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To Whom It May Concern at NIOSH,
It is imperative that CDC, NIOSH, and OSHA be current regarding workplace hazard information for the public, including that related to indoor dampness and mold. This will help prevent hazardous exposures, improve the health and productivity of our workers, and save the federal government and its agencies time and money.
"This document provides a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence on healthproblems associated with building moisture and biological agents. The review concludes that the most important effects are increased prevalences of respiratory symptoms,allergies and asthma as well as perturbation of the immunological system."(WHO Guidelines, Abstract)
Dampness is presented as the mitigating factor, with extensive information about why this is so, including, but not limited to exposure to molds, bacterias, and their toxins. This shows why it can be misleading to present the outdated idea that "mold is everywhere". Your current introductory text makes it sound normal and even acceptable to have mold growing in office buildings and workplaces, which is the opposite of any current information from CDC (mold site) and WHO.
This must be changed.
"Microbial pollution involves hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi that grow indoors when sufficientmoisture is available. Exposure to microbial contaminants is clinically associated with respiratory symptoms, allergies, asthma and immunological reactions.The microbial indoor air pollutants of relevance to health are widely heterogeneous, ranging from pollen and spores of plants coming mainly from outdoors to bacteria, fungi, algae and some protozoa emitted outdoors or indoors. They also include a wide variety of microbes and allergens that spread from person to person. There is strong evidence regarding the hazards posed by several biologicalagents that pollute indoor air; however, the WHO working group convened in October 2006 concluded that the individual species of microbes and other biologicalagents that are responsible for health effects cannot be identified. This is due to the fact that people are often exposed to multiple agents simultaneously,to complexities in accurately estimating exposure and to the large numbers of symptoms and health outcomes due to exposure."(WHO Guidelines, Ex. Summary, p.7)
A few additional resources.
Click here: WHO/Europe - WHO publishes first indoor air quality guidelines on dampness and mould
I would like to discuss this by phone and continue the conversation by email, as well. This is an important opportunity for NIOSH to improve the health of our workers.
Sincerely,
Susan Brinchman
Executive Director
The Center for School Mold Help
PO Box 655
La Mesa, CA 91944-0655 http://www.schoolmoldhelp.org
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