MSES consultants, inc. 609 West Main Street P.O. Drawer 190 Clarksburg, WV 26302-0190 304.624.9700 304.622.0981 304.842.3325 http://www.msesinc.com Office December 5, 2013 Project Number: 13-441 Mr. Joe Ammons Maintenance Director Harrison County Schools 408 E.B. Saunders Way Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301 Report of Follow-Up Airborne Fungal Sampling Washington Irving Middle School Harrison County Schools Dear Mr. Ammons: Per the request of the Harrison County Board of Education, MSES Consultants, Inc. (MSES) performed follow-up airborne fungal sampling on November 4, 2013 at the Washington Irving Middle School upon completion of cleaning of previously identified classrooms within the building which showed elevated concentrations of fungi or the presence of undesirable fungal species. Previous fungal sampling was performed by MSES on October 17, 2013. The following sections of this report provide specific information concerning the fungal sampling performed by MSES. Fungal Air Sampling In order to determine the effectiveness of the recommended cleaning of selected classrooms, MSES performed air sampling in these areas of the school. The locations to be included in the follow-up air sampling were determined by the analytical results for the previous sampling performed by MSES on October 17, 2013. Classrooms which were found to have elevated airborne fungal concentrations (based on outdoor fungal levels) or to have undesirable fungal species present were included in the
Mr. Joe Ammons 2 December 5, 2013 sampling. The air samples were collected using a high volume air sampling pump fitted with an Anderson single stage impactor and the appropriate agar plates for fungi. The samples were collected at a flow rate of 28.3 liters per minute for a period of 3 minutes resulting in a sample volume of 75 liters. Upon completion of the air sampling, the samples were submitted under chain of custody to Pure Earth Environmental Laboratory for quantification and identification of fungi. Airborne fungal samples were collected in the following areas of the school. Room 307 Room 308 Room 210 Room 205 Room 207 Room 103 One (1) air sample was also collected outside the building to establish a baseline for ambient fungal concentrations. Analysis Results The following table provides a summary of the analytical results for the airborne fungal samples collected by MSES at Washington Irving Middle School on November 4, 2013. Sample Location Fungal Species Identified Concentration (CFU/m3) Room 308 Aspergillus versicolor, Cladosporium, Curvularia, (WIMS-1-11-4) Mucor, Non-sporulating fungi 82 Room 307 Aspergillus versicolor, Cladosporium, Curvularia, (WIMS-2-11-4) 247 Room 205 Arthrographis Like, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Nonsporulating fungi,, Yeast (WIMS-3-11-4) 153 Room 207 Ustilago, Aspergillus sydowii, Cladosporium, Nonsporulating fungi (WIMS-4-11-4) 94 Room 210 Acremonium, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, (WIMS-5-11-4) 94 Room 103 Arthrographis Like, Cladosporium, Non-sporulating (WIMS-6-11-4) fungi, 130 Outside Acremonium, Arthrographis like, Cladosporium, (WIMS-7-11-4) 271
Mr. Joe Ammons 3 December 5, 2013 Indoor concentrations of airborne fungi were found to be less than the outdoor concentration in all of the areas sampled. An Aspergillus species of fungi was identified in three of the six classrooms included in the follow-up sampling. While some fungal species which were not seen on the outdoor sample were identified indoors at minimal concentrations, the majority of the spores were found to be present outdoors. The attached analytical report provides specific information concerning the analysis of the air samples collected by MSES. The following paragraphs provide a brief description of the fungal species identified on the air samples. Cladosporium Cladosporium is a common to outdoor environments and may be present in high concentrations in water damaged buildings. It is considered to be allergenic and can lead to sinusitis and pulmonary infections. Cladosporium is not expected to cause significant health issues in normally healthy individuals. is one of the most common genera of fungi. It is typically found outdoors and can grow indoors if suitable conditions are present. It is considered to be allergenic with certain species capable of producing toxins. Generally, it is not considered to be a significant health issue at low concentrations. Curvularia Curvularia is a fungus typically found in plants and soils. It can be grow on paper and wood products under the right environmental conditions. It is considered to be a Type I (hay fever and asthma) and is a relatively common cause of allergic fungal sinusitis. It is also considered to be an opportunistic pathogen and may result in pneumonia and other health concerns in immuned compromised individuals.
