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September 21, 2011 PEC Reference: FV1064 L01 SD36 Surrey Human Resources Department 14225 56th Avenue Surrey, BC V3X 3A3 Attention Bernadine Babuik Reference: Fungal Remediation, Inspection and Testing of the Crawlspace in POD 400 at

Peace Arch Elementary School Introduction In response to your request, Pacific Environmental Consulting and Occupational Hygiene Services (PEC) conducted inspections during fungal remediation, followed by clearance sampling and inspections in POD 400. This work, conducted from August 15, 16 and 18, 2011, was requested to ensure appropriate procedures were followed during fungal remediation in the POD 400 crawlspace. Site Description and History POD 400 is a single storey classroom complex constructed on a raised concrete foundation with a crawlspace. During PEC’s inspection in May 2011, it was determined that there was light water staining on some of the wood framing and subfloor; particularly in the southwest corner of the crawlspace. Light yellow staining, which was determined to be fungal contamination, was also identified on the joists throughout the space. Spore trap sampling was done in the occupied areas of POD 400 earlier this year, but no elevated levels of fungal spores were identified. During the summer of 2011 as work was ongoing at Peace Arch Elementary School, the fungal contamination within the crawlspace below POD 400 was also remediated. Summary of Work Conducted

Establishing Controls

Prior to accessing the crawlspace, Quantum Murray (Quantum) constructed an enclosure with polyethylene sheeting and tape with a two-chamber decontamination unit outside the Janitor’s Room. Once the decontamination unit was constructed, Quantum followed procedures similar to modified moderate risk asbestos abatement work procedures utilizing DOP Certified High Efficiency Particualte Air (HEPA) filter equipped negative air units to establish a negative pressure differential. Workers conducting the remediation wore personal protective equipment (PPE) consisting of disposable coveralls and half face respirators. All work was conducted when the POD was not occupied by students or faculty.

Daily Inspections

PEC conducted daily inspections while Quantum was on site to review and monitor documentation, work procedures and progress. Activities were closely monitored to ensure compliance and that correct procedures were being followed.

Quantum removed debris, fungal contaminated and water stained wood framing and sheathing with scouring pads and wire brushes until all surface contamination was removed. Following this, an antimicrobial solution was applied and all remaining surfaces were HEPA vacuumed and/or wet-wiped. A HEPA filter equipped air scrubbers remained in operation in the crawlspace overnight.

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SD36 Surrey Fungal Remediation and Sampling Peace Arch Elementary School POD 400 Report ID: FV1064 L01

2 September 2011

Sampling Methodology

Spore trap samples were collected using AllergencoD spore trap cassettes (manufactured by Environmental Monitoring Systems) connected to a Zefon Air-O-Cell Bio Pump Plus. Sampling was conducted for 5 minutes at a flow rate of 15 liters per minute, for a total sampling volume of 75 liters per sample. Spore sampling cassettes were analyzed by PEC’s in-house laboratory using light microscopy at 600X magnification. Please refer to Table 1 in Appendix B for sampling locations and sampling dates.

Additional Information Spore Trap Sampling Airborne fungal spores originate from many sources, most of which are located outdoors, such as decaying leaves or disturbed soil. Levels of fungal spores outdoors can reach levels well over 100,000 spores per cubic meter (spores/m3)1. In healthy indoor environments, the levels of fungal spores indoors should be less than the level detected outdoors. In buildings with doors and windows that are opened regularly, such as schools and homes, the levels of fungal spores indoors are often similar to the levels detected outdoors. In buildings with filtered ventilation systems, such as large office buildings, the levels indoors are normally much lower than the levels outdoors; however, if fungi have colonized building materials there may be higher concentrations of spores identified indoors, and they may be different than those found outdoors. There are no regulated exposure limits for fungal spore counts within Canada. A few different organizations have proposed guidelines for levels of fungal spores that may result in health effects or are considered acceptable in indoor environments2. Where appropriate Pacific may use these values as a guide; however, the results of visual inspections, our experience, and the reasons that the samples were collected are also used when interpreting spore trap data. Generally, PEC compares individual spore types to the concentrations identified in the outside sample. If specific spore types are significantly greater than the concentration identified outdoors, it indicates that there may be an indoor source of fungal contamination. The interpretation of spore trap data in this manner is recommended by WorkSafeBC3.

