Clearance Testing and Procedures

Remediation Goals Eliminate contamination Eliminate source Thorough cleanup

Remediate Moisture And Mold Problems Fix moisture problem, implement repair plan and/or maintenance plan Dry wet, non-moldy materials within 48 hours to prevent mold growth Clean and dry moldy materials Discard moldy porous items that can’t be cleaned

Containment Limited: Use polyethylene-sheeting ceiling to floor around affected area with a slit entry and covering flap; maintain area under negative pressure with HEPA filtered fan unit. Block supply and return air vents within containment area. Full: Use two layers of fire-retardant polyethylene sheeting with one airlock chamber. Maintain area under negative pressure with HEPA filtered fan exhausted outside of building. Block supply and return air vents within containment area.

Containment It’s important to note containment will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of remediation, as well as the remediator’s most stringent controls of cross- contamination. The containment system should remain in place until determined clearance criteria are satisfactorily met.

Cleaning Methods HEPA vacuum surfaces Damp-wipe & dry HEPA vacuum surfaces again Discard in plastic as C&D waste HEPA vacuum entire work area

When is the Mold Remediation Complete? The mold remediation process is never complete until the water or moisture problem that caused the mold to grow in the first place is fixed. In fact, one should never start the mold removal process until the cause of the problem is fixed.

Clearance Testing and Procedures Make sure that all physical mold has been completely removed. It is not sufficient to simply clean and encapsulate (the use of a sealer) the mold contaminated surfaces. The remediatior must completely remove the mold. This may include methods such as sanding or dry ice blasting. –Then an EPA approved biocide, fungicide, or disinfectant can be used to help prevent the mold from returning on the previously contaminated surfaces.

It is vital that post-remediation clearance consider the mold that has become aerosolized (in the air). This mold can not be seen due to its size, and often can not be detected through your sense of smell. This mold can only be detected through laboratory testing which must be completed prior to beginning the mold remediation project. The removal of airborne mold is done through a combination of fogging, the use of commercial air scrubbers and cleaning and sanitizing the HVAC system (Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning system). Clearance Testing and Procedures

Steps in Sampling Selection of a laboratory Selection of analyts Selection of methods Sensitivity of method Field sampling QC Reporting and lab support

Approaches to Sampling Qualitative - Type Quantitative - Concentration

Overview of Microbial Sample Collection Methods (Liquid Impinger)

Overview of Microbial Sample Collection Methods (Fungal Spore Sampling & Spore Traps)

Overview of Microbial Sample Collection Methods (Impactor Samplers)

Overview of Microbial Sample Collection Methods (Sedimentation Settling Plates)

Overview of Microbial Sample Collection Methods (Airborne Particulates & Bulk Samples)

Overview of Microbial Sample Collection Methods (Dust & Tape Lifts)

Overview of Microbial Sample Collection Methods (Swab/Wipe & Surface Contact Plate)

Overview of Microbial Sample Collection Methods (Water Sample & Endotoxins in air)

Overview of Microbial Sample Collection Methods (Mycotoxins in Air)

Overview of Microbial Sample Collection Methods (MVOC’s in Air & β-1,3-D-Glucans in Air)

Microbial By Products (Ergosterol in Air)