Saturday, January 31, 2009

Indoor Air Health Issues

A good article was recently published entitled "Sniffing out danger at home - Breathing indoors can be bad for your health". This article can be found at http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=10840 . The article is about potential hazards in your home including mildew, mold, chemicals, asbestos, lead and more that can be harmful if you breath or ingest these materials.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas

As per the US EPA's website, the following personal protective equipment should be worn when doing mold cleanup, removal or remediation:

Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. In order to limit your exposure to airborne mold, you may want to wear an N-95 respirator, available at many hardware stores and from companies that advertise on the Internet. (They cost about $12 to $25.) Some N-95 respirators resemble a paper dust mask with a nozzle on the front, others are made primarily of plastic or rubber and have removable cartridges that trap most of the mold spores from entering. In order to be effective, the respirator or mask must fit properly, so carefully follow the instructions supplied with the respirator. Please note that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that respirators fit properly (fit testing) when used in an occupational setting; consult OSHA for more information (800-321-OSHA or www.osha.gov).

Wear gloves. Long gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm are recommended. When working with water and a mild detergent, ordinary household rubber gloves may be used. If you are using a disinfectant, a biocide such as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning solution, you should select gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane, or PVC (see Cleanup and Biocides). Avoid touching mold or moldy items with your bare hands.

Wear goggles. Goggles that do not have ventilation holes are recommended. Avoid getting mold or mold spores in your eyes.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/mold/whattowear.html

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Monday, January 26, 2009

Mold In The Home - Information from The National Association of Realtors

The National Association of Realtors has provided a very informative webpage that provides information on frequently asked questions about mold in the home. The web page can be found at http://www.realtor.org/realtororg.nsf/pages/moldfaq

Sunday, January 25, 2009

What are the health hazards of exposure to asbestos?

What are the health hazards of exposure to asbestos?

People may be exposed to asbestos in their workplace, their communities, or their homes. If products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they may get trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long time. Over time, these fibers can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation, which can affect breathing and lead to serious health problems (6).

Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the EPA, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (2, 3, 7, 8). Studies have shown that exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma (a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen). Although rare, mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer associated with asbestos exposure. In addition to lung cancer and mesothelioma, some studies have suggested an association between asbestos exposure and gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers, as well as an elevated risk for cancers of the throat, kidney, esophagus, and gallbladder (3, 4). However, the evidence is inconclusive.

Asbestos exposure may also increase the risk of asbestosis (a chronic lung disease that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and permanent lung damage) and other nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders, including pleural plaques (changes in the membrane surrounding the lung), pleural thickening, and pleural effusions (abnormal collections of fluid between the thin layers of tissue lining the lung and the wall of the chest cavity). Although pleural plaques are not precursors to lung cancer, evidence suggests that people with pleural disease caused by asbestos exposure may be at increased risk for lung cancer (9).

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

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Asbestos in Your Home

As per the US EPA website http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html , asbestos containing items can be found in the following items:

Most products made today do not contain asbestos. Those few products made which still contain asbestos that could be inhaled are required to be labeled as such. However, until the 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos. Common products that might have contained asbestos in the past, and conditions which may release fibers, include:
  • STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, and FURNACE DUCTS insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape. These materials may release asbestos fibers if damaged, repaired, or removed improperly.
  • RESILIENT FLOOR TILES (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber), the backing on VINYL SHEET FLOORING, and ADHESIVES used for installing floor tile. Sanding tiles can release fibers. So may scraping or sanding the backing of sheet flooring during removal.
  • CEMENT SHEET, MILLBOARD, and PAPER used as insulation around furnaces and woodburning stoves. Repairing or removing appliances may release asbestos fibers. So may cutting, tearing, sanding, drilling or sawing insulation.
  • DOOR GASKETS in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves. Worn seals can release asbestos fibers during use.
  • SOUNDPROOFING OR DECORATIVE MATERIAL sprayed on walls and ceilings. Loose, crumbly, or water-damaged material may release fibers. So will sanding, drilling or scraping the material.
  • PATCHING AND JOINT COMPOUNDS for walls and ceilings, and TEXTURED PAINTS. Sanding, scraping, or drilling these surfaces may release asbestos.
  • ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING, SHINGLES, and SIDING. These products are not likely to release asbestos fibers unless sawed, drilled or cut.
  • ARTIFICIAL ASHES AND EMBERS sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces. Also, other older household products such as FIREPROOF GLOVES, STOVE-TOP PADS, IRONING BOARD COVERS, and certain HAIRDRYERS.
  • AUTOMOBILE BRAKE PADS AND LININGS, CLUTCH FACINGS, and GASKETS.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Asbestos Information

