Environmental Health and Safety has developed environmental health programs to help protect university students, faculty and staff. Environmental health concerns including asbestos and mold are addressed in these programs.
In the programs, specific procedures are followed to minimize and control the hazards associated with these environmental health concerns.
Asbestos-containing material is defined as any material that contains greater than one-percent asbestos. Asbestos was incorporated into a number of widely used products, many of which were used in building construction beginning in the late 1800s. By the mid-1980s most products containing asbestos were removed from the market. The most common uses of asbestos in 91社区 buildings were in floor tiles and mastic glue, thermal insulation, acoustical decorative plaster, ceiling tiles, structural steel fireproofing and drywall joint compound.
On the 91社区 campus, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of Indiana regulates the asbestos removal process. According to the OSHA Asbestos Standard (29 CFR 1926.1101), building material installed prior to 1980 must be presumed to contain asbestos unless historical information and testing indicate otherwise.
Mold removal requires a strategy to deal with the cause(s) of moisture and the mold contaminants. The university follows the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology, Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments.
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) provides technical assistance in the evaluation and mitigation of mold. EHS assists in the development of a campus mold abatement strategy, which includes determining abatement priorities; writing abatement contracts; supervising abatement contractors; monitoring environmental and occupational mold levels before, during and after abatement; collecting and disposing of waste; and complying with applicable regulations.
Mold Management Program
PURPOSE
The purpose of this is to inform the University community about the University's Mold Management Program.
BACKGROUND
Fungi are present almost everywhere in indoor and outdoor environments. With high levels of humidity in the city of Evansville, university buildings are subject to mold growth. Unprotected, older and less watertight buildings are even more vulnerable to mold growth. Certain types of mold can produce toxins, which can cause allergic reactions and produce flu-like symptoms. Mold may be found, among other places, in the following building components or furnishings:
- Drywall
- Insulation
- Carpeting
- Flooring
- Cabinetry
NOTIFICATION
If you discover mold on any of the aforementioned building components or furnishings, contact Environmental Health and Safety at 812 461-5393.
REMOVAL PROCEDURES
Removal procedures will vary depending on the location and extent of visible mold contamination. In general, small areas of mold contamination can be cleaned up and removed by trained in-house personnel. Larger areas contaminated with mold may require trained hazardous material abatement professionals.