As many of us return to the office, and congregate indoors over dinner and drinks during the summer holidays, we need to think about ventilation to minimise the indoor spread of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, is spread mostly by larger particles called droplets, but also by smaller particles called aerosols, and by touch from contaminated surfaces.

Aerosol particles are lighter than droplet-sized particles, and can be suspended in the air for longer. The suspension and therefore transmission of aerosols is facilitated by poor ventilation. Increasing ventilation indoors, with fresh outdoor air, is a key method of dispersing viral particles. Ventilation can reduce the risk that just one COVID-positive person (who might not yet know they’re infectious) will infect others.

There are some simple measures you can take, both at home and at work, to improve ventilation over the holiday period and beyond.

1. Open windows and doors

The best strategy at home and at work is simply to open windows and doors.

If you’re having friends and family over for a meal, or your office Christmas party, consider moving tables and chairs closer to open windows and opening up a door to create a thorough breeze. Or, if weather permits, eat outside.

2. Set your air conditioner to pull fresh air from outside

Air conditioners can help, but they must be on the right setting.

At work or home, you don’t want to recirculate indoor air, as this just fans the same air around the room (but now colder or warmer).

Instead, always make sure your air conditioner is set to bring in 100% fresh air from outside. There are settings in offices that allow the system to increase air change per hour, meaning it can reduce the time it takes for all the air inside the room to be completely replaced with outside fresh air.

But the direction of the airflow is also important. For example, airflow from an air conditioner (that was recirculating air rather than pulling it from outside) was implicated in spreading the virus to a number of diners at tables downstream in a restaurant in China.

Offices welcoming back staff should prepare their air conditioners by having their engineers service the system to pull in fresh air faster than the pre-COVID setting (which may have been around 40 litres per second per person) at no less than 60 litres per second, per person.

In hospitals, aged-care facilities and hotel quarantine, qualified engineers should be brought in to assess the adequacy of the air conditioner’s airflow. This is particularly crucial for any “hot zones” accommodating people who are COVID-positive.

The World Health Organisation recommends hot zones have 12 airflow changes per hour (that’s 80 litres per second per person), meaning the air is totally replaced 12 times every 60 minutes. This is the gold standard for ventilation, and can be very hard to achieve in many buildings.

3. Use fans

Guidelines released by CDC recommend placing fans near open windows to enhance airflow. The recommendation is to keep fans on at all times when a room is occupied, for example at restaurants.

As with aircons, fans can be dangerous if they push the air directly from one person to another, and one is infectious. You should place the fan so it increases the flow of fresh air into the room, and shouldn’t be placed so the air moves from the room towards the open window or open door.

4. Don’t bother with HEPA filters at home

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters have been marketed as a way to reduce the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 particles in the air.

Their effectiveness is dependent on the airflow capacity of the unit, the configuration of the room, the number of people in the room, and the position of the filter in the room.

But there’s no evidence to suggest a portable HEPA filter unit will help in your home. So, don’t rush out and buy one.

They may be effective in some areas of health care, such as a COVID ward in a hospital or in aged care homes, particularly when used in negative-pressure rooms. The combination of the HEPA filter and negative air pressure reduces the risk of aerosol particles escaping into the corridor.

5. In public transport

COVID outbreaks have been traced back to exposure on public transport. For example, a young man in Hunan Province, China, travelled on two buses and infected multiple people who were sitting in different areas of the buses. A study of this cluster was carried out by Chinese researchers, who put forward one theory regarding air flow:

The study’s authors recommend all windows be open on public transport to help disperse viral particles. If you’re on a tram or a bus, you should open them if you can. However, on some forms of public transport it might be impossible, like trains. In these instances, you should wear a mask.

Likewise, it’s ideal to have the windows down in Ubers and taxis. But if you can’t or don’t want to, turn on the air conditioner and have it pull fresh air from outside. And still wear a mask!

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What ventilation is and why it is important?

Mold Contamination and Health

After a long, stressful encounter with the COVID-19 virus, the entire world is finally relieved to get access to the vaccines. Getting a Covid-19 vaccine is essential as it protects against the COVID-19 virus. The approved vaccines are carefully evaluated for safety and efficacy. Furthermore, they also make the infection less severe if you contract the virus after vaccination.

