Attachment 4 - B812 Travis Fire Pump Room Mold Assessment 11 Apr 25.pdf

AMERICAN COMPLIANCE SERVICES, LTD

554 Morning Glory Drive, Benicia, CA 94510· (707) 745-1137· http://acs-ltd.us

MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION ASSESSMENT

AIR & TAPE-LIFT SAMPLES

Travis Airforce Base - Building 812 Fire Pump Room Travis, California

PREPARED FOR:

Ms. Valentina Langill

CA 9453560 CES/CEOES

241 V Street, Bldg. 878 Travis AFB, CA 94535

PREPARED BY:

American Compliance Services, LTD 554 Morning Glory Drive

Benicia, CA 94510

DATE PREPARED:

April 11, 2025

Table of Contents

Section 1 - Project Overview

Section 2 - Visual Assessment Table 1- Total Fungal Spore and Mycelia Counts -Air

Section 4 - Tape-Lift Samples Table 2- Total Fungal Spore Counts—Tape Lift

Section 5 - Results & Recommendations Air Samples

Tape-lift Samples

Recommendations

Section 6 - Regulatory Guidelines

Section 7 - Limitations & Exclusion

Section 8 - Technical Staff Signatures - Certificate of Report

ATTACHMENTS

Sample Location Maps

Laboratory Results

Air Samples

Tape-Lift Sample

Mold Glossary for Identified Species

Travis Airforce Base

Limited Mold Assessment

Building 812, Fire Pump Room

Air and Tape-Lift Samples Page 1 of 7

Section 1 - Project Overview

On April 8, 2025, American Compliance Services, LTD (ACS) conducted a limited mold assessment at Travis Air Force Base, Building 812, inside the fire pump room, following water intrusion. ACS performed the following tasks:

• ACS collected two air samples, one inside the Fire Pump Room and one Control Sample outside the building. The Control Sample was collected for comparison to the spore counts found inside the building verses outside.

• ACS conducted an Inspection for visible mold growth in the Fire Pump Room.

Some decolorization was observed on the drywall.

• Two tape-lift sample of suspect mold growth was collected from the drywall to identify the type of fungal spores found, if any.

The purpose of this limited mold inspection was performed to evaluate whether elevated mold spores are occurring in the rooms assessed that could be due to current mold growth from a water intrusion event. The scope of work did not address other areas within the building.

Mold spores are present in all environments, both indoors and outdoors, with few exceptions. Generally, in “clean” indoor environments, indoor spore levels are lower, on average than the outside environment. Both indoor and outdoor spore levels vary widely due to factors such as weather conditions and activity within the room. It is important to note that any sample is indicative of a “picture in time” and that further evaluation may yield a different result.

Mold will grow typically within 24 to 48 hours after finding a suitable environment. It is recommended that building material maintain less than 20% moisture content during construction, relative humidity be maintained between 30% to 50%, not exceeding 60%, and room temperature not exceed 85º F to prevent mold growth. It is recommended as a guideline by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), that indoor temperatures in the winter months are maintained between 68º F – 75º F. During the summer months, it is recommended as a guideline that indoor temperatures are maintained between 73º – 79º F. Once the moisture, humidity, and temperature are controlled, mold growth will slow down and go dormant until conditions change to cause growth.

Section 2 - Visual Assessment

Visible staining was observed on the drywall in Fire Pump Room. The suspect material was collected using Tape-Lift sampling techniques from the discoloration. Oder was detected during the assessment.

Air and Tape-Lift Samples Page 2 of 7

Section 3 - Air Sampling

ACS collected two air samples for non-viable mold during this assessment. ACS collected one air sample inside the Fire Pump Room and one Control Air Sample outside of the building to capture the ambient spore count at the time of the assessment.

The outside control samples serve as a baseline comparison for the samples collected in the areas of concern to determine if microbial counts are currently elevated above this baseline.

Keeping the areas as dry as possible is the best way to prevent mold growth. This can be done using a variety of methods, such as, ensuring adequate air flow throughout, keep indoor humidity to 30-50% by venting moisture-generating sources to the outside;

using air conditioners; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans. Fans and fresh air good ways to decrease air humidity.