Information on asbestos uses, health hazards, sources, cancer risks, physical proprties and more can be found at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/asbestos.html

Some of the information on the site includes:

Hazard Summary-Created in April 1992; Revised in January 2000

Asbestos has been used in building materials, paper products, plastics, and other products. Exposure mainly occurs in indoor air where it may be released from these materials. Effects on the lung are a major health concern from asbestos, as chronic (long-term) exposure to asbestos in humans via inhalation can result in a lung disease termed asbestosis. Asbestosis is characterized by shortness of breath and cough and may lead to severe impairment of respiratory function. Cancer is also a major concern from asbestos exposure, as inhalation exposure can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma (a rare cancer of the thin membranes lining the abdominal cavity and surrounding internal organs), and possibly gastrointestinal cancers in humans. EPA has classified asbestos as a Group A, known human carcinogen.

For more informatio please go to USPEA website

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Asbestos Facts and Information

As per the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry -Asbestos Facts are as follows:
  • When asbestos fibers are inhaled, most fibers are expelled, but some can become lodged in the lungs and remain there throughout life. Fibers can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation. Enough scarring and inflammation can affect breathing, leading to disease.
  • People are more likely to experience asbestos-related disorders when they are exposed to high concentrations of asbestos, are exposed for longer periods of time, and/or are exposed more often.
  • Inhaling longer, more durable asbestos fibers (such as tremolite and other amphiboles) contributes to the severity of asbestos-related disorders.
  • Exposure to asbestos, including tremolite, can increase the likelihood of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and non-malignant lung conditions such as asbestosis (restricted use of the lungs due to retained asbestos fibers) and changes in the lung lining.
  • Changes in the lining of the lungs (pleura) such as thickening, plaques, calcification, and fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) may be early signs of asbestos exposure. These changes can affect breathing more than previously thought. Pleural effusion can be an early warning sign for mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs).
  • Most cases of asbestosis or lung cancer in workers occurred 15 years or more after the person was first exposed to asbestos.
  • Most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after the first exposure to asbestos.
  • Mesothelioma has been diagnosed in asbestos workers, family members, and residents who live close to asbestos mines.
  • Health effects from asbestos exposure may continue to progress even after exposure is stopped.
  • Smoking or cigarette smoke, together with exposure to asbestos, greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer. See Cigarette Smoking, Asbestos Exposure, and your Health.

Source: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/asbestos/health_effects/

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Safely Preventing Mold Growth

As per the CDC's website http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/protect.asp, ways to safely prevent mold growth are:

Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building. (See the fact sheet for drying out your house, Reentering Your Flooded Home).

When in doubt, take it out! Remove all porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. These items can remain a source of mold growth and should be removed from the home. Porous, noncleanable items include carpeting and carpet padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation material, some clothing, leather, paper, wood, and food. Removal and cleaning are important because even dead mold may cause allergic reactions in some people.

To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water.
Homeowners may want to temporarily store items outside of the home until insurance claims can be filed. See recommendations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) .

If you wish to disinfect, refer to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) document, A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home.

If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix any water problem, such as leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing. Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing mold growth.

To remove mold growth from hard surfaces use commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Use a stiff brush on rough surface materials such as concrete.

