1. Documentation

2. Mold Assessment The goals for a Mold Assessment will always be at a minimum: Find the mold and determine its extent so that it can be removed in a safe manner. However the differences as to how to properly perform mold assessment can be substantial. Some, such as EPA, focus on finding the moisture and you find the mold. Others, such as IICRC, focus mostly on sampling to develop remediation procedures. We look at these differences and discuss approaches to mold assessments that are most often used by mold remediation professionals.

3. Mold Assessment Should: Focus on location, identity(type), of mold. Determine the extent (of hidden mold),and origin (cause) of mold. Note: sometimes these can be left to the professional remediator as the extent and origin are often at times best determined when walls are opened or baseboards removed which is rarely done for an assessment.

4. Mold Remediation Plan NYSDOL Under NYSDOL regulations a Certified Mold Assessment Consultant must Prepare a mold remediation plan that is specific to each remediation project and provide the plan to the client before the remediation begins.

5. Mold Remediation Plan NYSDOL The Mold Remediation Plan must specify: The rooms or areas where the work will be performed The estimated quantities of materials to be cleaned or removed The methods to be used for each type of remediation in each type of area The personal protection equipment (PPE) to be supplied by licensed remediation contractors for use by licensed remediation workers The proposed clearance procedures and criteria for each type of remediation in each type of area; When the project is a building that is currently occupied, how to properly notify such occupants of the project.

6. Mold Assessment Records Will in many cases contain the following information Lab Test results (Identity of mold) and interpretations Results of visual inspection for mold or water stains. Location, and type of HVAC system Humidity or moisture measurements

7. Determinations if any leaks were found or are still active. Results of testing and visual inspection, Recommendations as to where mold remediation should be performed (Location of mold), and; The Extent of remediation required (sq ft). Recommendation for Assessor called-in for post remediation Assessment/Clearance. Mold Assessment Records

8. Specifics about how the remediation work should be done (detailed Protocol) or, A statement that remediation work be performed by a State Licensed Contractor following at minimal NYSDOL regulations and or; –EPA –NYCDOH –IICRC, etc guidelines. –Any other Federal, State, and Local requirements. Mold Assessment Records

9. Historical information on moisture occurrences –(age of roof, earlier water damage claims, etc.) Home owner complaints about water intrusion. Disclaimers, limitations, and/or restrictions. Mold Assessment Records

10. Sometimes Includes: A history of occupant health issues and mold sensitivities. Pictures of the problems / problem areas. Determination of Hidden Mold in Walls: Mold Assessment Records

11. Mold Assessment SOP

12. Completing the Microbial Field Assessment Form Site Conditions Exterior Conditions Interior Condition Attic/Framing/Chimney/Stairs Non-finished Basement Heating & Cooling Plumbing

14. Photos A minimum of three photos in each affected room is required. Take as many additional photos as needed to capture the contents and affected areas: A close up of contamination A photo capturing the extent of the affected area A photo capturing the contents of the room

15. Drawings On the drawing indicate the locations of water intrusions or stains with a “O” indicate visual mold with an “X”. Indicate the locations of photographs taken with a “P”. Use numbers to indicate the photo number such as P1, P2, P3, etc. Draw a small arrow representing the direction the camera was pointing when you were taking the picture. Numbers must match Photo Log and Chain-of-Custody!

16. Indicate the locations and type of samples taken by: AS = Air BS=Bulk SS =Swab WS=Wall Check outside CS=Carpet Indicate doorways, into and out of the area by using an arrow if there is no door, or a door symbol: Indicate if doors lead directly to the outdoors. Indicate windows by using double lines for that portion of the wall where a window is. Drawings

19. Chain of Custody An essential part of any environmental testing program is proper documentation. The Chain of Custody (COC), is created from client-supplied information The section marked “Relinquished by ___”must not be omitted. This is the person who posted the samples. Unreadable or incomplete documents are a liability in a court proceeding MUST HAVE DATES! Must be WRITTEN LEGIBLY

