Recovery from Catastrophic Weather: Mold Exposure and Health-Related Training

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bilodeau GS ; Bracker A ; Buchanan M ; Burcher J ; Bureau P ; Caulfield S ; Cavallari J ; Croteau M ; D'Andrea C ; DeBernardo R ; Fitts M ; Kraatz R ; Li DW ; Mullin C ; Puchalski P ; Schenck P ; St Louis T ; Toal B ; Turner WA ; Wakai S ; Wallace K
• Description:
  The University of Connecticut/UCONN Health project- Recovery from catastrophic weather: mold exposure and health-related training is focused on research and training to increase knowledge and protective behavior related to mold mitigation and health effects within emergency and recovery responder groups, construction workers, and the public in states affected by Hurricane Sandy. The Connecticut Department of Public Health/CT DPH, Connecticut Council on Occupational Safety and Health Inc./ConnectiCOSH, and Turner Building Science and Design, LLC/TBS are partners in this work. Severe weather, typified by Superstorm Sandy and flooded buildings, brings attention to respiratory health and the threat from indoor mold/bioaerosols. The UCONN team worked to: -better understand why some workers and the public haven't prepared well-enough to respond to the health risks associated with mold/bioaerosols, and haven't utilized protective gear and resilient building practices (Aim 1); -make carefully-vetted technical materials and risk messaging accessible (Aim 2) through development of collaterals, a web resource and workshops (Aim 3); -increase health provider awareness of how bioaerosol exposures during hurricane response and recovery activities may affect health (Aim 4); -explore the feasibility of having information available on personal devices (Aim 5); and -disseminate education through multiple channels (including using social media and building synergy with Sandy Science Group contractors) to sustain positive outcomes of the program (Aim 6). The UCONN project completed tasks in three overall components in fulfillment of these aims: 1) focus group research, 2) risk communication strategy and messaging, and 3) training development and dissemination of educational material. UCONN held five focus groups representing emergency response, public health, construction, faith-based outreach workers, and home occupants. Most participants expressed concern over the burden on those most vulnerable, and were troubled about health effects from mold. Many expressed confusion about accessing and using hurricane preparedness information, including information about gear such as masks, gloves, and clothing. Almost all participants described anxiety over their uncertainty around mold exposure and health and their distrust of government support. With consideration of the themes learned through the focus group encounters, UCONN developed a risk communication strategy, a website Hurricanes: What you need to know about mold/moisture/bioaerosols and human health http://hurricane-weather-health.doem.uconn.edu/, and held 4 workshops: Hurricanes and Mold: The health concerns; reducing personal risk; and re-building homes with resiliency. Considering that the number of severe wet weather events with building flooding is expected to increase, health providers who recognize the risk and know where to access resources on personal protection are in a strong position to guide their patients to prevent respiratory illnesses fostered by exposures in the flooded environment. UCONN provided multiple continuing medical education/CME presentations in the Northeast to disseminate information directed at health providers, and is updating an on-line CME-eligible education program for physicians with guidance on environmental history-taking, treating patients with mold exposure, and determining medical clearance for participation in mold clean-up and for using respirators. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Behavior Construction Industry Education Emergency Responders Environmental Exposure Fungi Hazardous Substances Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Preventive Medicine Public Health Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Staff Development

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• Keywords:
  Bioaerosols Construction Construction Industry Construction Workers Exposure Levels First Responders Floods Health Effects Health Hazards Molds Natural Disasters Personal Protection Personal Protective Equipment Preventive Medicine Public Health Rescue Workers Respiration Respiratory Diseases Respiratory Function Respiratory Health Risk Factors Training

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• Series:
  Grant Final Reports
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Final Cooperative Agreement Report
• Place as Subject:
  Connecticut ; New York ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-32
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048033
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2016-103300
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U01-OH-010627, 2016 Feb; :1-32
• Contact Point Address:
  Paula Schenck, MPH, Director of Indoor Environment and Health Programs, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington CT 06030-8077
• Email:
  schenck@uchc.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• Performing Organization:
  University of Connecticut Health Center
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20131001
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20150930
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b20d9233806d8723f2f3b58a7b16a8fd1c0621ae4be35410af674558fe158d524a0ef763445d2def70eea30ec7ef5797b61e16ca3a11267ebe7b6c16fe887df4
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/218637/cdc_218637_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 928.61 KB ]