06/16/2015 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. i Page I3 040 • It is also my understanding that microbial inspections of the premises of Indian River County Fire Stations 1, 7, 10,and 11 have been conducted by several parties. In July 2014,AMEC Environment& Infrastructure,Inc. performed an indoor air quality assessment of the Indian River Fire Stations 1,.7, 10, and 11. AMEC collected spore trap air samples that were analyzed by EMSL Analytical, Inc. for fungal spores and particulates. Engineering Systems, Inc. conducted a microbial inspection of the premises of Fire Stations 1 and 7 on 3/31/15,and Fire Stations 10 and 11 on 4/1/15. Surface samples (culturable fungi and bacteria swab samples,non-cultured tape samples) and culturable bacteria water samples were collected. Mycometer testing for surface fungi and BactiQuant testing for surface bacteria were also used. The samples were analyzed by EMSL Analytical, Inc. Michael Smith, CIH, of AMEC Environment& Infrastructure, Inc. collected non-cultured swab samples from Fire Stations 1 and 7 on 3/31/15, and from Fire Stations 10 and 11 on 4/1/15.The samples were analyzed by EMLab P&K. V. Opinions Mold Spores and Mycotoxins A. Mold and mold spores are ubiquitous and the construction and maintenance of a mold-free indoor environment is not possible. Molds are part of the fungal kingdom,which comprises a diverse group of organisms that evolved over 400 million years ago. Fungi are major components of the world's ecosystem and it has been suggested that they make up 25% of the world's biomass (the percent of total living organisms). Mold and mold spores are everywhere around us and have always been a part of our environment. The air we breathe is a virtual jungle of fungal spores and we routinely encounter mold spores as part of everyday life both indoors and outdoors. Spore levels may vary seasonally but some spores are always present. The ubiquitous presence of mold in air and on building materials makes it impossible to construct or maintain a building that is mold-free using standard building design and construction techniques. Even if construction of a mold-free residential and office space were possible,the maintenance of a "mold-free"environment in a home or office under normal living conditions would be impossible, as many species of mold are naturally present on and in human bodies,potted plants,and foods such as fresh fruit and cheeses. Virtually all indoor environments contain some surface and airborne mold spores. The fungal composition of surfaces in the indoor environment is diverse. In a 2013 study of residential units of a university housing complex,the diverse fungal composition observed of the samples taken from indoor surfaces and the foreheads of the units' residents included Sherwood-Pike,M.A.and Gray,J.(1985). Silurian fungal remains: Probable records of the class Ascomycetes. Lethaia. 18: 1-20. 2 Miller,J.D.(1992).Fungi as contaminants in indoor air.Atmos Environ.26A(12):2163-2172.;Sorenson,W.G. (1999).Fungal spores:Hazardous to health?Environ Health Persp, 107 Suppl 3:469-472. 55