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SafetyandHealthInformationBulletins / ABriefGuidetoMoldintheWorkplace

U.S.DepartmentofLabor
OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration
DirectorateofTechnicalSupportandEmergencyManagement
(formerlyDirectorateofScience,TechnologyandMedicine)
OfficeofScienceandTechnologyAssessment

ABriefGuidetoMoldintheWorkplace

SHIB031010
SafetyandHealthInformationBulletin updated110813

ThisSafetyandHealthInformationBulletinisnotastandardorregulation,anditcreatesnonewlegalobligations.TheBulletinisadvisoryinnature,
OccupationalSafetyandHealth
informationalincontent,andisintendedtoassistemployersinprovidingasafeandhealthfulworkplace.Pursuanttothe
Act ,employersmustcomplywithhazardspecificsafetyandhealthstandardsandregulationspromulgatedbyOSHAorbyastatewithanOSHAapproved
stateplan.Inaddition,pursuanttoSection5(a)(1),theGeneralDutyClauseoftheAct,employersmustprovidetheiremployeeswithaworkplacefree
fromrecognizedhazardslikelytocausedeathorseriousphysicalharm.

Introduction
Concernaboutindoorexposuretomoldhasincreasedalongwithpublicawarenessthatexposuretomoldcancauseavarietyofhealtheffectsandsymptoms,
includingallergicreactions.Thissafetyandhealthinformationbulletinprovidesrecommendationsforthepreventionofmoldgrowthanddescribesmeasures
designedtoprotectthehealthofbuildingoccupantsandworkersinvolvedinmoldcleanupandprevention.Thisbulletinisdirectedprimarilyatbuildingmanagers,
custodians,andothersresponsibleforbuildingmaintenance,butmayalsobeusedasabasicreferenceforthoseinvolvedinmoldremediation.Byreadingthis
safetyandhealthinformationbulletin,individualswithlittleornoexperiencewithmoldremediationmaybeabletoreasonablyjudgewhethermoldcontamination
canbemanagedinhouseorwhetheroutsideassistanceisrequired.Theadviceofamedicalprofessionalshouldalwaysbesoughtifthereareanyemerginghealth
issues.Thisdocumentwillhelpthoseresponsibleforbuildingmaintenanceintheevaluationofremediationplans.Contractorsandotherprofessionals(e.g.
industrialhygienistsorotherenvironmentalhealthandsafetyprofessionals)whorespondtomoldandmoisturesituationsinbuildings,aswellasmembersofthe
generalpublic,alsomayfindtheseguidelineshelpful.Theinformationintheseguidelinesisintendedonlyasasummaryofbasicproceduresandisnotintended,
norshoulditbeused,asadetailedguidetomoldremediation.Theseguidelinesaresubjecttochangeasmoreinformationregardingmoldcontaminationand
remediationbecomesavailable.

MoldBasics
Moldsarepartofthenaturalenvironment.Moldsarefungithatcanbefoundanywhereinsideoroutsidethroughouttheyear.About1,000speciesofmoldcan
befoundintheUnitedStates,withmorethan100,000knownspeciesworldwide.

Outdoors,moldsplayanimportantroleinnaturebybreakingdownorganicmattersuchastoppledtrees,fallenleaves,anddeadanimals.Wewouldnothavefood
andmedicines,likecheeseandpenicillin,withoutmold.

Indoors,moldgrowthshouldbeavoided.Problemsmayarisewhenmoldstartseatingawayatmaterials,affectingthelook,smell,andpossibly,withtherespectto
woodframedbuildings,affectingthestructuralintegrityofthebuildings.

Moldscangrowonvirtuallyanysubstance,aslongasmoistureorwater,oxygen,andanorganicsourcearepresent.Moldsreproducebycreatingtinyspores
(viableseeds)thatusuallycannotbeseenwithoutmagnification.Moldsporescontinuallyfloatthroughtheindoorandoutdoorair.

Moldsareusuallynotaproblemunlessmoldsporeslandonadampspotandbegingrowing.Theydigestwhatevertheylandoninordertosurvive.Thereare
moldsthatgrowonwood,paper,carpet,foodsandinsulation,whileothermoldsfeastontheeverydaydustanddirtthatgatherinthemoistregionsofabuilding.

Whenexcessivemoistureorwateraccumulatesindoors,moldgrowthoftenwilloccur,particularlyifthemoistureproblemremainsuncorrected.Whileitis
impossibletoeliminateallmoldsandmoldspores,controllingmoisturecancontrolindoormoldgrowth.

Allmoldssharethecharacteristicofbeingabletogrowwithoutsunlightmoldneedsonlyaviableseed(spore),anutrientsource,moisture,andtheright
temperaturetoproliferate.Thisexplainswhymoldinfestationisoftenfoundindamp,dark,hiddenspaceslightandaircirculationdryareasout,makingthemless
hospitableformold.

Moldsgraduallydamagebuildingmaterialsandfurnishings.Ifleftunchecked,moldcaneventuallycausestructuraldamagetoawoodframedbuilding,weakening
floorsandwallsasitfeedsonmoistwoodenstructuralmembers.Ifyoususpectthatmoldhasdamagedbuildingintegrity,consultastructuralengineerorother
professionalwiththeappropriateexpertise.

Sincemoldrequireswatertogrow,itisimportanttopreventexcessivemoistureinbuildings.Somemoistureproblemsinbuildingshavebeenlinkedtochangesin
buildingconstructionpracticessincethe1970s,whichresultedintightlysealedbuildingswithdiminishedventilation,contributingtomoisturevaporbuildup.Other
moistureproblemsmayresultfromroofleaks,landscapingorguttersthatdirectwaterintoorunderabuilding,orunventedcombustionappliance.Delayedor
insufficientmaintenancemaycontributetomoistureproblemsinbuildings.Impropermaintenanceanddesignofbuildingheating/ventilating/airconditioning(HVAC)
systems,suchasinsufficientcoolingcapacityforanairconditioningsystem,canresultinelevatedhumiditylevelsinabuilding.

