11-12-14 PCR Report - Croton

23 STATE STREET
OSSINING, NEW YORK 10562
TEL.: (914) 762-6333
FAX: (914) 762-5578
WWW.EMSOFNY.COM
November 12, 2014
Environmental
Science
Safety
Engineering
Industrial
Hygiene
Croton-Harmon School District; (Client)
School Facilities, Operations and Maintenance
Facilities Office
8 Gerstein Street
Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
Attn: Paul Gibbons Director
Carrie E Tompkins Elementary School PCR Fungi Study:
Introduction:
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Ecology
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Services
EMS of NY was retained to perform Fungi Specific air sample collection and analysis in areas
of interest within the Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School located at 8 Gerstein Street,
Croton-on-Hudson, NY. Specific areas of interest were identified as rooms 214, 14, 5A, 15 and
13. Samples were collected utilizing PCR air sampling techniques. Samples were collected on
October 15, 16, and 27th 2014.
PCR Air Sampling:
Sampling and testing for fungi is a common practice during an indoor environmental quality
(IEQ) investigation, routine IEQ survey, or monitoring during mold remediation. The
development and utilization of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) in detection
and quantitation of fungi in the indoor environment has been made possible by a patented
technology developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). The
technology offers several advantages over the traditional culturing and spore counting
methods. The major advantages are: quick turnaround time, accurate fungal detection and
identification, reproducible results, detection of fungi and fungal spores whether they are
viable or not, quantitative and qualitative results, excellent quantitation sensitivity, and
excellent detection sensitivity. Furthermore, the technology also allows sampling for a long
duration (hours), minimizing the pitfalls of grab sampling (such as in culturable air samples
and spore trap samples). On the other hand, consideration must be taken when performing
PCR sampling and testing. There are currently no standards and guidelines regarding fungal
PCR results of air samples. PCR is a fungal detection system, not an identification system.
Fungal species must be expertly identified by a reputable mycologist. PCR analysis is specific
to the types of fungi detected and can only determine the targeted species. There is no large
database of fungi in the indoor air and indoor environments at this time.
Numeric standards and guidelines for fungi and airborne fungal spores are not likely to be
available in the near future. Airborne fungi may change according to spatial and temporal
variations. Fungi can multiply rapidly as long as nutrients and water are available. Without
standards and guidelines, the current approach to the interpretation of PCR results of fungal
samples relies on comparison of indoor vs. outdoor results and areas of interest vs. noninterest area results.
Activities:
On October 15, 16, and 27, 2014 EMS provided an Environmental technician to collect PCR
air samples. On October 15, 2014, 3 samples were collected inside of room 214, 3 samples
were collected elsewhere in the building, and 3 samples were collected outside of the building.
On October 16, 2014 3 samples were collected in each room 14 and 5A, and 3 samples were
collected outside of the building. On October 27, 2014 3 samples were collected in each room
13, 14, and 15, 2014. Samples collected elsewhere in the building and outside of the building
were taken for comparison purposes.
Results of 10/15/14 sampling
PCR analytical results for room 214 revealed similar fungal types and lower counts compared
to outside the building.
Results of 10/16/14 sampling
PCR analytical results for room 5A revealed similar fungal types and lower counts compared
to outside the building.
PCR analytical results for room 14 revealed slightly elevated levels of Eurotium compared to
outside the building. All other counts and fungal types were comparable to the outside of the
building.
Results of 10/27/14 sampling
PCR analytical results for room 14 reveled similar fungal types and lower counts when
compared to outside of the building samples. Eurotium was not detected in room 14 samples at
this time.
PRC analytical results for room 13 revealed similar fungal types and lower counts with the
exceptions of Aspergillus versicolor, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis and Trichoderma viride
detected inside of the room but not in outside building samples. These fungal types are
moisture indicators and can be found indoors growing on paper and wood products. During the
investigation it was noted that 2 aquariums in the room holding a lizard and turtles have wood
chip bedding. This environment produces ideal conditions to promote these types of fungal
growth.
PCR analytical results for room 15 revealed similar fungal types and lower counts with the
exceptions of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis being detected inside of the room compared to outside
the building samples. Again during the investigation it was noted that an aquarium in the room
holding a newt had wood chip bedding. This environment produces ideal conditions to promote
these types of fungal growth. (See attached data sheets and spread sheets.)
