Mold Prevention & Remediation

Jim Biddle, MS, CIHNAU Environmental Health & Safety928-523-6109 (office)James.biddle@nau.edu

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Presentation Format• Prevention• Is it mold?• Quantity• Type of host substrate • Where’s the water source?• Do we need help or can we do it in-

house?• Guidelines for removal & PPE

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Prevention: Control Water Sources!

• Mold spores are everywhere and can remain non-viable (not living but ready to live) for years

• Mold needs water to live; spore with water comes “alive” and starts to spread

• Lives on cellulosic type materials like cardboard, wood, paper side of drywall, paint on drywall, cove base or carpet glues/adhesives

• Controlling amount of water to colony controls growth rate/amount

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Is it Mold?

• First, and perhaps most importantly, we need to determine if it is mold. Some building substrates with “contamination” may look deceiving….

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Is it Mold? (cont.)

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Is it mold? (cont.)

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Is it mold? (cont.)

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Is it mold? (cont.)

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Is it mold? (cont.)

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Is it mold? (cont.)

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Is it mold? (cont.)

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Is it mold? (cont.)

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Is it mold? (cont.)

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Is it mold? (cont.)

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Is it mold? (cont.)

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If Not Mold…• Water damage still an issue

– Stop the water – Commence restorative drying of

materials after water source secured (within 24 hours)

• Amount of water damage will determine whether drying can be done in-house or by outside vendor

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Restorative Drying

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Dehumidification

If it is Mold….How much is there?More or less than one sheet of drywall (~30 sq. ft)?

<30 square feetEPA/OSHA/CDC says can be safely removed / cleaned in-house with Custodial, Res Life, Carpentry/Paint staff(If nobody has allergies)

>30 square feet…Most likely need a qualified vendor to remove (aka “remediation”)

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Remediation Time!• General consensus

among recognized organizations is to just get it out (EPA, AIHA, ACGIH, IICRC, etc.)

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But how?• Utilize “qualified” remediation firms• Latest, greatest, and safest

standard for removal is from Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC Standard S520, 2003)

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IICRC Standard• IDs three categories of indoor mold

contamination resulting from water intrusion– Condition 1 (normal fungal ecology)– Condition 2 (settled spores)– Condition 3 (actual growth)

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What condition is this?>/< 30 sq. ft?

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Condition/threshold amount?

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What’s the issue here?

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And this?

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Condition/threshold?

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Check Mechanical Rooms Often

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Conclusion• Identify if substrates have mold

growth or not• Stop water intrusion if

possible/safe to do so, or get assistance (plumbing or maintenance person, etc.)

• <30 sq. ft: remove moldy contaminated materials following IICRC protocol

• >30 sq. ft: probably need outside help

• Insurance will most likely cover costs