SR296 A pilot study to characterise the biocontaminant cloud while decladding leaky buildings (2019)

This report examines the exposure of remediators of leaky building to the biocontaminants they are subjected to as they remove the original cladding of the building they are remediating.

The clouds were found to be a complex, allergenic, pathogenic and toxigenic mix of biocontaminants, including very high levels of Stachybotrys, Cladosporium, Pencillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Alternaria/Ulocladium, Epicoccum, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including Bacillus, Pseudomonas and others; spore clusters, hyphal fragments, Basidiomycete; and particulates consisting of bacterial clusters, siliceous particles and amorphous particles. Potentially pathogenic species Aspergillus fumigatus was frequently detected. Other toxigenic species present included Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus flavus, Paecilomyces, Pencillium chrysogenum and Pithomyces chartarum.

Nasal samplers and measurements of mycotoxins within the protective equipment showed that dust masks and respirators were only moderately effective in protecting the remediator from this toxic cloud. There were many opportunities for mycotoxins on equipment and clothing to be spread around the worksite, and even beyond.