Tape Sampling

Tape samples allow for the identification of a fungus if the correct structures are present. This sampling is often used to ensure that staining observed on a material is the result of fungal contamination. Tape sampling is considered to be qualitative not quantitative, but the analyst is able to comment on the relative amount of fungus present and the structures observed may indicate growth or loose spores. This analysis is intended to identify significant fungal growth and is not sensitive to low levels of loose or settled fungal structures.

Observations and Sampling Results

Visual Inspection #1 (August 15, 2011): Following the cleaning of wood framing in the crawlspace, PEC conducted a visual inspection and observed suspected fungal contamination on both the wooden joists and sub-floor adjacent to the plumbing lines (Appendix A: Photo 1). A surface sample was collected and analysis confirmed the presence of fungal contamination (Appendix B: Table 1). Upon receipt of sample results, Quantum was instructed to re-clean the wood joists and sub-floor in the areas where it was stained. All other areas of the crawlspace were clean and free from visible fungal

1 Pacific Environmental, Unpublished Data 2 Please refer to Appendix B for detailed information on the guidelines available. 3 WorkSafeBC Guidelines Part4 – G4.79 Moulds and indoor air quality.


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contamination (Appendix A: Photo 2). Sampling in other areas of the crawlspace, also confirmed the absence of fungal contamination on surfaces.

Visual Inspection #2 (August 16, 2011): A visual inspection of the wood joists and sub-floor in the area where residual fungal contamination had been identified during our previous site visit was inspected following remediation. No remaining suspected fungal contamination was observed. A tape sample was collected and a trace level of Paecilomyces was identified, but the contamination was not considered to be significant (Appendix B: Table 2). Based on our visual inspection and sampling, it was determined all fungal contamination had been remediated from building materials in the crawlspace.

Collection of Spore Trap Samples (August 18, 2011): Spore trap samples were collected from each classroom in POD 400. The fungal air samples collected were generally found to be of similar type and lower in concentration than those found outdoors (Appendix B: Table 3). No significantly elevated spore concentrations were detected in the samples collected.

Conclusions The identified fungal contamination in the crawlspace under POD 400 was removed following appropriate fungal remediation procedures. The remediation was confirmed through visual inspections and tape sampling. In addition, all sources of water ingress appeared to have been addressed. Spore trap sampling performed on August 18, 2011 did not identify elevated fungal spore concentrations in the occupied areas of POD 400. We recommend no further fungal remediation in the crawlspace of POD 400, provided there is no additional water ingress.


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Limitations This report has been prepared in accordance with established Industrial Hygiene and Mycological practices. It is intended for the exclusive use of School District 36 (Surrey) in order to assist them in complying with the requirements of the WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The use of this document for any other purposes is at the sole risk of the user. Statement of Qualifications

Pacific Environmental Consulting and Occupational Hygiene Services has been providing consulting services in the environmental and industrial hygiene fields, since 1990. Our industrial hygiene expertise ensures that all projects are performed in accordance with the WorkSafeBC Occupational Health & Safety Regulations. Our personnel include the following:

• Industrial Hygienists (CIH, ROH) • Professional Engineers (PEng) • Registered Professional Biologists (RPBio) • Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) • Occupational Health and Safety Technicians.

Our company also carries Comprehensive General Liability and Environmental Errors & Omissions Liability Insurance. Yours truly, Pacific Environmental Consulting & Occupational Hygiene Services Jennifer Blair, MSc, CIH, RPBio Benson Lin, Dip.T. OH&S, CRM Manager, Industrial Hygiene OH&S Technologist Report Report Review Ref: FV1064.L01 SD36.Peace Arch POD 400 Crawlspace


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List of Appendices Appendix A – Photos Appendix B – Sampling Results Appendix C – Additional Fungi Information Appendix D – Laboratory Reports


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Appendix A: - Photos

Photo 1 Date: Aug 15, 2011 Location: POD 400, Crawlspace Description: Water staining and fungal contamination on wood sub-floor and joists

Photo 2 Date: Aug 15, 2011 Location: POD 400, Crawlspace Description: Note clean condition of the crawlspace following remediation.


