Stachy in the stacks? One library's experience with Stachybotrys atra

In 1997, the Halifax Fisheries Library was in the process of moving the entire collection of 10,000 monographs, 100,000 government documents and 100,000+ journal volumes to merge with the collection of the Library at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, situated across the harbour in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Moving and merging collections are complex tasks with extensive planning necessary before any items can be moved. In the middle of this strategic manoeuver, Stachybotrys atra (SA) was discovered in some areas of the building where the collection was located. SA is a greenish-black mould producing several toxic chemicals which cause health risks. This paper presents documentation of what happened to the collection after the discovery of the toxin. No protocol existed for treatment of this mould on library (or paper) materials. Are we testing our collections adequately for moulds? Are we putting our own library staff at risk daily in what may be an unsafe environment? Located in the Halifax Fisheries Laboratory, the Halifax Fisheries Library has been serving Atlantic Canada's federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans personnel, university students and the public since 1930. As part of departmental cost cutting measures in the mid 1990s, it was decided that the 70 year old building would be sold, staff and research programs would be redistributed, and the library would merge with its sister library across the harbour at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. Located right on the harbour in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, a high tide and strong winds could and occasionally did flood the basement. Leaks in the roof throughout the building, including the library, were not uncommon. Moving and merging collections are complex tasks requiring extensive planning. Preparing for the move began in the Spring of 1996 with an anticipated moving date in the Fall of 1997. We were as prepared as we thought we could be until Stachybotrys atra (SA) was discovered in several areas of the building in which the library was located as well as in a few library ceiling tiles. Suddenly, the collection wasn't going anywhere. 33 1 Stachybotrys atra (SA) is a greenish-black, gelatinous mass of spores that thrives on materials with high cellulose and low nitrogen content. This toxigenic fungus (mould) is found worldwide on building materials, paper, straw and hay which have become chronically moist or water-damaged due to excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, or flooding. SA produces several toxic chemicals called trichothecene mycotoxins which are known to be toxic to humans who are exposed to significant quantities. Individuals with chronic exposure to the toxin produced by SA have reported cold and flu symptoms, respiratory problems, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss and chronic fatigue (University of Minnesota 1997). It has also been linked to bleeding, immune suppression and adverse effects on the central nervous system, (Indoor Air Solutions 1996). According to a Health Canada pamphlet published in 1994, the percentage of people who develop symptoms is low, however, persons with a history of allergic conditions, chronic inflammatory lung diseases or those who are immunocompromised should be removed from affected areas. According to that same pamphlet, safe exposure levels have not yet been established. The toxic and allergenic health response depends on exposure circumstances and dose (Johanning et al. 1993). Long-term health risks are not well known (Johanning et al. 1996). The heavily contaminated areas in the building, none of which was located in the library, were immediately isolated. These areas were sealed off with polyethylene to reduce the possibiljty of spreading fungal contamination to other parts of the building. It was determined that the presence of airborne concentrations of the mould spores in the nonheavily contaminated areas (6 CFUJm3-19 CFUlm3 ) did not warrant immediate removal of the employees from the building, however, a plan for the relocation of all staff in the building was implemented (Health Canada 1997a, 1997%). The library remained open to internal staff but discontinued contact with the public. No items could leave the library, so loans and ILLS were discontinued. Occupational health nurses met with employees to discuss potential health risks and those with additional health concerns were invited to contact Health Canada personnel to complete an Indoor Air Quality Questionnaire and see a medical officer if necessary. A protocol for decontaminating all items leaving the building was developed by a local mycologist. Non-porous materials such as glass, plastic, metal surfaces, etc., were cleaned with a 5-10% bleach solution, followed by HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) vacuuming. Initially, we were led to believe that this bleach solution would be used to decontaminate library material. We instantly declared this to be unacceptable. After persistent protestations, we got assurances that the books would not be decontaminated using any chemicals or liquid solutions. The treatment method for books and paper products was based on the guidelines defined in Mold: Managing a Mold Invasion: Guidelines for Disaster Response (1994). Because the building was considered contaminated, everything that left the building had to be discarded or treated. None of the lab personnel enjoyed the very arduous task of discarding, sorting and packing up 332 materials for decontamination, but packing one's personal affects, office and lab supplies paled in comparison to the more than 200,000 library items that would have to go through a two step decontamination procedure. The thought of every item being handled twice (by non librarians no less) before reaching its final destination was cause for great concern, not to mention intermittent stress. A local company not library staff was contracted for the job. The first step involved surface cleaning with a HEPA vacuum in the library. HEPA filters are necessary because they will trap most mould spores before they can exit the vacuum cleaner (American Institute for Conservation Book & Paper Group 1994). Wearing protective, disposable suits and respirators with HEPA filters, workers vacuumed all the books and immediately placed them in 3 foot long cardboard boxes, custom designed for the move. (A standard library shelf in North America is 3 feet long.) The second stage involved taking the 500 boxes to the decontamination where they would undergo another process. The chamber was a temporary structure, constructed in the loading dock of the building, mlth polyethylene sheets for walls securely affixed to the ceiling and floor. All items entered the decon at one end, received treatment, got placed in clean cardboard boxes in an ante-chamber, and left the at the opposite end spore-free. The treatment for the books involved fanning the items in front of a negative pressure unit. This unit filters the flow of air in an enclosed space keeping the air continuously clean. Outside this decon chamber, movers loaded these boxes into a truck and finally, they were on their way to their new location

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