HealthEffects
Currently,therearenofederalstandardsorrecommendations,(e.g.,OSHA,NIOSH,EPA)forairborneconcentrationsofmoldormoldspores.
Scientificresearchontherelationshipbetweenmoldexposuresandhealtheffectsisongoing.Thissectionprovidesabriefoverview,butdoesnotdescribeall
potentialhealtheffectsrelatedtomoldexposure.Formoredetailedinformation,consultahealthprofessionaloryourstateorlocalhealthdepartment.
Therearemanytypesofmold.Mosttypicalindoorairexposurestomolddonotpresentariskofadversehealtheffects.Moldscancauseadverseeffectsby
producingallergens(substancesthatcancauseallergicreactions).Potentialhealthconcernsareimportantreasonstopreventmoldgrowthandtoremediate
existingproblemareas.

Theonsetofallergicreactionstomoldcanbeeitherimmediateordelayed.Allergicresponsesincludehayfevertypesymptomssuchasrunnynoseandredeyes.

Moldsmaycauselocalizedskinormucosalinfectionsbut,ingeneral,donotcausesystemicinfectionsinhumans,exceptforpersonswithimpairedimmunity,AIDS,
uncontrolleddiabetes,orthosetakingimmunesuppressivedrugs.Animportantreferencewithguidelinesforimmunocompromisedindividualscanbefoundatthe
CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)website.

Moldscanalsocauseasthmaattacksinsomeindividualswhoareallergictomold.Inaddition,exposuretomoldcanirritatetheeyes,skin,noseandthroatin
certainindividuals.Symptomsotherthanallergicandirritanttypesarenotcommonlyreportedasaresultofinhalingmoldintheindoorenvironment.

Somespecificspeciesofmoldproducemycotoxinsundercertainenvironmentalconditions.Potentialhealtheffectsfrommycotoxinsarethesubjectofongoing
scientificresearchandarebeyondthescopeofthisdocument.

Eating,drinking,andusingtobaccoproductsandcosmeticswheremoldremediationistakingplaceshouldbeavoided.Thiswillpreventunnecessarycontamination
offood,beverage,cosmetics,andtobaccoproductsbymoldandotherharmfulsubstanceswithintheworkarea.

Prevention
Moisturecontrolisthekeytomoldcontrol.Whenwaterleaksorspillsoccurindoorsactpromptly.Anyinitialwaterinfiltrationshouldbestoppedandcleaned
promptly.Apromptresponse(within2448hours)andthoroughcleanup,drying,and/orremovalofwaterdamagedmaterialswillpreventorlimitmoldgrowth.

Moldpreventiontipsinclude:

Repairingplumbingleaksandleaksinthebuildingstructureassoonaspossible.
Lookingforcondensationandwetspots.Fixsource(s)ofmoistureincursionproblem(s)assoonaspossible.
Preventingmoisturefromcondensingbyincreasingsurfacetemperatureorreducingthemoisturelevelintheair(humidity).Toincreasesurfacetemperature,
insulateorincreaseaircirculation.Toreducethemoisturelevelintheair,repairleaks,increaseventilation(ifoutsideairiscoldanddry),ordehumidify(if
outdoorairiswarmandhumid).
KeepingHVACdrippansclean,flowingproperly,andunobstructed.
Performingregularlyscheduledbuilding/HVACinspectionsandmaintenance,includingfilterchanges.
Maintainingindoorrelativehumiditybelow70%(2560%,ifpossible).
Ventingmoisturegeneratingappliances,suchasdryers,totheoutsidewherepossible.
Ventingkitchens(cookingareas)andbathroomsaccordingtolocalcoderequirements.
Cleaninganddryingwetordampspotsassoonaspossible,butnomorethan48hoursafterdiscovery.
Providingadequatedrainagearoundbuildingsandslopingthegroundawayfrombuildingfoundations.Followalllocalbuildingcodes.
Pinpointingareaswhereleakshaveoccurred,identifyingthecauses,andtakingpreventiveactiontoensurethattheydonotreoccur.

QuestionsThatMayAssistinDeterminingWhetheraMoldProblemCurrentlyExists

Arebuildingmaterialsorfurnishingsvisiblymoisturedamaged?
Havebuildingmaterialsbeenwetmorethan48hours?
Arethereexistingmoistureproblemsinthebuilding?
Arebuildingoccupantsreportingmustyormoldyodors?
Arebuildingoccupantsreportinghealthproblemsthattheythinkarerelatedtomoldintheindoorenvironment?
Hasthebuildingbeenrecentlyremodeledorhasthebuildingusechanged?
Hasroutinemaintenancebeendelayedorthemaintenanceplanbeenaltered?

Alwaysconsiderconsultingahealthprofessionaltoaddressanyemployeehealthconcerns.

RemediationPlan
Remediationincludesboththeidentificationandcorrectionoftheconditionsthatpermitmoldgrowth,aswellasthestepstosafelyandeffectivelyremovemold
damagedmaterials.

Beforeplanningtheremediationassesstheextentofthemoldormoistureproblemandthetypeofdamagedmaterials.Ifyouchoosetohireoutsideassistanceto
dothecleanup,makesurethecontractorhasexperiencewithmoldremediation.CheckreferencesandaskthecontractortofollowtherecommendationsinEPA's
publication,"MoldRemediationinSchoolsandCommercialBuildings,"orotherguidelinesdevelopedbyprofessionalorgovernmentalorganizations.

Theremediationplanshouldincludestepstopermanentlycorrectthewaterormoistureproblem.Theplanshouldcovertheuseofappropriatepersonalprotective
equipment(PPE).Italsoshouldincludestepstocarefullycontainandremovemoldybuildingmaterialsinamannerthatwillpreventfurthercontamination.
Remediationplansmayvarygreatlydependingonthesizeandcomplexityofthejob,andmayrequirerevisionifcircumstanceschangeornewfactsarediscovered.

IfyoususpectthattheHVACsystemiscontaminatedwithmold,orifmoldispresentneartheintaketothesystem,contacttheNationalAirDuctCleaners
Association(NADCA),orconsultEPA'sguide,"ShouldYouHavetheAirDuctsinYourHomeCleaned?"beforetakingfurtheraction.DonotruntheHVACsystemif
youknoworsuspectthatitiscontaminatedwithmold,asitcouldspreadcontaminationthroughoutthebuilding.Ifthewaterormolddamagewascausedby
sewageorothercontaminatedwater,consultaprofessionalwhohasexperiencecleaningandrepairingbuildingsdamagedbycontaminatedwater.

