Mold Closes California Medical Center

Chatsworth, CA, January 24th, 2012
 
In October of last year, the Calavera Enterprise reported that the Valley Springs Medical Center was being temporarily closed due to an unexpected discovery of mold. The mold was not readily visible and was only discovered during routine repairs to the building.  The medical center, located in Valley Springs, California, made the decision when Aspergillus fungi were identified as part of the microbial growth.
 
Aspergillus is a genus consisting of several hundred mold species found in various climates worldwide.  It is commonly found in the environment and can also sometimes be found in household dust, building materials and even in some foods. It is frequently found in buildings that have suffered water damage or elevated humidity levels.
 
The disease caused by fungal infections due to Aspergillus is known as aspergillosis.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “There are many different kinds of aspergillosis. One kind is allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (also called ABPA), a condition where the fungus causes allergic respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing and coughing, but does not actually invade and destroy tissue. Another kind of aspergillosis is invasive aspergillosis, a disease that usually affects people with immune system problems. In this condition, the fungus invades and damages tissues in the body. Invasive aspergillosis most commonly affects the lungs, but can also cause infection in many other organs and can spread throughout the body.”
 
“Because people frequenting medical facilities often have compromised immune systems, it is critically important to reduce the potential for overexposure to Aspergillus and other common environmental molds,” reported Derrick A. Denis, V.P. Indoor Environmental Quality at CSC, a leading indoor air quality (IAQ) and mold consulting firm.
 
To help educate people about Aspergillus and its potential health risks, CSC has sponsored an educational video that can be viewed by visiting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_de4qZpwP8Q.
 
To learn more about Aspergillus or other molds found in indoor environments please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark (CSC)
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both the public and private sectors address environmental health and safety (EH&S) issues.  CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

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