DOHMH guidelines on fungi assessment and remediation, Apr 2000

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

level exposures are not expected to occur while performing remedial work.’^

Thran have been reports linking health effects in ofitice workers to offices contaminated with moldy surfaces and in residents ofhomes contaminated with fungal growth.’^’^’’’’®’’’’ Sihslt 2°Symptoms, such as fatigue, respiratory ailments, and eye irritation wore typically observed in these cases.

Some studies have suggested an association between SC and pulmonary hemorrhage/hemosiderosis in infants, generally those less than six months old. Pulmonary hemosiderosis is an uncommon condition that results from bleeding in the lungs. The cause of this condition is unknown, but may result from a combination of envirojmTTmtal contaminants and conditions (e.g., smoking, other microbial contaminants, and water-damaged homes), and currently its association with SC is unproven. 21.22.23

The focus ofthis guidance document addresses mold contamination ofbuilding components (walls, ventilation systems, support beams, etc.) that are chronically moist or water damaged. Occupants should address cormnon household sources of mold, such as mold found in bathroom tubs or between tiles with household cleaners. Moldy food (e.g., breads, fruits, etc.) should be discarded.

This document is not a legal mandate and should be used as a guideline. Currently there are no United States Federal, New York State, or New York City regulations for evaluating potential health effects of fungal contamination and remediation. These guidelines are subject to change as more information regarding fungal contaminants becomes available.

1. Health Issues 1.1 Health Effects

Inhalation of fungal spores, fragments (parts), or metabolites (e.g., mycotoxins and volatile organic compounds) from a wide variety of fungi may lead to or exacerbate immunologic (allergic) reactions, cause toxic effects, or cause infections.

There are only a limited number of documented cases ofhealth problems from indoor exposure to fungi. The intensity of exposure and health effects seen in studies of frmgal exposure in the indoor environment was typically much less severe than those that were ejqierienced by agricultural workras but were of a long-term duration.^’®’’^’*’’^^’’’^^ Ulnessra can result from both high level, short-term exposures and lower level, long-term exposurra. The most common symptoms reported from exposures in indoor environments are rurmy nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, aggravation of asthma, headache, and fatigue.”’*^’^^®

The presence of fungi on building materials as identified by a visual assessment or by bulk/surface sampling results does not necessitate that people will be exposed or exhibit health effects, in order for humans to be exposed indoom, fungal spores, fragments, or metabolites must be released into the air and inhaled, physically contacted (dermal exposure), or ingested. Whether or not symptoms develop in people exposed to fungi depends on fire nature of the fungal material (e.g., allergenic,

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