Swenson, L., Globaltox, P., Robbins, C., Geer, W. and Globaltox, R.
2001 American Industrial Hygiene Conference, AIHce `01 Poster Sessions
Swenson, L., Globaltox, P., Robbins, C., Geer, W. and Globaltox, R., (2001), "What's growing in the Pacific Northwest?", American Industrial Hygiene Conference, AIHce `01 Poster Sessions.
Abstract:
There has been increased media attention and public awareness about mold and mold exposures in the indoor environment. Since mold is ubiquitous and flourishes in the damp Pacific Northwest environment, there are many opportunities for industrial hygienists to assume key roles in indoor air quality and mold investigations for residential and commercial buildings. The industrial hygienist is asked to conduct sampling, to determine the presence or extent of mold, and to make recommendations for mold remediation. This paper presents the sampling methodology that we employ in indoor air quality investigations for mold. The types and quantities of fungal spores identified during sampling indoors and outdoors in the Pacific Northwest are presented. The methodology employed includes air sampling for viable and non-viable mold spores. Sampling is conducted outside, in unaffected areas (when possible), and in potentially affected areas. This combination of methods and locations provides excellent coverage in terms of maximizing information about airborne mold spores, while minimizing cost. Viable methods provide quantitative information about airborne mold spores and qualitative information concerning the species of actively growing mold. Non-viable methods provide information on total fungal particles present. This is useful because non-viable particles still retain their allergenic, irritant, and toxigenic properties. The combination of viable and non-viable sampling methods also provides clues when hidden sources of mold are suspected. Typically, in buildings without extensive water damage and mold growth, indoor mold levels have been about one-third of outdoor levels and genera/species present have been similar between indoors and outdoors. Viable counts have been about one-fourth of the total non-viable counts. Common fungal particles found in outdoor air samples include Ascospores, Basidiospores, Cladosporium, and Penicillum/Aspergillus. The proportion of Penicillium spores indoors is usually elevated compared to outdoor levels. This increase appears to be more pronounced in buildings with extensive moisture damage.