Theremediationmanager'shighestprioritymustbetoprotectthehealthandsafetyofthebuildingoccupantsandremediators.Remediatorsshouldavoidexposing
themselvesandotherstomoldladendustsastheyconducttheircleanupactivities.Cautionshouldbeusedtopreventmoldandmoldsporesfrombeingdispersed
throughouttheairwheretheycanbeinhaledbybuildingoccupants.Insomecases,especiallythoseinvolvinglargeareasofcontamination,theremediationplan
mayincludetemporaryrelocationofsomeorallofthebuildingoccupants.

Whendecidingifrelocatingoccupantsisnecessary,considerationshouldbegiventothesizeandtypeofmoldgrowth,thetypeandextentofhealtheffects
reportedbytheoccupants,thepotentialhealthrisksthatcouldbeassociatedwiththeremediationactivity,andtheamountofdisruptionthisactivityislikelyto
cause.Inaddition,beforedecidingtorelocateoccupants,oneshouldalsoevaluatetheremediator'sabilitytocontain/minimizepossibleaerosolizationofmold
sporesgiventheirexpertiseandthephysicalparametersoftheworkspace.Whenpossible,remediationactivitiesshouldbescheduledduringoffhourswhen
buildingoccupantsarelesslikelytobeaffected.

Remediators,particularlythosewithhealthrelatedconcerns,maywishtocheckwiththeirphysiciansorotherhealthcareprofessionalsbeforeworkingonmold
remediationorinvestigatingpotentiallymoldyareas.Ifanyindividualhashealthconcerns,doubts,orquestionsbeforebeginningaremediation/cleanupproject,he
orsheshouldconsultahealthprofessional.

MoldRemediation/CleanupMethods
Thepurposeofmoldremediationistocorrectthemoistureproblemandtoremovemoldyandcontaminatedmaterialstopreventhumanexposureandfurther
damagetobuildingmaterialsandfurnishings.Porousmaterialsthatarewetandhavemoldgrowingonthemmayhavetobediscardedbecausemoldscaninfiltrate
poroussubstancesandgrowonorfillinemptyspacesorcrevices.Thismoldcanbedifficultorimpossibletoremovecompletely.

Asageneralrule,simplykillingthemold,forexample,withbiocideisnotenough.Themoldmustberemoved,sincethechemicalsandproteins,whichcancausea
reactioninhumans,arepresentevenindeadmold.

Avarietyofcleanupmethodsareavailableforremediatingdamagetobuildingmaterialsandfurnishingscausedbymoisturecontrolproblemsandmoldgrowth.
Thespecificmethodorgroupofmethodsusedwilldependonthetypeofmaterialaffected.Somemethodsthatmaybeusedincludethefollowing:
WetVacuum
Wetvacuumsarevacuumcleanersdesignedtocollectwater.Theycanbeusedtoremovewaterfromfloors,carpets,andhardsurfaceswherewaterhas
accumulated.Theyshouldnotbeusedtovacuumporousmaterials,suchasgypsumboard.Wetvacuumsshouldbeusedonlyonwetmaterials,assporesmaybe
exhaustedintotheindoorenvironmentifinsufficientliquidispresent.Thetanks,hoses,andattachmentsofthesevacuumsshouldbethoroughlycleanedanddried
afterusesincemoldandmoldsporesmayadheretoequipmentsurfaces.

DampWipe
Moldcangenerallyberemovedfromnonporoussurfacesbywipingorscrubbingwithwateranddetergent.Itisimportanttodrythesesurfacesquicklyand
thoroughlytodiscouragefurthermoldgrowth.Instructionsforcleaningsurfaces,aslistedonproductlabels,shouldalwaysbereadandfollowed.

HEPAVacuum
HEPA(HighEfficiencyParticulateAir)vacuumsarerecommendedforfinalcleanupofremediationareasaftermaterialshavebeenthoroughlydriedand
contaminatedmaterialsremoved.HEPAvacuumsalsoarerecommendedforcleanupofdustthatmayhavesettledonsurfacesoutsidetheremediationarea.Care
mustbetakentoassurethatthefilterisproperlyseatedinthevacuumsothatalltheairpassesthroughthefilter.Whenchangingthevacuumfilter,remediators
shouldwearrespirators,appropriatepersonalprotectiveclothing,gloves,andeyeprotectiontopreventexposuretoanycapturedmoldandothercontaminants.
ThefilterandcontentsoftheHEPAvacuummustbedisposedofinimpermeablebagsorcontainersinsuchawayastopreventreleaseofthedebris.

DisposalofDamagedMaterials
Buildingmaterialsandfurnishingscontaminatedwithmoldgrowththatarenotsalvageableshouldbeplacedinsealedimpermeablebagsorclosedcontainerswhile
intheremediationarea.Thesematerialscanusuallybediscardedasordinaryconstructionwaste.Itisimportanttopackagemoldcontaminatedmaterialsinthis
fashiontominimizethedispersionofmoldspores.Largeitemswithheavymoldgrowthshouldbecoveredwithpolyethylenesheetingandsealedwithducttape
beforebeingremovedfromtheremediationarea.Somejobsmayrequiretheuseofdusttightchutestomovelargequantitiesofdebristoadumpsterstrategically
placedoutsideawindowintheremediationarea.

UseofBiocides
Theuseofabiocide,suchaschlorinebleach,isnotrecommendedasaroutinepracticeduringmoldremediation,althoughtheremaybeinstanceswhere
professionaljudgmentmayindicateitsuse(forexample,whenimmunocompromisedindividualsarepresent).Inmostcases,itisnotpossibleordesirableto
sterilizeanarea,asabackgroundlevelofmoldsporescomparabletothelevelinoutsideairwillpersist.However,thesporesintheambientairwillnotcause
furtherproblemsifthemoisturelevelinthebuildinghasbeencorrected.