2
RECOMMENDATIONS
The initial discovery of Eurotium amstelodami in room 14 was attributed to a carpet in the
room. The carpet was removed and the room cleaned. Samples collected on 10/27/14 did not
reveal detectable levels of Eurotium amstelodami in room 14. Additionally the samples
collected on 10/27/14 in rooms 13 and 15 revealed detectable amounts of moisture indicator
molds commonly found indoors on wood and paper products. Upon further inspection of these
rooms it was noted that they both have aquariums housing various animals each with wood
chip bedding. These aquariums may be the source of the moisture indicator molds detected. If
the overall goal is to remove possible sources for mold proliferation then items such as these
aquariums and plants should be limited or removed.
It is EMS of NY’s opinion that the Indoor Air Quality at the dates and times of the study was
acceptable for building occupancy.
If you need any further assistance in this matter please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely
Environmental Management Solutions of New York, Inc.
Bob Friedl
Senior Project Manager
3
For samples Collected On 10/27/2014 Summary of Sample Data
15
Room/Location
1
2
3
4
Sample #
Acremonium strictum
Alternaria alternata
Aspergillus flavus
Aspergillus fumigatus
Aspergillus niger
Aspergillus ochraceus
Aspergillus sydowii
Aspergillus ustus
Aspergillus versicolor
Chaetomium globosum
Cladosporium cladosporioides (Type 1)
31
20
16
Eurotium (Asp.) amstelodami
Memnoniella echinata
Paecilomyces variotii
Penicillium aurantiogriseum
Penicillium brevicompactum
3
14
Penicillium chrysogenum (Type 2)
Penicillium purpurogenum
Penicillium variabile
Scopulariopsis brevicaulis
1
Stachybotrys chartarum
Trichoderma viride
Ulocladium botrytis
Cladosporium herbarum
Numbers = Spore Equivalents
No Value = Fungal type not detected in sample
14
5
6
7
13
8
9
2
Outside
11
12
1
2
5
12
10
2
1
1
2
8
13
30
4
2
5
36
3
20
11
870
800 1100
20
7
1
7
98
35
1
110
17
2
29
1
10
2
1
3
1
For Samples Collected On 10/16/2014 Summary Of Sample Data
14
5A
Room/Location
1
2
3
4
5
Sample #
Acremonium strictum
Alternaria alternata
1
1
Aspergillus flavus
Aspergillus fumigatus
2
1
1
Aspergillus niger
1
Aspergillus ochraceus
Aspergillus sydowii
Aspergillus ustus
Aspergillus versicolor
Chaetomium globosum
Cladosporium cladosporioides (Type 1)
220 230 260 74
74
Eurotium (Asp.) amstelodami
15
23
Memnoniella echinata
Paecilomyces variotii
Penicillium aurantiogriseum
Penicillium brevicompactum
3
Penicillium chrysogenum (Type 2)
2
2
Penicillium purpurogenum
Penicillium variabile
Scopulariopsis brevicaulis
Stachybotrys chartarum
Trichoderma viride
Ulocladium botrytis
Cladosporium herbarum
1
1
1
1
Numbers = Spore Equivalents
No Value = Fungal type not detected in sample
6
7
8
1
2
2
1
1
Outside
9
10
2
1
75
3
630
5
520
2
2
10
1
17
1
11
1
7
12
2
2
1
300 560 920 290
1
13
9
1
25
1
3
11
For Sample Collected On 10/15/2014 Summary of Sample Data
Room/Location
214
Sample #
1
2
3
Acremonium strictum
Alternaria alternata
Aspergillus flavus
Aspergillus fumigatus
Aspergillus niger
Aspergillus ochraceus
Aspergillus sydowii
Aspergillus ustus
Aspergillus versicolor
Chaetomium globosum
Cladosporium cladosporioides (Type 1)
41
23
35
Eurotium (Asp.) amstelodami
Memnoniella echinata
Paecilomyces variotii
Penicillium aurantiogriseum
Penicillium brevicompactum
Penicillium chrysogenum (Type 2)
Penicillium purpurogenum
Penicillium variabile
Scopulariopsis brevicaulis
Stachybotrys chartarum
Trichoderma viride
Ulocladium botrytis
Cladosporium herbarum
Numbers = Spore Equivalents
No Value = Fungal type not detected in sample
4
Inside Building
5
6
7
1
4
Outside Building
8
9
8
1
1
1
1
1
8
1
250
530
190
2000
2000
450
9
8
1
3
1
5
1
5
18
7
1
1
1
1

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