Posted By Geoff S Bottomley Working on a construction site we have been warned that there is a possibility that during our demolition phase we will be required to protect ourselfs from Aspergillosis (Farmers Lung). I am under the impression that this lung ailment is caught from areas such as farms were the spores are released from mouldy hay. Am I correct or can this be also be caught from the dust created from demoltion on building sites.

Posted By MichaelM It is also farmers lung. Please find below information from a biological material safety data sheet. Hope it is useful. It is a bit scientific but effectively it is a mould (or part of) that is breathed in. RPE is essential. Michael MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT NAME: Aspergillus spp. SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, A. flavus, Aspergillosis, Farmer's lung CHARACTERISTICS: Rapidly growing mold with septate hyphae and conidia; differentiation on basis of conidiophores and conidia SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD PATHOGENICITY: Variety of forms of infection depending on species involved, i.e. aspergilloma, aspergillosis pneumonia; aspergillosis is characterized by pulmonary infiltrates, eosinophilia and a rise in IgG; immunosuppressed individuals are prone to develop an acute pneumonia with multifocal infiltrates expanding to consolidation; dissemination to other organs (eg. cardiac valve) is common; most common cause of otomycosis; clinical manifestation and severity are largely determined by the general immunologic state of the patient EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; uncommon; hospital air and airducts associated with nosocomial outbreaks; high aflatoxin and other mycotoxins produced by A. flavus correlated to heptocellular cancer in Africa and Southeast Asia HOST RANGE: Humans INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Inhalation of airborne conidia INCUBATION PERIOD: Variable; few days to weeks COMMUNICABILITY: Not transmitted from person to person SECTION III - DISSEMINATION RESERVOIR: Widely distributed in nature; in soil, cereal grains, hay and other plant material or foodstuff ZOONOSIS: None VECTORS: None SECTION IV - VIABILITY DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to amphotericin B, itraconazole or voriconazole SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 1 % sodium hypochlorite,, 2% glutaraldehyde; susceptibility to 70% ethanol and phenolics questionable (0.4% chlorine for 2 min has been recommended for surface disinfection of food samples) PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Inactivated by heat and irradiation SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Spores are very resistant; survive in soil and decaying matter for a long time SECTION V - MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm microscopically using potassium hydroxide. FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer amphotericin B; reduce immunosuppressive therapy where possible; surgical intervention in unusual "solid" lesion cases IMMUNIZATION: None available PROPHYLAXIS: None available SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date (many non-laboratory occupationally-acquired infections have been reported). SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Sputum; soil and environmental samples may contain infectious conidia PRIMARY HAZARDS: Inhalation of conidia SPECIAL HAZARDS: None SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment facilities for activities involving the fungus or infectious body fluids and tissues PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with infectious materials is unavoidable OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing gently cover spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypchlorite starting at the perimeter and working towards the centre; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled

Posted By MichaelM Smurfer This is of course only if they are competent to hold the paper towel!!

Posted By angela westwood Geoff we conducted a risk assessment re this particular subject due to combined demolition works/new build on a hospital project that was within my patch. Our main remit was to establish the "at risk "profile and whether any of our patients or staff fitted the picture of those who could become ill as a result of inhaling aspergillus spores. The Aspergillus serotypes, mainly fumigatus and flavus are not just found in mouldy hay but also can be found lurking within the inherent fabric of a premise or ventilation shafts, false ceilings etc. A guidance notice was issued via NHS estates re this nasty little devil as in immuno suppressed people it can cause a severe and sometime fatal condition called aspergillosis. Also at risk appparently are those on long term steroid treatment - so in theory asthmatics may fit this picture. Air monitoring to discover whether the spores are present is a useful control but not the whole picture. You may wish to verify the risk assessment and control measures that your company have taken. I communicated with the HSE and asked if we were taking the right approach - they agreed and said our approach and controls were acceptable. There is an aspergillus website, tap it into your search engine and it should bring up a wealth of information.