Introduction: PCR Air Sampling: November 12, Carrie E Tompkins Elementary School PCR Fungi Study:

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1 23 STATE STREET OSSINING, NEW YORK TEL.: (914) FAX: (914) W W W. E M S O F N Y. C O M November 12, 2014 Environmental Science Safety Engineering Industrial Hygiene Environmental and Occupational Health Medical Ecology Hazardous Materials Management Laboratory Testing Environmental Health and Safety Training Emergency Response Services Remediation and Restoration Services Croton-Harmon School District; (Client) School Facilities, Operations and Maintenance Facilities Office 8 Gerstein Street Croton-on-Hudson, NY Attn: Paul Gibbons Director Carrie E Tompkins Elementary School PCR Fungi Study: Introduction: EMS of NY was retained to perform Fungi Specific air sample collection and analysis in areas of interest within the Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School located at 8 Gerstein Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY. Specific areas of interest were identified as rooms 214, 14, 5A, 15 and 13. Samples were collected utilizing PCR air sampling techniques. Samples were collected on October 15, 16, and 27 th PCR Air Sampling: Sampling and testing for fungi is a common practice during an indoor environmental quality (IEQ) investigation, routine IEQ survey, or monitoring during mold remediation. The development and utilization of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) in detection and quantitation of fungi in the indoor environment has been made possible by a patented technology developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). The technology offers several advantages over the traditional culturing and spore counting methods. The major advantages are: quick turnaround time, accurate fungal detection and identification, reproducible results, detection of fungi and fungal spores whether they are viable or not, quantitative and qualitative results, excellent quantitation sensitivity, and excellent detection sensitivity. Furthermore, the technology also allows sampling for a long duration (hours), minimizing the pitfalls of grab sampling (such as in culturable air samples and spore trap samples). On the other hand, consideration must be taken when performing PCR sampling and testing. There are currently no standards and guidelines regarding fungal PCR results of air samples. PCR is a fungal detection system, not an identification system. Fungal species must be expertly identified by a reputable mycologist. PCR analysis is specific to the types of fungi detected and can only determine the targeted species. There is no large database of fungi in the indoor air and indoor environments at this time. Numeric standards and guidelines for fungi and airborne fungal spores are not likely to be available in the near future. Airborne fungi may change according to spatial and temporal variations. Fungi can multiply rapidly as long as nutrients and water are available. Without standards and guidelines, the current approach to the interpretation of PCR results of fungal samples relies on comparison of indoor vs. outdoor results and areas of interest vs. noninterest area results.

2 Activities: On October 15, 16, and 27, 2014 EMS provided an Environmental technician to collect PCR air samples. On October 15, 2014, 3 samples were collected inside of room 214, 3 samples were collected elsewhere in the building, and 3 samples were collected outside of the building. On October 16, samples were collected in each room 14 and 5A, and 3 samples were collected outside of the building. On October 27, samples were collected in each room 13, 14, and 15, Samples collected elsewhere in the building and outside of the building were taken for comparison purposes. Results of 10/15/14 sampling PCR analytical results for room 214 revealed similar fungal types and lower counts compared to outside the building. Results of 10/16/14 sampling PCR analytical results for room 5A revealed similar fungal types and lower counts compared to outside the building. PCR analytical results for room 14 revealed slightly elevated levels of Eurotium compared to outside the building. All other counts and fungal types were comparable to the outside of the building. Results of 10/27/14 sampling PCR analytical results for room 14 reveled similar fungal types and lower counts when compared to outside of the building samples. Eurotium was not detected in room 14 samples at this time. PRC analytical results for room 13 revealed similar fungal types and lower counts with the exceptions of Aspergillus versicolor, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis and Trichoderma viride detected inside of the room but not in outside building samples. These fungal types are moisture indicators and can be found indoors growing on paper and wood products. During the investigation it was noted that 2 aquariums in the room holding a lizard and turtles have wood chip bedding. This environment produces ideal conditions to promote these types of fungal growth. PCR analytical results for room 15 revealed similar fungal types and lower counts with the exceptions of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis being detected inside of the room compared to outside the building samples. Again during the investigation it was noted that an aquarium in the room holding a newt had wood chip bedding. This environment produces ideal conditions to promote these types of fungal growth. (See attached data sheets and spread sheets.) 2