As you get jabbed at your turn, you must know the expected side effects and practice the safety protocols before and after vaccination. We have some crucial tips for you as you wait your turn to be vaccinated.

Before vaccination

1)     Do your research

• Learn more about the different types of COVID-19 vaccines and how they work and how vaccinations are being rolled out within your area.
• Make sure you’re relying on accurate vaccine information by checking that it comes from a trustworthy source, like your Ministry of Health, WHO or UNICEF.
• Cross-check vaccine information that you find online, particularly if it comes from unknown sources.
• If you have any doubts, talk to staff at your nearest Health Facility, or a health worker. 

2)     Prepare your things

Make sure you have:

•       A mask that covers your nose and mouth – and fits tightly and comfortably. More guidance on masks here.
•       Hand sanitizer.
•       The notification you received about your appointment.
•       Your ID.
•       A travel plan, to get to your appointment on time.
•       Wear loose or short sleeves that can be rolled up easily, so that health workers have easy access to your arm.
•       Tell your health provider, or vaccinator, if you have any health issues or are taking any medications, including any pain killers.

3)     Cancel your appointment if you have COVID-19 or the symptoms

If you have COVID-19, or the symptoms, on the day of your vaccination appointment, do not go to the appointment. This is because you could spread the virus to others at the vaccination centre.

Get in touch with your vaccination centre, by message, phone or email to let them know you will not be attending your appointment because you have COVID-19 symptoms. You can get vaccinated when it has been 14 days since you last experienced COVID-19 symptoms.

At the vaccination centre

When waiting in line outside of the vaccination centre, and once you are inside:

• Keep your mask on at all times.
• Don’t touch your mask once it’s on and properly fitted.
• Keep at least 1 metre distance between yourself and others.
• Sanitise or wash your hands after touching door handles, surfaces or furniture.
• Don’t touch your face.

During vaccination

All COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of the manufacturer, are administered in the same way. The vaccine will be injected into the muscle in your upper arm. It should take no longer than a few seconds and may cause a little pain.

Keep your mask on during your appointment and turn your face away from the face of the vaccinator — to help keep you both safe. 

If you are feeling nervous or anxious:

• Remember that it is just a small prick that could save your life.
• Take slow deep breaths. 
• Look away from the needle. 

After vaccination

1)     Expect minor side effects

After being vaccinated, some side effects are normal and expected. Side effects are a sign that your body is building immune protection. 

Common side effects observed with COVID-19 vaccines include: 

• Some pain, swelling and redness on the arm where you received the vaccine  
• Chills or mild fever  
• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Joint pain or muscle ache

These side effects typically go away within a few days.

2)     Stay at the vaccination centre for the observation period

After being vaccinated you’ll need to stay in an observation area for 15-30 minutes. 

This is to monitor your reaction to the vaccine and make sure you don’t experience any severe side effects. 

Severe side effects are very rare, but could include:

• Itching 
• Fainting
• Vomiting
• Severe allergic reaction 
• Wheezing, difficulties in breathing or shortness of breath. 

Let a health worker know immediately if you experience any of these side effects.

Severe side effects, while very rare, are most likely to appear in the first 30 minutes after being vaccinated. Your stay in the observation area means qualified help is on hand in the unlikely event that you do experience any. 

3)     Prepare for your second vaccination appointment 

Most COVID-19 vaccines need 2 doses to work. This means you need to be vaccinated twice — with a gap of 4-12 weeks between the first and second dose.

Before you leave your first vaccination appointment, make sure you know the date of the second. 

It’s important that you get your second dose, even if you experienced side effects from the first — unless a vaccination provider, or your doctor, tells you not to get the second dose.

When you get home

1) Take care of yourself 

If you experience side effects, these may affect your ability to do daily activities for a few days.

Some people may develop fever, muscle pain and swelling, redness, pain or a tingling sensation at the site of injection, for 1-2 days. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids. 

You can take some paracetamol to help ease any of these sensations. If you do, make sure you follow the dosage instructions from the pharmacist or provider.  

If your symptoms are more severe, or last longer than a week, tell the health workers who gave you the vaccine. 

2) Care for the arm where your vaccine was injected

You can reduce any pain or discomfort in the arm where you got the vaccine, by applying a cool, clean, wet washcloth over the area.

