Indoor Air Quality Investigation Mold Sampling

Barnard School South Hampton, NH 2015

320 Hemlock Lane, Barrington, NH 03825 ph 603-664-5500 fax 603-664-5600 www.denvironmental.com

Indoor Air Quality Investigation – Mold Sampling Barnard School- South Hampton, NH

June 2015 Page 2

June 11, 2015 Barnard School 219 Main Ave. South Hampton,NH 03827 Re; Airborne Mold Sampling - Barnard School On May 6, 2015, Desmarais Environmental, Inc. conducted an Indoor Air Quality Investigation consisting of a visual inspection and airborne mold sampling in Barnard School in South Hampton, New Hampshire. The Indoor Air Quality Investigation consisted of a visual inspection of the area and collecting bioaerosol air samples inside the area of concern as well as an inside and outside control sample for mold. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Mold Molds are a natural and important part of our environment. They are ubiquitous and are found virtually everywhere. They produce tiny spores to reproduce. These spores can be found in both indoor and outdoor air and on indoor and outdoor surfaces. When mold spores land on a damp surface, they may begin growing and digesting whatever surface they are on in order to survive, leading to adverse conditions. While it is generally accepted that molds can be allergenic and can lead to adverse health conditions in susceptible people, unfortunately there are no widely accepted or regulated interpretive standards or numerical guidelines for the interpretation of microbial data. Currently, there are no widely accepted protocols or regulations regarding biological air sampling. It is known that some bacteria and fungal spores can cause disease only when they are alive (viable), while others are capable of producing allergies or irritation even when they no longer are living (non-viable). Also, while cultures may permit greater accuracy in speciating some fungal organisms present, spores vary widely in their ability to grow and compete on laboratory media. This may result in an inaccurate characterization of the area sampled. Therefore, a complete sampling protocol for the biological flora in any environment uses both a culturable and non-culturable sampling method. There are times when this is not possible due to time and budget constraints. In these cases, a non-culturable spore trap sample provides a more accurate “snapshot” of the air and is usually the best choice when only one air sampling method can be used. According to The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) “data from individual sampling episodes is often interpreted with respect to baseline data from other environments or the same environment.” In the absence of established acceptable exposure limits, it is often necessary to use a comparison standard when interpreting data. Weather conditions, at the time of sampling, affect the interpretation of the data. Sampling on rainy, foggy or very humid days may result in outdoor counts which are low or have a significantly different distribution of spore types. Rain washes the air clean of many spores while it assists in the dispersion of others. Generally, rainy day microflora differs from dry, sunny microflora in that levels of Ascospores and Basidiospores may be increased (sometimes greatly increased). Non-viable methods will reflect this directly with increased counts of Ascospores and Basidiospores. Culturable sampling may result in increased counts of “non-sporulating” colonies since many Ascospores and Basidiospores will not sporulate in culture. Sampling on days when there are strong winds will result in 320 Hemlock Lane, Barrington, NH 03825 ph 603-664-5500 fax 603-664-5600 www.denvironmental.com

Indoor Air Quality Investigation – Mold Sampling Barnard School- South Hampton, NH

June 2015 Page 3

significantly higher outside counts than on non-windy days. High outdoor counts may mask small to moderate indoor mold problems since the interpretation is often made on the basis of a ratio of indoor/outdoor spore counts. In addition to biological air sampling, surface samples are taken by tape lift imprint. The primary purpose of a tape lift sample is to determine whether or not mold is growing on the surface sampled, and if so, what kinds of molds are present. Secondarily, most surfaces collect a mix of spores which are normally present in the environment. At times it is possible to note a skewing of normal distribution of spore types, and also to note “marker” genera which may indicate indoor mold growth. In addition, when mold growth is present indoors, many more spores of a particular type will be found trapped on surfaces. These spores may be in forms which indicate recent spore release (close proximity), such as spores in chains or clumps. Marker genera are those spore types which are present normally in very small numbers, but which multiply indoors when conditions are favorable for growth. These would include cellulose digestors such as Chaetomium, Stachybotrys, and Torula. While a single Stachybotrys spore is occasionally seen as part of the normal outdoor flora, finding 5 or 6 of these spores on a single tape lift imprint of a surface is an indicator of an indoor growth source. SAMPLING METHODOLOGIES Air Samples - Spore Trap Device The Allergenco-D sampling cassette was developed for the sampling and collection of aeroallergens and bioaerosols for quantitative analysis of mold spores, pollen, skin fragments, insects, combustion particles, toners, environmental dusts, construction dusts and other airborne particulates. The Allergenco-D employs a patented laminar flow venturi which provides higher readable collection efficiency as well as a more well defined impaction trace, helping to reduce analysis time.