Biocidesaretoxictoanimalsandhumans,aswellastomold.Ifyouchoosetousedisinfectantsorbiocides,alwaysventilatethearea,usingoutsideairifpossible,
andexhausttheairtotheoutdoors.Whenusingfans,takecarenottoextendthezoneofcontaminationbydistributingmoldsporestoapreviouslyunaffectedarea.
Nevermixchlorinebleachsolutionwithothercleaningsolutionsordetergentsthatcontainammoniabecausethismayproducehighlytoxic
vaporsandcreateahazardtoworkers.

Somebiocidesareconsideredpesticides,andsomestatesrequirethatonlyregisteredpesticideapplicatorsapplytheseproductsinschools,commercialbuildings,
andhomes.Makesureanyoneapplyingabiocideisproperlylicensedwhererequired.

Fungicidesarecommonlyappliedtooutdoorplants,soil,andgrainsasapowderorspray.Examplesoffungicidesincludehexachlorobenzene,organomercurials,
pentachlorophenol,phthalimides,anddithiocarbamates.

Donotusefungicidesdevelopedforoutdooruseinanyindoorapplication,astheycanbeextremelytoxictoanimalsandhumansinanenclosedenvironment.

Whenyouusebiocidesasadisinfectantorapesticide,orasafungicide,youshoulduseappropriatePPE,includingrespirators.Always,readandfollowproduct
labelprecautions.ItisaviolationofFederal(EPA)lawtouseabiocideinanymannerinconsistentwithitslabeldirection.

MoldRemediationGuidelines
Thissectionpresentsremediationguidelinesforbuildingmaterialsthathaveorarelikelytohavemoldgrowth.Theguidelinesaredesignedtoprotectthehealthof
cleanuppersonnelandotherworkersduringremediation.Theseguidelinesarebasedonthesizeoftheareaimpactedbymoldcontamination.Pleasenotethat
theseareguidelinessomeprofessionalsmaypreferotherremediationmethods,andcertaincircumstancesmayrequiredifferentapproachesorvariationsonthe
approachesdescribedbelow.Ifpossible,remediationactivitiesshouldbescheduledduringoffhourswhenbuildingoccupantsarelesslikelytobeaffected.

Althoughthelevelofpersonalprotectionsuggestedintheseguidelinesisbasedonthetotalsurfaceareacontaminatedandthepotentialforremediatororoccupant
exposure,professionaljudgmentalwaysshouldplayapartinremediationdecisions.Theseremediationguidelinesarebasedonthesizeoftheaffectedareato
makeiteasierforremediatorstoselectappropriatetechniques,notonthebasisofresearchshowingthereisaspecificmethodappropriateatacertainnumberof
squarefeet.Theguidelineshavebeendesignedtohelpconstructaremediationplan.Theremediationmanagershouldrelyonprofessionaljudgmentand
experiencetoadapttheguidelinestoparticularsituations.Whenindoubt,cautionisadvised.Consultanexperiencedmoldremediatorformoreinformation.

LevelI:SmallIsolatedAreas(10sq.ft.orless)e.g.,ceilingtiles,smallareasonwalls.

Remediationcanbeconductedbytheregularbuildingmaintenancestaffaslongastheyaretrainedonpropercleanupmethods,personalprotection,and
potentialhealthhazards.ThistrainingcanbeperformedaspartofaprogramtocomplywiththerequirementsoftheOSHAHazardCommunicationStandard
(29CFR1910.1200).
Respiratoryprotection(e.g.,N95disposablerespirator)isrecommended.RespiratorsmustbeusedinaccordancewiththeOSHArespiratoryprotection
standard(29CFR1910.134).Glovesandeyeprotectionshouldbeworn.
Theworkareashouldbeunoccupied.Removingpeoplefromspacesadjacenttotheworkareaisnotnecessary,butisrecommendedforinfants(lessthan12
monthsold),personsrecoveringfromrecentsurgery,immunesuppressedpeople,orpeoplewithchronicinflammatorylungdiseases(e.g.,asthma,
hypersensitivitypneumonitis,andsevereallergies).
Containmentoftheworkareaisnotnecessary.Dustsuppressionmethods,suchasmisting(notsoaking)surfacespriortoremediation,arerecommended.
Contaminatedmaterialsthatcannotbecleanedshouldberemovedfromthebuildinginasealedimpermeableplasticbag.Thesematerialsmaybedisposedof
asordinarywaste.
Theworkareaandareasusedbyremediationworkersforegressshouldbecleanedwithadampclothormopandadetergentsolution.
Allareasshouldbeleftdryandvisiblyfreefromcontaminationanddebris.

LevelII:MidSizedIsolatedAreas(1030sq.ft.)e.g.,individualwallboardpanels.

Remediationcanbeconductedbytheregularbuildingmaintenancestaff.Suchpersonsshouldreceivetrainingonpropercleanupmethods,personal
protection,andpotentialhealthhazards.ThistrainingcanbeperformedaspartofaprogramtocomplywiththerequirementsoftheOSHAHazard
CommunicationStandard(29CFR1910.1200).
Respiratoryprotection(e.g.,N95disposablerespirator)isrecommended.RespiratorsmustbeusedinaccordancewiththeOSHArespiratoryprotection
standard(29CFR1910.134).Glovesandeyeprotectionshouldbeworn.
Theworkareashouldbeunoccupied.Removingpeoplefromspacesadjacenttotheworkareaisnotnecessary,butisrecommendedforinfants(lessthan12
monthsold),personsrecoveringfromrecentsurgery,immunesuppressedpeople,orpeoplewithchronicinflammatorylungdiseases(e.g.,asthma,
hypersensitivitypneumonitis,andsevereallergies).
Surfacesintheworkareathatcouldbecomecontaminatedshouldbecoveredwithasecuredplasticsheet(s)beforeremediationtocontaindust/debrisand
preventfurthercontamination.
Dustsuppressionmethods,suchasmisting(notsoaking)surfacespriortoremediation,arerecommended.
Contaminatedmaterialsthatcannotbecleanedshouldberemovedfromthebuildinginasealedimpermeableplasticbag.Thesematerialsmaybedisposedof
asordinarywaste.
TheworkareaandareasusedbyremediationworkersforegressshouldbeHEPAvacuumedandcleanedwithadampclothormopandadetergentsolution.
 Allareasshouldbeleftdryandvisiblyfreefromcontaminationanddebris.

