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Show May 17, 2007 Bad air impacts activities Mold behind the wall that can't be seen might cause a problem, but there has to be an opening where the mold is entering. Usually once it enters into an area it's going to immediately find a place to start growing in that room, said Dr. Larson. For that reason, he says to check all areas where there might be a water source such as under a sink or beliind a toilet. Not all mold is unhealthy. Dr. Larson said people are breathing in mold all of the time. It becomes a problem if there is too much mold or if it's a hazardous type. "If you drink beer or like blue cheese, you're ingesting types of mold," said Dr. Larson. In summary, people should keep a clean, dry house and stay indoors when the air outside is bad. humid climate. Still, it's important for people ground cold, and the colder air keeps everyto watch for mold, and fix the source that's thing close to the ground." creating the mold. Dr. Larson recommends staying indoors as "There are several things that can cause alSalt Lake City, Ogden and Clearfield all tied much as possible when the air quality is bad. lergies, and mold is obviously one of them," "I've been involved with the Utah Asthma for seventh place in the 2007 American Lung said Dr. Larson. "If you control moisture, Association areas most polluted by short-term task force for many years now, and one thing you're not going to have mold. You can't have we've been involved in is looking at children particle pollution study. mold without moisture. The honor of making the top 10 list for dirty staying indoors as opposed to going outside "When people say they have a mold probduring recess to play," said Dr. Larson. "Dur' air isn't a point of pride for most people, but lem, and almost every time I've seen a mold ing high inversion days, our data specific to Dr. Rod Larson, director of Industrial Hyproblem in this part of the country, there's the particulate confirms they should be kept giene and Hazardous Substances Training at been a leaking pipe or a plugged up air coninside. Parents and children should stay inthe Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational ditioning pan, a leaking sink, a leaking toilet; side during high particulate days." and Environmental Health, was on hand at roof," the doctor continued. maybe a leaky the May 8 Spring into Summer Information Healthy adults should stay indoors as much Fair at Club Hill to explain some things about as possible. Although Air Force the air Hill Air Force Base workers breathe. members are required to maintain In tine ALA study, short-term pollution was certain fitness standards, including a 1.5 mile run, Dr. Larson said jogmeasured in terms of fine pollution particles. ging outdoors during an inversion Fine particles, referred to as PM2.5, have a is especially bad for the respiratory mass less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers in system. diameter, according to Dr. Larson. The ALA study concluded the weighted average PM2.5 "When you're breathing harder, for Salt Lake County in a 24-hour period is you're taking the particles in at highThese biological agents can arise from a host of means, but there arc two common classes: 27.7 PM2.5 per cubic meter. Davis and Weber er volume and taking them deeper," (a) moisture-Induced growth ofmoldcolonlci, and Counties were significantly lower at 4.8 and said Dr. Larson. "You should be (b) natural substances released Into the air such as animal dander and plant poiren. 4.3 respectively. working out in a gym or on an inMolds Include all species of microscopic fungi that grow In tha form of multtcellular filaments, called hyphae. There are thousands of known species of molds. • ' - . . ••.' ' .' "A recent Wasatch Valley PM2.5 study, from door track when it's high particulate Indoor Mold needs four things to grow: (Brigham Young University), found there was outside." (11 Spores: Both our indoor and outdoor environment have mold spores present The re Is no mold-free environment. a difference in the potential health effects asAsthma and breathing problems (2) Nutrients: The mold spores, like all fungi, need food. In the Indoor environment, these are normally cellulose materials (wood, dust, sociated with PM2.5 if it was from a combus- won't necessarily get worse during fabrics, cardboard, paper, etc) tion source versus if it was from what they a stay at Hill AFB. Dr. Larson said (3) Moisture: This Is required to begin the decaying process of the cellulose material by the mold. call a crustal source," said Dr. Larson. the exact allergens and agents that (4) Time: Mold growth typically begins between 24 hours