320 Hemlock Lane, Barrington, NH 03825 ph 603-664-5500 fax 603-664-5600 www.denvironmental.com

Indoor Air Quality Investigation – Mold Sampling Barnard School- South Hampton, NH

June 2015 Page 4

LABORATORY ANALYTICAL METHOD Air Samples - Spore Trap Device All air samples collected were forwarded to EMLab P&K located in Marlton, New Jersey. EMLab P&K is a NVLAP and AIHA-accredited laboratory that specializes in the analysis of air and surface samples for mold, fungi, bacteria and other allergens. The sample is directly mounted under the microscope and the various airborne particles detected are counted at a minimum of 200X magnification and up to 1000X magnification, with the entire impaction trace (100% of the sample) being analyzed at 200X or 600X. This method does not differentiate between viable and nonviable fungal spores. This technique does not allow for the differentiation between Aspergillus and Penicillium spores. Additionally, depending on morphology, other non-distinctive spores are reported in categories such as Ascospores or Basidospores. All slides are graded with the following debris scale for data qualification. Debris Rating None < 1+ 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ > 4+

Description

Interpretation

No particles detected.

No particles on slide. The absence of particles could indicate improper sampling as most air samples typically capture some particles.

Good visibility. A few particles detected. Good visibility. No crowding of particles. Decent visibility. Particles beginning to crowd. Decent visibility. Particles beginning to crowd. Decent visibility. Particles beginning to overlap. Poor visibility. Particles overlapping.

Reported values are not affected by debris. Non-microbial particulates can mask the presence of fungal spores. As a result, actual values could be higher than the numbers reported. Higher debris ratings increase the probability of this bias. Excessive debris detected in the sample. Counts reported may vary drastically and actual values could be higher than the numbers reported. The sample should be collected at a shorter time interval, or other measures taken to reduce the collection of non-microbial debris. In addition, a > 4+ rating will only allow for a count from the perimeter of the slide.

320 Hemlock Lane, Barrington, NH 03825 ph 603-664-5500 fax 603-664-5600 www.denvironmental.com

Indoor Air Quality Investigation – Mold Sampling Barnard School- South Hampton, NH

June 2015 Page 5

RESULTS & DISCUSSION Barnard School Location Room #226 Room #204 Room #106 Gym Outside (control)

Fungal/Structures/m3 670 520 53 150 1,800

Overall mold spore counts were low inside when compared to outside the building. Spore types were generally similar to outdoors. Based on sampling and visual conditions observed a mold amplification is not present in the areas tested. The roof shingles on the pitched roof extend beyond the installed drip edge rendering the drip edge ineffective on all pitched roof areas and window drip edges appear ineffective as well as indicated by the water damaged window trim. It does not appear that this moisture has permeated the building envelope yet but these conditions should be addressed to prevent problems in the future. Room #226 did have a significant amount of clutter within the classroom. Excessive clutter will result in increased airborne particulate and limits cleaning. PHOTOGRAPHS

Improperly installed drip edge

Water Damaged Window Trim

320 Hemlock Lane, Barrington, NH 03825 ph 603-664-5500 fax 603-664-5600 www.denvironmental.com

Indoor Air Quality Investigation – Mold Sampling Barnard School- South Hampton, NH

June 2015 Page 6

Clutter Room #226

RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the findings of the air sampling performed on May 6, 2015, Desmarais Environmental, Inc. recommends the following actions:   

Inspect all flashings especially where exterior window trim is water damaged. Install a proper drip edge on all pitched roof areas. Clean and organize contents of Room #226.

The laboratory reports are presented in Appendix 1. If you have any questions regarding this report or require additional services, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (603) 664-5500. Respectively submitted, Desmarais Environmental, Inc.

Raymond G. Desmarais, CIH, CSP

320 Hemlock Lane, Barrington, NH 03825 ph 603-664-5500 fax 603-664-5600 www.denvironmental.com

Indoor Air Quality Investigation – Mold Sampling Barnard School- South Hampton, NH

June 2015 Page 7

Appendix 1 Laboratory Reports

320 Hemlock Lane, Barrington, NH 03825 ph 603-664-5500 fax 603-664-5600 www.denvironmental.com

Report for:

Mr. Ray Desmarais Desmarais Environmental Inc. 320 Hemlock Lane Barrington, NH 03825

Regarding:

Project: Barnard School EML ID: 1363013

Approved by:

