Mold Remediation

  The purpose of mold remediation is to: “correct the moisture problem and to remove moldy and contaminated materials to prevent human exposure and further damage to building materials and furnishings”.

Mold removal involves the clean‐up of both moisture and mold, with the goal of returning the structure and contents as closely to the pre‐damaged condition as possible.

The scope of remediation activities depends on the extent of water damage and mold contamination, ranging from surface mold removal by an occupant, to an extensive structural renovation requiring a team of skilled professionals.

  Recent evidence is clear that personal susceptibility plays a large role in how individuals respond to mold. All mold related guidelines recommend removing susceptible or sensitive persons from the work area for the duration of remediation. These individuals include infants under 12 months, pregnant women, those recovering from surgery, immune suppressed persons, or persons with any kind of chronic respiratory ailment such as allergies or asthma.

 Containment is defined as any method to minimize the aerosolization of mold during remediation, and/or to reduce the distribution of mold and particulates to surrounding areas. The type, extent and location of containment should be guided by the amount, location and distribution of mold, the types of materials affected, the extent of building or material degradation, the type of building and occupants, the remediation strategy or application, as well as other hazards present. Containment strategies for mold are modeled on those from the asbestos industry and are based on professional experience and risk prevention concepts. While it is tempting to adapt containment guidelines from other fields, these guidelines may not always be appropriate, and are sometimes unnecessarily rigorous and expensive. 

  A remediation plan is recommended for even small remediation projects. At its most basic, a remediation plan includes:

(1) a strategy for addressing the moisture conditions causing mould growth; 

(2) a thorough and systematic approach to cleaning; and 

(3) a way to safely remove all mold damaged materials from the site.

More formal documentation is required for larger remediation projects, and needs to include specific descriptions of the conditions, the work conducted in all stages of the process, as well as results of pre and post remediation assessment. In cases where other risks may be present, including asbestos, lead‐based paint or bird or animal droppings, environmental professionals may need to be consulted to conduct a hazardous materials audit and to ensure additional precautions are taken to protect both occupants and workers during remediation 

 All mold related guidelines recommend that during remediation, gloves, eye protection and respirators must be worn to protect against mold and mold particulate, biocides and antimicrobials (if used), as well as any other hazards such as lead‐based paint or asbestos. Most guidelines recommend at a minimum half face P-100 respirator. The mask must be worn properly, with the respirator correctly oriented on the face, held in position with both straps, and with the nose clip tightened to prevent gaps. Eye protection can include either safety glasses or vented goggles. Larger scale jobs require additional protection, such as a full-face mask and contamination suits, including foot and head coverings. 

  Each remediation situation is unique due to differences in building characteristics, climate and occupancy. For this reason, there is not a “one size fits all” strategy for mold remediation, and many factors need to be considered in developing remediation plans. For any such project, regardless of size, a qualified and experienced professional is your best resource to create a tailored made plan. Considerations should include the cause of the moisture problem, a risk assessment for workers and occupants, a detailed plan for cleaning and remediating, corrective actions to prevent moisture in the future, and budgetary concerns of the client.

Projects carried out in public spaces may call for the involvement of an indoor air quality specialist or environmental engineer. Typically these professionals can oversee a project for quality control, and provide post remediation evaluation to determine if the indoor environment is clean and free of dust and debris. This can involve pre and post remediation mold spore air sampling, visual inspection, olfactory evaluation, moisture measurements, as well as a black/white glove test to ensure that any dust has been removed.