With the rainy season knocking on our door, it is important to make certain construction sites and building materials─wood and plastic alike─are ready for the impending wet weather. Its impacts to building materials can result in fungal growth issues, including toxic molds.

Traditional responses to mitigating fungal growth during construction have involved the use of anti-microbial solutions to clean surfaces. However, as newer plastic polymer plumbing components have become more prevalent in the construction industry, plumbing manufacturers are becoming more aware of potential incompatibilities between their materials and the antifungal solutions commonly used for mold cleanup. These compatibility issues can lead to warranty questions down the road for plumbing companies and general contractors.

To be sure, some plumbing components have pre-existing issues with things like light sensitivity, chlorine in drinking water, permeability, chemical leaching, and dezincification. As plumbing components in existing buildings reach the end of their lifetimes, manufacturers also are becoming aware of premature failures that are being attributed to the use of anti-microbials and other chemicals applied around the plastic polymers used for plumbing.

Industrial Hygienists with EHSI and SoundEarth Strategies can help our clients get in front of these issues by devising recommendations for plumbing-friendly biocides that are compatible with plumbing components already in place or those being suggested for a new construction project.

Contact us today to learn more.

Fall is upon us, bringing beautiful leaves, cooler weather, and rain. While mold growth can happen at any time of the year due to a water leak or other source of intrusion, fall weather often exposes any new leaks or structural failures. This moisture intrusion can lead to mold growth.

Mold growth fundamentally occurs in the presence of moisture. Basic maintenance can prevent the development of mold by preventing leaks before they can occur and maintaining relative humidity levels below 60 percent. The ideal spectrum is 50-30 percent.

Sometimes, though, a leak goes unnoticed. When the heat is turned on in the autumn, mold “blooms,” showing discoloration where none was detected before, or a roof system can fail, allowing sudden water intrusion.

Odor and Discoloration

If odor, discoloration, or sudden water intrusion is noticed, begin remediation immediately. Industrial hygienists can help identify less apparent water intrusion using moisture meters and determine the type of suspected mold growth through air and surface sampling.

Remediation

In cases of sudden water intrusion from a leak or other source, efforts should be made immediately to remediate the leak and dry impacted materials. As a rule, permeable surfaces that can not be dried within 48 hours, such as wallboard, should be removed to prevent mold growth and to maintain structural integrity.

Small amounts of mold growth may be remediated in house, but when suspect visible mold growth is found exceeding 10 square feet, special precautions must be taken. In these situations, a remediation contractor can establish containment of the area to prevent the airborne spread of mold, and workers will have the training and personal protective equipment needed to stay safe.

Locating the Source

As moisture is the fundamental element of mold growth, the source of moisture intrusion must be located in order to prevent recurrence. Industrial hygienists can offer mold and moisture assessments that help locate the source of intrusion and offer recommendations on remediation, or they can work directly with the remediation contractor to ensure the best outcome.

EHSI’s industrial hygiene team that excels in incorporating a multi-disciplinary approach to industrial hygiene challenges. Our team of Certified Industrial Hygienists exemplifies the integration of knowledge and skills regarding worker protection issues, health hazards, and chemical and biological sampling methods.

EHSI offers Certified Industrial Hygienist services to address COVID-19 related health and safety issues. These services are derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

EHSI is currently assisting our public and private clients to reassure their stakeholders. Recent projects include:

• Reviewing Health and Safety Plan updates to include COVID-19 preventative measures for construction safety. 
• Third-party reviews of cleaning and disinfecting products, methods, and disinfection confirmation sampling for commercial businesses.
•  Inspection, verification, and implementation for Site Specific Health and Safety Plans regarding COVID-19  prevention for public agency construction projects.

COVID-19 Related Services

• Health Risk Assessments
• Development and review of Health and Safety Plans for COVID-19 prevention to provide recommendations for health and safety enhancements
• Review of cleaning and disinfecting products
• Review of cleaning and disinfecting methods
• Third-party surface testing for post-cleaning and disinfection confirmation
• Turnkey cleaning, disinfection, and post-disinfection confirmation services
• Respiratory fit testing
• Inspections to verify implementation of Site-Specific Health and Safety Plans for COVID-19 prevention
• Awareness  and training programs
• Construction COVID-19 program review and safety support
• Mold and Legionella assessments

If you need assistance please email us at website@ehsintl.com to have one of our Certified Industrial Hygienists contact you.