The non-viable air samples were collected using a Zefon Air O-Cell cassette at a flow rate of 10 liters per minute. Each sample was collected for a total of 7.5 minutes, sealed, and delivered under chain of custody to Micro Analytical Laboratories, Inc., for analysis.

It is important to note that there are no regulatory standards related to general indoor biological contamination. Therefore, the evaluation of biological sampling data is based on comparisons to guidelines recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The general guidelines for interpreting their sample results are based on comparisons to three enumeration ranges, which are as follows.

1) 0 to 100 Fungal Spores denotes an extremely small amount of growth. Organisms identified in this range may be characterized as "accidental finds".

2) 100 to 1000 Fungal Spores characterizes slight growth with the possibility of some active growth within the prior two-month period.

3) 1000 to 10,000 Fungal Spores signifies a strong likelihood of either current or recent active growth.

The results summary is displayed in the table below:

Air and Tape-Lift Samples Page 3 of 7

Table 1- Total Fungal Spore and Mycelia Counts -Air

Air and Tape-Lift Samples Page 4 of 7

Fungal Spores Count Summary

Air and Tape-Lift Samples Page 5 of 7

Section 4 - Tape-Lift Samples

Two Tape-Lift samples were obtained for direct microscopic examination for microbial growth. Mold spores were found on the material sampled. The results are summarized in the table below. Please see the Appendices for the sample location drawings.

Table 2- Total Fungal Spore Counts—Tape Lift Sample

Number Location Fungal Types Detected Loading

TL3

Tape Lift on Drywall

Inside the Fire Pump Room Stachybotrys Heavy

TL4

Tape Lift on Drywall

Inside the Fire Pump Room Stachybotrys Heavy

Category / Count / Area Analyzed Trace 1 to 10 Light 11 to 100 Medium 101 to 1000 Heavy >1000

Section 5 - Results & Recommendations

Air Samples

The air sample collected inside the room had elevated spore counts of Ascospores, Penicillium/aspergillus; Smuts, Periconia, Myxo in comparison to the outside Control Sample. Spores that were found inside, and not outside, include Stachybotrys, and Torula.

Please see the Fungal Spore Count Summary for details of species spore counts and locations.

Tape-lift Samples

The tape-lift sample from the visible staining on the walls detected heavy concentrations of Stachybotrys on the drywall in the Fire Pump Room. The Stachybotrys found on the Tape-Lift sample was also found in the air sample, which is often associated with water intrusion.

Recommendations

The data collected from the air and tape-lift samples indicate that there is current or recent mold growth associated with water intrusion in the areas tested. Check the building for water leaks and repair all sources of water intrusion. Once any water leaks

Air and Tape-Lift Samples Page 6 of 7 have been identified and repaired, checking for visible growth that could be concealed near the source of the leaks.

Remove and replace the effected drywall approximately 18 to 24-inches from visible growth. In the course of completing the actions, clean the surrounding areas thoroughly using a mold inhibitor, applied following the manufacturer’s instructions. If additional visible staining is observed, continue the removal process.

Until the wall material can be removed, ACS recommends isolating the rooms from other parts of the building. Control heat, humidity, and ventilation to prevent new growth from occurring. If fungal growth is found on the wall substrate or wood studs, thoroughly clean the surfaces with HEPA vacuums and wet wiping using a mold inhibitor product, applied following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Mold will continue to grow until moisture content in building material and humidity levels can be maintained at optimum levels to discourage mold growth. ACS recommends resampling the areas after any repairs or response to verify the mold spores are within range of the building control samples.

Section 6 - Regulatory Guidelines

There is no practical way to eliminate all molds and mold spores in the indoor environment. Thus, the detection of mold spores is expected within buildings.

“Acceptable” limits for mold sample concentrations have not been established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). When reviewing mold sampling results, undue emphasis should not be placed on any single factor, as both the concentration and types of mold detected are equally important. It is normal and typical to find some variation in the types and numbers of mold detected. It is also important to note that due to the variability found in sampling, hour-to-hour, day-to-day, month-to-month, and especially during different seasons, the results of the sampling conducted by ACS cannot be exactly duplicated. Variability also results from the randomness in distribution of spores in the air, building openings, and the intake and filtration by the HVAC system.

Guidelines for interpreting the sampling results are compiled from the following sources:

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists: Bioaerosols Assessment and Control, Cincinnati, 1999.