LevelIII:LargeIsolatedAreas(30100squarefeet)e.g.,severalwallboardpanels.

Industrialhygienistsorotherenvironmentalhealthandsafetyprofessionalswithexperienceperformingmicrobialinvestigationsand/ormoldremediationshouldbe
consultedpriortoremediationactivitiestoprovideoversightfortheproject.

Thefollowingproceduresmaybeimplementeddependingupontheseverityofthecontamination:

Itisrecommendedthatpersonnelbetrainedinthehandlingofhazardousmaterialsandequippedwithrespiratoryprotection(e.g.,N95disposablerespirator).
RespiratorsmustbeusedinaccordancewiththeOSHArespiratoryprotectionstandard(29CFR1910.134).Glovesandeyeprotectionshouldbeworn.
Surfacesintheworkareaandareasdirectlyadjacentthatcouldbecomecontaminatedshouldbecoveredwithasecuredplasticsheet(s)beforeremediationto
containdust/debrisandpreventfurthercontamination.
Sealventilationducts/grillsintheworkareaandareasdirectlyadjacentwithplasticsheeting.
Theworkareaandareasdirectlyadjacentshouldbeunoccupied.Removingpeoplefromspacesneartheworkareaisrecommendedforinfants,persons
havingundergonerecentsurgery,immunosuppressedpeople,orpeoplewithchronicinflammatorylungdiseases.(e.g.,asthma,hypersensitivitypneumonitis,
andsevereallergies).
Dustsuppressionmethods,suchasmisting(notsoaking)surfacespriortomediation,arerecommended.
Contaminatedmaterialsthatcannotbecleanedshouldberemovedfromthebuildinginsealedimpermeableplasticbags.Thesematerialsmaybedisposedof
asordinarywaste.
TheworkareaandsurroundingareasshouldbeHEPAvacuumedandcleanedwithadampclothormopandadetergentsolution.
Allareasshouldbeleftdryandvisiblyfreefromcontaminationanddebris.

Note:Ifabatementproceduresareexpectedtogeneratealotofdust(e.g.,abrasivecleaningofcontaminatedsurfaces,demolitionofplasterwalls)orthevisible
concentrationofthemoldisheavy(blanketcoverageasopposedtopatchy),itisrecommendedthattheremediationproceduresforLevelIVbefollowed.

LevelIV:ExtensiveContamination(greaterthan100contiguoussquarefeetinanarea).

Industrialhygienistsorotherenvironmentalhealthandsafetyprofessionalswithexperienceperformingmicrobialinvestigationsand/ormoldremediationshouldbe
consultedpriortoremediationactivitiestoprovideoversightfortheproject.

Thefollowingproceduresmaybeimplementeddependingupontheseverityofthecontamination:

Personneltrainedinthehandlingofhazardousmaterialsandequippedwith:
FullfacepiecerespiratorswithHEPAcartridges
Disposableprotectiveclothingcoveringentirebodyincludingbothheadandshoesand
Gloves.
Containmentoftheaffectedarea:
Completeisolationofworkareafromoccupiedspacesusingplasticsheetingsealedwithducttape(includingventilationducts/grills,fixtures,andother
openings)
TheuseofanexhaustfanwithaHEPAfiltertogeneratenegativepressurizationand
Airlocksanddecontaminationroom.
Ifcontaminantpracticeseffectivelypreventmoldfrommigratingfromaffectedareas,itmaynotbenecessarytoremovepeoplefromsurroundingworkareas.
However,removalisstillrecommendedforinfants,personshavingundergonerecentsurgery,immunesuppressedpeople,orpeoplewithchronic
inflammatorylungdiseases.(e.g.,asthma,hypersensitivitypneumonitis,andsevereallergies).
Contaminatedmaterialsthatcannotbecleanedshouldberemovedfromthebuildinginsealedimpermeableplasticbags.Theoutsideofthebagsshouldbe
cleanedwithadampclothandadetergentsolutionorHEPAvacuumedinthedecontaminationchamberpriortotheirtransporttouncontaminatedareasofthe
building.Thesematerialsmaybedisposedofasordinarywaste.
ThecontainedareaanddecontaminationroomshouldbeHEPAvacuumedandcleanedwithadampclothormoppedwithadetergentsolutionandbevisibly
cleanpriortotheremovalofisolationbarriers.

PersonalProtectiveEquipment(PPE)
Anyremediationworkthatdisturbsmoldandcausesmoldsporestobecomeairborneincreasesthedegreeofrespiratoryexposure.Actionsthattendtodisperse
moldinclude:breakingapartmoldyporousmaterialssuchaswallboarddestructiveinvasiveprocedurestoexamineorremediatemoldgrowthinawallcavity
removalofcontaminatedwallpaperbystrippingorpeelingusingfanstodryitemsorventilateareas.

Theprimaryfunctionofpersonalprotectiveequipmentistopreventtheinhalationandingestionofmoldandmoldsporesandtoavoidmoldcontactwiththeskinor
eyes.ThefollowingsectionsdiscussthevarioustypesofPPEthatmaybeusedduringremediationactivities.

SkinandEyeProtection
Glovesprotecttheskinfromcontactwithmold,aswellasfrompotentiallyirritatingcleaningsolutions.Longglovesthatextendtothemiddleoftheforearmare
recommended.Theglovematerialshouldbeselectedbasedonthetypeofsubstance/chemicalbeinghandled.Ifyouareusingabiocidesuchaschlorinebleach,
orastrongcleaningsolution,youshouldselectglovesmadefromnaturalrubber,neoprene,nitrile,polyurethane,orPVC.Ifyouareusingamilddetergentorplain
water,ordinaryhouseholdrubberglovesmaybeused.

Toprotectyoureyes,useproperlyfittedgogglesorafullfacepiecerespirator.Gogglesmustbedesignedtopreventtheentryofdustandsmallparticles.Safety
glassesorgoggleswithopenventholesarenotappropriateinmoldremediation.

