2019-193-E AMS - Sasser Companies ES remediation

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DocuSi n Envelope ID: B94F2D40-3B3C-47A7-86C2-6F1 B4F92C62C E tnvironmentai 3omuons uroup Leading people,companies and communities to live, Report with Protocols for Re m e d i a t i o n work and prosper in a sustainable environment. Refer to lab reports below. Descriptions of fungal types significant to the air and surface laboratory findings: Aspergillus/Penicillium-like is considered a fungal pathogen, can cause adverse health reactions in some immune compromised or allergic individuals, and is often identified at low amounts outdoors and trace amounts indoors. Ascospores, Basidiospores, Cladosporium, Curvularia, and Pithomyces fungal types are considered allergenic, and are plentiful outdoors and often identified at low amounts indoors. Indoor Air Quality and Biological Contaminants: ASHRAE 62.1 defines acceptable indoor air quality as "air in which there are no known contaminants as determined by cognizant authorities and with which a substantial majority(80%or more) of people exposed do not express dissatisfaction." Indoor air biocontamination can be defined as an accumulation of a variety of biological agents and/or their byproducts on a surface, with the potential to become airborne and induce allergenic, infectious, or toxic responses in exposed individuals. Biocontaminants may include, but are not limited to, bacteria,fungi, protozoa, microbial toxins, pollens, dust mites and insect parts. Biocontamination due to moisture can lead to exposure to fungal particles not found in outdoor air. These particles contain allergens,triple helical glucan and co-occurring toxins that are associated with exacerbation of asthma and upper respiratory disease. Recent panels have found that the remediation of moisture and microbial growth in public buildings was justified in terms of improved public health. Air Sample Findings: Air samples to be analyzed for total airborne spores were collected at the office 2 (at breathing height), office 2 (at the floor by the front wall),the kitchen, and outdoors for comparison purposes. The samples were collected using Micro-5 cassettes connected to a calibrated Buck Libra low-flow sampling pump for collection of total fungal spores,viable and non-viable, which provides a reliable profile of airborne fungi within 24 hours of collection. Below are the significant findings: The air samples showed the presence of the pathogenic fungi Aspergillus/Penicillium in every indoor air sample except for in the warehouse (16 indoor air samples were collected).This fungi was at low/normal (below 650) amounts in all of the samples except for in the EOC(1,880 count), Rm 119 (1,240 count), Rm 124 (680 count), and Rm 135 (1,680 count). This type of fungi may create adverse health affects in immune compromised or allergic individuals, and ESG generally recommends keeping the levels below 650 counts in homes, and at even lower counts in office spaces. Note: Airborne fungal spore counts will likely increase as the humidity issues fluctuate or are repaired, allowing for microbial spores to detach from the humid surfaces. Other types of allergenic fungi were identified at low/normal levels indoors. Refer to the lab results below. Observation: All of the fungal air counts in the building except for the EOC, Rm 119, Rm 124, and Rm 135 registered close to a normal airborne fungal spectrum. However, the overall amount of visible suspect microbial growth,the elevated humidity measurements,the wet exterior facing walls/windows, and the strong fungal-like odor throughout the building indicate a condition where microbial spores are likely actively growing, and therefore not dispersing in large airborne amounts. During the growing period, microbial spores such as Aspergillus/Penicillium and Cladosporium may produce mycotoxins Environmental Solutions Group • 1000 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27401 * 336-373-1538 • www.Go-ESG.com