Dates of Analysis: Spore trap analysis: 05-12-2015

Technical Manager Ariunaa Jalsrai

Service SOPs: Spore trap analysis (EM-MY-S-1038) AIHA-LAP, LLC accredited service, Lab ID #103005 All samples were received in acceptable condition unless noted in the Report Comments portion in the body of the report. Due to the nature of the analyses performed, field blank correction of results is not applied. The results relate only to the items tested. EMLab P&K ("the Company") shall have no liability to the client or the client's customer with respect to decisions or recommendations made, actions taken or courses of conduct implemented by either the client or the client's customer as a result of or based upon the Test Results. In no event shall the Company be liable to the client with respect to the Test Results except for the Company's own willful misconduct or gross negligence nor shall the Company be liable for incidental or consequential damages or lost profits or revenues to the fullest extent such liability may be disclaimed by law, even if the Company has been advised of the possibility of such damages, lost profits or lost revenues. In no event shall the Company's liability with respect to the Test Results exceed the amount paid to the Company by the client therefor.

EMLab P&K, LLC

EMLab ID: 1363013, Page 1 of 3

EMLab P&K 3000 Lincoln Drive East, Suite A, Marlton, NJ 08053 (866) 871-1984 Fax (856) 489-4085 www.emlab.com Date of Sampling: 05-06-2015 Date of Receipt: 05-08-2015 Date of Report: 05-12-2015

Client: Desmarais Environmental Inc. C/O: Mr. Ray Desmarais Re: Barnard School

SPORE TRAP REPORT: NON-VIABLE METHODOLOGY Lab ID-Version‡ Location 6252299-1 05/12/2015

Air vol. (L) Background Counts of Debris Fungal Structures

75

3+

1215823 Room 226

20 11 16 3 2

Fungal Structures/m3

Presumptive Fungal ID (raw counts*)

270 150 210 40 § Total: 670 27

Basidiospores (5) Chaetomium (11) Cladosporium (4)

110 320 53 13 27 § Total: 520 13

Ascospores (2) Basidiospores (6) Cladosporium (1) Rusts (1)

Percentage

40 22 32 6

Smuts, Periconia, Myxomycetes (3)

Hyphal fragments (2)

N/A

Comments: 6252300-1 05/12/2015

75

3+

1215810 Room 204 / Science

8 24 4 1 2 1

21 62 10 3 5

Smuts, Periconia, Myxomycetes (2)

Hyphal fragments (1)

N/A

Comments: 6252301-1 05/12/2015

75

2+

4

1215817 Room 106 / Art Music Comments: 6252302-1 05/12/2015

1215818 Gym

53 Basidiospores (1)

100

§ Total: 53 75

2+

4 3 4

53 Basidiospores (1) 40 Chaetomium (3) 53 Cladosporium (1) § Total: 150

36 27 36

Comments:

Background debris indicates the amount of non-biological particulate matter present on the trace (dust in the air) and the resulting visibility for the analyst. It is rated from 1+ (low) to 4+ (high). Counts from areas with 4+ background debris should be regarded as minimal counts and may be higher then reported. It is important to account for samples volumes when evaluating dust levels. The analytical sensitivity is the spores/m3 divided by the raw count. The limit of detection is the analytical sensitivity multiplied by the sample volume divided by 1000.

*All AIHA accredited laboratories are required to provide raw counts of fungal structures in spore trap reports. These counts are defined by AIHA as "Actual count without extrapolation or calculation". The number in parentheses next to the fungal type represents the exact number (or raw count) of fungal structures observed. ‡ A "Version" indicated by -"x" after the Lab ID# with a value greater than 1 indicates a sample with amended data. The revision number is reflected by the value of "x". § Total has been rounded to two significant figures to reflect analytical precision. EMLab P&K, LLC

EMLab ID: 1363013, Page 2 of 3

EMLab P&K 3000 Lincoln Drive East, Suite A, Marlton, NJ 08053 (866) 871-1984 Fax (856) 489-4085 www.emlab.com Date of Sampling: 05-06-2015 Date of Receipt: 05-08-2015 Date of Report: 05-12-2015

Client: Desmarais Environmental Inc. C/O: Mr. Ray Desmarais Re: Barnard School

SPORE TRAP REPORT: NON-VIABLE METHODOLOGY Lab ID-Version‡ Location 6252303-1 05/12/2015

1215830 Outside

Air vol. (L) Background Counts of Debris Fungal Structures

75

2+

4 48 84 2 4 44

Fungal Structures/m3

53 640 1,100 27 § Total: 1,800 53 590

Presumptive Fungal ID (raw counts*)

Percentage

Ascospores (1) Basidiospores (12) Cladosporium (21)

3 35 61 1

Smuts, Periconia, Myxomycetes (2)

Hyphal fragments (1) Pollen (11)

N/A N/A

Comments:

Background debris indicates the amount of non-biological particulate matter present on the trace (dust in the air) and the resulting visibility for the analyst. It is rated from 1+ (low) to 4+ (high). Counts from areas with 4+ background debris should be regarded as minimal counts and may be higher then reported. It is important to account for samples volumes when evaluating dust levels. The analytical sensitivity is the spores/m3 divided by the raw count. The limit of detection is the analytical sensitivity multiplied by the sample volume divided by 1000.