RespiratoryProtection
Respiratorsprotectcleanupworkersfrominhalingairbornemold,contaminateddust,andotherparticulatesthatarereleasedduringtheremediationprocess.
Eitherahalfmaskorfullfacepieceairpurifyingrespiratorcanbeused.Afullfacepiecerespiratorprovidesbothrespiratoryandeyeprotection.Pleaserefertothe
discussionofthedifferentlevelsofremediationtoascertainthetypeofrespiratoryprotectionrecommended.Respiratorsusedtoprovideprotectionfrommoldand
moldsporesmustbecertifiedbytheNationalInstituteforOccupationalSafetyandHealth(NIOSH).Moreprotectiverespiratorsmayhavetobeselectedandusedif
toxiccontaminantssuchasasbestosorleadareencounteredduringremediation.

AsspecifiedbyOSHAin29CFR1910.134individualswhouserespiratorsmustbeproperlytrained,havemedicalclearance,andbeproperlyfittestedbeforethey
beginusingarespirator.Inaddition,useofrespiratorsrequirestheemployertodevelopandimplementawrittenrespiratoryprotectionprogram,withworksite
specificproceduresandelements.

ProtectiveClothing
Whileconductingbuildinginspectionsandremediationwork,individualsmayencounterhazardousbiologicalagentsaswellaschemicalandphysicalhazards.
Consequently,appropriatepersonalprotectiveclothing(i.e.,reusableordisposable)isrecommendedtominimizecrosscontaminationbetweenworkareasand
cleanareas,topreventthetransferandspreadofmoldandothercontaminantstostreetclothing,andtoeliminateskincontactwithmoldandpotentialchemical
exposures.

DisposablePPEshouldbediscardedafteritisused.Theyshouldbeplacedintoimpermeablebags,andusuallycanbediscardedasordinaryconstructionwaste.
Appropriateprecautionsandprotectiveequipmentforbiocideapplicatorsshouldbeselectedbasedontheproductmanufacturer'swarningsandrecommendations
(e.g.,gogglesorfaceshield,apronsorotherprotectiveclothing,gloves,andrespiratoryprotection).

SamplingforMold
Isitnecessarytosampleformold?Inmostcases,ifvisiblemoldgrowthispresent,samplingisunnecessary.Airsamplingformoldmaynotbepartofa
routineassessmentbecausedecisionsaboutappropriateremediationstrategiesoftencanbemadeonthebasisofavisualinspection.

Yourfirststepshouldbetoinspectforanyevidenceofwaterdamageandvisiblemoldgrowth.Testingformoldisexpensive,andthereshouldbeaclearreason
fordoingso.Inmanycases,itisnoteconomicallypracticalorusefultotestformoldgrowthonsurfacesorforairbornesporesinthebuilding.Inaddition,there
arenostandardsfor"acceptable"levelsofmoldinbuildings,andthelackofadefinitivecorrelationbetweenexposurelevelsandhealtheffectsmakesinterpreting
thedatadifficult,ifnotimpossible.

Testingisusuallydonetocomparethelevelsandtypesofmoldsporesfoundinsidethebuildingwiththosefoundoutsideofthebuildingorforcomparisonwith
anotherlocationinthebuilding.Inaddition,airsamplingmayprovidetangibleevidencesupportingahypothesisthatinvestigatorshaveformulated.Forexample,air
samplingmayshowahigherconcentrationofthesamespeciesofmoldwhentheHVACisoperatingthanwhenithasbeenturnedoff.Thisfindingmayconvince
theinvestigatorsthatthemoldisgrowingwithin,andbeingdisseminatedby,theHVACsystem.Conversely,negativeresultsmaypersuadeinvestigatorstoabandon
thishypothesisandtoconsiderothersourcesofmoldgrowthordissemination.Ifyouknowyouhaveamoldproblem,itismoreimportanttospendtimeand
resourcesremovingthemoldandsolvingthemoistureproblemthatcausesthemoldyconditionsthantoundertakeextensivetestingforthetypeandquantityof
mold.

Ifyouareindoubtaboutsampling,consultanindustrialhygienistorotherenvironmentalhealthorsafetyprofessionalwithexperienceinmicrobialinvestigationsto
helpyoudecideifsamplingformoldisnecessaryoruseful,andtoidentifypersonswhocanconductanynecessarysampling.Duetothewidedifferencein
individualsusceptibilitytomoldcontamination,samplingresultssamplingmayhavelimitedapplication.However,samplingresultscanbeusedasaguideto
determinetheextentofaninfestationandtheeffectivenessofthecleanup.Theirinterpretationisbestlefttotheindustrialhygienistorotherenvironmentalhealth
orsafetyprofessional.

Samplingformoldshouldbeconductedbyprofessionalswithspecificexperienceindesigningmoldsamplingprotocols,samplingmethodsformicrobial
contaminants,andinterpretationofresults.Foradditionalinformationonairsampling,refertotheAmericanConferenceofGovernmentalIndustrialHygienists'
document,"Bioaerosols:AssessmentandControl."Inaddition,samplingandanalysisshouldfollowanyothermethodsrecommendedbyeitherOSHA,NIOSH,EPA,
theAmericanIndustrialHygieneAssociation,orotherrecognizedprofessionalguidelines.Typesofsamplescaninclude:airsamples,surfacesamples,bulk
samples,andwatersamplesfromcondensatedrainpansorcoolingtowers.

Microscopicidentificationofthespores/coloniesrequiresconsiderableexpertise.Theseservicesarenotroutinelyavailablefromcommerciallaboratories.
Documentedqualitycontrolinthelaboratoriesusedforanalysisofthebulk,surface,andotherairsamplesisnecessary.TheAmericanIndustrialHygiene
Associationoffersaccreditationtomicrobiallaboratories(EnvironmentalMicrobiologyLaboratoryAccreditationProgram(EMLAP)).Accreditedlaboratoriesmust
participateinquarterlyproficiencytesting(EnvironmentalMicrobiologyProficiencyAnalyticalTestingProgram(EMPAT)).