American Industrial Hygiene Association: Field Guide for the Determination of Biological Contaminants in Environmental Samples, Fairfax, 1996.

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, Washington, D.C., 2001.

Air and Tape-Lift Samples Page 7 of 7

Section 7 - Limitations & Exclusion

The information, interpretations, conclusion, and recommendations contained in this technical report are presented solely as a guide to the existing conditions as evaluated at this site. ACS developed the conclusions and professional opinions presented herein in accordance with generally accepted industrial hygiene principles and practices. As with all industrial hygiene evaluations and reports, the opinions expressed herein are subject to revisions in light of new information, and no warranties are expressed or implied. If any significant changes are made in the property described in this report, the conclusions and recommendations contained herein may be invalid, unless the changes are reviewed by ACS and the conclusions and recommendations are modified or approved in writing.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at 707-745-1137 if you have any questions regarding the sample collection efforts and this report.

Section 8 - Technical Staff Signatures - Certificate of Report

The following personnel were responsible for this mold sampling/inspection. We (I) certify that information contained herein was collected on the dates recorded and the site described in this report.

Wendy P. Davis Principal

Sofia Kummer Sampling Technician

David Kummer Sampling Technician

SAMPLE LOCATION MAP

TL3

Mold Tape Lift Sample Location Map

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE

TRAVIS, CA

BUILDING 812

ELECTRIC FIRE PUMP ROOM

TL4

M1

M2

Mold Air Sample Location Map

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE

TRAVIS, CA

BUILDING 812

ELECTRIC FIRE PUMP ROOM

LABORATORY RESULTS

Air Samples

Tape-Lift Samples

MOLD GLOSSARY FOR IDENTIFIED SPECIES

Alternaria is a genus of ascomycete fungi. Alternaria species are known as major plant pathogens. They are also common allergens in humans, growing indoors and causing hay fever or hypersensitivity reactions that sometimes lead to asthma. They readily cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised people such as AIDS patients.

There are 299 species in the genus; they are ubiquitous in the environment and are a natural part of fungal flora almost everywhere. They are normal agents of decay and decomposition.

The spores are airborne and found in the soil and water, as well as indoors and on objects. The club-shaped spores are single or form long chains. They can grow thick colonies which are usually green, black, or gray.[2]

Many human health disorders can be caused by these fungi, which grow on skin and mucous membranes, including on the eyeballs and within the respiratory tract. Allergies are common, but serious infections are rare, except in people with compromised immune systems. However, species of this fungal genus are often prolific producers of a variety of toxic compounds. The effects most of these compounds have on animal and plant health are not well known. The terms alternariosis and Alternaria toxicosis are used for disorders in humans and animals caused by a fungus in this genus.

Not all Alternaria species are pests and pathogens; some have shown promise as biocontrol agents against invasive plant species. Some species have also been reported as endophytic microorganisms with highly bioactive metabolites.

Ascospores grow well under a variety of conditions and many are known to be plant pathogens. Ascospores are microscopic spores which develop during the winter on dead, fallen leaves that were infected the previous season. From budburst onwards, rain triggers the release of Ascospores into the air. Ascospore release will continue until early December, or later in a dry season, and this is known as the primary infection season. Ascopspores can be found everywhere and commonly grow indoors on damp materials. Ascospores have not been extensively studied but it is considered to be an allergen.

Basidiospore is a reproductive spore produced by Basidiomycete fungi that grow in gardens, forests, and woodlands. Dry rot, wood rot and brown rot are all the result of basidiospores producing fungi. However, in the vast majority of cases, basidiospores detected in air samples are not from indoor growth. They are typically brought in through windows and doors. Because of this, mold remediation is typically not required.

Basidiomycetes form sexual spores externally from a structure called a basidium. Four basidiospores develop on appendages from each basidium. These spores serve as the main air dispersal units for the fungi. The spores are released during periods of high humidity and generally have a night-time or pre-dawn peak concentration in the atmosphere.

When basidiospores encounter a favorable substrate, they may germinate, typically by forming hyphae. These hyphae grow outward from the original spore, forming an expanding circle of mycelium. Some basidiospores germinate repetitively by forming small spores instead of hyphae.

