CALTEX INTERNATIONAL LTD.
CALTEX INTERNATIONAL LTD.
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MOLD AND MILDEW CLEANING OPERATIONS MANUAL
Table of Contents
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Topic Page(s)
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General Introduction 4-5
Intro to Issues Caused by Mold 6
Problems Mold Causes 6
About Mold 6-7
Types of Mold 7-10
Where Mold Can Live 11-12
Mold Facts 13
How Can I Control Moisture to Prevent Mold? 13
Suggestions for Reducing Mold Growth 14
Signs of Mold 14
Schools, Mold, and Indoor Quality 14
Large Building and Mold Problems 14
How To Deal With A Mold Problem 15
Safety Tips For Dealing With Mold 16
Mold Remediation Steps 16
Before Remediation Reminders 16
How Can I Tell What Kind of Mold It Is? 17
Surface Samples 17
Salvage or Discard? 18
Setting the Remediation Plan 18
HVAC 19
Hidden Mold 19
Remediation 20-23
Small Site 20
Medium Site 20-21
Large Site 22-23
Extra Large Site 23
HVAC System Remediation
Small Site 23-24
Medium Site 24-25
Large Site 25
Steps 26-27
Be Sure To Use These Cleaning Tips 28
Cleanup 28
Quality Control 29-30
Equipment 30-31
Before Job Prep 31-32
Professional Image 33
On The Job Arrival 33
On the Job 33
Sample Job 34-38
Mold Cleaning Instruction Sheets 40-65
Biography 66-67
Introduction
There is no one in the mold and mildew industry as advanced in technique, knowledge, and product as Caltex International Ltd. We are years ahead of our competition. Caltex International Ltd. has cleaned mold, mildew, algae, and lichens for many years, in many states, while most other mold and mildew cleaning product manufacturers were not even involved in this industry yet. In fact, most of them didn’t even know this industry existed. All of the products that we manufacture have been designed, engineered and tested by our own mold and mildew cleaning company which has specialized in many types of cleaning such as deck and wood restoration and ceiling cleaning since 1985. This equipment has been refined and constantly improved. Yet, we are constantly researching for faster more efficient ways and methods of cleaning mold and mildew. Mold and mildew cleaning equipment, however, has little to do with the end results. The chemical solutions are what actually clean the mold or mildew on a surface. The equipment, however, does make a great difference in the amount of personnel and the amount of time required to complete a job. This is why our equipment is superior to others. Our equipment is designed to be time and labor efficient. Money invested in good equipment pays for itself on every job from day one. Poor equipment, on the other hand, only continues to cost you additional labor and expense every time you use it.
Caltex International conducted extensive research before we developed our Odorless Mold and Mildew Chemicals for cleaning these types of agents. Caltex International Ltd. employed experienced chemical engineers, microbiologists, and chemists to help us develop a quality product for our own use. Investing both money and out vast experience into research with the help of our scientists, we proceeded to develop hundreds of different formulas. Each formula needed to be tested on many different types of molds, mildews, lichens, and algae. This was done as we serviced many customers’ wood, interior, and stone surfaces that were in many different types of environments. Every moldy or mildewed surface cleans in a little different manner than the other. Because of this, we wanted a chemical solution that would be capable of cleaning as many different of these agents as possible. This research and testing took several years as well as thousands of such surfaces that were cleaned. Throughout this process of testing, we continued to improve and perfect the product. A solution that was easy and safe to work with was finally found. Before we began to market this product, however, we used it in our own cleaning company on thousands of different jobs. Along with this use, we continued to improve the product until we felt there could be no better solution for mold and mildew cleaning. Today, this product is Caltex’s Mold and Mildew Cleaning Solution. This product is safe to use and provides an excellent job of removing molds, mildews, lichens, and algae from many surfaces and also restoring the surface to a newly brightened state. You are not on trial and error basis with our products. You can and will feel confident when using our products. Like all products, good basic training is required to use these products correctly. A sound foundation of knowledge is necessary to enable you to build upon your experience. This training is the first step in your success in the mold and mildew cleaning industry.