If you choose to use bleach to remove mold:

  • Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes
  • Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
    Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
  • If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings . Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html .
  • Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.

More information on personal safety while cleaning up after a natural disaster is available at emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/workers.asp.

If you plan to be inside the building for a while or you plan to clean up mold, you should buy an N95 mask at your local home supply store and wear it while in the building. Make certain that you follow instructions on the package for fitting the mask tightly to your face. If you go back into the building for a short time and are not cleaning up mold, you do not need to wear an N95 mask.

Source: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/protect.asp

Vermiculite It's Uses and Study on Estimated Asbestos Exposure

As per the USEPA website ( http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html ), Vermiculite and Its Uses is documented as follows:

Vermiculite is the mineralogical name given to hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate that resembles mica in appearance. All vermiculite ores contain a range of other minerals that were formed along with the vermiculite in the rock. Vermiculite ores from some sources have been found to contain asbestos minerals but asbestos is not intrinsic to vermiculite and only a few ore bodies have been found to contain more than tiny trace amounts.
Vermiculite mines are surface operations where ore is separated from other minerals, and then screened or classified into several basic particle sizes. Vermiculite is found in various parts of the world. Locations of the predominant commercial mines are in Australia, Brazil, China, Kenya, South Africa, the USA and Zimbabwe.

When subjected to heat, vermiculite has the unusual property of exfoliating or expanding into worm-like pieces (the name vermiculite is derived from the Latin 'vermiculare' - to breed worms). This characteristic of exfoliation, the basis for commercial use of the mineral, is the result of the mechanical separation of the layers by the rapid conversion of contained water to steam. During this exfoliation process, asbestos fibers can potentially be released. The increase in bulk volume of commercial grades is 8 to 12 times, but individual flakes may exfoliate as many as 30 times. There is a color change during expansion that is dependent upon the composition of the vermiculite and furnace temperature.

Vermiculite has been used in various industries for over 80 years. It is used in the construction, agricultural, horticultural and industrial markets. Examples of products that contain vermiculite include potting soil mixes, loose fill insulation, and packing material.
Vermiculite Insulation Report

Summary of EPA's Pilot Study to Estimate Asbestos Exposure from Vermiculite Attic Insulation (PDF) - EPA completed a pilot study to evaluate the level of asbestos in vermiculite attic insulation and whether there is a risk to homeowners. The study was designed to: (1) obtain a rough estimate of the amount of asbestos in attics with vermiculite attic insulation; and (2) obtain a rough estimate of a person's exposure to asbestos while performing common household activities.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Fiberglass Training Guide

The eLCOSH website provides a Fiberglass Training Guide (Taken from the "Tailgate Meetings that Work : A Guide to Effective Construction Safety Training" series). Some of the information contained on the site includes:

What symptoms can you get if you work around fiberglass?

Skin and eye contact: In addition to itching, fiberglass can cause skin irritation, redness, and swelling. Some people get “fiberglass warts,” a type of skin inflammation. The fibers can also irritate your eyes and even cause serious eye injury if you don’t get proper treatment.

Breathing: Inhaled fibers may cause coughing, throat irritation, bronchitis, or lung irritation. Small fibers can stick deep in your lungs. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of these fibers may possibly lead to permanent lung disease.


These tailgate/toolbox talks were developed for use under California OSHA regulations. The complete set is available from the Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/elcosh/docs/d0200/d000257/d000257.html

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Asbestos Facts as Per the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

As per the website for The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the following are Asbestos Facts:

