2. Mold, Water Damage and IAQ
Presented by:

3. Who we are
• Giertsen Company: Fire, Water & Wind Restoration
Specialists Since 1918
• Regional offices in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago
and Florida allow us to quickly meet the needs of our
customers.
• Giertsen Company provides services for residential,
multi-tenant, commercial and industrial devastation
throughout the region.
Visit us on the web: www.giertsenco.com
Call us any time: 888-670-1918

4. Full Service Company
Disaster often strikes unexpectedly, but you know
exactly what to expect with Giertsen…
Giertsen provides the following services:
• Emergency Services
• Reconstruction Services
• Cleaning Services
• Specialized Services
• Catastrophe Response
• Consulting
Specialized Services
• Mold Remediation
• Asbestos Abatement
• Bio-hazard Cleanup

5. Emergency Services:
24-Hour Emergency Service
• Water Mitigation
• Board-up/Security
• Dehumidification
• Monitoring Equipment
• Temp power and heat
• Deodorization
• Thermal Imaging
• Commercial Drying
• One Hour Response

6. Categories of Water:
Category 1 (Clean) Category 2 (Gray) Category 3 (Black)
• Originates from Sanitary Water • Contains significant • Grossly contaminated
Source contamination
• Can contain pathogenic,
• No substantial risk from • Has potential to cause sickness toxigenic
exposure if or other harmful agents
consumed by humans
• Examples: • Examples:
Broken water supply line • Can contain unsafe levels of Sewage
Tub or sink overflow microorganisms as well as other Toilet backflows from beyond
Broken toilet tanks organic or inorganic materials trap
Appliance malfunctions Ground surface water
Melting ice or snow • Examples: Water from rivers or streams
Falling rainfall Discharge from dishwashers Wind-driven rain from heavy
Overflows from soiled toilet storms
• Once Category 1 water leaves bowls
the Seepage due to hydrostatic • Such water may contain silt,
exit point, it may not remain press. organic matter, pesticides,
clean Broken aquariums heavy
once it contacts other surfaces Punctured water beds metals, regulated metals, or
or toxic
materials. • Category 2 water cleanliness organic substances
can
deteriorate for many reasons –
The cleanliness of water changeswith building materials
contact over time and requires a prompt response!
Proper and aggressive drying methods hinder amplification!

7. Amplification time-line
To prevent amplification of microorganisms, prompt response
is necessary for all categories of water intrusion.
A Categories of Water Damage B The Effect of Time on C The Effect of Time on Microbial
Microbial Growth Growth by Category
Cl eanl ines s of Water Sourc e (Categories )
Cleanlines s of Wat er Sourc e (Categories )
3
3 Category 3 (Black) Category 3 (Black)
2 Category 2 (Gray) 2 Category 2 (Grey)
Category 1 (Clean) 1
Category 1 (Clean)
1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Time Elapsed (Days) Time Elapsed (Days)
A Whether water is categorized as B … it is not responded to promptly, C With the passage of time,
clean, grey or black, when there microorganisms will amplify. While microorganisms present in any
is a water intrusion and … the amplification will not be immediately category of water intrusion will
noticeable, the greater the length of time, begin to amplify.
the greater the amplification.
FACT: Bacteria and mold spores are always present in the indoor
environment.
Reprinted with the permission of IICRC S500 Technical Editor; Howard Wolf of HW3 Consulting, Richfield, WI

8. Classes of water:
Class 1 (least amount of water, absorption and evaporation)
• Water losses that affect only part of a room or area
• Large areas with materials that have absorbed minimal moisture
• Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion present
Class 2 (large amount of water, absorption and evaporation)
• Water losses that affect at least an entire room of carpet and cushion
• Water has wicked up walls less than 24”
• Moisture remaining in structural materials
Class 3 (greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation)
• Water may have come from overhead
• Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion and sub-floor saturated
Class 4 (specialty drying situations)
• Consist of wet materials with very low permeance/porosity
• Hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, lightweight concrete and stone
• Typically deep pockets of saturation which require very low specific humidity
• May require longer drying times and special methods

9. Category 1, Class 4, 2
days
Proper Aggressive Drying Methods

10. IAQ True or False
 All or most IAQ issues or problems are a result
of someone’s imagination or hypochondria.
 All of people’s ills and problems (even
behavioral) are caused by poor air quality.
 Comparing air quality sampling results with
occupational standards is a good means of
determining if a problem exists.
 Conducting many different types of sampling
will determine what the cause is.

