Moisture
Excessive moisture in structures, regardless of cause, is a significant problem for occupants, owners and managers. The National Academy of Science lists three basic problems associated with damp structures:
- Enhanced environment for dust mites, cockroaches, and other insects.
- Enhanced environment for the growth of mold, bacteria and other microbial agents.
- Degradation of building materials and furnishings. Dampness can also release chemicals and non-biologic particles that may be hazardous.
Water problems can manifest themselves in damage to the structure through rusting materials, rotting wood, and damage to other structural items and furnishings, but most significantly in adverse health effects for occupants. There is significant literature indicating the seriousness of the relationship between health and water-damaged buildings (WBD).
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Damp Indoor Spaces and Health, published in 2004 by The Institute of Medicine, found a relationship between damp indoor environments and adverse health outcomes. This comprehensive review of literature found sufficient evidence of an association between damp indoor spaces and a variety of respiratory symptoms including upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, wheeze, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons.
More recent reviews of literature by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO, 2008) report, the World Health Organization report (WHO, 2009), the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory/EPA (Fisk, 2007) study provide additional support for these earlier conclusions and extend the concerns. The Executive Summary of the WHO report stated “Exposure to microbial contaminants is clinically associated with respiratory symptoms, allergies, asthma and immunological reactions.” Clearly, a relationship exists between damp structures and health effects.
These reviews indicate a more extensive human health effect acquired following exposure to the multiple microbes and microbial contaminants and their metabolites found in water-damaged buildings. The contaminants discussed include fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, and mycobacteria and their toxins, as well as lesser known and understood contaminants such as inflammagens from fragments of fungal structures, beta glucans, hemolysins, microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and others.
Statistically, these reviews provide startling results. In one review building dampness and mold were determined to be associated with 30% to 50% increases in a variety of respiratory and asthma-related health outcomes. In a US wide public health study it was estimated that 21% of current US asthma cases are attributable to dampness and mold exposure. Based on this statistic the associated annual US cost of current asthma attributable to dampness and mold is estimated to be $3.5 billion.
Several of these literature reviews also included recommendations to mitigate the risks of damp structures. The IOM report concluded: “When microbial contamination is found, it should be eliminated by means that not only limit the possibility of recurrence but also limit exposure of occupants and persons conducting the remediation.” Properly drying the structure is an essential part of this resolution. Remediation involves “limiting the recurrence” of the contaminants.
High Temperature Restoration
ThermaPureHeat® is a logical solution to the problems associated with damp structures. ThermaPureHeat® combines the processes of drying and structural pasteurization. This resolution provides a dry structure and kills or damages most of the contaminants responsible for the health effects. Additionally, the ThermaPureHeat® process will reduce the VOCs and odors associated with water-damaged buildings by accelerating the off-gassing process. Pests such as dust mites and cockroaches as well as others that serve as vectors of contaminants are easily killed by ThermaPureHeat® temperatures. Some allergens as well as some protein-based toxins are also affected by the high temperatures of the ThermaPureHeat® process. ThermaPureHeat® is a best available technology for structural drying.
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