3) Put your second vaccination appointment in your calendar

As mentioned, most COVID-19 vaccines require two doses to work. It takes time for your body to build protection and you may not be protected from the virus until two weeks after your second vaccination. 

It can be several weeks or more between your first and second appointment — so it’s important that you don’t forget!

4) Keep up preventive behaviours 

It’s important that you continue to follow preventive measures after being vaccinated. This is because COVID-19 vaccines have proven effective at stopping people developing the virus, but we don’t yet know whether they prevent people from passing infection onto others.  

Continue to protect yourself and others by:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, or hand sanitiser — as often as you can. 
• Keeping at least 1 metre distance between yourself and others. 
• Meeting people in well ventilated, or outdoor spaces 
• Wearing a mask when you can’t keep your distance from others, or are inside a public space. 

This is especially important until two weeks after your second vaccination – as during this period, your body is still building protection against the virus.

 

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Mold are a form of fungus. There are many different types, and they can occur both indoors and outdoors. Mold produce spores, which spread by floating around in the air. Mold spores are present in all indoor environments. There is no way to prevent spores, and they can persist in conditions where mold itself cannot grow.

Mold spores thrive in environments that are moist and warm, so when they land on a damp spot, they begin to grow. Mold can grow on a variety of different surfaces, including fabric, paper, wood, glass, and plastic. As they grow, they may digest the material they are growing on.

Types of mold

Common indoor mold are including:

Alternaria: This occurs in damp places indoors, such as showers or under leaky sinks.

Aspergillus: This often grows indoors, on dust, powdery food items, and building materials, such as drywall.

Cladosporium: This can grow in either cool or warm areas. It tends to appear on fabrics and wood surfaces.

Penicillium: This tends to grow on materials with water damage. It often has a blue or green appearance.

Mold take a variety of forms and textures. They can be white, black, yellow, blue, or green and often look like discoloration or stain to a surface. They can also have a velvety, fuzzy, or rough appearance, depending on the type of mold and where it is growing.

Common Health Issue related to mold?

The following health conditions are associated with mold exposure:

• Allergies: Symptoms include sneezing; irritation of the nose, mouth or throat; nasal stuffiness and runny nose; and red, itchy or watery eyes. For employees who already have allergies, mold can trigger asthma-related symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing.
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: HP is lung inflammation that occurs in people who develop immune system sensitization to inhaled organic dust. It can be mistaken for pneumonia, but cannot be treated with antibiotics. With continued exposure, the persistent lung inflammation may cause permanent damage.
• Asthma: With this lung disease, the airways develop inflammation in response to sensitizing or irritating exposure. Asthma sufferers may experience shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness and wheezing.

 

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If employees suspect workplace exposure to mold is affecting their health, we would advise them to immediately report all concerns to their supervisor, visit their doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment, and ask their doctor whether they should be medically restricted from the work environment.

If supervisors suspect mold is causing health problems among their employees, they should:

• Regularly inspect buildings for dampness.
• Prevent high indoor humidity with HVAC systems.
• Always respond when employees report health concerns.
• Establish procedures for recording and responding to indoor air quality complaints.
• Develop a plan for response and perform remedial action.
• Follow up to ensure corrective action has been successful.
• Encourage employees who have developed persistent or worsening respiratory symptoms to see a health care provider.
• Follow health care provider recommendations for relocation of employees diagnosed with building-related respiratory disease.

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https://envirogroup.asia/mold-removal-service/

Mold Contamination and Health

What is Mold? First, we must understand that there is always some mold around. Mold has been on the Earth for millions of years. Mold can get in your home through open doors, windows, vents, heating as well as air conditioning, and in addition to that airborne mold can be carried back home through clothes or pets. 
Sampling of mold, which is used to check a building’s compliance with the mold standard as well as to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated, is typically carried out by professionals with experience with mold. This allows one to make sure that an area is as clean as it can be from mold, though if no visible mold can be seen, sampling of mold is unnecessary.
Mold can grow just about anywhere that has moisture and will pose a health risk to many. 

9 things you should know about mold:

1- Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.
2- There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in an indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3- If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4- Fix sources of water problems or leaks to prevent mold growth.
5- Reduce indoor humidity (by up to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
– Venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources outside
– Using air conditioners and dehumidifiers
– Increasing ventilation
– Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
– Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

6- Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
7- Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
8- In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
9- Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.