Introduction

Mold abatement activity continues to grow, but the industry still lacks clear guidance on what is required to safely manage these projects. Where there is guidance, the response to mold contamination is beginning to look much like the response to asbestos contamination. This presentation attempts to examine this issue by comparing and contrasting the recommendations from four frequently cited sources: OSHA's Safety and Health Information Bulletin 03-10-10, "A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace"; the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDH), "Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments"; the US EPA publication 402-K-01-001, "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings"; and the IICRC S520, "Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation". The implications for use of sampling and disinfection as part of the abatement process are also discussed.

Identifying Mold Contamination

The first step in mold abatement is identifying when you have a problem. All four organizations are in agreement that visible mold growth adequately indicates mold contamination, and that in most cases sampling is unnecessary. There is no difference in the recommended level of PPE or containment based on the genus or species of mold present, so sampling of visible mold for identification is not necessary.

There are times that sampling is recommended. The NYCDH guidelines suggest sampling of the mold is appropriate to identify specific fungal species as part of a medical evaluation, or when the results of the visual inspection are not clear. Air sampling may be useful in determining if there is a problem in the building, but air sampling alone can rarely identify where the problem is in the building.

Characterizing the Project

After identifying visible mold, all four organizations categorize the contamination in terms of the area of the mold growth. This characterization is used to determine what level of personal protective equipment and engineering control is recommended.

OSHA assigns mold contamination into four different levels:

  • Level I: Small Isolated Areas (10 sq. ft or less) - e.g., ceiling tiles, small areas on walls.

  • Level II: Mid-Sized Isolated Areas (10-30 sq. ft.) - e.g., individual wallboard panels.

  • Level III: Large Isolated Areas (30 -100 square feet) - e.g., several wallboard panels.

  • Level IV: Extensive Contamination (greater than 100 contiguous square feet in an area).

The NYCHD has four levels for surface contamination and a fifth for HVAC contamination. The fifth level is sub-divided into small isolated, and other:
  • Level I: Small Isolated Areas (10 sq. ft or less) - e.g., ceiling tiles, small areas on walls.

  • Level II: Mid-Sized Isolated Areas (10 - 30 sq. ft.) - e.g., individual wallboard panels.

  • Level III: Large Isolated Areas (30 - 100 square feet) - e.g., several wallboard panels.

  • Level IV: Extensive Contamination (greater than 100 contiguous square feet in an area).

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