Caltex International is providing mold removal and remediation training for its authorized dealers. The mold removal training program begins by examining how mold grows, how it spreads and its life cycle. Caltex also teaches the current and evolving mold remediation standards and explains the reasons for each step in the process and what each party brings to the table.
When the mold is isolated and/or less than 10 square feet, an experienced mold removal company may be equipped to handle the removal job without the participation of an environmental professional.
Caltex International Authorized Dealers will perform the following actions:
• Perform a Mold Locator and Investigation
• Contain the area
• Communicate with the property owner and insurance company
• Commence and complete the remediation.
When the affected area is widespread and/or greater than 10 square feet, the determination of a specific course of action (remediation plan or protocol) should be made by a competent environmental professional. The Authorized Dealer will contain the area and immediately provide the insurance company with a detailed report of their findings. The insurance company will make all subsequent decisions regarding the handling of the claim. Caltex International Authorized Dealers will not begin any mold removal services until directed to do so by the insurance company. However, because the trend has more recently been that insurance companies are not paying for mold remediation claims as frequently as in the past, if the insurance company denies the claim, the authorized dealer must then provide the written plan to the building owner and come to an agreement that complies with safe mold remediation guidelines, solves the mold problem, and is reasonable financially to both parties.
Caltex International Ltd. wants each and every one of our product users to be successful. Their success is our success. We are the front runners in the mold and mildew mold and mildew cleaning industry and we fully intend to stay there. We are not trying to sell everyone in the cleaning business our products. We believe that properly trained quality product users will provide us all the success desired. Remember that success breeds success, it is only a direct result of people and product. When a company represents our products to a customer, it is a direct reflection on Caltex and its products. We hope that each and every customer serviced with our products is a success story. This success helps all of us using these products. It provides credibility to each and every user of Caltex products. Our hope is that some day customers will request their cleaning company to use Caltex products by name. This recognition can only help every company using our products.
Introduction to the Issues Caused by Mold and Related Agents
There has been increasing publicity in the last several years regarding indoor exposure to mold. The public has become increasingly cognizant of the fact that mold can cause a variety of adverse health effects and symptoms including allergies. Guidelines provide the contractor who has been hired to remediate the mold problem with measures to protect the health of both building occupants and the remediators. By thoroughly reading these materials, it will help the remediator evaluate an action plan.
Mold does destroy the items they grow on. It is important to prevent damage to building materials and furnishing, save money, and avoid potential health risks by controlling and eliminating mold growth.
What Are Some Problems Mold Can Cause?
• Mold destroys the surface it grows on. Remember, mold is an organism whose job it is to cause decay.
• Mold can be multi-colored, wet and mushy, furry looking, and smelly.
• Exposure to mold spores can cause respiratory distress, illness, and allergic reactions of various severities based on the individual, length of exposure, and the amount of exposure.
• In areas of mold infestation there is often a strong musty odour and dank air quality.
About Mold
Mold can be found virtually everywhere. They can grow on almost any organic substance as long as moisture and oxygen are present. Many types of mold grow on wood, paper, carpet, food, and insulation. When excess moisture is present in a building or its associated structures, mold growth will often occur, especially if the problem causing the mold is not corrected. While, eliminating all mold spores in the indoor environment is not realistic, it can be controlled indoors by controlling the moisture levels and removing already present mold.
Mold spores reproduce by creating spores that are generally not visible to the naked eye. Mold spores float through the air on a regular basis. When the spores land on a wet spot indoors or outdoors, they begin growing and eating whatever they are growing on in order to survive. Molds over time destroy what they grow on because their food is many of your household materials that contain cellulose.