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Appendix B: Spore Trap Sampling Results

Table 1: Tape (Surface) – Sampling Results

August 15, 2011

Sample ID Material Sampled Sampling Location

Fungi Identified (Relative Amount)1

FV1064– 1 Wood Joist South of Access, Adjacent to Plumbing Lines

• Unidentified Fungi (Many) • Cladosporium (Few) • Stachybotrys (Trace) • Aspergillus (Few)

FV1064 – 2 Wood Sub-Floor North of Access, Adjacent to

Plumbing Lines • None

FV1064 – 3 Wood Stud West Section of Crawlspace • None

FV1064 – 4 Wood Stud Central Area of Crawlspace • None

1. Refers to the relative quantity observed on the tape sample by the analyst. Quantity rating should only be used qualitatively. Trace


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Table 3: Fungal Spores in Air – Sampling Results (Table 1 of 2)

Organism (Fungi) Type FV1064 - S1

Classroom 406 (spores/m3)1

FV1064 – S2 Classroom 405

(spores/m3)1


(spores/m3)1


(spores/m3)1 Ascospores Basidiospores 1,333 571 238 286 Botrytis 48 Cladosporium 143 238 48 95 Hyphal fragments Rusts Smuts/Myxomycetes/Periconia 48 Torula Unidentified spore

TOTAL 1,524 857 286 381 Notes: 1. spores/m3 refers to the concentration all fungal structures counted by the lab. 2. If no value is reported, the concentration for that spore type was less than the detection limit of analysis.

Table 3: Fungal Spores in Air – Sampling Results (Table 2 of 2)

Organism (Fungi) Type FV1064 – S5

Classroom 402 (spores/m3)1


(spores/m3)1

FV1064 – S7 Resource Room

407 (spores/m3)1

FV1064 – S8 Outdoor Ambient

(spores/m3)1 Ascospores 48 Basidiospores 286 190 190 333 Botrytis Cladosporium 48 48 762 2,619 Hyphal fragments 95 Rusts 48 Smuts/Myxomycetes/Periconia Torula 48 Unidentified spore 95 48

TOTAL 477 286 952 3,143 Notes: 1. spores/m3 refers to the concentration all fungal structures counted by the lab. 2. If no value is reported, the concentration for that spore type was less than the detection limit of analysis.


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Appendix C: Additional Fungi Information Fungi Background Fungi are plant-like but lack chlorophyll. Each fungal “colony” is a mass of interwoven mycelium, made up of millions of tiny branching filaments, known as hyphae. The group includes many familiar types such as the mushrooms, toadstools, puffballs, bracket fungi, morels, truffles and yeasts. Those most commonly found growing in indoor environments are often called moulds (i.e.: Cladosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillus). Most fungi gain their energy by breaking down “dead” organic material, including both plant and animal matter and, thus, perform many important functions in nature. Fungi are also economically important as they are used to produce beer, wine and cheese. They are also medically important as many important drugs, including penicillin and cyclosporine (used to treat organ rejection) are derived from fungi. Fungi grow very quickly almost anywhere, including inside buildings. One of the reasons fungi are so successful is their ability to produce and disperse huge numbers of microscopic spores, which can be transported vast distances. By their sheer numbers, fungi can quickly take advantage of any new food supplies that become available, as all they need to colonize a material is water and a source of carbon, which is present in many building materials. The air we breathe can contain tens of thousands of spores per cubic meter, while soil holds vast numbers. Many of the spores produced by fungi remain viable for years, therefore, there will always be fungal spores present in the air that we breathe, both outdoors and indoors and it is almost impossible to completely exclude fungi from any environment (including the cheese we seal in plastic and put in the refrigerator). Fungi and Human Health

There are several ways in which fungi can affect the health of building occupants. The primary route of exposure to fungi is the inhalation of the fungal spores, hyphal fragments and portions of other fungal structures. This exposure may result in allergic reactions, increased asthma, upper respiratory tract irritation and even fungal infections in some people. The exact mechanism that results in the health effects is still being researched, but there are likely many contributing factors. These include the mycotoxins produced by the fungi, antigens on the surface of the fungi as well as the presence of B-glucans in the cell walls. The health effects experienced by people vary significantly. Some people are unaffected by high levels yet others are affected by low levels of fungal spores. As the exposure duration and concentration of fungal spores increases, so do symptoms. The most common symptom is allergies, particularly allergic rhinitis. Allergy-related problems become particularly apparent, when the concentration of airborne spores is relatively high and the majority consists of only 1 or 2 species. The following are some of the fungal genera which grow indoors and are implicated in causing respiratory problems:

