Element #7 – Biological Health Hazards in Construction 1

Introduction
Construction workers are exposed to a variety of health hazards every day. These men and women
have the potential for becoming sick, ill, and disabled for life.

This course discusses the biological health hazards construction workers may find, such as
exposure to mold, poisonous plants, and infected animals. We'll also take a closer look at ways to
protect yourself from these hazards on a construction site.

Biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi (mold), other microorganisms, and their associated
toxins. They can adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from relatively mild
allergic reactions to serious medical conditions, even death.

These organisms are widespread in the natural environment; they are found in air, water, soil,
plants, and animals. Because many microbes reproduce rapidly and require minimal resources for
survival, they are a potential danger in a wide variety of occupational settings.

Pigeon droppings in an abandoned building.

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BIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS
Risk Factors in Construction
Construction work is dynamic, diverse, and constantly changing. This leads to a great challenge in
protecting the health and safety of construction workers. Workers are at risk of exposure to many
different types of hazards that can result in physical injury, illness, disability, or even death.

Here's a list of factors that increase the health and safety risk of workers while working on
construction sites:
• Constantly changing job site environments and conditions affect the health and safety of
workers. Constant change is the most common factor causing injuries and illnesses in
construction.
• Multiple contractors and subcontractors may create hazards unknown to others due to poor
communication and coordination.
• High turnover and unskilled laborers result in a lack of awareness of hazards.
• Lack of education and training on hazards and safe work practices.
• Diversity of work activities that happen simultaneously quickly create new hazards.
• Exposures to health hazards, both from their own work as well as from nearby activities.

In construction, change is constant.

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Exposure to Biological Hazards

Exposure to biological hazards may occur during demolition, renovation, sewer work, work on air
handling systems, or other construction work from contact with contaminated or disease-carrying
materials, such as:
• soil
• water
• insects (mosquitoes, ticks)
• bird or bat droppings
• animals
• structures

The most common biological health hazards in the workplace are found:
• while working in health care facilities
• where there is an accumulation of animal waste and the presence of rodents, insects and
birds
• during demolition and remodeling of old structures and buildings where there is likely the
presence of mold
• when removing plants, trees and other foliage during landscaping and clearing operations

Exposure to biological hazards occurs during demolition.

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Fungi (Mold) Hazards

Fungi (mold) are found everywhere, both indoors and outdoors, all year round. The terms fungi and
mold are often used interchangeably, but mold is actually a type of fungi. There are many thousands
of species of mold and most, if not all, of the mold found indoors comes from outdoor sources.

Mold seems likely to grow and become a problem only when there is water damage, high humidity,
or dampness. Molds are organized into three groups according to human responses:
• allergenic
• pathogenic
• toxigenic

Example of black mold in walls.

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Molds Effect on the Body
Molds produce and release millions of spores small enough to be airborne. They can also produce
toxic agents known as mycotoxins. Spores and mycotoxins can have negative effects on human
health. The most common route of entry into the body is through inhalation; mold has a
characteristic smell - if you smell mold, you could be inhaling mold. Mold is generally visible;
however, some of the most toxic mold spores are small enough to be considered respirable [less
than 10 micrometers (10 μm) in diameter].

Allergenic Molds
Allergenic molds do not usually produce life-threatening health effects and are most likely to affect
those who are already allergic or asthmatic. The human system responses to allergenic molds tend
to be relatively mild, depending on individual sensitivities, typically producing scratchy throats, eye
and nose irritations, and rashes.

Pathogenic Molds
Pathogenic molds usually produce some type of infection. They can cause serious health effects in
persons with suppressed immune systems. Healthy people can usually resist infection by these
organisms regardless of dose. In some cases, high exposure may cause hypersensitivity
pneumonitis (an acute response to exposure to an organism).

Toxigenic Molds
Mycotoxins can cause serious health effects in almost anybody. These agents have toxic effects
ranging from short-term irritation to immuno-suppression and possibly cancer. Therefore, when
toxigenic molds are found, further evaluation is recommended.

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Ten Things You Should Know About Mold
1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic
reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all molds and mold spores in the indoor environment;
the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your workplace, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of
moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely.
8. Absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy may need to be replaced.
9. Prevent condensation on cold surfaces by adding insulation.
10. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting.

Remember, molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance,
providing moisture is present.

Mold on floor due to moisture.

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Mold Cleanup

There are several things to be aware of while cleaning up mold on a construction site. Here are a
few things to remember.
• Non-porous materials (e.g., metal, glass, hard plastics, etc.) can be dried out, fully cleaned
and reused. Clean hard and non-porous materials using a detergent. Surfaces can be rinsed
with a disinfectant made of ½ cup liquid household bleach mixed into one gallon of water
(Caution: DO NOT mix bleach with cleaning products that contain ammonia).
• Semi-porous materials (e.g., wood and concrete) can be cleaned if they are structurally
sound.
• Porous materials (e.g., drywall, carpets, insulation, ceiling tile, etc.) are different because
mold penetrates into them making it very difficult to fully clean. As a general rule, if a porous
material has been wet for over 48 hours it is best to remove and replace.
Source: OSHA Pub 3713, Mold Hazards during Disaster Cleanup.
CAUTION: Do not mix bleach with other cleaning products that contain ammonia. Highly toxic
chlorine gas can be produced.
• Avoid breathing mold spores. A N-95 respirator is recommended.
• Avoid touching mold with your bare hands. Long gloves that extend to the middle of the
forearm are recommended. Use ordinary household rubber gloves when cleaning surfaces
with water, bleach, and a mild detergent. Gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile,
polyurethane, or PVC are recommended if using a disinfectant, biocide, or strong cleaning
solution.
• Avoid getting mold spores in your eyes. Goggles without ventilation holes are recommended.

