Respro - Urban Survival Equipment

View Technical Information on:

• Avian Influenza
• Chemistry of Hydrocarbons
• Do masks really work?
• Mold
• Decomposition of Low Level Ozone in the Urban Environment
• Pollen Calendar
• SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
• Understanding OEL

Mold

Mold: A growth of minute fungi of various kinds, especially those of the great groups Hyphomycetes, and Physomycetes, forming on damp or decaying organic matter.

Fungus and molds are a common problem in many buildings including homes, schools, hospitals, as well as industrial and commercial facilities. They can grow on cloth, carpet, leather, wood, sheet rock, insulation, and even on human food when moist conditions exist. Molds reproduce by making spores which are spread throughout the environment in the air, as the spores land they begin to grow and multiply as long as there is moisture and organic material to eat. Because molds grow in moist or wet indoor environments, it is possible for people to become exposed to molds and their products, either by direct contact on surfaces, or through the air.

Size Range of Spores
Things in the mold world are very small and dimensions are typically expressed in micrometers or microns (millionths of a meter).

Most fungal spores range from 1 to 100 microns in size with many types between 2 and 20 microns.Ê People with good vision may see 80-100 micron particles unaided, but below that range, magnification is generally necessary.

To put things in perspective, you could place over 20 million five micron spores on a postage stamp.

To put spores and cells into perspective visit the following website - www.cellsalive.com/howbig.htm.

To put the level of respiratory protection provided by Respro® masks in perspective; all certified masks are tested using particles 0.5 microns (half a micron) with the filter material providing 99% filtration of all particles down to 0.3 microns in size.

Spore Infiltration
Since outdoor air normally contains some quantity of mold spores, infiltration of airborne mold into living and working environments occurs naturally.Ê Therefore, even in structures without active mold colonies, the presence of airborne fungal materials is probable unless specialized air filtering systems are employed (i.e. clean rooms).

There is little we can do to stop nature\'s production of airborne mold spores, however, we can prevent mold from growing indoors.Ê When these organisms are allowed to grow in a closed indoor environment, they can release millions of spores causing indoor levels to reach concentrations that are hundreds of times higher than outdoors...levels that can be detrimental to even healthy people.

Airborne mold spores are particles and generally settle out with time but they can be disrupted and re-aerosolized.

Respiratory protection is advisable for people who are constantly exposed to high levels of mold spores and other particulates. Any respiratory protection used in Industry must have been tested to a recognised standard whether European or American.

The Sportsta™, Aero™ and FB-1™ mask are the most suitable Respro® masks for respiratory protection against molds and with the Sportsta™ and FB-1™ masks being CE certified.

Further information is available by emailing respro@easynet.co.uk