11. Conduct an Inspection
 What is the source?
 Map the moisture paths
 Adjoining spaces?
 Likelihood of second occurrence?
 Moisture detection devices?

12. Scope of IAQ Problems
Health care costs attributable
to poor IAQ are in the
neighborhood of $15 billion
per year
Ref: American Medical Association

13. IAQ Drivers
 Exposure to IAQ contaminants has increased dramatically in the
recent past
 People are more informed and have become more particulate in
expecting a safe, healthy and comfortable working environment
 Litigation around IAQ has become the fastest growing area in
tort law today
 IAQ standards and codes have come into existence
 IAQ regulation and legislation has been proposed and is on the
horizon

14.  Bioaerosols
 Airborne particles that are living, or
originate from living organisms (ACGIH
Bioaerosols, 1999)
 Bioaerosols include
 Microorganisms
 Fragments of microorganisms
 Toxins & particulate waste products from
all varieties of living things

15. ACGIH
 Defines the term Biologically
Derived Airborne Contaminant as:
 “Bioaerosols, gases, and vapors that
living organisms produce.”

16. Surrounded by Microbes
& Bioaerosols
 Sources include
 Fungi (Molds & Yeasts)
 Bacteria
 Viruses
 Protozoa
 Dust mites
 People have adapted to most
 When exposed, react differently

17. Fungi
Multi-cellular organisms that feed and decompose dead organic
matter.
Approximately 70,000 species of fungi have been described
and include mushrooms, mildew, mold, puff balls.
Fungi are important because . . .
decompose dead organic materials to recycle nutrients back into the eco
system
production of food, antibiotics and other chemicals
helps plant roots to absorb nutrients from soil and protects the roots
help to maintain a strong ecosystem

18. Fungi - Molds
 When supplied with a carbon source
such as glucose, fungi can synthesize
their own proteins, most amino acids
and vitamins if nitrogen and essential
minerals are available. Carbon sources
include:
 Skin flakes
 Paper on sheetrock
 Plants
 Food products

19. Fungi & IAQ
 Fungi are typically found both indoors
and outdoors
 There are over 100,000 known
species of fungi

20. Fungi can be a problem when. .
Cause disease in agricultural products -
harmful to plants, animals and humans.
Grow on or in buildings and building furnishings -
harmful to building and occupants.
Allergies to mold develop.
Cause disease in people - especially those with
weak immune systems.

21.  The simple presence of airborne fungal
spores or fragments indoors is cause for
concern when
 The species and rank order of
concentration magnitude is signi-ficantly
dissimilar with concurrent outdoor samples
 The source of the sampled indoor
concentrations is from an indoor microbial
amplification site
 Potential “high-risk” fungal species were
identified

22. Fungal Amplification
 How does it occur indoors?
 Porous building products often contain
organic materials
 When these products become wet or
moist (flooding, condensation, high RH
%), existing fungi embedded on or in
the products begin to grow

23. Four Requirements
for Fungal Growth
 Spores
 Nutrients
 Time
 Moisture

24. Fungal Amplification
 “Musty/moldy” odors are result of
microbial volatile organic compounds
(MVOC)
 Fungi will continue to grow until
sources of moisture or nutrients are
removed from amplification site
 Effective remediation strategies
require both thorough cleaning and
moisture control

25. Fungus Among
Us . . .
 Other fungi commonly found in
problematice indoor environments
 Aspergillus
 Penicillium
 Alternia
 Fusarium
 Ulocladium
 Chaetomium & a host of others

26. Health Effects Associated with
Fungal Exposure
 Fungi have been raised as one of the possible causes of
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), which has been
frequently reported. Symptoms of SBS can include:
 Eye irritation (itching &  Headache
watering eyes)  Nausea
 Nasal irritation, nasal  Drowsiness, tiredness
congestion  Reduced mental capacity,
 Throat irritation mental fatigue
 Cough, wheeze  Changed sensation of odor
 Hoarseness, changed voice or taste
 Skin irritation (stinging
sensation, itching, dry skin)

27. Health Effects Associated with
Fungal Exposure
 The symptoms of SBS are non-specific and have been
associated with many factors, including temperature
and humidity.
 Overall, the health effects associated with mold
exposure are generally separated into four categories:
 Irritation
 Allergy
 Infection
 Toxicosis