• Alternaria • Epicoccum • Phoma • Aspergillus • Fusarium • Pithomyces • Chaetomium • Mucor • Stachybotrys • Cladosporium • Penicillium • Trichoderma


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Some fungi can be quite pathogenic (cause systemic illness in people), including Histoplasma, Cryptococcus, Sporothrix, Blastomyces and Candida. At least three species of Aspergillus (A. fumigatus, A. niger and A. flavus) can be included in this group, however, most others (there are between 100 and 200 species of Aspergillus) are relatively benign. People with compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk for fungal infections. Repeated inhalation and sensitization to a wide variety of organic material, including fungi, can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), a lung disease, in a small percentage of exposed people. Additional health effects caused by fungi may include aggravation of pre-existing asthma, sinusitis, histoplasmosis and rhinitis. Other substances produced by fungi, besides spores, can also cause health problems. These include mycotoxins (substances produced by fungi which may interfere with the growth of other fungi or bacteria) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s – responsible for the musty odour characteristic of fungi). Note however, that health effects associated with mycotoxins are typically associated with only very high exposures that are likely only to occur during the consumption of fungal contaminated food or during high risk activities, such as fungal remediation.

Guidelines and Regulations Although there are no standards in Canada for acceptable levels of fungal spores in air, there are several guidelines and standards that exist worldwide. These standards have been summarized below. Note that only those standards that apply to non-viable spore trap sampling reported in fungal structures per cubic meter have been summarized.

Organization Published Standard

(spores/m3) Description or additional information

≤ 22 This value refers only to Stachybotrys chartarum spores used to indicate in an area has been adequately remediated Texas Department of

Health Guidelines ≤ 2,000

Total spores – The area has been adequate remediated, provided 1/3 of the spores are Cladosporium spores, 1/3 are Aspergillus/Penicillium-like spores and 1/3 are others spores

> 1 – 6,499 Only individuals extremely sensitive will experience symptoms.

6,500 – 12,999 Many individuals with sensitivities will experience symptoms

13,000 – 49,999 Most individuals with any sensitivity will experience symptoms

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology/National

Allergy Bureau (Outdoor

Environments) > 50,000

Almost all individuals with any sensitivity at all will experience symptoms. Extremely sensitive people could have severe symptoms.

< 5,000 Normal Background for Residential Buildings2 < 2,500 Normal Background - filtered HVAC systems2

mcg Occupational Health & Safety

Consulting >10,000 Probable Contamination 1. Symptoms – allergy suffers who are allergic to pollens or molds may experience symptoms of hay fever or asthma 2. types and relative proportions of fungal spores similar to outdoors


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References

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), National Allergy Bureau Scale for Mold Spores and Tree, Weed and Grass Pollen. National Allergy Bureau.

Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). 1999.

Fungal Contamination in Public Buildings: Health Effects and Investigation Methods. Health Canada. 2004.

Fungal Contamination in Public Buildings: A Guide to Recognition and Management. Health Canada. 1995.

IICRC S520: Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation. Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Second Edition: August 2008.

Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2001.

Mould Guidelines for the Canadian Construction Industry. Canadian Construction Association. 2004. Standard Construction Document CCA 82 – 2004.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments. November 2008.

Post-remediation Verification and Clearance Testing for Mold and Bacteria: Risk-Based Levels of Cleanliness Assurance. R Brandys and G. Brandys. Occupational and Environmental Health Consulting Services Inc. 2006

Recognition, Evaluation and Control of Indoor Mold. B. Prezant, D. Weeks and J. Miller (eds). American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). 2008.

Report of Microbial Growth Task Force, American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Press. 2001.

Texas Department of Public Health. 1991. Clearance Guidelines for Mold Remediation Projects.

WorkSafeBC. Guidelines Part 4 – Indoor Air Quality (G4.79 Moulds and indoor air quality). Occupational Health & Safety Regulation.

Worldwide Exposure Standards for Mold and Bacteria: Historical and Current Perspectives. 7th Edition. R Brandys and G. Brandys. Occupational and Environmental Health Consulting Services Inc. 2007.


September 2011

Appendix D: Laboratory Reports Please find included the following reports:

• PEC – Spore Trap Results • PEC – Tape Sample Results


13 September 2011


14 September 2011


15 September 2011


16 September 2011

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