Mr. Joe Ammons 4 December 5, 2013 Yeast Yeast is a common fungi typically found in plants and soils. Some species of yeast are considered to be an opportunistic pathogen in immune compromised individuals. It is also associated with food spoilage. Arthrographis Like Arthrographis is a fungus found in soil, compost, and dead vegetation. It is considered to be allergenic as well as an opportunistic pathogen in individuals with weakened immune systems but is not expected to cause health issues in reasonably healthy individuals. Aspergillus The Aspergillus species of fungi is commonly found outdoors in soil and plant debris. Indoors, it can grow on a wide range of substrates and is most prevalent in water damaged buildings. It is considered to be allergenic and can result in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in asthmatic and cystic fibrosis patients, aspergillus sinusitis, and invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. It is also considered to be an opportunistic pathogen potentially resulting in aspergilloma and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in individuals with lung disease. Mucor Epicoccum nigrum is a fungus commonly found in plant debris and soil. Indoors, suitable substrates for growth include paper products and textiles. It is considered to be a Type I allergen and may result in asthma and hay fever in susceptible individuals. It is not known to be an opportunistic pathogen. Non-Sporulating Fungi Rhodotorula is typically found in the air, dairy products, fruit juices, soil and water. Indoor suitable substrates include carpeting, cooling coils, humidifiers, and water tanks. It is considered to be an allergen as well as an opportunistic pathogen in immune compromised individuals but is not expected to cause health issues in reasonably healthy individuals.
Mr. Joe Ammons 5 December 5, 2013 Ustilago Ustilago is a fungi which is found in cereal crops, grasses, and as mycoparasites of other fungi. They are commonly seen in the outdoor environment. They are considered to be a Type I allergen and may potentially result in hay fever or asthma in susceptible individuals. Their status as an opportunistic pathogen is unknown. Acremonium Acremonium is a fungi which is typically found outdoors in decaying or dead plant material and soils. Indoors, it is associated with food and wet cellulose. It is considered to be a Type I and III allergen which may result in hay fever, asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. It is also an opportunistic pathogen which is known to cause infections in immunodeficient patients and individuals with wound injuries. Aureobasidium Aureobasidium is a common outdoor fungi found in soils, plants, and fresh water. Indoors, it can be found in damp areas including kitchens and bathrooms and is often found on painted surfaces and textiles. It can also be found on human skin. It is considered to be a Type I and III allergen which may result in asthma, hay fever, and hypersensitivity. It is also considered to be a skin irritant which may potentially lead to dermatitis. Aureobasidium is considered to be an opportunistic pathogen for individuals with immune deficiencies or respiratory conditions. In summary, most of the fungal species identified are common to the outdoor environment and considered to be allergens. While these species may result in hay fever, asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis in susceptible individuals, they are not considered to be significant health concerns to normally healthy individuals. Those species identified as opportunistic pathogens may result in health concerns to immune compromised individuals or individuals with open wounds.
Mr. Joe Ammons 6 December 5, 2013 Conclusions When performing fungal assessments within a building, it is important to understand that airborne fungal spores are very common to indoor environments. Fungal spores originating outdoors easily migrate indoors through open windows, open doors, HVAC air intakes, and even on clothing. The abundance of fungal spores in the outdoor environment makes it very difficult if not impossible to prevent these spores from entering a building. Therefore, the fact that airborne fungal spores were identified within the school does not indicate that the building is unsafe for students or staff. Health issues relating to fungi occur when growth occurs. When spores come in contact with water impacted materials, fungal growth can occur. Fungal growth often results in the release of additional spores which can spread to other areas. Prompt response to identified fungal growth can prevent the release of fungal spores and the potential for growth in other areas as a result of these spores becoming airborne. Indoor fungal concentrations identified by the follow-up air sampling performed at Washington Irving Middle School were less than ambient fungal concentrations in all areas sampled. Most of the fungal species identified within the building were also identified outside the building which would indicate that the source of the fungi within the building is the outdoor environment. In addition, the fungal concentrations found in the classrooms showed a significant decrease in concentration when compared to previous air sampling results in all areas except Room 307 which showed a minimal increase in fungal concentration. Aspergillus species of fungi was identified within three (3) classrooms at minimal concentrations. While the presence of Aspergillus species warrants additional action, it does not present an immediate health risk to building occupants with no pre-existing respiratory conditions or immune deficiencies. Based upon the information gathered during this fungal assessment at Washington Irving Middle School, MSES would make the following recommendations:
Mr. Joe Ammons 7 December 5, 2013 Classrooms 207, 307, and 308 should be thoroughly cleaned with a 10% bleach/water solution to remove any residual fungal spores. All non-permeable surfaces including walls, floors, desks, etc. should be cleaned. Upon completion of the cleaning activities, MSES would recommend that additional air sampling be performed in each of these areas to verify the effectiveness of the cleaning. Due to the operating characteristics of the HVAC units within the classrooms, the classroom doors should remain closed as much as possible to allow the units to provide a maximum number of air changes within the classroom. Opening of the doors increases the amount of air and results in inefficient operation of the HVAC units. Summary The conclusions and recommendations presented in this report are based upon the information gathered during performance of the fungal assessment and the conditions present within the school during the site visits performed by MSES. Should you have any questions concerning the information provided in this report or need any additional information, please contact me or John Keeling at (304) 624-9700. Respectfully submitted, Allen R. Cutlip, C.I.H., C.S.P. Safety/Industrial Hygiene Coordinator