There are many types of mold. All molds have the potential to cause adverse health effects. Molds can produce allergens that can cause allergic reactions, breathing problems, or asthma attacks in people allergic to mold. Others are known to produce serious toxins and airway irritants. Potential or actual health concerns are a valid reason to prevent mold growth and to clean up and remove any already existing mold growth.
Mold requires water to grow in. This may take the form of a puddle, flowing leak, or even very slight dampness. Therefore, it is important to prevent moisture problems in building. Moisture problems can have multiple causes such as uncontrolled humidity, leaks etc. Other moisture problems have been linked to changes in building construction practices over the last several decades. Some of these changes have resulted in buildings that are tightly closed. They often do not have sufficient ventilation. In many instances this has led to moisture and mold problems. Moisture problems can include roof leaks, landscaping problems such as insufficient grading, and leaking gutter problems, pipe condensation, cracked foundations, and unvented combustion appliances. Delayed maintenance or insufficient maintenance are also associated with moisture problems in buildings. Remediators should avoid exposing themselves and others to mold laden dusts as they conduct the cleanup. Caution should be used to prevent spores from being dispersed into the air where they can be inhaled by the inhabitants. This will be further discussed in a latter chapter.
Mold has been an ever increasing concern to the public as they have become aware of the variety of health effects and symptoms that can result from mold exposure. General contractors and those involved in both residential and commercial renovations need to become knowledgeable about this subject.
Molds can be found virtually anywhere because they can grow on almost any organic surface as long as moisture and oxygen are present. Molds can grow on wood, paper, carpet, food, insulation, and more! Mold growth often occurs because there is excessive moisture in a building. Often this is because a leak or the core cause of the moisture problem is not addressed. While it is impossible to eliminate all mold spores in an indoor environment, the mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture levels or problems.
What Are the Major Types of Mold?
• Stachybotrys (stack-ee-BOT-ris) is member of the mold family. This particular member is known to produce airborne toxins. Some of the symptoms that Stachybotris produces are breathing problems, faintness, memory loss, hearing loss, and flulike symptoms.
• Two other commonly found mold types are Cladosporium and Penicillium. These molds can grow quickly and produce enough spores and intensity to cause allergic reactions. These reaction include asthma, breathing problems, sinus infections, headaches, coughing, and eye and throat irritation.
• There are two types of mold, Memnoniella and Aspergillus versicolor, which are known for producing airborne toxins. Airborne toxins are technically termed mycotoxins. These can cause much more severe problems among which are chronic fatigue, loss of balance and memory, irritability and difficulty speaking.
“On May 7,1993, the New York City Department ofHealth (DOH), the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA), and the Mt. Sinai Occupational Health Clinic convened an expert panel on Stachybotrys atra in Indoor Environments. The purpose of the panel was to develop policies for medical and environmental evaluation and intervention to address Stachybotrys atra (now known as Stachybotrys chartarum (SC)) contamination. The original guidelines were developed because ofmold growth problems in several New York City buildings in the early 1990's. This document revises and expands the original guidelines to include all fungi (mold). It is based both on a review of the literature regarding fungi and on comments obtained by a review panel consisting of experts in the fields of microbiology and health sciences. It is intended for use by building engineers and management, but is available for general distribution to anyone concerned about fungal contamination, such as environmental consultants, health professionals, or the general public.” 32
“Many fungi (e.g., species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Memnoniella) in addition to SC can produce potent mycotoxins, some of which are identical to compounds produced by SC. Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that have been identified as toxic agents. For this reason, SC cannot be treated as uniquely toxic in indoor environments.
