HEPA Respirators and Mold Spores + Mycotoxins

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HEPA Respirators and Mold Spores + Mycotoxins Posted by Dr. L. Lipsey, Toxicologist

I received an e-mail today from Dr. Gray questioning the effectiveness of HEPA respirators for people working in mold contaminated buildings. It deserves serious

consideration. Remember when charcoal respirators were approved for auto

spray painting and then NIOSH spent over 10 years trying to convince Dupont, and other paint mfg's producing auto paint containing TDI and HDI (diisocyanates), to required SCBA respirators (supplied air) in their MSDS warnings. This

information from Dr. Gray, warning of the possibility that smaller spores as well as mycotoxins may be getting thru or around HEPA respirators, could be analogous

( see below )

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,

The size range for mold spores ranges from approximately

7 micra down to 0.03 micron. HEPA filters generally are

effective down to 0.3 micra. And that the last time I had

a discussion with Cliff Crutchfield, Ph.D., industrial

hygienist at the Univ. of Az., he stated that respirable

particles were not effectively filtered by passive

filtration devices. I believe that this was because of the

difficulty maintaining a seal with even have days beard

growth for men, and small face sizes for women.I also expressed concern for the inhalation of mycotoxins,

the prevention of which would require some form of

compound, forced air respirator. Form the data that I am

seeing on the neurotox side of the equation, and from the

experience of many of the patients that I have evaluated

regarding small airways inflamation, and immune toxicity

phenomena, I believe that until the nature of the exposure

is characterized by identifying the intensity of the

exposure to both mold spores, and mycotoxins, the risk is

too great to warrant less than forced air respirators with

multi bank, compound filters: HEPA, zeolite, charcoal or

self contained clean air sources.If you think that is to stringent, let me know. Thanks,

DocMike007 (Dr. Gray, Benson, AZ)

Dr. L. Lipsey

Professor and Toxicologist

University of North Florida

U. of Florida Med. Ctr, Jax

Poison Control Center Board

CV--Toxicology And Environmental Health Assoc.