Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response

Conducting Building Assessments

Presentation Objectives

• Know why environmental health assessments are conducted in buildings

• Identify building components and function• Develop an awareness of building assessment

processes, specific response issues, and closeout needs

• Introduce concept of building-related public health hazards and how they play into building reoccupancy and recovery decisions

How Do Disasters Impact Buildings?

• Function affected• Critical services

reduced or eliminated• Acute and chronic

exposure to health risks• Long-term infrastructure

costs

Major Concerns

• Are building-related public health hazards present?

• How do these hazards impact building occupancy or purpose?

• If impacted, how can the hazard be abated to allow reoccupancy and relicensure?

Partners during Building Assessments

• Building owners• Building support services• Administrators • Engineers• Permitting/occupancy authorities

Roles for Environmental Health Staff

• Assessment– Evaluating the indoor environment

(may include sampling and monitoring)• Consultation• Public information• Planning• Liaison activities

Equipment Needs for a Building Assessment

• Standard EH survey tools– Flashlight, camera,

multiuse tool, etc.

• Moisture meter• Basic IAQ meter• Environmental sampling

supplies• PPE and protective

clothing

Safety Concerns for Building Assessment

Activities • Safety of team• Situational awareness• Knowledge of building,

contents, and hazards• Communication/contact

needs

Why Conduct Building Assessments?

• Why does a building exist?• Physiologic needs• Psychologic needs• Must evaluate components

holistically, not individually

Primary Activitiesfor Building Assessments

• Plan the assessment process• Conduct the assessment• Document all information• Communicate findings and

recommendations

Building AssessmentProcess

• A 3-step assessment process• Chemical, physical or

biological hazard present in the building?

• Does a pathway exist to transport the hazard to the occupant?

• If so, can the exposure be quantified?

Pathway

OccupantExposure

Source

Building AssessmentBuilding Components - 1

• Building envelope• Structural components

Building AssessmentBuilding Components - 2

• Building envelope• Structural components• Interior furnishings

and appliances

Building AssessmentBuilding Components - 3

• Building envelope• Structural components• Interior furnishings and

appliances• Utility infrastructure

Building AssessmentBuilding Components - 4

• Building envelope• Structural components• Interior furnishings and

appliances• Utility infrastructure• Occupancy specific

Building AssessmentBuilding Components - 5

• Building envelope• Structural components• Interior furnishings and

appliances• Utility infrastructure• Occupancy specific • Building surroundings

Building AssessmentRe-occupancy and Recovery

• Public health hazard exists now or in future?

• Does hazard or remediation impact building use?

• Disaster need considerations• Use Recommendations

OccupantRisk Assessment

Building Function Impact

Disaster Needs

A Few Things About Mold…

Take-home points:• A visual walkthrough will give you all the

information you need– Look for mold growth and water damage

• Find moisture source(s) and eliminate them• Remove mold growth

– Porous surfaces? Dispose and replace– Impervious surfaces? Clean and disinfect

• Should you sample for mold?– Typically not indicated for emergency response

Mold References

• CDC National Center for Environmental Health: http://www.cdc.gov/moldCleanup and remediation, general information, mold-related issues

• EPA: http://www.epa.gov/mold - mold references for public health

• Minnesota Department of Health: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/mold/links.html

• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.shtmlGuidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments

• OSHA: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/molds/index.htmlMold-Related Problems in the Indoor Workplace

Building AssessmentClosing out

• Assessment close out with owner/operator• Assessment close out with permitting authority

Speaker InformationRobert Maglievaz, MSPH, RS, CIHVolusia County Health Department

1845 Holsonback Dr.Daytona Beach, FL 32117

386.274.0697robert_maglievaz@doh.state.fl.us

LT Jasen M. Kunz, MPH, REHS, RSU.S. Public Health ServiceOffice of Health and Safety

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention404.639.3419

JKunz@cdc.gov

Questions?

Exercise

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Exercise 4

Exercise 6

Exercise 8

Exercise 9

Exercise 9

Exercise 10

Exercise 11