People performing renovations/cleaning of widespread fungal contamination may be at risk for developing Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS) or Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP). ODTS may occur after a single heavy exposure to dust contaminated with fungi and produces flu-like symptoms. It differs from HP in that it is not an immune-mediated disease and does not require repeated exposures to the same causative agent. A variety of biological agents may cause ODTS. HP may occur after repeated exposures to an allergen and can result in permanent lung damage. “ 32
“Fungi can cause allergic reactions. The most common symptoms are runny nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, and aggravation of asthma. Fungi are present almost everywhere in indoor and outdoor environments. The most common symptoms of fungal exposure are runny nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, and aggravation of asthma. Although there is evidence documenting severe health effects of fungi in humans, most of this evidence is derived from ingestion of contaminated foods (i.e., grain and peanut products) or occupational exposures in agricultural settings where inhalation exposures were very high. With the possible exception of remediation to very heavily contaminated indoor environments, such high-level exposures are not expected to occur while performing remedial work.
There have been reports linking health effects in office workers to offices contaminated with moldy surfaces and in residents of homes contaminated with fungal growth. Symptoms, such as fatigue, respiratory ailments, and eye irritation were typically observed in these cases. Some studies have suggested an association between SC and pulmonary hemorrhage/hemosiderosis in infants, generally those less than six months old. Pulmonary hemosiderosis is an uncommon condition that results from bleeding in the lungs. The cause of this condition is unknown, but may result from a combination of environmental contaminants and conditions ( e.g., smoking, fungal contaminants and other bioaerosols, and water-damaged homes), and currently its association with SC is unproven. “32
“Fungi in buildings may cause or exacerbate symptoms of allergies (such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, and eye irritation), especially in persons who have a history of allergic diseases (such as asthma and rhinitis). Individuals with persistent health problems that appear to be related to fungi or other bioaerosol exposure should see their physicians for a referral to practitioners who are trained in occupational/environmental medicine or related specialties and are knowledgeable about these types of exposures. Decisions about removing individuals from an affected area must be based on the results of such medical evaluation, and be made on a case-by-case basis. Except in cases of widespread fungal contamination that are linked to illnesses throughout a building, building-wide evacuation is not indicated. “ 32 Remember that illnesses related to mold exposure can occur from an intense short term exposure to a low level long term exposure.
Currently there are no United States Federal, or State regulations dealing with the health effects of mold and remediation.
“The presence of fungi on building materials as identified by a visual assessment or by bulk/surface sampling results does not necessitate that people will be exposed or exhibit health effects. In order for humans to be exposed indoors, fungal spores, fragments, or metabolites must be released into the air and inhaled, physically contacted ( dermal exposure ), or ingested. Whether or not symptoms develop in people exposed to fungi depends on the nature of the fungal material ( e.g., allergenic, toxic, or infectious), the amount of exposure, and the susceptibility of exposed persons. Susceptibility varies with the genetic predisposition ( e.g., allergic reactions do not always occur in all individuals), age, state of health, and concurrent exposures. For these reasons, and because measurements of exposure are not standardized and biological markers of exposure to fungi are largely unknown, it is not possible to determine "safe" or "unsafe" levels of exposure for people in general.
Immunological reactions include asthma, HP, and allergic rhinitis. Contact with fungi may also lead to dermatitis. It is thought that these conditions are caused by an immune response to fungal agents. The most common symptoms associated with allergic reactions are runny nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, and aggravation of asthma. HP may occur after repeated exposures to an allergen and can result in permanent lung damage. HP has typically been associated with repeated heavy exposures in agricultural settings but has also been reported in office settings. Exposure to fungi through renovation work may also lead to initiation or exacerbation of allergic or respiratory symptoms. “32
“A wide variety of symptoms have been attributed to the toxic effects of fungi. Symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, and headaches, and respiratory and eye irritation have been reported. Some of the symptoms related to fungal exposure are non-specific, such as discomfort, inability to concentrate, and fatigue. Severe illnesses such as ODTS and pulmonary hemosiderosis have also been attributed to fungal exposures.