28. Microbes, Bioaerosols & the
Indoor Environment
 High Relative Humidity (RH%)
 Microbial Amplification Sites – Active
growth
 Microbial Reservoirs – Deposition
without active growth

29. In the Microbial
Remediation
Industry
 Primarily focused on Fungi & Bacteria
contaminating the indoor environment

30. On Wall Materials

31. On Roof Decking

32. Behind Base Coving

33. Water Infiltration

34. Ventilation

35. Ventilation

36. Duct Work

37. Good IAQ???
Temperature and humidity within range that most occupants
satisfied
Airborne pollutants generated within space (copiers, printers,
cleaning products) are purged by adequate air exchange
Carbon dioxide levels do not point to major ventilation concerns
Airborne pollutants that are not indigenous to the space are not
present
Ventilation system provides adequate/uniform air movement to
avoid perception of stuffiness
Most occupants do not experience health concerns

38. Causes of IAQ Problems
 HVAC  Cleaning/maintenance
chemicals
 Mold Contamination
 Cleaning practices
 Construction/remodeling
(VOCs, dust)  Deferred Maintenance
 Improper use of area  Individual sensitivities
 Building materials (e.g.,  Indoor sources
gypsum)

39. Determining Extent of the
Problem
 Documenting areas of water damage
 Visually
 Moisture Meter
 Record materials damaged or suspected
to be
 Gypsum board
 Carpet
 Furnishings
 Sampling to determine the extent of
contamination
 Air samples (documents potential occupant exposure)
 Bulk material
 Rodac contact
 Tease Tape

40. Objective:
 Eliminate the effects of the contamination
on building occupants, contents, and
structural materials, in such a fashion as to
not subject them to further potential harm
 There is no one right method . . . .

41. Microbial
Remediation
 Remediation equipment
 Remediation techniques
 Remediation products & materials
 Microbial remediation of HVAC systems

42. Remediation Equipment
 Negative air machines / air scrubbers
 HEPA vacuums
 Solution application equipment
 Pump sprayers
 Flo-jet type pumps
 Airless sprayers
 Pressure pots

43. Remediation Equipment
 Drying/dehumidification equipment
 Extraction equipment
 Power hand tools
 Sanders – Power saws
 Drills – Demolition hammers
 Demolition tools
 Hand tools

44. Products & Materials
 Anti-microbial agents
 Use subject to FIFRA (Federal),State, &
Local regulations
 Containment materials
 Other

45. Products & Materials
Anti-Microbial Agents
 Biocides
 Generally provide short-term kill of microbes
 Anti-microbial treatments & coatings
 For long-term inhibition of microbial amplification
on treated surfaces
 Both regulated federally under FIFRA & subject
to additional state & local regulations
 Encapsulants
 Provide no significant anti-microbial properties,
but act as sealer

46. Anti-Microbial Agents
 Commonly used biocides for microbial
remediation work include
 Sodium hypochlorite (bleach solution)
 Chlorine dioxide (Oxine™)
 Quaternary ammonium compounds

47. Anti-Microbial Agents
 Other commonly used biocides for
microbial remediation
 Iodine
 Peroxide
 Ethylene oxide
 Gluteraldhyde
 Phenol-based products
 Alcohol

48. Surface Treatments
 Commonly used for microbial remediation
 Aegis MicrobeShield™
 Foster Products 40-20
 Microban
 Portercept
 Tuff Coat or Super Seal
 Kilz Primer
 Bullseye Primer

49. EPA Terms for
Anti-Microbial Agents
 Sterilizer
 Any chemical or physical process used to
destroy all living organisms in water or on the
surface of various materials
 Disinfectant
 Any chemical or process that destroys more
than 99% of microorganisms capable of causing
human disease. May not kill all spores on
inanimate surfaces

50. EPA Terms for
Anti-Microbial Agents
 Sanitizer
 An agent that reduces the number of
microorganisms to safe levels as judged
by public health requirements
 Deodorizer
 A chemical or gas that covers, modifies,
removes or destroys odor causing agents

51. Other Remediation
Products & Materials
 Lay flat hose, flex duct, rigid duct
 Disposal bags (heavy poly, 4-6 mil)
 Disposable cloths / wipes
 Vacuum filters

52. Other Remediation
Products & Materials
 Gloves  Painters tape
 Respirator filters  Nylon tie straps
 Disposable coveralls  Replacement blades
 ??????