RemediationEquipment
Therearevarioustypesofequipmentusefulinmoldassessmentandremediation.Someofthemorecommonitemsinclude:

MoistureMeters
Moisturemetersmeasure/monitormoisturelevelsinbuildingmaterials,andmaybehelpfulformeasuringthemoisturecontentinavarietyofbuildingmaterials
followingwaterdamage.Theyalsocanbeusedtomonitortheprogressofdryingdamagedmaterials.Thesedirectreadingdeviceshaveathinprobethatis
insertedintothematerialtobetestedorpresseddirectlyagainstthesurfaceofthematerial.Moisturemeterscanbeusedonmaterialssuchascarpet,wallboard,
wood,brick,andconcrete.

HumidityGaugesorMeters
Humiditymeterscanbeusedtomonitorindoorhumidity.Inexpensive(lessthan$50)modelsthatmonitorbothtemperatureandhumidityareavailable.

Humidistat
AhumidistatisacontroldevicethatcanbeconnectedtoanHVACsystemandadjustedsothatifthehumiditylevelrisesaboveasetpoint,theHVACsystemwill
automaticallyturnonandreducethehumiditybelowtheestablishedpoint.

Boroscope
Aboroscopeisahandheldtoolthatallowsuserstoseepotentialmoldproblemsinsidewalls,ceilingplenums,crawlspaces,andothertightareas.Itconsistsofa
videocameraontheendofaflexible"snake."Nomajordrillingorcuttingofdrywallisrequired.

HVACSystemFilter
HighqualityfiltersmustbeusedinaHVACsystemduringremediationbecauseconventionalHVACfiltersaretypicallynoteffectiveinfilteringparticlesthesizeof
moldspores.ConsultanengineerfortheappropriatefilterefficiencyforyourspecificHVACsystem,andconsiderupgradingyourfiltersifnecessary.Afilterwitha
minimumefficiencyof50to60%oraratingofMERV8,asdeterminedbyTestStandard52.2oftheAmericanSocietyofHeating,RefrigeratingandAirConditioning
Engineers,maybeappropriate.

Remembertochangefiltersasappropriate,especiallyfollowinganyremediationactivities.Removefiltersinamannerthatminimizesthereentryofmoldandother
toxicsubstancesintotheworkplace.Undercertaincircumstances,itmaybenecessarytowearappropriatePPEwhileperformingthistask.

HowDoYouKnowWhenYouHaveFinishedRemediation/Cleanup?

Youmusthaveidentifiedandcompletelycorrectedthesourceofthewaterormoistureproblem.
Moldremovalshouldbecomplete.Visiblemold,molddamagedmaterials,andmoldyodorsshouldnolongerbepresent.
Sampling,ifconducted,shouldshowthatthelevelandtypesofmoldandmoldsporesinsidethebuildingaresimilartothosefoundoutside.
Youshouldrevisitthesite(s)afterremediation,anditshouldshownosignsofmoldyormustyodors,waterdamage,ormoldgrowth.

Conclusion
Aftercorrectingwaterormoistureinfiltration,thepromptremovalofcontaminatedmaterialandstructuralrepairistheprimaryresponsetomoldcontaminationin
buildings.Inallsituations,theunderlyingcauseofwateraccumulationmustberectifiedorthemoldgrowthwillreoccur.Emphasisshouldbeplacedonpreventing
contaminationthroughproperbuildingandHVACsystemmaintenanceandpromptrepairofwaterdamagedareas.

Effectivecommunicationwithbuildingoccupantsisanessentialcomponentofalllargescaleremediationefforts.Thebuildingowner,management,and/or
employershouldnotifyoccupantsintheaffectedarea(s)ofthepresenceofmold.Notificationshouldincludeadescriptionoftheremedialmeasurestobetakenand
atimetableforcompletion.Groupmeetingsheldbeforeandafterremediationwithfulldisclosureofplansandresultscanbeaneffectivecommunication
mechanism.Individualswithpersistenthealthproblemsthatappeartoberelatedtomoldexposureshouldseetheirphysiciansforareferraltopractitionerswho
aretrainedinoccupational/environmentalmedicineorrelatedspecialtiesandareknowledgeableaboutthesetypesofexposures.

References
AmericanConferenceofGovernmentalIndustrialHygienists.1999. BioaerosolsAssessmentandControl
NationalApartmentAssociation
NationalInstituteforOccupationalSafetyandHealth(NIOSH)

NationalMultiHousingCouncil

TheBuildingOwnersandManagersAssociationInternational(BOMA)
NewYorkCityDepartmentofHealth&MentalHygieneBureauofEnvironmental&OccupationalDiseaseEpidemiology2002. GuidelinesonAssessmentand
RemediationofFungiinIndoorEnvironments
UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,OfficeofAirandRadiation,IndoorEnvironmentsDivision2001.MoldRemediationinSchoolsandCommercial
Buildings.EPA402K01001

MoldResourcesList
BusinessownerswhoareconcernedaboutthecostofprofessionalhelpcancontacttheOSHAConsultationProjectOfficeintheirstateforfreeconsultationservice.
Priorityisgiventobusinesseswithfewerthan250employeesataworksite,withfurtherconsiderationgiventotheseverityoftheworksiteproblem.The
ConsultationProgramcanhelptheemployerevaluateandpreventhazardousconditionsintheworkplacethatcancauseinjuriesandillnesses,includingmold
problems.

Thefollowinglistofresourcesincludesinformationdevelopedandmaintainedbypublicandprivateorganizations.However,OSHAdoesnotcontrolthisinformation
andcannotguaranteetheaccuracy,relevance,timeliness,orcompletenessofthisoutsideinformation.Further,theinclusionoftheseresourcesisnotintendedto
endorseanyviewsexpressed,orproductsorservicesoffered,bytheauthorofthereferenceortheorganizationoperatingtheserviceidentifiedbythereference.