ODTS describes the abrupt onset of fever, flu-like symptoms, and respiratory symptoms in the hours following a single, heavy exposure to dust containing organic material including fungi. It differs from HP in that it is not an immune-mediated disease and does not require repeated exposures to the same causative agent. ODTS may be caused by a variety of biological agents including common species of fungi ( e.g., species of Aspergillus and Penicillium ). ODTS has been documented in farm workers handling contaminated material but is also of concern to workers performing renovation work on building materials contaminated with fungi. “32
Some molds cause infectious disease. Aspergillosis occurs in immunocompromised people and can be quite serious. It generally does not cause illness in health people.
Mold related to bird or bat dropping can cause flu like illness in people. These molds are termed Histoplasma capsulatum and Cryptococcus neoformans.
Where Mold Can Live
Mold, mildew, and algae can be found in the following places:
• HUD buildings
• Schools
• Trailers
• Garages
• Restaurants
• Retail Establishments
• Residences
• Institutions
• Out buildings
• All types of both commercial and residential facilities.
The mold problem remains much as it has in the past in terms of its presence but it is a rapidly growing concern for homeowners, restaurant managers property managers, business owners, and insurance companies based on recent education efforts. Mold, mildew, and algae grow in 48 hours or more if a leak or source or moisture is not corrected and the mold remediated. In addition, mold is often a major source of sick building syndrome, human illness, and breathing problems. Many people simply do not realize the severity of health problems that mold can cause nor how quickly mold and dry rot can spread within a building
Where do most of us see mold, mildew, and algae? Well, as children we probably remember seeing mildew on bathroom tiles or tub calking, on food past its prime, or in a wet basement or on the outside of a building in the spring. Mold is found virtually everywhere. It does not grow on just on continent or climate. It is a biological organism that helps speed up decay in nature. There are a myriad of types of mold that possess different characteristics but the basic modus operandi of mold is the same.
• Mold requires a food source: cellulose, found in building materials such as wood, drywall, wallboard, wallpaper, paper. and others.
• Mold processes oxygen and needs it to live.
• Mold cannot grow and reproduce without access to a water source whether it is a leak or pool of water.
• The only means of eliminating a mold problem is to address the source of the leak or moisture problem. However, keep in mind that not all mold spores (like seeds) can be eliminated post remediation.
Mold Facts
• Molds can be found almost anywhere. They can grow on most surfaces where moisture is found. Molds can grow on papers, wallpaper, wallboard, carpets, woods, food and other surfaces.
• Be sure to reduce indoor humidity to 30-60% to reduce mold growth. This can be done by using dehumidifiers, using exhaust fans, air conditions, and fans in cooking, laundry, and bathing areas.
• Fix the source of the moisture problem or mold will continue to recur.
• Mold causes health issues such as allergic reactions, asthma, and many respiratory problems.
• All mold cannot be eliminated so it is essential to control moisture by eliminating moisture problems and leaks.
• Be sure to thoroughly dry any wet or even damp building materials within no more than 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
• Prevent condensation on cold surfaces such as windows, pipes, exterior walls, roofs, and floors by installing insulation wherever possible.
• Clean mold off the surfaces using the Caltex System but be aware that if the surface is absorbent and the mold infestation is severe, you may have to replace part or all of the surface.
• Do not install carpet in areas where there have been moisture problems or where moisture is present such as bathroom, near drinking fountains, sections of piping, or sinks. This removes a food source and ensures easier cleanup. It also prevents potential destruction of materials. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
How Can I Prevent Mold From Growing?
Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building ASAP
Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix the moisture source ASAP.
Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in the air. To increase the surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair leaks, increase ventilation (if air outside is cold and dry) or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid).
Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.
Vent moisture generating appliances such as dryers to the outside where possible.
Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity, ideally 30-50%, if possible.
Perform regular HVAC building inspections and maintenance as scheduled.
Clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48 hours.
Do not let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope ground away from the foundation. Fix foundation cracks and waterproof basements. Ensuring proper external grading is also crucial.
How Can I Control Moisture to Prevent Mold?
