Mould has been found in many buildings throughout the province where OPSEU
members work. In all cases, large numbers of workers were made sick. In some
instances, the buildings were so contaminated that they had to be evacuated.
What is mould and where is it found?
Mould or fungi is found everywhere-- indoors and outdoors. A mould or fungus
is a living organism that is most likely to grow where there is water or
dampness.
How can mould affect your health?
Most common moulds are not generally hazardous to healthy people. But
individuals with weakened immune systems or who have asthma, hayfever or other
allergies will have an adverse reaction to moulds. Symptoms include running
nose, eye and throat irritation, and/or cough. Asthmatics who are sensitive to
mould may react with more frequent and severe asthmatic attacks. Prolonged
exposure to moulds may cause some people to develop allergies to them.
Other kinds of moulds can cause more serious health problems. Exposure to
some moulds can result in specific diseases. For example, exposure to
mould-contaminated bird or bat droppings may result in a serious life
threatening lung infection.
Some moulds can produce toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. These toxogenic
moulds can cause toxic responses in exposed people. One of the most prevalent is
Stachybotrys chartarum (SC). Stachybotrys is a greenish-black
mould that will grow on materials that are continually damp and moist as a
result of chronic leaks or flooding.
This is the mould that forced the recent closure of a number of school
portables and the Newmarket Court House. Exposure to toxic moulds may cause
symptoms including headache, sore throat, cough, congestion, sinusitis, eye
irritation, skin rash, flu-like symptoms, aggravation of asthma, cognitive
effects, nosebleeds, fatigue and fever.
As a rule of thumb, the presence of toxic moulds such as Stachybotrys is a
result of buildings with chronic water penetration and dampness. These moulds
are not likely to grow in normally dry and well-maintained buildings.
How can you be exposed to mould?
When mouldy material is damaged or disturbed, mould spores can be released
into the air. Undisturbed mould growing on the surface of walls, carpets or
other materials can also release spores. Toxigenic mould spores are potentially
harmful even after the mould colony is removed.
How can you find out if there is a mould problem in your workplace?
Mould growth is not always easy to see – it may be growing behind drywall,
under baseboards, behind wallpaper or under carpets. Workers may suspect a mould
problem if they begin to develop respiratory problems such as allergy symptoms,
more frequent asthma attacks, or more colds and sinus infections than usual.
Some workers may complain of unusual fatigue, headaches, or difficulty
concentrating.
An investigation of a possible mould problem must include the following
strategies:
- Building investigation: A thorough physical inspection of all areas
of the building including the heating, ventilation and air conditioning
system. As well, the following should be done:
- A history of flooding, leaks or other water incursions;
- Look for signs of water staining, water damage, musty smells, and actual
mould growth;
- Take bulk samples of potentially mouldy materials to send for mould
testing.
- Sections of the walls must be opened to view what’s happening behind
the drywall.
- Health survey: A health survey of workers is an important tool to
determine the nature and extent of mould-related health problems. There are
certain types of symptoms that indicate toxic mould exposure. A health
survey that reveals patterns of illness suffered by large numbers of workers
provides strong documentation of the problem. This is particularly useful
for establishing the work relatedness of the health problems for correcting
the problem and establishing claims for workers compensation. This approach
was particularly useful for documenting the seriousness of work-related
health problems at the courthouse in Newmarket.
- Air sampling: Air sampling for mould spores is not a reliable
method for determining the extent and nature of mould contamination. Air
testing is used to test for suspected hidden growth, often when workers are
complaining of symptoms but no mould can be found. It may also be used at
the end of a mould removal project to see that the clean-up was adequate.
There are two important factors to consider when you look at air sampling
results: first, if the levels of mould spores inside the building are higher
than those from a sample taken outside the building, and, if the indoor
results show a higher concentration of certain toxic species not prevalent in
the outside sample, then the building likely has a mould contamination
problem. Consult with OPSEU Health and Safety Unit staff if you have questions
about air sampling reports.
What can be done to fix a mould problem?
- Eliminate all sources of water including plumbing leaks, overflowing
toilets, leaking roofs and foundations, water seeping in around window
frames;
- Poorly designed buildings that allow condensation to build up must be
corrected;
- Poorly maintained ventilation systems and high humidity levels need to be
addressed.
- Remove all contaminated materials including damp or water damaged dry
wall, base board, wallpaper, carpets, etc.;
- Wash down all permanent fixtures and surfaces with a biocide.
NOTE: If the source of water is not fixed, even if mould is removed, it
will just grow back. Also, the remedial work must be carried out only after the
areas and ventilation systems have been sealed off, or after the building has
been evacuated in severely contaminated situations.
- In Ontario, the Ministry of Labour requires that mould removal in a
workplace be performed according to, "Guidelines on Assessment and
Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments." This document, known
as the New York Guidelines, was developed by the New York City Department of
Health.
- The levels of protection and containment in the New York Guidelines are
based on the size of the area contaminated with mould. The larger the area
to be remedied, the stricter the precautions to be used. Precautions cover
the level of respiratory and other personal protective equipment to be worn,
the degree to which the affected area is to be isolated and sealed, what
happens to other work being performed in the vicinity, and the level of
clean-up to be done at the end of the project. The different levels of
protection to be applied are very similar to those used during asbestos
removal.
What should you do if you experience health symptoms you think are caused by
mould exposure?
- Report it immediately to your supervisor in writing and request that you be
allowed to seek medical attention. Provide a copy of this report to your union
steward to document your health concerns.
- You can exercise your right to refuse under Section 43 (3) of the
Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
- Arrange an appointment with your family physician as soon as possible. Use a
walk-in clinic if your doctor is not available.
- Tell the physician you believe your symptoms are work-related so that a
physician's first report will be filed to the Workplace Safety and Insurance
Board.
- Ask your physician if you require medication, absence from work or
accommodation as a result of this illness.
- Let your employer know about the doctor’s visit and indicate if you
require accommodation or continued absence as a result of your illness.
- Your employer must notify the WSIB of your work-related illness within 3
days and provide a copy to you. Under Section 52 (2) of the OHSA your employer
must also notify the union and the Ministry of Labour of any reported
occupational illness.
- If your employer offers modified work that your doctor believes will not
worsen your condition, it is unlikely that compensation benefits will be paid.
- A casual employee absent from work as a result of this illness may file for
employment insurance sick benefits while waiting approval of a WSIB claim.
- Full time employees of the Ontario Public Service are entitled to continue
their salary for the first 30 days, under Article 41.1 of the Collective
Agreement, if they are absent due to a workplace illness or injury.
Where can I get information and advice about mould in the
workplace?
Produced by OPSEU’s Health and Safety Unit
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