3 RECOMMENDATIONS The initial discovery of Eurotium amstelodami in room 14 was attributed to a carpet in the room. The carpet was removed and the room cleaned. Samples collected on 10/27/14 did not reveal detectable levels of Eurotium amstelodami in room 14. Additionally the samples collected on 10/27/14 in rooms 13 and 15 revealed detectable amounts of moisture indicator molds commonly found indoors on wood and paper products. Upon further inspection of these rooms it was noted that they both have aquariums housing various animals each with wood chip bedding. These aquariums may be the source of the moisture indicator molds detected. If the overall goal is to remove possible sources for mold proliferation then items such as these aquariums and plants should be limited or removed. It is EMS of NY s opinion that the Indoor Air Quality at the dates and times of the study was acceptable for building occupancy. If you need any further assistance in this matter please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely Environmental Management Solutions of New York, Inc. Bob Friedl Senior Project Manager 3

4 For samples Collected On 10/27/2014 Summary of Sample Data Room/Location Outside Sample # Acremonium strictum 1 Alternaria alternata Aspergillus flavus Aspergillus fumigatus Aspergillus niger 1 2 Aspergillus ochraceus Aspergillus sydowii Aspergillus ustus Aspergillus versicolor 2 5 Chaetomium globosum Cladosporium cladosporioides (Type 1) Eurotium (Asp.) amstelodami Memnoniella echinata Paecilomyces variotii 1 Penicillium aurantiogriseum Penicillium brevicompactum Penicillium chrysogenum (Type 2) 2 1 Penicillium purpurogenum Penicillium variabile Scopulariopsis brevicaulis Stachybotrys chartarum Trichoderma viride 3 Ulocladium botrytis Cladosporium herbarum Numbers = Spore Equivalents No Value = Fungal type not detected in sample

5 For Samples Collected On 10/16/2014 Summary Of Sample Data Room/Location 14 5A Outside Sample # Acremonium strictum 1 Alternaria alternata Aspergillus flavus Aspergillus fumigatus Aspergillus niger 1 1 Aspergillus ochraceus 1 Aspergillus sydowii Aspergillus ustus Aspergillus versicolor Chaetomium globosum Cladosporium cladosporioides (Type 1) Eurotium (Asp.) amstelodami Memnoniella echinata Paecilomyces variotii Penicillium aurantiogriseum Penicillium brevicompactum Penicillium chrysogenum (Type 2) Penicillium purpurogenum Penicillium variabile Scopulariopsis brevicaulis Stachybotrys chartarum Trichoderma viride Ulocladium botrytis Cladosporium herbarum Numbers = Spore Equivalents No Value = Fungal type not detected in sample

6 For Sample Collected On 10/15/2014 Summary of Sample Data Room/Location 214 Inside Building Outside Building Sample # Acremonium strictum 1 Alternaria alternata Aspergillus flavus Aspergillus fumigatus Aspergillus niger Aspergillus ochraceus Aspergillus sydowii Aspergillus ustus Aspergillus versicolor Chaetomium globosum Cladosporium cladosporioides (Type 1) Eurotium (Asp.) amstelodami 9 Memnoniella echinata Paecilomyces variotii 1 Penicillium aurantiogriseum Penicillium brevicompactum Penicillium chrysogenum (Type 2) 1 1 Penicillium purpurogenum 7 Penicillium variabile Scopulariopsis brevicaulis Stachybotrys chartarum Trichoderma viride Ulocladium botrytis Cladosporium herbarum Numbers = Spore Equivalents No Value = Fungal type not detected in sample

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