HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Row #6 - 4/17/2003OccuHealth, Inc.
AMP Y0G�
44 Wood Avenue
0-31 F 31-:1. 1 Mansfield, MA 02048
Occupational Health & Safety • Environmental Consultants Tel (800) 729-1035
3
(508) 339-9119
Fax (508) 339- 2893
April 17, 2003
vlr. Scott Leite, Health Agent
Mansfield Board of Health
Mansfield Town Hall
6 Park Row
Mansfield, MA 02048 �
Re: Airborne Mold Spore Testing
Dear Mr. Leite:
On April 11, 2003, OccuHealth, Inc. (OHI) conducted airborne mold spore testing in the
Mansfield Town Hall in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The sampling was conducted by Mr. Thomas
Hamilton, CIH, of OHI.
Sampling and Analytical Methodology
OHI collected air samples on the I" floor in the hallway and at Joan's desk in the Building
Inspectors' offices. The air samples were collected using a high volume pump with Zefon Air-O-
Cell® cassettes. An Air-O-Cell® cassette is a spore and dust trap which allows for rapid
detection and identification of mold spores by using light microscopy. Viable and noa-viable
mold spores are collected and counted. The results can be compared to levels usually seen in the
outdoors and to results from available studies.
The sample pump was calibrated to a flow rate of 15 liters per minute and the samples
were collected for 5 minutes. The sample pump utilized for the air sampling was calibrated before
the sampling event using a precision rotameter. This rotameter was in turn calibrated using a
primary standard.
The samples were submitted under chain -of -custody for analysis to Environmental
Analysis Associates, Inc. (EAA) in San Diego, California. Copies of the EAA laboratory report
and chain -of -custody form are attached.
Airborne Mold Spore Testing Page 2
Mansfield Town Hall Mansfield MA Letter Date: April 17, 2003
Analytical Results
To interpret the results, an airborne mold spore concentration of less than 2,000 counts
per cubic meter of air is considered low or clean for an indoor environment. The results of the
mold spore analysis of the air samples are presented in the table below.
Airborne Mold Spore Testing Results
Locatto-n
Sain to Nmnber
Total ld Spares
Predonuuant Geuera (etslm') ;:
(etsluts)
Hallway,
4195178
55
Basidiospores (55)
1" Floor
Joan's Desk,
4195496
232
Basidiospores (110)
? Floor
Cladosporium (55)
Srnuts/Myxoniyeetes (55)
cts/m3 = counts ner cubic meter of air
Laboratory analysis of the air samples indicates that the airborne mold spore
concentrations in the tested locations in the Town Hall were acceptable on the day of testing.
The identified mold spore genera are commonly found in indoor environments and not
typically associated with health problems at the measured concentrations. No recommendations
are offered.
Please call me at (508) 339-9119 with any questions regarding this letter. Thank you for
the opportunity to be of service.
Regards,
OCCUIIEALTH, INC.
N Al
Thomas E. Hamilton, CIH
Attachments
Environmental Analysis Associates, Inc. * 5290 Soledad Road * San Diego, CA 92109 * (858) 272-7747
ENVIRONMENTAL AIRBORNE AEROSOL ANALYSIS
Client Name: OccuHealth, Inc.
