Overview
This lecture covers mold exposure, remediation safety, the use and risks of biocides, and regulatory issues involving mold, lead, asbestos, and sewage. It emphasizes EPA/OSHA guidelines for safer, more effective, and legally compliant mold work.
Mold Exposure and Health Risks
- Mold produces toxins, allergens, and irritants that can cause headaches, rashes, and respiratory issues.
- IICRC considers mold a hazard requiring strict procedures; EPA/OSHA does NOT classify mold as a hazard under normal conditions.
- Mold is common in outdoor air; brief or typical exposures are generally not harmful to healthy people.
- Key to safety: keep spore levels low inside containment by exhausting air outdoors, not just relying on PPE.
Remediation Procedures: EPA/OSHA vs. IICRC
- EPA/OSHA protocols exhaust contaminants outside, keeping the work area cleaner and reducing need for extensive PPE.
- IICRC procedures require capturing contaminants on filters inside containment, increasing hazards and PPE use.
- Use high-speed axial fans and ducting; avoid dry methods that create dust.
Mold Toxins and Removal
- Mycotoxins are harmful substances produced by some molds; removal is preferable to just killing mold.
- Focus on cleaning, substrate removal, or disintegration with strong oxidizers (bleach, hydrogen peroxide, ClO2).
- Dead mold and biocide residues can still cause health issues.
Respiratory Protection
- N-95 respirators (recommended: 3M 8511) are sufficient if air is exhausted outdoors and dust is minimized.
- Using HEPA or full-face respirators requires strict OSHA compliance and higher insurance.
- HEPA or advanced respirators are overkill and increase legal/financial risk if not fully OSHA compliant.
Dehydration and Worker Safety
- Tyvek suits can cause heat prostration; limit their use and keep work areas cool if required.
- Efficient containment and outdoor exhaust reduce need for Tyveks and related risks/costs.
Biocides and Chemical-Free Approaches
- Water-based quats (e.g., Microban) leave residues and are only approved for hard surfaces, not porous ones.
- Green alternatives (bleach, hydrogen peroxide, ClO2) are effective, leave no residue, and are EPA/CDC approved.
- Only strong bleach neutralizes both mold and toxins.
Sewage Hazards
- Black water (sewage) contaminated jobs require special handling; exposure is mainly by ingestion.
- Mitigate sewage wet (never dry-blow); use low-pressure flushing and discard contaminated vacuums.
- Never try to clean sewage-exposed carpet—always discard.
- Test for pathogens post-cleanup; keep tetanus and other recommended vaccines up to date.
Lead & Asbestos Regulations
- Renovation of pre-1978 buildings requires EPA Lead-Safe Certification; always test for lead and asbestos.
- Mold remediators are not permitted to handle asbestos; illegal otherwise.
- Asbestos protocols differ from mold protocols (asbestos: no outdoor exhaust during work).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Containment — A sealed work area to prevent spread of mold or contaminants.
- IICRC — Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification; sets some industry standards.
- EPA/OSHA — Federal agencies providing mold safety guidelines.
- N-95 — Standard respirator filtering ≥95% of airborne particles.
- Mycotoxins — Toxins produced by certain molds.
- Biocides — Chemicals that kill microorganisms, often leaving harmful residues.
- Quats — Quaternary ammonium compounds used as disinfectants.
- HEPA — High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters, removes very small particles.
- Black Water — Sewage-contaminated water, hazardous to health.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review EPA and OSHA mold remediation guidelines.
- Always test for lead and asbestos in pre-1978 properties before demolition.
- Follow label directions for all chemicals; avoid illegal contracting.
- Use N-95 masks and prioritize ventilation over excessive PPE.
- Receive recommended vaccinations (e.g., tetanus) before mold/sewage work.