Recognizing and Responding to Mold Incidents in Your Collection

MOLD

Mold

A fungus that grows on decaying organic matter.

Unclassified mold on firewood.

Mold Likes Four Things

Moisture Heat Poor air circulation Dark

Mold can look

like many

different

substances

Mold growing on walls

Mold behind wallpaper

Mold in carpeting

http://www.mold-help.org/content/view/163/

Can look like dirt

Initial Response

• Protect yourself and staff• Isolate affected materials• Locate source of humidity• Lower the humidity & temperature• Increase air circulation

Identification

Active or Inactive?

• Use Personal Protective Equipment

• Call an expert when in doubt

• If the mold is dry and powdery, it is inactive. Active mold will smear or smudge.

Aspergillus ustusTop view of petri dish

Effects of a Mold Outbreak

• Causes staining & losses

• Encourages pests

• Poses a health risk

Staining and losses

• Permanent stains to book cloth

• Weakening of materials

• Losses on paper

• Irreversible damage to photographs

Mold & Pests

• Mold is also food for pests

• Pests enjoy the same environment

Professional Resources

• Vendors

• Conservators

• Consultants

Vendors

• Check local reputation• May do advance contracts• Research vendor methods

Vendors

• What does your standard service include?• How many qualified workers can you assign to

this project?• Do you use any chemicals?• What industry standards do you follow in your

work?

Conservators

Consider:

• Training• Length & scope of experience• Membership in professional organizations• References• Treatment reports

MOLD

MAJOR AND MINOR

SUMMER OF 2002

University Law

Library

5,000 volume

Rare Book Room

• On Friday staff noticed RH at 80%, set up dehumidifiers

• On Tuesday noticed mold, contacted Pres Dept, asked for assistance

• Remediation began late Wed PM• Adjustments made on Thursday• By Friday RH was at 42% from high of

76%

The Incident

TIPS FOR ASSESSMENT

• Always assume it’s a mold outbreak

• Take protective gear

• Document with camera

DON’T BE CHICKEN LITTLE

• Take time to determine strategy

• If you don’t know the internal politics, ask

• Listen for tip-offs for possible roadblocks

• Offer to do the “leg” work (calling remediation company, etc.)

THE SOURCE

• Building being cooled improperly; reheat turned off to save money

• Area at end of vent, probably not getting enough air circulation

• Exceptionally high outside humidity for several days

• Carpets cleaned with wet vac adjacent to room

IDENTIFY TEAM• Library director and assistant

• Business manager

• HVAC mechanic

• Mold remediation manager and supervisor

• Libraries facilities manager

• Assistant conservator

• Preservation Librarian

• Others?

THE TEAMLaw School• Executive Law Librarian• Associate Dean• Law Business Manager• Building Mechanic

Facilities Service Group• My Area Rep• Department Director• Op & Maintenance Manager

(Senior Engineer)• Law School Area Rep

Health Protection Office• Biological Safety Professional• Assistant

Risk Management• Director

Remediation Company• Manager• Remediation supervisor

UI Libraries• Building Manager• Conservator• Assist. Conservator• Preservation Library/Head

TUESDAY/1ST DAYPARALLEL ACTIONS

• Engineering team worked with mechanic to stabilize environment

• Remediation company assessed situation, set up large dehumidifier and consulted with senior scientist

• Law librarian consulted with finance manager

• Most of the discussion centered on how to set up mold remediation without further contaminating the building.

• The room needed to be safely vented but couldn’t be 100% because there is no direct route to the outside.

• Extra filters were put in place. • Positive/negative airflow adjusted to vent

out of room. (Increased positive airflow)• Staff given permission to stay home if

concerned with health risk.

