HALIFAX — The Defence Department says inadequate ventilation, poor maintenance and old equipment has led to the buildup of potentially hazardous airborne mould aboard Canada’s most advanced warships. The findings are important because some sailors have long complained of health problems they say could be related to mould exposure while serving aboard Canada’s 12 Halifax-class frigates. Airborne mould concentrations aboard Winnipeg were found to be above background levels in an air conditioning plant, the ship’s solid waste handling plant and an equipment room near the helicopter landing pad. While there are no standard exposure limits for airborne concentrations of mould or mould spores, the December 2017 report says mould is hazardous for people with compromised immune systems or mould allergies. The report says the Royal Canadian Navy should improve the ships’ ventilation and require more frequent cleaning and inspections of ducts and filters.

Source: National Post May 11, 2018 14:48 UTC