The White Falcon - 08.09.2004, Side 10

Tackling and controlling mold and mildew at NAS Keflavik
Submitted by the Housing Office and Naval Hospital Industrial Hygiene Officer
The NAS Housing Office and Naval Hospital Industrial Hygiene Officer
(IHO), often receive calls from residents concerned about mold and mildew
growing in their apartment. Mold and mildew will grow in a warm, moist
environment, but can be controlled through proper ventilation of quarters.
Naval Hospital IHO has tested a number of apartments and has confirmed
normal household molds that can be controlled through adequate ventilation
and cleaning. None of the samples that have been collected have been identi-
fied as the dangerous Stachybotrys mold. Families that have questions about
mold sensitivity are encouraged to see their family practitioner. In the event
that a family member has been diagnosed and has sensitivity to mold or mil-
dew, they are strongly encouraged to follow the guidance provided below to
control mold and mildew in their quarters.
The key to controlling mold and mildew is to control the humidity in the air.
Humidity is water vapor or moisture in the air. While all air contains some
moisture, the amount of moisture it can hold depends on the air temperature.
Naval Hospital IHO advises that humidity levels exceeding 60 percent will cre-
ate an environment that will support the growth of mold and mildew.
You will know when the humidity is too high from the signs it leaves in your
apartment. First, you will see condensation on window glass, and even on
your toilet tank and bowl. If humidity becomes excessive, you will have water
puddling on your windowsills, around your toilet tank, and your walls and
floor covering will become damp. If nothing is done to control the humidity,
conditions are ripe for growing mold and mildew, as well as causing damage to
your apartment such as rusting of mechanisms, swelling of wallboard and sills,
separation of laminates, and peeling of paint. Excess humidity can damage
insulation, ceilings, and walls, carpeting and can even damage your furniture.
You might think this seems extreme, but there have been serious cases in
Family Housing at Keflavik, some running into thousands of dollars in repair
bills. Despite the information put out to families through the check-in inspec-
tion, resident handbook, and self-help academy, some people don’t want to
understand the connection between mold, mildew, and damage to quarters, and
their family’s ability to control it.
The fact is that mold, mildew, and damage caused by excessive condensa-
tion and air humidity are preventable with minimal effort. You can control
the amount of moisture in the air in your home, and your lifestyle affects the
amount of humidity in your home. Normal activities such as showering or
bathing, boiling food on the stove, exercising and washing clothes and dishes
all generate moisture in the air. The number of houseplants and the frequency
they are watered affect air humidity, as does running a humidifier. Combine
these activities with a well-insulated, well-sealed home, with no air infiltration
from the outside, and the conditions are ripe for problems. If you do all these
activities, but in the normal course of your day, you open your windows regu-
larly, you are less likely to build up high levels of moisture in your indoor air.
Ventilation is the key to removing moisture from your indoor air. Americans
tend to be accustomed to “mechanical” forms of ventilation such as forced air
heating systems, air conditioning systems, bathroom exhaust fans, or ceiling
fans. Americans are taught that it is wasteful to open windows while the heat-
ing system is working or while the air conditioner is running. Icelanders, on
the other hand, rely on “manual” ventilation for the most part. They open their
windows regularly throughout the day to obtain the air exchanges needed. This
is not seen as wasteful because geothermal energy is renewable and relatively
inexpensive, and no electricity is used to operate mechanical forms of ventila-
tion. A set flow of water is provided to the building whether windows are open
or closed, and the monthly utility bill is based on this set flow of water, regard-
less of the season and regardless of whether radiators are being used or not.
The question is asked about how frequently and how far open windows need
to be to control the humidity levels in a house. In general, windows open about
one to two inches for one to two hours per day will prevent mold and mildew
and damages caused by moisture in the air. Depending on your lifestyle, you
may need more or less “airing”. Keep your radiators turned on to level two
to two-and-a-half, pull up or open the mini-blinds, and open your curtains to
allow air to circulate.
Residents say they don’t want to open their windows because animals may
jump inside through the open windows. First, it is not necessary to open the
window to the point that an unsupervised animal will jump into your quarters.
In most instances, opening the window enough that you can feel some air
movement is adequate. Secondly, any base animals (pets) should not be run-
ning loose but should be on a leash and supervised at all times. Find the owner
or call Security to resolve that issue.
Residents say they don’t want to open their windows because their child
will get sick. Again, it is not necessary to open the window to the point that
your housing unit becomes cold. Keep the radiator running with the window
barely cracked, and your family will be comfortable. Consider, too, the health
effects when your child breathes air that is stale enough and moist enough to
allow molds and mildews to grow. A little fresh air will make you feel better.
Icelanders are firm believers in this, as they frequently leave their babies well
protected outside for their naps, regardless of the weather.
If you would like your Neighborhood Manager to visit you to talk about con-
trolling air humidity, condensation, and preventing mold or mildew, please call
them. For more information on this subject, check out these websites: http://
www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html or http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/
owadisp.showdocument?
Flag Football Standings (as of Sept. 6)
Eastern Division Western Division
Weapons 7-0 Hospital 5 - 1
CFK 6-1 NCTS 4 - 1
85 SFS 3-3 Security 4-2
Air Ops 3-4 85 MSS 4-3
PWD 3 - 5 85 CES 4-3
85 MXS 1-5 932 ACS 1-5
Supply/MWR 0 - 6 KEF ATC 1 -7
Last Week's Scoreboard
Mondav Tuesdav Wednesday Thursday
Games Cancelled CFK - 14 Weapons -12 Hospital -19
932 ACS - 7 Supply/MWR - 6 85SFS-18
85CES- 37 85 MSS- 2 Security - 35
PWD - 0 Air Ops - 0 Supply/MWR
Paae 14
The White Falcon
Sentemher 8. 2004