ACTION ITEMS - SET WED. AM

Set action items, timeframe, and responsibility• Mold remediation manager to consult with

company’s scientist• Preservation Librarian request exemption from

energy curtailment• Facilities would request air sampling• Remediation supervisor and crew will meet with

conservator for training on cleaning books• Law librarian will keep staff informed• Preservation Librarian will coordinate

PENICILLIUMYou no longer need to identify

specifies, just confirm that it is mold

• Mold abatement had information and equipment 4PM Wednesday

•Senior facilities engineer relieved building facilities staff person•Everyone to meet next morning

CORRECTIVE ACTION

• Thursday, August 1, midmorning. Abatement manager reports that RH is actually higher; internally books are still dry

• Building mechanic adjusted positive pressure• Company brought in bigger dehumidifier• I looked for alternate storage just in case• By noon area stabilized, RH begins to drop

SET BACK/CORRECTIVE ACTION

• Discover can’t get system functioning correctly due to campus work outside the building

• We opt for running system too cold and send out alert to staff

Readings from our vendor

• Wed PM 25.5 C 60%RH

• Thurs AM 25.5° C 73% RH

• Thurs PM 27.8° C 45% RH

• Fri AM 26° C 42% RH

CLEAN UP

• In situ cleaning by remediation company• Training provided by conservator on proper

cleaning and handling of books• Vacuumed and dry sponge wipe books• Flagged any books needing conservation work• Shelving/walls wet sponged with phenolic

biocide• Ductwork checked after all cleanup completed• Spore count inside/outside air comparison[Not necessary]

• Met with Risk Management to– discuss impact of this type of disaster– determine how to prevent in the future– insure long-term solution

• Total cost -- $50,000

CONTINUAL MONITORING

• 6 weeks later, About 30, very scattered, old Buckram covers supported the bloom. The conditions at the time – 22.2C and 36% RH.

MINOR

•Special Collections•Archives•Gift books•Books in student’s room

University Archives

GIFTS

• Sent out staff advisory to

CONTACT THE PRESERVATION DEPT WHEN MATERIAL HAVE EVIDENCE OF MOLD

SMELLY BOOKS

Containing the smell can be a huge challenge:•Thermostat to continuous air•Charcoal filter added to HVAC•Starbrites set out

Prevention

Materials Temperature (Degrees C) & allowable ranges

Books, Paper, & People 20-22° (+/-) 5°

Books & Paper Alone 15.6° (+/-) 5°

Photographic Materials 10° (+/-) 5°

Books & Photographic Materials 15.6° (+/-) 5°

Magnetic Media 15° (+/-) 2°

Prevention

Relative Humidity (RH) and allowable fluctuations

Books and Paper 40-55% (+/-) 3%

Photographic Materials 35% (+/-) 3%

Books, Papers, and Photos 50% (+/-) 3%

Magnetic Media 30% (+/-) 3%

Mold and environmental controls

Mold Clean Up

• The key to mold control is moisture control.

• Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.

• Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible.  Dry all items completely.

• Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.  Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely. 

• Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces.  Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting.  Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel. 

• If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a specialist. 

• Remember to take health safety precautions.

FINAL WORD

• Wear a N95 disposable respirator • Use disposable gloves if handling the material• Goggles or protective eyewear should be worn• Don’t touch your eyes or mouth if you’ve touched a

moldy item• Wash your hands as soon as possible once vacated

infected area• Take a shower and wash your clothes in hot water and

bleach• Illnesses due to exposure to mold can result from both

high level, short-term exposures and lower level, long-term exposures.

Resources

“Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments.” New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. c2006.http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtml

“Indoor Air: Mold.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2006http://www.epa.gov/mold/index.html

Resources

Environmental Protection Agency online guide to mold

http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html

Conservation Online

http://cool.conservation-us.org/bytopic/mold/

Doctor Fungus:

http://www.doctorfungus.org/

Starbrite Mildew Control Bags #1015145

Tarp and Cover Superstore

931 S Chapel Street

Newark, DE 19713

800-453-7379

http://www.easternmarine.com/Mildew-Control-Bags-2-pack-089900/

Special Thanks to

SOLINET Preservation Servicesfor some of slides in this

presentation

Nancy E. KraftUniversity of Iowa LibrariesPreservation Dept.nancy-e-kraft@uiowa.edu http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/preservation/ 

319/335-5286