*All AIHA accredited laboratories are required to provide raw counts of fungal structures in spore trap reports. These counts are defined by AIHA as "Actual count without extrapolation or calculation". The number in parentheses next to the fungal type represents the exact number (or raw count) of fungal structures observed. ‡ A "Version" indicated by -"x" after the Lab ID# with a value greater than 1 indicates a sample with amended data. The revision number is reflected by the value of "x". § Total has been rounded to two significant figures to reflect analytical precision. EMLab P&K, LLC

EMLab ID: 1363013, Page 3 of 3

EMLab P&K 3000 Lincoln Drive East, Suite A, Marlton, NJ 08053 (866) 871-1984 Fax (856) 489-4085 www.emlab.com Date of Sampling: 05-06-2015 Date of Receipt: 05-08-2015 Date of Report: 05-12-2015

Client: Desmarais Environmental Inc. C/O: Mr. Ray Desmarais Re: Barnard School MoldRANGE™: Extended Outdoor Comparison Outdoor Location: 1215830, Outside Fungi Identified

Outdoor data

Typical Outdoor Data for: Typical Outdoor Data for: The entire year in New Hampshire† (n‡=2113) May in New Hampshire† (n‡=192) spores/m3 very low med high very freq % very low med high very freq % low

Generally able to grow indoors* Alternaria Bipolaris/Drechslera group Chaetomium Cladosporium Curvularia Nigrospora Penicillium/Aspergillus types Stachybotrys Torula Seldom found growing indoors** Ascospores Basidiospores Rusts Smuts, Periconia, Myxomycetes § TOTAL SPORES/m3

high

1,100 -

8 53 27 -

13 53 45 -

13 210 53 -

40 590 190 -

180 840 340 -

53 640 27 1,800

53 160 13

120 640 2,900 5,900 320 1,100 5,000 8,500 13 27 53 80

low

high

15 4 3 77 7 2 23 1 <1

13 7 7 53 13 7 40 7

13 13 13 53 13 13 53 13

27 67 110 29 13 27 40 5 13 27 40 2 320 1,100 2,000 78 13 40 99 16 13 27 40 7 130 370 690 37 <1 13 27 46 3

94 98 5 41

53 80 13 13

110 370 1,200 2,300 190 1,600 6,100 12,000 13 20 53 80 13 33 110 210

80 95 16 53

†The 'Typical Outdoor Data' represents the typical outdoor spore levels for the location and time frame indicated. The last column represents the frequency of occurrence. The very low, low, med, high, and very high values represent the 10, 20, 50, 80, and 90 percentile values of the spore type when it is detected. For example, if the frequency of occurrence is 63% and the low value is 53, it would mean that the given spore type is detected 63% of the time and, when detected, 20% of the time it is present in levels above the detection limit and below 53 spores/m3. These values are updated periodically, and if enough data is not available to make a statistically meaningful assessment, it is indicated with a dash. § Total Spores/m3 has been rounded to two significant figures to reflect analytical precision. * The spores in this category are generally capable of growing on wet building materials in addition to growing outdoors. Building related growth is dependent upon the fungal type, moisture level, type of material, and other factors. Cladosporium is one of the predominant spore types worldwide and is frequently present in high numbers. Penicillium/Aspergillus species colonize both outdoor and indoor wet surfaces rapidly and are very easily dispersed. Other genera are usually present in lesser numbers. ** These fungi are generally not found growing on wet building materials. For example, the rusts and smuts are obligate plant pathogens. However, in each group there are notable exceptions. For example, agents of wood decay are members of the basidiomycetes and high counts of a single morphological type of basidiospore on an inside sample should be considered significant. ‡n = number of samples used to calculate data. Interpretation of the data contained in this report is left to the client or the persons who conducted the field work. This report is provided for informational and comparative purposes only and should not be relied upon for any other purpose. "Typical outdoor data" are based on the results of the analysis of samples delivered to and analyzed by EMLab P&K and assumptions regarding the origins of those samples. Sampling techniques, contaminants infecting samples, unrepresentative samples and other similar or dissimilar factors may affect these results. In addition, EMLab P&K may not have received and tested a representative number of samples for every region or time period. EMLab P&K hereby disclaims any liability for any and all direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of the use or interpretation of the data contained in, or any actions taken or omitted in reliance upon, this report.

EMLab P&K, LLC

EMLab ID: 1363013, Page 1 of 1