  • When asbestos fibers are inhaled, most fibers are expelled, but some can become lodged in the lungs and remain there throughout life. Fibers can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation. Enough scarring and inflammation can affect breathing, leading to disease.
  • People are more likely to experience asbestos-related disorders when they are exposed to high concentrations of asbestos, are exposed for longer periods of time, and/or are exposed more often.
  • Inhaling longer, more durable asbestos fibers (such as tremolite and other amphiboles) contributes to the severity of asbestos-related disorders.
  • Exposure to asbestos, including tremolite, can increase the likelihood of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and non-malignant lung conditions such as asbestosis (restricted use of the lungs due to retained asbestos fibers) and changes in the lung lining.
  • Changes in the lining of the lungs (pleura) such as thickening, plaques, calcification, and fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) may be early signs of asbestos exposure. These changes can affect breathing more than previously thought. Pleural effusion can be an early warning sign for mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs).
  • Most cases of asbestosis or lung cancer in workers occurred 15 years or more after the person was first exposed to asbestos.
  • Most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after the first exposure to asbestos.
  • Mesothelioma has been diagnosed in asbestos workers, family members, and residents who live close to asbestos mines.
  • Health effects from asbestos exposure may continue to progress even after exposure is stopped.
  • Smoking or cigarette smoke, together with exposure to asbestos, greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer. See Cigarette Smoking, Asbestos Exposure, and your Health.

Source: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/asbestos/health_effects/index.html

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Re-Entering Your Flooded Home - CDC Info

As per the CDC, Recommendations for Reentering Your Flooded Home Include:

When returning to a home that’s been flooded after natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, be aware that your house may be contaminated with mold or sewage, which can cause health risks for your family.

When You First Reenter Your Home

If you have standing water in your home and can turn off the main power from a dry location, then go ahead and turn off the power, even if it delays cleaning. If you must enter standing water to access the main power switch, then call an electrician to turn it off. NEVER turn power on or off yourself or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water.

Have an electrician check the house’s electrical system before turning the power on again.

If the house has been closed up for several days, enter briefly to open doors and windows to let the house air out for awhile (at least 30 minutes) before you stay for any length of time.

If your home has been flooded and has been closed up for several days, presume your home has been contaminated with mold. (See Protect Yourself from Mold.)

If your home has been flooded, it also may be contaminated with sewage. (See After a Hurricane or Flood: Cleanup of Flood Water.)

Source: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/reenter.asp

Publications and Resources about Mold From the US EPA

Publications and Resources

Read "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home" (también disponible en español como un archivo en formata PDF (PDF, 20 pp, 1.17MB)).

If you are a building manager, custodian, or other person responsible for commercial buildings and school maintenance, read "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings". (This guidance also applies to residences.)

Source: http://www.epa.gov/mold/

Monday, January 5, 2009

NIOSH Engages The National Academies' Institute of Medicine to review Draft Bulletin on Asbestos Fibers

NIOSH has engaged The National Academies' Institute of Medicine to review the draft NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin: "Asbestos Fibers and other Elongated Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research." The June, 2008, version of the draft Current Intelligence Bulletin, and public comments can be found on the NIOSH website at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/NIOSHdocket0099A.html. NIOSH’s responses to the public comments and the version of the draft Current Intelligence Bulletin which will be reviewed by the National Academies will be posted on the NIOSH website as soon as they are available, and an updated link will be provided on this web page. The purpose of the National Academies review is to assess the technical quality of the draft document, its scope and the methods used to produce its findings. The National Academies will also assess the likelihood that the program of research envisioned in the draft document will address the most significant scientific issues in the areas of toxicity, occupational exposures, epidemiology, and sampling/analytical methods. It is anticipated that the review will be completed fall, 2009.


The National Academies has established a page on its web site where it will post information about this study: http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=48990.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/asbestos/

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Guidance Document For Management of Mold Related Health Effects

Read the Guidance for Health Professionals - Guidance for Clinicians on the Recognition and Management of Health Effects Related to Mold Exposure and Moisture Indoors (September 30, 2004), published by the Center for Indoor Environments and Health at University of Connecticut Health Center with support from a grant by the U.S. EPA.

For more information, see http://oehc.uchc.edu/clinser/indoor.htm This 120 page document is also available in PDF format from their site http://oehc.uchc.edu/clinser/MOLD GUIDE.pdf

Source: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/index.html