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Causes of Mould Growth in Causes of Mould Growth in BuildingsBuildings
• Poor construction practices
B ildi l f il• Building envelope failures
• Floods
• Condensation
• Wet sections of air handling units, ductwork
Health Canada 2004 Health Canada 2004 Review of medical literature to 2001:
“…this review indicates that living or ki i b ildi ith t i lworking in a building with material
mould damage is harmful to health … mould growth should be prevented by appropriate control of moisture sources and timely remediation of water damages. Mould y ggrowing in buildings should also be removed under safe conditions using established remediation protocols.”
Health Canada: Residential Indoor Air Health Canada: Residential Indoor Air Quality Guideline for Moulds (March 2007)Quality Guideline for Moulds (March 2007)
“After reviewing the most recent scientific evidence regarding moulds and their effects on health, the Minister (of Health) recommends• To control humidity and diligently repair any
water damage in residences to prevent mould growth; and
• To clean thoroughly any visible or concealed mould growing in residential buildingsmould growing in residential buildings.
These recommendations apply regardless of the mould species found to be growing in the building.”
Regulatory Responses to Regulatory Responses to Mould in BuildingsMould in Buildings
Ontario Ministry of Labour, 2000Ontario Ministry of Labour, 2000“Mould growth on the interior surfaces of buildings is a risk factor for health problems.”
“Employers are required by Section 25 (2)(h) to take every precaution reasonable under the circumstances for the protection of worker.”
“The OHSAct places a responsibility on constructors, employers and supervisors to ensure the health and safety of workers. This includes protecting workers from mould in workplace buildings.”
Public Health, City Bylaw and Public Health, City Bylaw and Building DepartmentsBuilding Departments
• Public Health Unit may place orders re. mould in general use buildings: • Health Promotion and Protection Act.
• Municipal building department may issue orders: • Property standard bylaws:• Property standard bylaws:
• Environmental Abatement Council of Ontario:Environmental Abatement Council of Ontario: contractors, insurance professionals, environmental consultants, Ministry of Labour, suppliers.
• Guidelines for small, medium and large scale abatement, published in 2004. Updated version to be published in 2009.
• Consistent with CCA Guide 82 mould remediation• Consistent with CCA Guide 82 mould remediation procedures.
• Developed in consultation with Ontario Ministry of Labour.
Flood Flood RemediationRemediation
• Mould growth occurs rapidly after wetting. After 48 hours must be suspected on susceptible48 hours, must be suspected on susceptible materials.
• Some materials may be difficult to dry effectively (ceiling tiles, fibrous glass insulation, cellulose insulation). Proactive removal should be considered.considered.
• Where the water source contains human pathogens (i.e., sewage), abatement practices have to be enhanced. Remove all porous materials, carefully disinfect, test for E. coli.
• All species of mould growth pose a health risk to occupants and must be abated.
• Mould within wall and ceiling cavities degrades air quality in occupied space. Must investigate for and remediate hidden mould growth.
• Risks must be communicated to occupants:
• In workplaces, joint health and safety committeesIn workplaces, joint health and safety committees must be informed of inspection, invited to see testing, and receive any report.
• Standards recommend disclosure to all occupants.
• Consider need for evacuation.
Sensitive Sensitive OccupantsOccupants
• Particularly susceptible occupants or settingsParticularly susceptible occupants or settings (infants, elderly, immuno-compromised, strong allergies, residents in health care facilities, etc.) require additional care:• May be a need to immediately relocate reacting or
susceptible individuals.During remediation susceptible individuals should be• During remediation, susceptible individuals should be re-located from the immediate area, and possibly from adjacent areas.
• Underlying causes of mould growth (excess moisture) must be identified and remedied prior to completion of cleanup.
• “Building materials supporting fungal growth must be remediated “as soon as possible”.p
Remediation Remediation ProceduresProcedures
• Detailed procedures given for multiple levels ofDetailed procedures given for multiple levels of work, depending on extent of mould growth • Work area isolation
• Worker protection (PPE and hygiene precautions)
• Waste packaging
• Cleaningg
• Professional oversight, quality assurance measures recommended for remediation of medium and large scale contamination.
• Municipal Clerk responsible to assess for safety when grow houses or meth labs identified (Bill 128).
• May require clearance testing.
• Performance on this varies from town to town.
• If power has been cut, (Ontario) Electrical Safety p , ( ) yAuthority requires environmental clearance by a CIH, ROH or P.Eng. with masters degree in occupational hygiene before re-instatement.
Provincial Advisory Group (on Properties Provincial Advisory Group (on Properties Impacted by Illicit Drug Operations)Impacted by Illicit Drug Operations)
• Established in 2009, to provide advice to Ontario municipalities, public bodies and associated stakeholders regarding hazards from illicit drugstakeholders, regarding hazards from illicit drug operations.• Office of the Fire Marshall (chair)• Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional
Services• Police; RCMO, OPP, local• Fire departments, municipal building officials and
O t i B ildi Offi i l A i tiOntario Building Officials Association• Insurance industry• Real estate• Environmental consultants• Legal
Provincial Advisory GroupProvincial Advisory Group
• Planned outputs:R d ti f h t l i l ti• Recommendations for changes to legislation
• Advisories to fire, police, municipalities, etc.
• Recommended protocols for notification, OH&S precautions, assessment and remediation
1. Assessment to be performed by investigator with appropriate science or engineering degree, qualified by experience and training, and minimum 2 years experience in mould assessment.
2. CIH, ROH, or P.Eng. with masters degree in occupational hygiene, required by ESA.
Assessment Assessment –– HistoryHistory
1. Property secured by police? Ask for copies of police/fire/municipalof police/fire/municipal reports/orders.
2. Use of building for grow operation – where, when, extent?
1. Abatement plan, prepared by competent professionalprofessional.
2. Mould cleaning shall follow methods recommended by Environmental Abatement Council of Ontario.
3. Abatement of attic mould growth – consider options.4. Asbestos disturbance must follow O. Reg. 278/05.5. Lead paint, follow Ministry of Labour guideline.6 Mercury dispose of as hazardous waste6. Mercury, dispose of as hazardous waste.7. Pesticide or chemical staining, detergent cleaned,
encapsulate if necessary. Remove porous materials with persistent staining.
1. Spore trap mould air samples from all levels of the structure, including attics, basement, crawlspaces, , g , , p ,attached garage(s). Compare indoor to outdoor, consider water-damage indicator moulds.
• One per floor in open concept floor plans.
• Two (minimum) per floor on multi-room floors.
• One in each of attics, garages, crawlspaces.
• Three outdoor reference samples.
• Field blanks
2. Asbestos air sampling, if required (Type 3 removal).