The following information shall be considered general and is furnished as a courtesy only. Please read our mold disclaimer page:    Mold Disclaimer

In the event the laboratory identifies extensive mold growth,  additional assistance may be required. We do not provide mold mitigation services.  Additionally, we cannot refer you to a specific Certified Industrial Hygienist or Mold Remediation Company.

The following CDC (Center for Disease Control – U.S. Government) information may be helpful:

CDC - State of the science on molds and human health - Released July – 2002:
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/images/moldsci.pdf

CDC Technical Information on Aspergillosis:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/aspergillosis_t.htm

CDC - Questions and Answers on
Stachybotrys chartarum  and other molds

http://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm

CDC - Air Pollution and Respiratory Health

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/

http://www.cdc.gov/mold/

Some situations require the services of an Indoor Air Quality/Industrial Hygienist professional and specialized equipment. Services may be required to assess and/or repair your property.

You may wish to consult with an

• Indoor Air Quality/Industrial Hygienist professional

or

• Certified Industrial Hygienist with expertise in microbiological assessment and remediation, particularly molds and other indoor air pollution.

Or

• A Mold Remediation Company

An industrial hygienist can be brought in to:

• Find mold that is hidden, get rid of stubborn mold that won't go away.

• Offer guidance on remediation procedures and the best practices to protect the health and well-being of workers and occupants.

• Write a protocol of remediation procedures to restore the environment

• Conduct clearance testing

How do you locate an Indoor Air Quality/Industrial Hygienist (IAQ/IH) professional to serve as a consultant for a mold remediation job? You should work with someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in consulting on the standard of care required for a mold property damage.

Professional Organizations

A first step at finding an IAQ/IH consultant is to check with certain organizations. Several independent groups specialize in establishing standards of care for IAQ/IH professionals. Two of these groups are membership-oriented and focus on industrial hygienists:

• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
• American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).

A third group, consisting only of 23 to 24 nominated and chosen persons, functions as a certifying body for industrial hygienists:

• American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH).

Two other groups are membership-oriented and focus on Indoor Air Quality professionals:

• Indoor Air Quality Association, Inc. (IAQA)
• American Indoor Air Quality Council (AmIAQ).

Many, though not all, industrial hygienists and indoor air quality professionals will belong to one of these five organizations.

Interviewing an IAQ/IH Professional

When mold contamination multiplies in a building, remediation requires a qualified IAQ/IH professional. "Qualified" means a consultant who is experienced and knowledgeable in the remediation of mold property damages. Experience should include:

• investigating contaminated structures and assessing the scope of damage,
• identifying building pollutants,
• planning procedures for remediation,
• writing protocols for remediation and
• supervising remediation activities.
• Testing experience should include initial testing and clearance testing (ensure all contamination has been reduced to safe levels)

To find a "qualified" consultant, interview potential candidates. Consider some of the following questions:

• What locations and geographical areas (zip codes, counties) do you service?
• What clients have you served? (Ask to see their client list.)
• What are your official titles or certifications? (Certified Industrial Hygienist, Certified Safety Professional, etc.). Some titles, such as "Senior Industrial Hygienist," may not reflect any particular expertise in mold testing and remediation.
• How much expertise and experience do you have with microorganisms, especially molds? Beware of firms claiming to have more than 5 years of mold remediation experience. Only in recent years have "Sick Building Syndrome" issues been identified with molds.
• Have you or your firm served as an expert witness on any mold-related court cases? If yes, name them.
• Have you or your firm published information concerning mold issues? (Get a copy of the paper or report.)
• Do you or your firm conduct training in mold-related topics for any insurance companies on a national basis? On a local basis? If so, name them and provide references.
• How many projects involving mold have you or your firm handled last year? How many in previous years?
• Do you have samples of protocols you or your firm have written for mold remediation projects? A typical consultant’s report might include:
• A sufficient number of outdoor samples (one sample is not sufficient for accurate results).
• A variety of interior sampling types.
• A drawing of sample locations.
• Identification of amplification site(s).
• Recommendations for remediation.
• Photos of damaged areas.
• How much liability insurance coverage do you carry? For example,
• Commercial General Liability - $1,000,000
• Professional Liability - $1,000,000
• Pollution Liability - $1,000,000.
• (Ask the IAQ/IH professional for permission to be listed as an additional insured on his or her policy.)

Mold Remediation Companies:

If you wish to hire a Mold Remediation Company, it is very important to research their credentials, insurance coverage, experience, references, past clients, etc. 

The above information shall be considered general and is furnished as a courtesy only. Please read our mold disclaimer page:    Mold Disclaimer

Copyright © 1999-2006 Sandra Maida
Last modified: June 25, 2007