Use PPE and ventilate during cleanup.

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Respiratory Protection
Respirators protect cleanup workers from inhaling airborne mold, contaminated dust, and other
particulates that are released during the remediation process. Either a half-mask or full-face piece
air-purifying respirator can be used. A full-face piece respirator provides both respiratory and eye
protection. More protective respirators may have to be selected and used if toxic contaminants such
as asbestos or lead are encountered during remediation.

Respiratory protection is effective only if:

• the correct respirator is used
• it's available when you need it
• you know when and how to put it on and take it off
• you have stored it and kept it in working order in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions

Respiratory protection for exposure to mold will depend on the size of the particle and its level of
toxicity.
• Whenever you smell or see the presence of mold, it is important to take precautions to limit
your exposure to mold and mold spores.
• To limit your exposure to airborne mold, wear an N-95 respirator.
• If oil is present in the air, make sure to use either an R or a P designed filter.

Half-Mask, Elastomeric, Air Purifying Respirator

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Poisonous Plants
Many native and exotic plants are poisonous to humans when ingested or if there is skin contact with
plant chemicals. However, the most common problems with poisonous plants arise from contact with
the sap oil of several plants that cause an allergic reaction: poison ivy, poison oak, and poison
sumac.

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac release oil when the leaf or other plant parts are bruised,
damaged, or burned. Approximately 85 percent of the general population will develop an allergy if
exposed to these plants. The sensitivity to the sap usually develops after several encounters with
poison ivy, oak, or sumac. When the oil gets on the skin, an allergic reaction, referred to as contact
dermatitis, occurs in most exposed people as an itchy red rash with bumps or blisters.

Plant Identification
You might have heard the old saying "Leaves of three, let it be!" It is a helpful reminder for identifying
poison ivy and oak, but not poison sumac which usually has clusters of 7-13 leaves. Even poison ivy
and poison oak may have more than three leaves and their form may vary greatly depending upon
the exact species encountered, the local environment, and the season.

Being able to identify local varieties of these poisonous plants throughout the seasons and
differentiating them from common non-poisonous look-a-likes are the major keys to avoiding
exposure.

Watch out for poison oak and ivy when working in the woods.

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Poison Ivy
If you are working in a wooded area, you want to be on the lookout for poison ivy. It is everywhere in
the United States except Hawaii and Alaska. In the East, Midwest, and the South, it grows as a vine.
In the Northern and Western United States, it grows as a shrub. Each leaf has three leaflets. Leaves
are green in the summer and red in the fall. In the late summer and fall, white berries may grow from
the stems.

Here are a few things to remember about poison ivy.

• Eastern poison ivy is typically a hairy, rope-like vine with three shiny green (or red in the fall)
leaves budding from one small stem.
• Western poison ivy is typically a low shrub with three leaves that do not form a climbing vine.
May have yellow or green flowers and white to green-yellow or amber berries.

Poison Oak
Poison oak is usually a shrub with leaves of three, similar to poison ivy. It has oak-like leaves in
clusters of three. There are two distinct kinds: Eastern poison oak and Western poison oak.
• Eastern poison oak (New Jersey to Texas) grows as a low shrub.
• Western poison oak (Pacific Coast) grows to six-foot-tall clumps or vines up to 30 feet long. It
may have yellow or green flowers and clusters of green-yellow or white berries.

Poison Ivy Poison Oak

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Poison Sumac
In the United States, poison sumac grows in standing water in peat bogs in the Northeast and
Midwest and in swampy areas in parts of the Southeast. Each leaf has clusters of seven to 13
smooth-edged leaflets. The plants can grow up to 15 feet tall. The leaves are orange in spring, green
in summer, and red, orange, or yellow in fall. There may be clumps of pale yellow or cream-colored
berries.

Poisonous Plant Exposure Symptoms and Solutions

Sign and symptoms of poison ivy, oak, and sumac include:
• itching
• redness
• burning sensation
• swelling
• blisters
• rash (may take up to 10 days to heal).

Possible solutions and controls for poison ivy, oak, and sumac include:
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, tucked into boots. Wear cloth or leather gloves.
• Apply barrier creams to exposed skin.
• Educate workers on the identification of poison ivy, oak, and sumac plants.
• Educate workers on signs and symptoms of contact with poisonous ivy, oak, and sumac.
• Keep rubbing alcohol accessible. It removes the oily resin up to 30 minutes after exposure.

Poison sumac

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