PollenPlant material generally from the outdoors SporesMold and other fungi, both indoors & outdoors DustAnimal dander, excrement Insect parts, excrement Skin Cells BacteriaHumans, Water, Soil VirusesHumans Biological Pollutants (Bioaerosols) Sources Healthy Indoor Air for America’s HomesBugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #1

Mold Problems are Caused by Excess Moisture Solve the moisture problem–solve the mold problem Healthy Indoor Air for America’s HomesBugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module Slide #2

Where Biological Pollutants May be found in the Home 1.Dirty air conditioners 2.Dirty humidifiers and/or windows 3.Bathroom without vents or windows 4.Kitchen without vents or windows 5.Dirty refrigerator drip pans 6.Laundry room with unvented dryer 7.Unventilated attic 8.Carpet on damp basement floor 9.Bedding 10.Closet on outside wall 11.Dirty heating/air conditioning system 12.Dogs or cats 13.Water damage (around windows, roof,or basement) Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #3

Solving Moisture Problems Block moisture entry Control or remove source Dehumidifiers and A/C equipment – possible options Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #4

Spores Pollens Animal Dander Dust Mites These are allergens that may affect only sensitive persons. These persons experience symptoms such as sneezing, nasal obstruction, and discharge, redness, watering, and itching, headache, eye and throat irritation, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue VirusesInfluenza, measles, etc. BacteriaTuberculosis, Legionnaires’ disease, etc. s Biological Pollutants Health Effects Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #5

MoldGrows on organic materials and needs high humidity.Spores are generated that become airborne and move through the house to land and form new colonies. Dust MitesDust mites thrive on a food source of dead human skin cells, at humidity levels above 45% and at temperatures above 65 degrees. Heaviest populations are generally in bedding, carpeting, upholstered furniture, and other textiles. Vacuuming, bed making, and other cleaning may cause the dust to become airborne. Biological Pollutant How Transported Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #6

PollenGenerated by outdoor plants and enters the house through cracks, open doors and windows, and on shoes and clothing. Because they are small, they can become airborne. Animal Dander Animal dander and saliva from pets, rodents, and other animals can become airborne. Biological Pollutant How Transported Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #7

VirusesPersons with viruses can transmit the viruses through coughing and wheezing. BacteriaCan be transmitted from persons with the disease and from contaminated water. Biological Pollutant How Transported Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #8

MoldMusty Smell, evidence of high humidity, standing water Animal Dander Pets in the home Dust Mites Pollen Viruses Bacteria Cannot be seen or smelled Biological Pollutant How to Detect the Contaminant Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #9

Controlling Mold Clean, disinfect, and dry surfaces Lower humidity levels Clean and disinfect humidifiers, dehumidifiers, refrigerator pans and air conditioning coils Exhaust the dryer to the outdoors Run a bathroom exhaust fan during bathing or showering Use a rangehood to exhaust cooking moisture Fix plumbing leaks and seepage Raise the temperature of cold surfaces with insulation or storm windows Increase air circulation by opening closet doors and moving furniture away from walls Dispose of wet carpeting and other damp fabric furnishings Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module Slide #10

Other Mold Control Measures Lower humidity levels with dehumidifiers and air conditioning Control moisture in crawlspace Correct drainage problems around foundation Waterproof basement walls and insulate Replace carpet with hard-surface floors in basement Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #11

Dust Mites Replace fabric furnishings with hard surface coverings Lower humidity levels Vacuum fabric furnishings with HEPA vacuum or central vacuum system Wash bedding in hot water (130 degrees F) Use plastic coverings on mattresses and pillows Damp clean hard surfaces Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #12

General Control Measures Maintain and clean all appliances that come in contact with water Change filters on heating and air conditioning units according to manufacturer’s directions. Empty and regularly clean refrigerator drip pans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and furnace attached humidifiers Use air conditioning during the summer to reduce pollen infiltration into the home and lower humidity levels Air cleaning devices may achieve an additional reduction in the levels of biological pollutants when other control methods do not result in acceptable pollutant concentrations. Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #13

SUMMARY Remove the source of contamination Replace soft textiles with hard surfaces Use vacuums with high-efficiency filters or central vacuuming systems Ventilate to lower humidity levels Use air cleaners only if necessary Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleSlide #14

Optional slide #1 What is Stachybotrys? A black, slimy mold that needs abundant moisture. Can grow on paper, wood, and products made from these:  Cardboard  Wallboard  Ceiling tiles  Drywall  Wallpaper  Newspaper Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional Module

Identification Black, slimy mold – grows on wet paper or wood-based products Laboratory analysis – only way to tell for sure (Other, less harmful black molds are more common in homes) Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleOptional Slide #2

Health Effects Infants: lung hemorrhaging, coughing up of blood, possible anemia or death Adults: severe breathing problems, other symptoms, possible death Toxic spores are to blame Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleOptional Slide #3

Cleanup Small areas: clean carefully with bleach; personal protection important Large areas: get professional help Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Bugs, Mold and Rot (Biologicals) Instructional ModuleOptional Slide #4