Every day, Clark Seif Clark professionals are deployed across the nation helping both large and small customers resolve health & safety, industrial hygiene, environmental and indoor air quality issues.
At a moment's notice, Clark Seif Clark can send their experts anywhere they are needed. No matter if it's in response to a hurricane, wildfire, flood, tornado or other natural disaster, Clark Seif Clark is ready to help and can respond in no time at all.
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Mold Clean Up Tips from the CDC to Help Property Owners Following Water Damage
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While mold is a natural part of the environment, exposure to elevated levels of it in homes, schools and businesses can be a problem. Not only can mold lower the value of a property, its presence can also lead to a number of exposure concerns for building occupants.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that mold can cause many health effects, including stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes or a skin rash. The agency also states that people with asthma or who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions, and that immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung disease could even get lung infections from mold. Certain molds are also toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins known as mycotoxins.
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Clark Seif Clark (CSC)
800.807.1118
SERVICES:
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CDC has also published the infographic 8 Tips to Clean Up Mold. The tips include:
- Protect yourself - Put on personal protective equipment (gloves, mask, goggles) to protect your eyes, nose, mouth and skin.
- Toss! - Take it out! Anything that was wet with flood water and can’t be cleaned and dried out completely within 24 to 48 hours should be taken outside. Take photos of discarded items for filing insurance claims.
- Air it out - Open all doors and windows when you are working, and leave as many open as you safely can when you leave.
- Circulate - When electricity is safe to use, use fans and dehumidifiers to remove moisture.
- Don’t mix cleaners - If you use cleaning products, do not mix cleaning products together. DO NOT mix bleach and ammonia because it can create toxic vapors.
- Scrub surfaces - Clean with water and a detergent. Remove all mold you can see. Dry right away.
- Don’t cover it, remove it - Painting or caulking over mold will not prevent mold from growing. Fix the water problem completely and clean up all the mold before you paint or caulk.
- Dry it up - Dry your home and everything in it as quickly as possible – within 24 to 48 hours if possible.
“Controlling moisture as both a liquid and a vapor is key to preventing indoor mold growth,” said Derrick A. Denis, Vice President of Indoor Environmental Quality for Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “For those who encounter visible mold growth in the built environment, it may be best to allow qualified professionals to handle the situation and take the necessary steps to prevent it from recurring. Building owners, landlords, renters and homeowners concerned about exposure to mold or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues can turn to the experts at CSC. We provide building inspections, consultation, testing and monitoring services. Our building science and industrial hygiene professionals can also offer remediation oversight and post remediation verification (PRV) assessments to help ensure any mold conditions are correctly resolved.”
CSC has even sponsored an educational video about the CDC’s mold clean up tips that can be seen below:
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To learn more about this or other building science, industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety testing services, please:
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Occupational and Community Exposure Risks to Phenol and Other Chemicals
Phenol is described by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) as both a manufactured chemical and a natural substance that is a solid when pure, but the commercial product is typically in liquid form. Millions of tons of phenol are produced each year across the globe and due to its commercial importance, it is utilized in many industries.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that it is used for medicine as a slimicide, antiseptic and disinfectant. It is also used to manufacture a number of products. Some examples of workers at possible risk of being exposed to phenol include:
- Workers in the petroleum industry
- Workers in plants where nylon is manufactured
- Workers in plants that manufacture epoxy resins
- Workers in plants that manufacture herbicides
Exposure to phenol may cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, throat and nervous system. Some symptoms of exposure to phenol are weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, muscle aches and pain. Severe exposure can cause liver and/or kidney damage, skin burns, tremor, convulsions and twitching. NIOSH states that workers may be harmed from exposure to phenol with the level of harm depending upon the dose, duration and work being done. Routes of exposure may include inhalation, oral and dermal. Due to these occupational concerns, there are published workplace exposure limits.
“In some instances, even the general public could be exposed to phenol” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “According to ATSDR, people could be exposed to elevated levels of phenol if they live near a hazardous waste site or from consumer products that contain it. These include some throat lozenges, mouthwashes, antiseptic lotions, and toilet or floor disinfectants/cleaners. Inhaling cigarette smoke is another source.”
To protect against exposure hazards, the industrial hygiene and environmental professionals at Clark Seif Clark offer testing, monitoring, consulting and training services to identify and mitigate risks associated with phenol and many other chemicals. These services help to safeguard workers, the public and help to keep companies in regulatory compliance. CSC has even sponsored an educational video about phenol exposure risks that can be seen below:
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To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.
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About Clark Seif Clark: CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both the public and private sectors address environmental issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering making them the preferred environmental consultants to healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.
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21732 Devonshire St., Ste. B,
Chatsworth, CA 91311
800.807.1118
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