February 2021

A fungal disease outbreak is described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as two or more people getting sick from contact with the same source, sometimes at the same time and place. Since these outbreaks can take place in hospitals or other sensitive healthcare environments, the agency provides the following answers to frequently asked questions about mold in healthcare facilities: 

“Although a wide variety of fungi, including mold and mold byproducts, are found everywhere on Earth, there is a potential for overexposure beyond background concentrations if growth occurs indoors. Overexposure to fungi increases the risk of adverse health effects such as infections,” said Derrick A. Denis, Vice President of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) for Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “However, infections, such as those associated with fungal disease outbreaks, are not the only potential negative outcomes of exposure to elevated fungal levels of indoors. Fungi, such as molds, can cause or trigger allergies or asthma attacks in sensitive individuals, as well as act as a respiratory irritant. Overexposure to some fungi or their byproducts can result in intoxication. These are all reasons why healthcare centers, nursing homes and long-term care facilities need to be especially vigilant in preventing conditions that could allow for the growth of fungi indoors. And, this is why a rapid and thorough response to water damage and visible fungal growth is so important for these vulnerable populations. At CSC, our building science and infection control professionals offer building inspections, IEQ testing, consulting and training services to help prevent and mitigate these types of indoor exposure risks.”

CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about healthcare-associated mold outbreaks that can be seen below:

To learn more about this or other microbial, infection control, environmental, industrial hygiene, building science, health and safety services,  please:

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes chloroform as a colorless liquid that quickly evaporates into a gas. Other common names for chloroform include trichloromethane and methyl trichloride. 

Chloroform was once used as an inhaled anesthetic for surgeries; as an extraction solvent for fats, oils, greases and other products; as a dry cleaning spot remover; in fire extinguishers; and as a fumigant. In more recent times, NIOSH reports it is used in some refrigerants, solvents and for chemical manufacturing. It is also released from pulp and paper mills, some hazardous waste sites, chlorinated water and certain landfills. 

Examples of workers that could be at risk of chloroform exposure include:

“Workers can be harmed from chloroform exposure since it is toxic if inhaled or swallowed,” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “As with other chemical exposures, the level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration and work being done. The National Toxicology Program lists chloroform as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen and California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment added chloroform to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65 back in 1987. In addition to cancer concerns, the Environmental Protection Agency reports acute inhalation exposure to chloroform can cause central nervous system depression and chronic exposure has resulted in effects on the liver and central nervous system.” 

 

Dedicated to protecting workers from these types of chemical hazards, and to help keep companies in regulatory compliance, are the industrial hygiene and environmental experts at CSC. They offer testing, monitoring, consulting and training services to help eliminate or mitigate exposures to chloroform and many other potential hazards. CSC has even sponsored an educational video about chloroform and potential exposure risks that can be seen below: 

To learn more about this or other occupational, environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

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.