and 10 days from the provision of the growing conditions. Combustion sources of PM2.5, according to cause breathing problems vary from Moisture buildup Inside buildings may arlie from water penetrating compromised areas of the building skin, from plumbing teaks or from ground moisture penetrating a building slab. person to person. It's quite possible Dr. Larson, come from man-made things like Most fungi are aerobic (use oxygen), are found almost everywhere In extremely small quantities because of their spor*s,and are most that a child who suffers from asthengines and factories. These sources contain commonly microscopically small. ma somewhere else could move to carbon components that might cause probThey consume organic matter, wherever humidity and temperature arc sufficient, indoors or out. Hill AFB and not have any breathlems for respiratory systems. Crustal sources Where there Is visible mold, mold remediation may be needed. are naturally occurring. A local crustal source ing problems because the particular Indoors, mold growth can be Inhibited by keeping humidity levels between forty and sixty percent and by eliminating leaks or moisture agent causing it aren't present here. condensation and accumulation might be dust blown in the area from across the prairie. "That doesn't mean they shouldn't stay inside during high particulate "The crustal source showed potentially no days, but the chances of them havstatistical impact on human health," said Dr. Water in your home can come from many sources. Water can enter your home by: \-. ing an allergic reaction to the inverLarson. "If it was a combustion source, there ' leaking or by seeping through bisement floors; .. ' . - • > ...: :17C' sion is very low," said Dr. Larson. was a potential impact, and it was on the re• ihowersorcooklngcanaddmolsturetothealrinyourhome;and/or •• - t.v.iH*, ' • """''' "As a matter of fact, our study of 26 spiratory system and the heart. They were • theamountof moIjttueJn thealrinyour home (humidity). : •• " • -^ . -,iV;-: *;-f"..*' • . " ,,."'.. children who were predisposed to showing the potential for increased mortality Moisture in air depends on the temperature of th* air; lower temperatures hold less moisture resulting In condensation on cold surfaces (e.g., drops of water form on the Inside of a window).This moisture can encourage biological agents to grow. was roughly 3.7 percent with a 10 microgram asthma had no attacks during the There are many ways to control moisture in your home: . per cubic meter increase in PM2.5 from com- inversion period of our study." Fix leaki and seepage: 1) Water In the basement can result from the lack of gutters or a water flow toward the house; 2) Water leaks In bustion sources." To keep the air indoors clean, Dr. pipes or around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow. Dr. Larson said the numbers and rankings Larson, recommends changing out Puiaplastlccoveroverd^rtcrawlspacestopreventmoteturafrom comlngln. \. •-.;, . . .... in the ALA study are a combination of comventilation air filters often. For his • Useexhaustfanslnbathroomsandkitchanstoremovemouiluretotheoutsfde. .;., .' tj:'.}' , . '- v '" .bustion and crustal particles. Due to the high own home, he uses passive electro^ Vent your clothes dryer to the outside. ; \ ,' ;' •-'">'''-v- ^ '* ''. "- > • ' ' -; *• '•,'•'' TurnoffcertBlnappliances(suchashumldiners)lfmolstureIssa«nonwindows. ' r • " . ' . ' •"* expense to differentiate between the two, the static filters. • Use dehumldifiers and air conditioners to reduce moisture In the air. Environmental Protection Agency standard "If you really want to get cleaner <' Raise tha temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses: 1) Use insulation or storm windows; 2) Open doors between to is to list the total PM2.5. A conclusion can air in your house, I recommend pasIncrease circulation. be drawn, that although unlikely, if the local sive electrostatic filters," said Dr. « Besurathatyourhousehasasourceoffreshalrandcanexpelexcesshremolsturcfromthehome. . ' . . .". :,--':V PM2.5 was composed of mainly crustal parLarson. "The first time you put it in Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors: 1) Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for biological pollutants to ticles, there wouldn't be health concerns. grow; 2) Us* area rugs which can be taken up and washed often In certain climates. there, you're probably going to have The high PM2.5 reading for Salt Lake Coun- to wash it a few times the first couple ty has a lot to do with the inversion, according of weeks. It's worth it. Dust on the WHERE BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS MAY BE FOUND IN THE HOME furniture and standing objects is all to Dr. Larson. During periods of inversion, S. Carpet on damp basement floor Dirty air conditioners but gone." the PM2.5 is much worse than at other times. 