Client Project #: 5139 - TEH
/ Location
Project Desc: Mansfield Town Hall
78 First floor hallway I High opaque present, all cone are likely greater than reported values
96 First floor, Joan's Desk Moderate opaque particles & skin cell fragments, low dust & mold
AIRBORNE MOLD SPORE CONCENTRATIONS (Cts./m3) - Spore Trap Sample Analysis
Category Sample#-->
4195178
4195496
Total Mold Spores (Cts/m3)
55
232
Alternaria
Aspergillus/Penicil llum-types
Au reobasid iu m/Hormon ema
Ascospores
Basklospores
55
110
Botrytis
Chaetomium
Cladosporium
55
Curvularia
Drechslera/Bipolaris
Epicoccum
13
Fusarium
Nigrospora
Oidium/Peronospora
Pithomyces
Rusts
Smuts/Myxomycetes
55
Stachybotrys
Stemphylium
Torula
Ulocladium
Other Hyaline Fungi
Other Brown Fungi
Small Brown Round
Hyphae fragments
55
110
Algal spores
Fern spores
POLLEN (Total Cts/m3)
not analyzed
not analyzed
not specified
OTHERAEROSOLS (Cts/m3)
not analyzed
not analyzed
Skin cell fragments
Fiberglass
Cellulosic fibers
Opaque particles
Other
Statistical Parameters
Vol. analyzed (m)--mold/aerosols:
0.018
0.018
Detect limit(Cls/m)--molds/aerosols:
54.9
54.9
Sample analyzed--mold/aerosols:
24.3%
24.3%
Volume analyzed(m)--pollen:
0.075
0.075
Detection limit (Cts/m)--pollen
13.3
13.3
Sample flax rate (Ipm):
15.00
15.00
Sample trace length (mm):
14.40
14.40
Microscope field diameter (mm):
0.350
0.350
Outdoor mold ranges are based on So. California data. Other areas may vary.
Analyst: Eliane L. Coss Date: 04/15/2003
§
k
)
7
§
]
}
JA
°
)
3
,
a
/
\
\
}
^ 2
|�]
,
�
\£i
z
f!J
«4]
/
\
\
]
)
aLze
:m >. a < n:v
!< Zoa ,
,:a we
TOWN OF MANSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
Six Park Row, Mansfield, MA 02048
MEMORANDUM
TO: Scott Leite, Heath Agent
Board of Health
FROM: Michael Ahern, DPW Special Proejcts Mana ei,\� �� f
DATE: September 1, 2004
SUBJECT: Town Hall Air Conditioner
It has come to my attention that Town Hall has been experiencing air quality problems.
I would like to request that the air conditioning be allowed to start earlier in the morning
than normal business hours in order to alleviate many of these problems.
We will still turn the air conditioning off at the close of business every day and there will
be no change in those hours.
I have consulted with numerous 14VAC companies and they say the air conditioning must
be running for much longer time frames in the kind of hot, humid weather we have been
experiencing. They customarily start their air conditioning four hours prior to occupancy
of building to prevent the temperature and humidity from becoming unbearable for the
employees.
Therefore, I respectfully request that we be allowed to start the air conditioning two hours
prior to the start of business on a temporary basis. We will keep you informed as to the
outcome and will advise you as needed.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please feel free to
contact me.
Cc: John D'Agostino, Town Manager
Lee Azinheira, DPW Director
MA/id
TOWN OF MANSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
Six Park Row, Mansfield, MA 02048
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
To: John O. D'Agostino, Town Manager
From: Nicholas J. Riccio, Inspector of Buildings / Zoning Enforcement Officer
Date: September 1, 2004
Re: Town Hall - Indoor air -quality
Kindly be advised that I have received several complaints from Town Hall staff and
Department Heads regarding the poor indoor air -quality of the Town Hall. hi addition to
a severe humidity and moisture problem, other offensive odors have been reported
including sewer gases.
Pursuant to Section 3400.6 of the Massachusetts State Building Code, it is incumbent
upon me to report these potential hazardous ventilation issues to you. It is my opinion
that the existing conditions may pose a threat to the health and safety of the building's
occupants.
I would recommend that an independent evaluation be conducted by an engineer or other
qualified individual to determine whether or not mold and mildew or other potential
dangerous air quality issues are present in the building.
Lastly, another related issue caused by the moisture problem is the carpeting installed
throughout the Town Hall. The moisture and humidity have caused the carpeting to
buckle in many areas, which is causing a trip -hazard to both staff and the public.
Improving the indoor air -quality may rectify this issue.
Please let me know if I can provide you with any assistance in abating these conditions.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
cc: Scott Leite, Health Agent