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9 Moulds: Health and Safety Act
9 Moulds: Health and Safety Act
9 MOULDS
More and more firms are involved in removing
toxic moulds from contaminated buildings. This
section explains
• What moulds are
• Where they are found
• Why they are of concern
• What health effects they may cause
• How they can be identified
• How they can be safely removed.
This section also covers the obligations of
employers and others under Ontario’s Occupational
Health and Safety Act.
Definition
Moulds are microorganisms that produce
thousands of tiny particles called spores as part
of their reproductive cycle. Mould colonies are
usually visible as colourful, woolly growths. They Figure 9-1: Staphylococcus Microbes
can be virtually any colour—red, blue, brown, green,
white, or black. When disturbed by air movement In addition to Stachybotrys, personnel working in
or handling, moulds release their spores into the water-damaged buildings may be exposed to
air. Given the right environmental conditions, these other types of toxic moulds such as Fusarium,
spores can go on to form other mould colonies. Aspergillus, and Penicillium.
Air movement and the handling of contaminated
Locations material can release toxic spores into the
Moulds can be found almost anywhere outdoors atmosphere. These spores cause adverse health
and indoors. Indoor moulds usually originate effects by producing toxic substances known as
from outside sources such as soil and vegetation. mycotoxins. Once released, toxic spores must come
Moulds love dark, moist environments and can into contact with the skin or be inhaled before
grow at room temperature on various construction symptoms can develop.
materials including wallpaper, particleboard, ceiling
tiles, drywall, and plywood. Symptoms
Workers can be exposed to toxic spores when The symptoms of exposure to mould are listed
working on buildings with some sort of water below. However, not all exposed workers will
damage from flooding, plumbing leaks, or leaks in develop symptoms.
the structure itself.
• Exposure to toxic moulds may irritate skin,
eyes, nose, and throat, resulting in allergy-like
Health Effects symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, runny
nose, and watery eyes.
In buildings with water damage or ongoing
moisture problems, certain types of "water-loving" • Symptoms such as fatigue and headache have
moulds may reproduce to higher than normal been reported.
levels and potentially cause adverse health effects. • Workers who are allergic to moulds could
Stachybotrys chartarum is of particular concern experience asthmatic attacks.
because it can be found in large colonies and can
cause adverse health effects (Figure 9-1). • Workers exposed to Stachybotrys have also
experienced burning in the nose, nose bleeds,
Stachybotrys has gained special attention because severe coughing, and impairment of the immune
it has been discovered in portable classrooms with system. Stachybotrys does not cause infection
ongoing moisture problems. It appears as small and is not spread from person to person.
black patches and grows well on water-soaked
cellulose material such as wallpaper, ceiling tiles, • People with weakened immune systems are
drywall, and insulation containing paper. particularly susceptible to mould-related illness
and should not work in mould-contaminated
areas.
Health 9-1
MOULDS
Source: IHSA gratefully acknowledges that this chart is based on Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, published by
the United States Environmental Protection Agency, March 2001.
Health 9-3
MOULDS
Identification Removal
Owners of buildings that may be contaminated Toxic moulds must be removed. However, special
with mould should conduct, at their own expense, control measures must first be implemented
an assessment to determine whether or not to prevent worker exposure and the spread of
the buildings are indeed contaminated. The moulds from the construction area to adjacent
assessment should include building inspection and areas. This is especially true for Stachybotrys
analysis of bulk samples. because of its potentially severe health effects.
Mould on visible surfaces may be just the tip The extent of contamination governs what
of the iceberg. Since they thrive in dark, moist remediation measures need to be taken in order to
environments, moulds may be hidden from view. prevent the spread of toxic moulds.
Thorough inspections of water-damaged areas Note: The cause of moisture problems should be
must be conducted. This involves looking into wall corrected before any mould remediation takes place.
cavities, behind drywall, under carpets, and above
ceiling tiles. A follow-up inspection should be conducted three
to six months after remediation to ensure that the
Not all mounds are toxic. The type of mould mould has not returned.
identified and the extent of the contamination will
determine the precautions to be taken.
Employer Obligations
Bulk sampling and laboratory analysis are used to
document the type of mould growing on surfaces. Although there are no Ontario regulations
The procedure involves scraping surface material specifically addressing moulds, an employer must,
into a sealable plastic bag and sending it by under the OHSA, take every precaution reasonable
overnight delivery to an accredited laboratory. in the circumtances for the protection of a worker.
Work practices set out by Health Canada in Fungal
An accredited laboratory is one that participates Contamination of Public Buildings: A Guide to
in the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s Recognition and Management provide a reasonable
Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical standard.
Testing Program. The chosen laboratory should
have a competent mycologist (a person that Employers have a duty to instruct workers in the
studies moulds) who can analyze the sample and safe removal and handling of mould-contaminated
determine whether the mould is likely to pose a material. Workers in turn have the duty to follow
health risk. these instructions. Building owners must ensure
that trade contractors follow proper remediation
Based on the presence of visible mould, evidence procedures.
of water damage, and symptoms that are
consistent with allergic or toxic response to
mould, it may be justified to skip bulk sampling
and go straight to remediation (removal).
The person taking bulk samples or performing
inspections must be suitably protected for Level
1 work and must be careful not to unduly disturb
the mould.