20. Chain of Custody

21. Suggested abbreviations: FR-Family Room F-Front Wa- Wall LR-Living Room R-Rear SR- Sheetrock DN-Den LT-Left BA-Bath KT-Kitchen RT-Right DR-Dining Room 1/2- #1/#2 CL-Closet WD-Wood B-Basement CG-Ceiling N/E/W/S-North/East/West/South BB-Baseboard BR-Bedroom Chain of Custody

22. Mold Assessment Records Some Mold Assessors attempt to determine the extent and location of hidden mold in walls by taking wall cavity samples Others will attempt to make such determinations by peeking behind baseboards, moving stoves, refrigerators, etc.

23. Sometimes includes determination of mold on AC Coils: Some Mold Assessors attempt to determine the extent and location of mold in the AC and ducting by inspecting cooling coils and removing supply vents. In many instances the fiberglass lining of the supply plenum and the interior of the return air box (if present) are the principle locations where hidden mold accumulates in the AC system but these areas are rarely if ever checked by mold assessors or remediators. Mold Assessment Records

24. Some of the following things may not appear on all reports: Information on the presence of Mold Odor. Inspection results for hidden mold in AC or ducting beyond mold on coils. Reports do not typically include age of AC units and age and type of ducting (fiberglass or flex.) Cautions about the use of Biocides Mold Assessment Records

25. Recommendations on the type of documentation to be provided by Mold Remediator. Recommendations as to which identified problems can be handled by routine maintenance and which require the attention of a mold professional. Detailed evaluation of building history Mold Assessment Records

26. Mold Remediation Work Plan NYSDOL A licensed Mold Remediation Contractor will utilize the information provided by the Mold Assessor in the Mold Remediation Plan and generate a Mold Remediation Work Plan specific to each project. The Work Plan must fulfill all the requirements of the mold remediation plan developed by the Mold Assessment Consultant as provided to the client and provide specific instructions and/or standard operating procedures for how a mold remediation project will be performed.

27. Mold Remediation Work Plan NYSDOL Also must include: An estimate of cost and timeframe for completion. When possible, the underlying sources of moisture that may be causing the mold Recommendation as to the type of contractor who would remedy the source of such moisture

28. Post-Remediation Documentation NYS requirements place responsibility for post remediation documentation on Mold Assessment Consultant Assessment Consultant shall issue a written passed clearance report to the client at the conclusion of each mold remediation project

29. Remediation documentation must include: That there is no visible dust, dirt, or debris in the work area. That the underlying moisture problem was identified and eliminated. –If it has been determined that the underlying cause of the mold has not been remediated, the mold assessment consultant shall make a recommendation to the client as to the type of contractor who could remedy the source of the mold or moisture That the work area was isolated appropriately and effectively during remediation. That the work was completed according to the remediation plan and remediation work plan, Post-Remediation Documentation

30. Remediation documents should reflect the following at the conclusion of a project: That the assessor did not see or smell any mold after the abatement is complete. If you do, consider hidden mold. That all porous moldy materials have been removed, discarded, and replaced with clean and dry materials. That all non-porous, previously contaminated materials have been cleaned thoroughly. Make sure all water leaks and moisture problems have been fixed Post- Remediation Documentation

32. IICRC S520 Remediation Documentation: Remediators remediation contract; scope of work & remediation plan. IEP or Hygienist remediation recommendations/protocol. Customer approval for any biocides used along with data sheets, how applied, length of time used, and other relevant information. Building history, how problem was discovered, leak detection and description of previous remediation efforts. Post-Remediation Documentation

33. It is important to keep an Entry/Exit daily sign-in sheet for all persons entering/exiting the remediation site. Remediation Documentation

34. Documentation Write legibly Completely fill out all forms -if there is a blank, provide an explanation Label diagrams completely Note causation for all water intrusions Reasons for all samples Kind of condensation/cause Photo Log (must match diagrams and photos!) Review notes before leaving site