9. Bedding Dirty humidifiers or dehumldifiers Bathroom without vents or windows 10. Closet on outside wall 'The inversion is basically the difference In addition to knowing a lot about 11. Dirty heating/air conditioning system Kitchen without vents or windows in the temperatures keeping the particulates indoor and outdoor air quality, Dr. Dirty refrigerator drip pans • 12. Dogs or cats that are generated lower in the valley; like a Laundry room with unvented dryer Larson is a mold expert. He said in 13. Water damage (around windows, the Unventllated attic • . roof or the basement) • .* bowl," said Dr. Larson. "Typically it happens the dry ajr at Hill AFB, mold isn't as when there's snow on the ground keeping the big of an issue as it would be in more BYTECH.jSGT. JASONSMITri 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs MOLDS & OTHER ALLERGENS MOISTURE CONTROL Household wastes may pose health hazards MLQ;SHAW __^___^_ 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs With the spring cleaning season upon us, many Americans will come across leftover paint, chemicals, solvents and automotive fluids that they may not know how to dispose of. Most people know these items should never be dumped down storm drains or in the street because they go directly to streams, rivers, lakes and water supplies. But what are the safest ways to dispose of these materials so they won't threaten water quality or public health? Representatives from the Davis County Health Department were at a Hill Air Force Base information fair to explain to base residents how to do just that May 8. "These hazardous materials can be found in so many different things you use everyday in your home," said Louis Cooper, Davis Co. Health Dept. "If you read the labels, a lot of things are hazardous. Commonly you have things like paint, cleaners, fertilizer, oil, antifreeze. Once it's not useful anymore, it becomes a hazardous waste." Mr. Cooper said once materials become hazardous waste, it is imperative to dispose of them properly. "When you don't dispose of these items properly, they can have very negative effects on the environment and also public health," he said. "They can get in the ground water and you can drink it, you can breathe in the vapors. There are a lot of things out there that you definitely don't want in your system and when you don't dispose of them properly, they have a lot of routes of exposure into your body." Mr. Cooper said that each individual needs to take personal responsibility to properly dispose their household hazardous waste. "Typically, you think of a 'building up' process, where people think individually, they won't cause any harm," he said. "Obviously if you have a lot of people with that attitude, the waste can build up and cause a problem. But with hazardous waste, one, and only one person can do a lot of damage. For example, there are certain chemicals that one teaspoon is enough to damage gallons and gallons of water." According to Mr. Cooper, there are many ways to reduce personal use of household hazardous waste. "You can look for green and citrus based products, they work just as well and you get away from some of. the harsh chemicals," he said. "One of the best ways to reduce waste is to reuse your products." According to the Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District, items like paint, pesticides, household cleaners, fertilizers, and automotive products are available free of charge at reuse sheds located across the Wasatch front. "Wasatch waste management provides a great service to anyone wanting to recycle, For more information on waste manageget rid of waste, or get used products for ment, recycling and how to find facilities go free," said Mr. Cooper. to www.wasatcMntegrated.org. H| U- AFB, UTAH SERVICES DIVISION 1 Discover SwYiwj,., Kscowr Our OhinHv Photo by Alex Lloyd Jody Grimm points out some Information to her daughters, Madison, 7, and Kaitlln, 5, at the Spring Into Summer Information Fair May 8 at Club Hill. Mrs. Grimm's husband, Tech. Sgt. Chris Grimm, is a member of the 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron. The Spring Into Summer event featured Boyer Hill Military Housing updates, a question and answer session with base leaders and refreshments. In addition, different organizations set up booths including the Airmen and Family Readiness Center, Education Office, Health and Wellness Center, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and Veterinary Services. |