

Cleaning up mold

What to Wear

Mold - Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects BrochureMold Remediation in schools and Commercial Buildings Brochure

Source: http://www.epa.gov/hurricanes/what_to_do.htm#mold

Monday, September 1, 2008

Antimicrobial Information Hotline

Antimicrobial Information Hotline

www.epa.gov/oppad001/
(703) 308-0127/(703) 308-6467(FAX)
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST
email: Info_Antimicrobial@epa.gov

The Antimicrobials Information Hotline provides answers to questions concerning current antimicrobial issues (disinfectants, fungicides, others) regulated by the pesticide law, rules and regulations. These cover interpretation laws, rules, and regulations, and registration and re-registration of antimicrobial chemicals and products. The Hotline also provide information health & safety issues on registered antimicrobial products, product label and the proper and safe use of these antimicrobial products.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/iedmold1/relatedlinks.html#Antimicrobial%20Information%20Hotline