06/16/2015 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Page 14 Cladosporium, Cryptococcus, Penicillium, Exophiala, Candida, and Fusarium. The study also found many of the indoor fungi on the various surfaces in the homes were largely dominated by fungi common in outdoor air.3 The most significant source of mold spores indoors is the outdoor air.4 It is therefore certain that mold spores present inside an indoor environment were also present in outside air. The question is then whether or not there is an increased risk of adverse health effects due to mold levels inside the indoor environment as opposed to the levels of mold outdoors. Shelton et al. (2002)found that across the U.S.,median indoor fungal spore concentration was approximately 80 CFU/m3 with a range from zero to 10,000 CFU/m3. Indoor concentrations were highest in the Southwest, Far West, and Southeast, and lowest in the Northeast. Median outdoor fungal spore concentrations were highest in the fall and summer and lowest in the spring and winter. Indoor fungal spore concentrations varied in a similar manner.5 The ubiquitous presence of mold in air means that individuals are exposed to molds from outdoor air and mold spores in any buildings they occupy. Though mold spores are everywhere, the critical requirements for mold growth to occur include the presence of mold spores, a food source, and liquid moisture. If any of these requirements are absent, mold will not grow. Mold requires water to grow.Even if a mold spore lands on a wet spot and germinates,there would be no continued growth or development in the absence of a food source for energy and continued moisture. B. There are three principal,generally-recognized potential human health effects of mold: allergy,infection, and toxicity. There are three principal, generally-recognized potential human health effects of mold: (a) allergy,(b)infection, and (c)toxicity. One or more of these effects can contribute to a sensation of irritation,which some scientists classify as an additional effect. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration(OSHA)defines an irritant as a material causing"a reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact.s6 Irritant effects are dose related,and the effects are transient, disappearing when the exposure has decreased or ceased. There are additional rare diseases caused by mold. To establish that mold growth in an indoor environment caused any claimed health effect in a particular person requires the following questions(criteria) be answered in the affirmative: (1) Were mold spores or mycotoxins present?(2)Are mold spores or mycotoxins in the indoor environment capable of causing the claimed adverse health effect? (3) Could the building occupants have been exposed to a sufficient dose of mycotoxin to cause the claimed 3 Adams,R.I.et al.(2013).The diversity and distribution of fungi on residential surfaces.PLoS One.8(11): e78866. 4 Solomon,W.R.(1975).Assessing fungal prevalence in domestic interiors.J Allergy Clin Immunol.56(3):235- 242. s Shelton,B.G.et al. (2002).Profiles of airborne fungi in buildings and outdoor environments in the United States.Appl Environ Microbiol.68(4): 1743-1753. 6 OSHA.(2015).Health Hazard Definitions(Mandatory). 1917.28 App A.Marine Terminal Operations.Subpart B.Marine Terminals.Accessed on:6/3/2015. 7 Bush,R.K.et al. (2006).The medical effects of mold exposure.Position paper of the American Academy of Allergy,Asthma and Immunology.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 117(2):326-333. 56