There are many ways to reduce moisture problems and prevent mold. Leaks and moisture in homes or commercial settings occur in a number of locations. Means of controlling moisture and leaks are as follows:
You must fix leaks. If moisture is coming into the home from outside, for example seeping into the basement, you could landscape and ensure that the ground slopes away from the house or perform basement excavation and waterproofing. water problems in the basement can result from no gutter or poorly installed gutters or water flowing toward the home and basement. Pipe leaks create a place for mold to grow. Often leaks from pipes drip onto wooden surfaces such as joists where the mold can then grow and seriously compromise the structure
Suggestions for Reducing Mold Growth
• Vent showers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside. This reduces internal humidity. Change filters in furnaces and ventilation systems regularly.
• Use air conditioners and de-humidifiers. Be sure they are in proper working condition.
• Provide adequate ventilation to maintain indoor humidity levels between 30-60%.
• Use exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning in food service areas. Clean exhaust fans regularly so that there is not buildup that could cause a mold problem.
• Inspect the building for signs of mold, moisture, leaks, or spills
• Check for moldy odors.
• Look for water stains or discoloration on the ceiling, walls, floors, and window sills. Often this is a reddish brown color.
• Look around and under sinks for standing water, water stains, or mold .
• .Inspect bathrooms for standing water, water stains, or mold. .Do not let water stand in air conditioning or refrigerator drip
• pans.
• Be alert for musty smells and track them to their source when you smell them.
• Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours of occurrence to prevent mold growth.
• Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
• Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely.
• Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced
• Check the mechanical room and roof for unsanitary conditions, leaks, or spills.
• Prevent moisture condensation. Pipes are a popular place for this to occur.
• Inspect pipes and fix leaks immediately. Clean and disinfect under sinks regularly.
Signs of Mold
• Moist carpeting or stained ceiling tiles may signal a leak. The source will have to be determined.
• Musty odors. These often signal mold growth.
• Recently installed wallboard and other cover-ups. Replacing ceiling tiles or painting stained wallboards can cover a moisture problem, such as a leaky roof or cracked foundation.
• High humidity can indicate poor ventilation and a moisture problem. vents installed on the external siding are another indicator of a home moisture problem. Keep a temperature- humidity gauge in the classroom or your living room. Relative humidity should be consistently below 60%.
• Heat or air conditioning being shut down for long periods such as summer vacation, vacation, or in vacation or second homes. This is especially relevant in humid areas such as the Southeastern United States
• Wall units or other such large items placed near external walls in humid climates such as the Southeastern United States. This can impair the potential for drying and promote condensation.
• Indoor plants are just another source of moisture that can raise the moisture level if they are allowed to leak onto furniture or wooden surfaces where mold can grow. Always place a catch bowl beneath plants and clean it regularly.
Schools and Mold and Indoor Air Quality
• Moisture problems in school buildings can be caused by:
• Wall, roof, and plumbing leaks
• Condensation on pipes or in general,
• Excessive humidity.
• Changes in building construction practices during the past twenty to thirty years. These changes have resulted in more tightly sealed buildings that may not allow moisture to escape easily.
• Putting off maintenance for leaks and moisture problems or insufficient maintenance
• Temporary structures in schools, such as trailers and portable classrooms, have frequently been associated with moisture and mold problems. Often the building materials in trailers are not as durable and can be more readily subject to environmental forces such as leaks or holes.
“Mold in schools is on the rise and are making children sick. “.According to a Government Accounting report, 20% of the USA's 80,000 public schools have indoor air quality problems. Microbiological contaminants -particularly molds -account for half of indoor air health complaints. That means as many as 7,500 public schools have indoor air problems related to mold. Mold can start growing any time water leaks, and schools, many of which have flat roofs that collect water, are "notorious" for leaks.” 32
Large Buildings and Mold How to Identify the Cause of a Mold and Mildew Problem
“Mold and mildew are commonly found on the exterior wall surfaces of corner rooms in heating climate locations. An exposed corner room is likely to be significantly colder than adjoining rooms, so that it has a higher relative humidity (RH) than other rooms at the same water vapor pressure. If mold and mildew growth are found in a corner room, then relative humidity next to the room surfaces is above 70%. However, is the RH above 70% at the surfaces because the room is too cold or because there is too much moisture present (high water vapor pressure)?