53. Remediation Techniques
 Typical remediation techniques include
 HEPA contact vacuuming of surfaces or items
 Controlled demolition and/or removal of
contaminated materials
 Hand wiping / washing of surfaces or items
 Wet extraction of surfaces or items followed by
accelerated moisture removal process

54. Remediation Techniques
 Typical remediation techniques include
 Fumigation, etc. of salvaged items
 Scraping, sanding or planing of semi-porous
surfaces free of embedded microbial growth
 Application of anti-microbial surface treatments to
remaining materials or items as a final step

55. HEPA Contact Vacuuming
 Vacuuming remaining surfaces free of
accumulated particulate is a key
component of successful remediation
 HEPA
 Filtered canister vacuums with assorted brush
attachments

56. Hand Wiping / Washing
 Non-porous or semi-porous surfaces and
items are detailed by hand wiping with
disposable, treated cloths
 Non-porous surfaces may be wet cleaned
using a surfactant and/or a sanitizing
agent

57. Controlled Demolition of
Contaminated Materials
 Contaminated materials are isolated in a
work area with appropriate Environmental
Engineering Controls
 Materials & debris are removed in a
controlled fashion
 Removed materials are properly sealed
for removal & transport

60. Scraping/Sanding of
Contaminated Materials
 Contaminated materials are isolated in a
work area with appropriate Environmental
Engineering Controls
 Loose dust & debris are then HEPA-
vacuumed from the material’s surface
 Embedded microbial growth is physically
removed via scraping or sanding
 Removed debris & particulate is collected

61. Application of Anti-
Microbial Surface
Treatments
 Contaminated semi-porous surfaces (e.g.
wood framing members, sub-floors, etc.)
are often salvageable, providing
 Moisture source has been corrected
 Loose debris & significant microbial
amplification has been physically removed
 Material has been dried to normal state

62. Application of Anti-
Microbial Surface
Treatments
 In remediation process, anti-microbial
coatings or surface treatments are often
applied to remaining surfaces as a “Final
Step”
 A number of specialty anti-microbial
products are being used in Microbial
Remediation industry

65. Microbial Contamination in
HVAC Systems
 Requires higher degree of precision than
typical “duct cleaning” methods
 Determine the HVAC system’s role in
microbial contamination
 Is HVAC system the (or a) contamination
source (Microbial Amplification Site, OR
 Is contamination in HVAC system deposition
from other areas (Microbial Reservoir)

66. Microbial Contamination
in HVAC Systems
 Correct HVAC problems that are leading to
microbial amplification
 Negative pressurization must be maintained
within HVAC system throughout remediation
process
 Proper Environmental Engineering Controls
must be utilized to prevent occupant exposure
and cross-contamination

67. Abatement Procedures
Level I: Small Areas (<2 sq. ft.)
 Clean-up by  Spray down with
Maintenance Staff 10% bleach
 Trained in cleaning,  Clean
protection, health surrounding
effects areas with bleach
 Free from allergy,  Place materials in
asthma, etc. sealed bags
 Respiratory  Disposal
Protection?
Personal Protection?

68. Abatement Procedures
Level III: Large-Scale Remediation (>30 sq.
ft.)
 Personnel trained in  HEPA-vacuum
hazardous materials before removing
barriers
 Containment of
affected area  Respiratory &
personal protection
 Place material in
double-sealed  Air monitoring
plastic bags

69. An IAQ Management Plan Helps to
Organize Specific Occupant Needs
 Documents IAQ complaints of occupants –
effective communication
 Provides policies & procedures for
addressing changes to the tenant spaces or
building w/remodeling, etc.
 Helps to define O & M and
housekeeping procedures
 Reinforces good IAQ practices,
such as no smoking

70. Implementation of the IAQ
Plan
 Conduct initial walk-through or
evaluation of building
 Organize health & safety committees to
meet periodically
 Record and log occupant complaints –
respond appropriately
 Begin training building staff
to specific responsibilities

71. “Rome wasn’t built in a day”
 An IAQ management plan requires
commitment
 Patience
 Clear communication between management
& tenant
 Positions the building management in good
legal
and ethical standing with the tenants
 Provides a safe working
environment

72. Questions ????
Contact Information
Kevin Giertsen, Giertsen Company
Phone: 888-670-1918
www.giertsenco.com