Safety Precautions When Dealing with Mold/Lead
- Wear rubber gloves or vinyl gloves when handling moldy materials.
- Wear appropriate clothing and shoes, including eye protection; during clean up of the area.
- Wear appropriate P100 particulate respirator, listed in the Cambridge Specifications Sheet.
- Turn off all HVAC equipment.
- Exercise caution around any electrical equipment or fixtures.
- Make sure the area is well ventilated at all times during the removal process. Do not fan an area where mold is present or suspected.
- Read and follow the instructions and safety data sheets (MSDS) of all chemicals used.
- HEPA vacuum clean the entire work area at completion. (HEPA vacuums are available at The Home Depot or similar hardware/home center type stores.)
- Wipe clean all surfaces in the work area at completion of the cleaning and removal process.
- Wash hands thoroughly and HEPA vacuum all clothes during any break and at completion of the clean up project.
Humidity
Webster’s defines humidity as: a moderate degree of wetness especially of the atmosphere. Basically, humidity is how much water is in the air. As we all know, water, or moisture, is one of the two key components that mold needs to grow, the other being organic materials, especially ones containing cellulose. In our industry, testing for humidity becomes important when tracing the possible sources of a mold outbreak in one of our structures.
When mold is brought about because of a leaky toilet, a clogged downspout, or a leaky supply line under a sink, the source of moisture is obvious, and more often than not, the remedy is simple to determine. Many times, though, moisture is present, but the source is elusive. Ventilation (or lack thereof,) temperature, and relative humidity are three variables that become important in the hunt to determine the source of moisture. Relative humidity is the ratio of the amount of water vapor actually present in the air to the greatest amount possible at the same temperature.
Whoa… Wait… What? Yeah, I said that same thing. Let’s try to make this easier to understand.
One fact that’s important to know when determining problems with humidity, is that the warmer the temperature of the air, the more water vapor it can hold before condensing on the surfaces of the room, such as walls, windows, or ceilings.
Using a hygrometer, which is a device that measures temperature and relative humidity, we can get a measurement of how warm a room is, and also find the relative humidity of that same room. Let’s use an example.
Responding to a work order in unit 2222, we use our hygrometer and find the temperature in the living area is 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and the relative humidity is 45%. This means, that at a temperature of 68 degrees, the air currently has 45% of the total water vapor that it can hold at that temperature.
This may sound like a lot of moisture in the air, but humidity below 30% can lead to discomfort (dry skin and nose) and lower levels of relative humidity can cause wood to shrink, paint to crack, and static electricity to discharge. Levels above 60% to 70% can lead to problems with mold and mildew. So, for any given temperature, a relative humidity between 30% and 50% is acceptable. Remember, if the temperature drops, and that same amount of humidity stays in the room, the relative humidity will increase, as the cooler air cannot hold as much water vapor.
Hydrosensors
When responding to a work order for mold and mildew, the site staff should always bring two pieces of equipment. One is a Hydrosensor, to check for saturated surfaces, and the other is a hygrometer, to check temperature and relative humidity. This can help determine if the cause of the mold is caused by lifestyle or a lack of ventilation if the source of moisture is not apparent. Always document the temperature and relative humidity of the room or rooms on the work order. This will help track the cause of the mold or mildew.
Another example – In unit 2112, there are five occupants living in a two bedroom apartment, and they complain of mold on the wall by the living room window. The residents like to be frugal, and save money by keeping their heat bills to a minimum. They keep the blinds closed, to help insulate their windows. The temperature of the unit is 65 degrees, and there is a relative humidity of 72%. There are no leaks that can be found, but the window has condensation. Determining the relative humidity of the unit helps us understand that the air just cannot hold all the water vapor, and it’s collecting on the colder surfaces, such as the window and the outside wall. Some things that may help the situation are:
- Turning on the heat – higher temperatures can absorb more water vapor
- Opening the blinds – ventilation is important and closing the binds keeps the circulating air from helping to keep water from condensing.
- Keep the window weep holes clean – This will allow moisture that has collected to exit the unit
- Proper ventilation – be sure bath fans and vented range hood fans are in use, and are clean and properly working, but if the range hood fan is not vented, remember that the moisture from cooking will stay in the unit until ventilated by some other means. Often, this is just by opening a window for a period of time, although that can be hard to do during winter months.
- Installing a dehumidifier can be a good, short term solution by quickly removing the moisture, but long term lifestyle changes must happen to keep the moisture levels down By documenting that the temperature is 64 degrees, and the relative humidity of this unit is 72%, this will help create a record that the mold or mildew is created by the resident’s lifestyle, and proper education is the key to solving the issue. It is vital that we work with residents to help them understand how to keep moisture at an acceptable level inside their apartments.Some common causes of moisture:
- Multiple persons – Four people will produce three gallons of water vapor a day
- Cooking for long periods of time on high heat
- Keeping the windows shut
- Trying to save on energy bills by not using heat
- Not using the bath fan after showering
- Keeping blinds and doors shut
- Pushing objects, such as furniture or boxes against exterior walls
- Overfilling closets
Remember, using a Hydrosensor, and a hygrometer and documenting the results when responding to work orders involving mold or moisture is of paramount importance, and is one of your best tools in the education of your residents.