Mold Removal Training

Basics of Mold Removal

• In 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a guidance document entitled "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings" that provided an outline for an effective approach to mold removal in public buildings. This four-step plan included wet-vacuuming any water accumulation, damp-wiping non-porous surfaces with water and detergent, using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum to filter out any remaining mold growth, and removing all porous or severely damaged articles from the premises.

Guidelines for Mold Removal Training

• There are numerous organizations that offer mold removal training. Although the courses offered vary as to length of the course, extent of the subjects covered, and practical application techniques, there are many similarities in their approach. Mold remediation generally involves a study of microbiology for identification skills, familiarizing students with the various mechanical tools for mold removal, and instruction on indoor air quality that is essential to an overall understanding of how mold can infest the interior of a structure.

Typical Mold Removal Training Curriculum

• One example of mold removal training is found at iaqa.org. This is the website for the Indoor Air Quality Association, which offers training in mold remediation. This is a two-day course that starts with an educational section dealing with the biology of molds including food sources, the importance of moisture, and reproduction. Another section covers the health effects of mold on humans, and the standards used for mold removal and the sources for these standards such as the EPA, the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration, and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. A hands-on section trains students in mold removal theory and application including containment methods.

Indoor Air Quality

• One of the aspects of mold remediation that is stressed most often by governmental agencies and professional remediation companies alike is indoor air quality (IAQ). This is an area of the indoor environment that most affects the potential for mold growth, other than extraordinary events such as flooding or plumbing problems. IAQ factors include ventilation, air temperature, humidity, and the "envelope" of a structure (how well it is sealed off from outdoor air). Effective mold removal training will include an in-depth study of IAQ that looks at heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, identification of cold and hot spots that lead to condensation, and dehumidification techniques.

Other Considerations

• Although mold remediation study has been expanded extensively over the years, there are different opinions as to the effectiveness of most commercial mold removal training. The American Board of Industrial Hygiene, an organization of professional IAQ specialists, raised questions about the quality of many mold removal training efforts in its 2003 annual board meeting report. Industrial hygienists are trained to look at the entire scope of IAQ, and frequently involve other health and engineering specialists in their assessment of an indoor environment. The points raised in this report include a lack of an extensive and cohesive approach by many trained mold removal workers who fail to include a thorough structural assessment and a historical study of the building being treated for mold.