Cladosporium is a genus of fungi including some of the most common indoor and outdoor molds. Species produce olive-green to brown or black colonies, and have dark-pigmented conidia that are formed in simple or branching chains. The many species of Cladosporium are commonly found on living and dead plant material. Some species are plant pathogens, others parasitize other fungi. Cladosporium spores are wind-dispersed and they are often extremely abundant in outdoor air. Indoors Cladosporium species may grow on surfaces when moisture is present.

Cladosporium species are rarely pathogenic to humans, but have been reported to cause infections of the skin and toenails, as well as sinusitis and pulmonary infections. If left untreated, these infections could turn into respiratory infections like pneumonia.

The airborne spores of Cladosporium species are significant allergens, and in large amounts they can severely affect asthmatics and people with respiratory diseases. Cladosporium species produce no major mycotoxins of concern, but do produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with odors.

Penicillium spp. These fungi are commonly found in soil, food, cellulose, grains, paint, carpet, wallpaper, interior fiberglass duct insulation, and decaying vegetation. Penicillium may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, asthma, and allergic alveolitis in susceptible individuals. The genus Penicillium has several species. The most common ones include Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium janthinellum, Penicillium marneffei, and Penicillium purpurogenum. These fungi have been isolated from patients with keratitis, ear infections, pneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis, and urinary tract infections.

Aspergillus allergic response due to the Aspergillus fungus). Aspergillus molds are found everywhere world-wide, especially in the autumn and winter in the Northern hemisphere. The genus includes over 150 species but only a few of these molds can cause illness in humans and animals. Most people are naturally immune and do not develop disease caused by Aspergillus.

Diseases caused by Aspergillus are called aspergillosis. The severity of aspergillosis is determined by various factors but one of the most important is the state of the immune system of the person. Aspergillus versicolor Conidia dimensions 2-3.5 microns. It is commonly found in soil, hay, cotton and dairy products. The conidia A. versicolor may be of various colors.

Smuts, Perconia, Myxo. These spores are placed in our group "smuts, myxomycetes, Periconia," due to their similar "round, brown" morphology. Myxomycota is a class of Mycetozoa, itself a grouping of slime molds, that contains 5 orders, 14 families, 62 genera and 888 species. They are colloquially known as the plasmodial or acellular slime molds. They feed on microorganisms that live in any type of dead plant material. They contribute to the decomposition of dead vegetation, and feed on bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. For this reason, slime molds are usually found in soil, lawns, and on the forest floor, commonly on deciduous logs. However, in tropical areas they are also common on inflorescences, fruits and in aerial situations (e.g., in the canopy of trees). In urban areas, they are found on mulch or even in the leaf mold in gutters, and also grow in air conditioners, especially when the drain is blocked. One of the most commonly encountered slime molds is the yellow Physarum polycephalum, found both in nature in forests in temperate zones, as well as in classrooms and laboratories.

Stachybotrys is a greenish-black fungus found worldwide that colonizes particularly well in high-cellulose material, such as straw, hay, paper, dust, lint, and cellulose-containing building material such as fiber board, and gypsum board that becomes chronically moist or water damage due to excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation or flooding . Stachybotrys chartarum grows and produces spores in the temperature range of 2°-40°C (36°-104°F). It is also capable of producing several toxins, however, many researchers still know little about the temperature and moisture conditions under which these toxins are produced. It has been postulated that moist high-cellulose and low-nitrogen materials at a temperature range of 0- 40°C can provide sufficient condition for production of Stachybotrys toxins. Surfaces exposed to air with a relative humidity above 55% and subjected to temperature fluctuations are ideal for toxin production. Individuals with chronic exposure to the toxin produced by this fungus reported cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, and dermatitis.

Torula (Hyphomycetes) Cosmopolitan fungi commonly found on wood, leaves, plant roots, and plant litter. Has also been isolated from air and soil. Some species cause stains in hardwoods.

In some cases, Torula may colonize the walls of a structure. People with sensitivity to molds can develop allergies and sinusitis as a result of exposure to the mold, especially when the exposure is prolonged. In these individuals, cleaning the environment to remove the mold is usually necessary to resolve the symptoms. The mold can also colonize the bodies of people with compromised immune systems, causing infection and discomfort. Urinary tract infections in particular appear to be a specialty of Torula. Antifungal medications can be used to help the body resist infections caused by this yeast.