Work Related Illnesses Are Real!

The Real Truth About Fungal Growth

Maria complained that she had had three colds over the course of one long winter. One cold had just barely cleared up when the next one happened. Her husband ask if things were going well at work, she was startled by the question, was her husband implying a connection? As they talked, she disclosed that the old building had several water issues where water had flooded certain areas of the building and the landlord was reluctant to fix the problem.

When confronted with such a situation at work advise your health professional about the conditions at work they will use this information to better understand in diagnosing an individual's signs and symptoms that could be related to an indoor air pollution problem. Key signs and symptoms from exposure to fungi growth microorganisms pollutant(s) are explained in this article this can lead to help to determine the cause of the health problem and fix the problem at work

The major problem from flooding or water incursions inside a building is the growth and rapid increase of microorganisms that can rapidly spread in wetted building materials. Contaminated growth occurs in a very short time of flooding. Bacteria can multiply within a few hours and fungi can begin to grow within 24 hours. 

 According to indoor air quality researchers fungal growth is a greater health concern to all occupants in a building. While bacteria, such as legion Ella, have received much more media publicity, IAQ researchers strongly believe fungal incursions may account for many building air problems and illnesses.

The true fact is metabolic processes of various fungi can produce toxins and other substances that can lead to allergic reaction, and other respiratory ailments.

Fungi if not treated it will have greater amplification effects continuing widespread as it does in the outside environment. Therefore when building materials become wet, fungal growth amplifies often in numbers that are far exceeding those normally found in the outside environment.

As fungi begins to dry, a different species of fungi appears that requires less water activity, some researchers strongly believe that building problems appear when this sort of change from the normal indoor fungal growth occurs. Merely drying out wetted building materials in many cases is not enough. Fungal growth can continue even in the absence of visible water.

If there is sufficient water incursions affecting building material, fungal strains will increasingly produce toxins, which will pollute the indoor air quality of the building causing allergic reactions, create health problems to those with a low immune system, according to experts?

Drastic measures need to be taken by the occupants of the building, to protect their health and well-being.

Cleaning measures must be taken to ensure public health and safety after flood or water intrusion inside the building with the main objective being to prevent fungal growth and insure safe indoor air quality. These measures are important and need to be taken seriously by the owner of the building.

In some cases, when building managers and owners attempt less radical measures, fungal growth continues and further damages occur to building materials escalating the expense that could’ve been prevented at the front end of the problem. 

The office of the environmental hygiene of the U.S. public health services division of the federal occupational health (FOH) has developed a protocol for responding to those problems. Click here to view protocol.

This protocol calls for monitoring and testing air and bulk samples of building materials for microbial contamination, as well as steps that should begin immediately to prevent or limit the opportunity for microbial growth. Note: To all general contractors involved in water remediation sign in for a copy of a complete protocol copy for “controlling microbial proof after a flood.” FOH information will be available at the end of this article.

In all cases were material has been water damage those responsible for remediation should pay particular attention to damage drywall, insulation affected furniture carpeting, books and papers. Restoration Company may be able to salvage some materials, but many oversaturated need to be removing and replaced.

Only periodic microbial sampling can determine whether the initial effort has succeeded and whether further steps are need. Like with any contamination cleanup caution must be taken to ensure the safety of the remediation workers as well as the building occupants, during the cleaning process. In these types of cases most work should be performed after hours, isolating the effective areas when possible.

When working with cleanup of contaminants all involved should take microbial contamination threat seriously and not ignore safety precautions.
Experts in microbiology warned that the danger from microbial contamination should be taken as seriously as that from asbestos.

Further information on the FOH protocol and activities, contract
FOH  Frank A Lewis (215)- 596-1888  Fax (215) 596-5024

Written By: John BetanCourt
KANI Development Inc. Copyrights All Rights Reserved 2008