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Re: Mold Problem



Thank you, Gloria. I am very aware of how toxic molds can be, and I want to
know exactly what is growing in there. I'm a medical librarian by training,
and have also worked on a pulmonary floor at a major training hospital. Saw
more sputum samples than you can shake a stick at. I know some molds are
carcinogenic. We've been told respirators are in order, some other
protective gear. One staff member has asthma, and I have seasonal
allergies....These records are sensitive, some one-of-a-kind. It will be an
interesting project.....!

Sharon Lee Butcher
Reference Librarian
AEDC Technical Library
100 Kindel Drive, Suite C212
Arnold AFB, TN  37389-3212
Phone:  931-454-4430
Fax:  931-454-5421
e-mail:  sharon.butcher@arnold.af.mil

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gloria Bartowski [SMTP:gbartows@MAIL.NYSED.GOV]
> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2000 8:34 AM
> To:   ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
> Subject:      Re: Mold Problem
>
> Sharon:
>     You bring up a very interesting issue and I can't help but put in my
> $.02!  I recently had experience is reviewing some very moldy records!
>      It is important not only to test the air quality, but to take samples
> of the mold itself to determine its toxicity to people.  Your state or
> county health department may do this for you. Many of us work with records
> with recent mold activity  and we need to take precautions while in
> contact with such material.  It is often an issue of length of exposure
> and frequency of exposure that  can affect one's health.
>      In my work in New York, I have had to get a physical exam by an MD
> specializing in environmental medicine and be outfitted with a respirator
> (one that fits my face and may be worn by no one else) by a qualified
> industrial/environmental hygienist.  In cases of severe mold the addition
> of a Tyvek suit (aka "moon suit") is  necessary as are latex gloves when
> handling moldy records.  In these cases an employer may wish to consult a
> firm that will handle a particularly messy situation.  Of course, the only
> solution in certain cases may be to destroy the records since they may be
> damaged beyond the capacity to salvage them--or salvaging is too risky to
> personnel. People before records!
>     To some this may sound extreme, but the inhalation of mold  can be a
> health hazard.  There is a great likelihood that the mold of which you
> speak is standard garden variety- to sensitive individuals this can be bad
> enough.  But there are some very pesky buggy little spores that are quite
> toxic.  It is also suggested that anyone with respiratory problems or
> allergies refrain from working in moldy environments.  These particular
> issues are between the person, their physician and their employer.
>       I don't bring this up to alarm anyone, but rather to inform.  My
> hope merely is to bring greater awareness to this issue so we no longer
> view mold so casually.
>
> Gloria A. Bartowski
> State Education Department
> State Archives
> Room 9C71 CEC
> Albany, NY  12230
> (518) 474-6926
> gbartows@mail.nysed.gov
>
> >>> Sharon.Butcher@ARNOLD.AF.MIL 08/17/00 07:52AM >>>
> In light of a mold problem which has developed in a secure vault here, I
> am
> seeking input from others who have dealt with the same problem. Mold has
> grown on both hardbound volumes,  some softbound reports, and especially
> on
> the paperboard holders which contain softbound reports. Dehumidifiers are
> being used to reduce the moisture, so the problem is resolving to some
> degree. However, I am told that all the mold problems began when a new
> chiller was installed for the HVAC here in this section of the building.
> Because it is a classified vault, it is only open, for relatively short
> periods of time, when staff require access to these documents. It is
> closed
> 99.44% of the time.
> Small dehumidifier collection reservoirs (the gallon-size or so container
> which one empties) have tipped out, spilling water, thereby creating
> another
> problem when the machine did not automatically stop. New humidifiers are
> on
> order, but I don't know when the will arrive. I would be interested in
> knowing how others have dealt with this problem, and the clean-up of the
> mold. Air quality studies are under way.   Thanks, in anticipation, for
> any
> input/suggestions.
>
> As an aside, the recent posting about the ARCHIVES! song, (sung to the
> tune
> of "Rawhide") had me in stitches. To somewhat quote Clint Eastwood, who
> was
> a star of that series, that posting 'made my day'. What a great western
> that
> was. Eric Fleming as Gil Favor, Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Yates, ...can't
> recall the colorful, bearded, often unappreciated cattle drive cook. Great
> series.
>
> Sharon Lee Butcher
> Reference Librarian
> AEDC Technical Library
> 100 Kindel Drive, Suite C212
> Arnold AFB, TN  37389-3212
> Phone:  931-454-4430
> Fax:  931-454-5421
> e-mail:  sharon.butcher@arnold.af.mil
>
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> Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>
>
> A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
>       In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
>                     *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
> To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu
>
> Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
>      http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html
>
> Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>

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Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>