OSHA Fungi Fact Sheet: Fungi Hazards and Flood Cleanup

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Overview

This fact sheet addresses worker health and safety hazards related to fungi (mold) exposure during flood cleanup operations. It provides guidance on personal protective equipment, safe work practices, and special considerations for agricultural settings.

Health Hazards from Fungi

Fungi (molds) are common in the environment and can grow rapidly on wet building materials following flooding. Workers involved in flood cleanup may be exposed to high concentrations of mold spores, which can cause:

• Allergic reactions (sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, skin rash)
• Asthma attacks in people with asthma
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (lung inflammation)
• Irritation of eyes, nose, throat, and lungs
• Opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals

Minimum Respiratory Protection

N-95 respirators are the minimum required for workers handling moldy materials during flood cleanup. The N-95 filtering facepiece respirator filters at least 95% of airborne particles.

For heavier mold concentrations or larger cleanup jobs:

• Half-face or full-face air-purifying respirators with P-100 filters provide greater protection
• Supplied-air respirators may be appropriate for extreme conditions

All respiratory protective equipment must be used in accordance with OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134).

Handling Moldy Materials

Safe work practices for handling mold-contaminated materials:

• Wet materials before handling to reduce airborne spore release
• Place materials in sealed plastic bags before removal
• Avoid dry sweeping or vacuuming without HEPA filtration — this disperses mold spores into the air
• Use wet methods or HEPA vacuums to clean hard surfaces
• Discard porous materials (drywall, insulation, carpet) that cannot be adequately cleaned

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Recommended PPE for flood cleanup with mold hazards:

Skin Infection Prevention

Floodwaters and wet debris may contain bacteria and other pathogens in addition to mold. Workers should:

• Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with contaminated gloves/hands
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after removing PPE
• Clean and bandage any cuts or abrasions before work
• Seek medical attention for skin wounds that show signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge)
• Ensure tetanus vaccinations are current

Agricultural and Rural Settings

Special Hazards in Agricultural Environments:

Workers cleaning up agricultural structures (grain silos, barns, feed storage facilities) after flooding face heightened risks:

• Organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) — caused by massive inhalation of grain dust, mold spores, and bacterial endotoxins from wet stored grain or hay
• Farmer's lung — hypersensitivity pneumonitis from repeated exposure to fungal spores in moldy hay and grain
• Silo gas — nitrogen dioxide and other toxic gases may accumulate in partially filled silos; never enter a silo shortly after it has been filled or during fermentation

Agricultural PPE Considerations:

• Higher levels of respiratory protection may be needed due to elevated spore concentrations
• Never work alone in confined agricultural spaces
• Ventilate structures before entry

Employer Responsibilities

Under OSHA standards, employers must:

• Provide appropriate PPE at no cost to workers
• Train workers on the hazards of mold exposure and safe work practices
• Implement engineering controls (ventilation, containment) where feasible
• Follow OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard for any chemical cleaners used

Additional Resources

• OSHA: www.osha.gov
• NIOSH: www.cdc.gov/niosh
• EPA Mold Resources: www.epa.gov/mold