AnOfficeBuildingOccupantsGuidetoIndoorAirQuality[Pagetitleupdatedin2012]
BiologicalPollutants[Pagetitleupdatedin2012]
BuildingAirQuality(BAQ)[Pagetitleupdatedin2012]
FloodCleanuptoProtectIndoorAirQuality[Pagetitleandlinkupdatedin2015]

IndoorAirQuality(IAQ)HomePage

IndoorAirQualityinOfficesandOtherLargeBuildings[Pagetitleandlinkupdatedin2015]

CreatingHealthyIndoorAirQualityinSchools[Pagetitleupdatedin2015]

ResourcesforFloodCleanupandMold

MoldRemediationinSchoolsandCommercialBuildingsGuide[Linkupdatedin2015]

U.S.EPAIAQInformationClearinghouse(IAQINFO)
Phone:(800)4384318or(703)3564020
Fax:(703)3565386
Email:iaqinfo@aol.com
Indoorairrelateddocuments,answerstoIndoorAirQuality(IAQ)questions,maintainslistingofStateIAQcontacts,andregionalEPAContacts.

AirConditioningContractorsofAmerica(ACCA)
(703)5754477
http://www.acca.org
Informationonindoorcomfortproductsandservices.

AmericanCollegeofOccupationalandEnvironmentalMedicine(ACOEM)
(847)8181800
Referralstophysicianswhohaveexperiencewithenvironmentalexposures.

AmericanConferenceofGovernmentalIndustrialHygienists,Inc.(ACGIH)
(513)7422020
Occupationalandenvironmentalhealthandsafetyinformation.

AmericanIndustrialHygieneAssociation(AIHA)
(703)8498888
Informationonindustrialhygieneandindoorairqualityissuesincludingmoldhazardsandlegalissues.

AmericanSocietyofHeating,RefrigeratingandAirConditioningEngineers,Inc.(ASHRAE)
(800)5274723
Informationonengineeringissuesandindoorairquality.

AssociationofOccupationalandEnvironmentalClinics(AOEC)
(202)3474976
http://www.aoec.org
Referralstoclinicswithphysicians,whohaveexperiencewithenvironmentalexposures,includeexposuretomoldmaintainsadatabaseofoccupationaland
environmentalcases.

AssociationofSpecialistsinCleaningandRestoration(ASCR)
(800)2727012or(410)7293603
www.ascr.org/institutes[http://www.restorationindustry.org]
CarpetandUpholsteryCleaningInstitute,MechanicalSystemsHygieneInstitute,NationalInstituteofDisasterRestoration,NationalInstituteRugCleaning,Water
LossInstitutereferralstoprofessionals.

AmericanAcademyofAllergy,Asthma&Immunology(AAAAI)
(800)8222762
http://www.aaaai.org
Physicianreferraldirectory,informationonallergiesandasthma.

AsthmaandAllergyFoundationofAmerican(AAFA)
(800)7ASTHMA((800)7278462)
Informationonallergiesandasthma.

AmericanLungAssociation(ALA)
(800)LUNGUSA((800)5864872)
Informationonallergiesandasthma.

AllergyandAsthmaNetworkMothersofAsthmatics(AANMA)
(800)8784403or(703)6419595)
Informationonallergiesandasthma.

NationalInstituteofAllergyandInfectiousDiseases(NIAID)
(301)4965717
Informationonallergiesandasthma.

NationalJewishHealthMedicalandResearchCenter
(800)222LUNG((800)2225864)
Informationonallergiesandasthma.
 CarpetandRugInstitute(CRI)
(800)8828846
Carpetmaintenance,restorationguidelinesforwaterdamagedcarpet,othercarpetrelatedissues.

CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)
(800)3113435
Informationonhealthrelatedtopicsincludingasthmamoldsintheenvironment,andoccupationalhealth.CDCisrecognizedastheleadfederalagencyfor
protectingthehealthandsafetyoftheAmericanpeopleathomeandabroad.Itservesasthenationalfocusfordevelopingandapplyingdiseasepreventionand
control,environmentalhealth,andhealthpromotionandeducationactivities.

FloodCleanuptoProtectIndoorAirQuality[Pagetitleandlinkupdatedin2015]
FederalEmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA)
(800)4802520
Publicationsonfloods,floodproofing,etc.

UniversityofMinnesota,DepartmentofEnvironmentalHealthandSafety
(612)6265804
Managingwaterinfiltrationintobuildings

IERB.IndoorEnvironmentalRemediationBoard
(215)3874097
Informationonbestpracticesinbuildingremediation.

InstituteofInspection,CleaningandRestorationCertification(IICRC)
(360)6935675
Informationonandstandardsfortheinspection,cleaning,andrestorationindustry.

InternationalSanitarySupplyAssociation(ISSA)
(800)2254772
Educationandtrainingoncleaningandmaintenance.

MidAtlanticEnvironmentalHygieneResourceCenter(MEHRC)
(215)3874096
Indoorenvironmentalqualitytrainingcentergivingcoursesinbuildingmoistureandbiocontamination,andmanagingandoperatingfacilitiesforgoodIAQ.Extensive
coursesgiveninIAQ.

NationalAirDuctCleanersAssociation(NADCA)
(202)7372926
Ductcleaninginformation.

NationalInstituteofBuildingSciences(NIBS)
(202)2897800
Informationonbuildingregulations,science,andtechnology.

NationalInstituteforOccupationalSafetyandHealth(NIOSH)
(800)35NIOSH((800)3564674)
Healthandsafetyinformationwithaworkplaceorientation.

NationalPesticideInformationCenter(NPIC)
(800)8587378
Informationonpesticides/antimicrobialchemicals,includingsafetyanddisposalinformation.

NewYorkCityDepartmentofHealth,BureauofEnvironmentalandOccupationalDiseaseEpidemiology, GuidelinesonAssessmentandRemediationofFungiin
IndoorEnvironments
(212)7884290

OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA)
(800)321OSHA((800)3216742)
Informationonworkersafetyandhealth,complianceassistance,lawsandregulations,cooperativeprograms,stateprograms,statistics,andnewsroom.

SheetMetalandAirConditioningContractors'NationalAssociation(SMACNA)
(703)8032980
Technicalinformationontopicssuchasairconditioningandairducts.

UNITEDSTATES
DEPARTMENTOFLABOR

OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration
200ConstitutionAve.,NW,
Washington,DC20210
8003216742(OSHA)
TTY
www.OSHA.gov

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