The amount of moisture in the room can be estimated by measuring both temperature and RH at the same location and at the same time. Suppose there are two cases. In the first case, assume that the RH is 30% and the temperature is 70°F in the middle of the room. The low RH at that temperature indicates that the water vapor pressure (or absolute humidity) is low. The high surface RH is probably due to room surfaces that are "too cold." Temperature is the dominating factor, and control strategies should involve increasing the temperature at cold room surfaces.
In the second case, assume that the RH is 50% and the temperature is 70°F in the middle of the room. The higher RH at that temperature indicates that the water vapor pressure is high and there is a relatively large amount of moisture in the air. The high surface RH is probably due to air that is "too moist." Humidity is the dominating factor, and control strategies should involve decreasing the moisture content of the indoor air. “32
How Do I Deal With A Mold Problem?
Remember that old saying? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? That old saying is certainly true in this situation. Mold can start forming on a wet surface within 48 hours but when wet materials are dried in 24 hours or less, the chances of preventing mold growth are good. If this is not done, mold will start to grow and sending out spores to grow more mold further a field. Identifying and eradicating the moisture problem is the most important first step to mold remediation. Once mold has grown and set in, you are into mold remediation territory where you cannot just wash or dry the surface and think it will be “OK”.. Moldy building materials or encrusted surfaces must be either discarded or remediated, or cleaned, killed, and made inert. Remediation processes are defined by the size, scope and type of the mold contamination.
The basic components of a mold remediation are containment of the work area, removal of items that cannot be salvaged and safety. Containment is defined as the closing off of the remediation area to prevent mold from spreading to other areas of the building that are not contaminated. Plastic sheets are either nailed or taped to separate the affected area from the rest of the building. This is termed the containment zone. HEPA filters are used to bring clean outside air into the remediation site. The job of the HEPA filter is to remove the filtered air from the structure. A machine called an air scrubber often performs this negative air flow process. Additional contamination must be prevented. The most important component is safety. The remediation must comply with protecting the people from potentially harmful exposure to mold. The later sections of this manual address the potential health issues that can occur from exposure to various types of mold.
The primary step is to commence an inspection for mold. This will entail looking under and above many parts of a house/building. Do not to disturb or remove any building materials such as wallpaper, wood, carpeting, drywall, wallboard and more in areas that possess mold because the spores can become airborne, be breathed in, and cause a host of health problems and/or spread the mold. A boroscope, to look in spaces within ductwork and other hidden spots can also be used. A moisture meter to determine the level of moisture in the air can be used to help determine areas of leaks and moist mold growth locations.
Safety Tips for Evaluating and Investigating Mold Problems
Do not touch mold or moldy items with bare hands. Be sure to have plastic gloves on for sampling/remediating.
Do not get mold or mold spores in your eyes. use safety goggles with side shields that fit snugly around your eyes and face.
Do not breathe in mold or mold spores. Be sure to have your respirator on at all times while within the containment zone.
Follow the PPE and containment guidelines as contained in this manual
When addressing mold the minimum PPE is an N-95 respirator, gloves, and eye protection.
Mold Remediation Steps
Select a remediation manager
Assess the size of the mold problem and note the type of mold damaged items
Communicate with the all people involved in the project throughout the process as appropriate to the situations.
Identify the source of the moisture problem
Plan the remeditation to fit the scope and type of remediation situation
Select the PPE
Select containment equipment
Select remediation staff
Remediate using either in house or out of house personnel
Clean and dry moldy materials
Discard moldy items that can’t be cleaned
Dry non moldy items within 48 hours
Check for return of the mold and moisture problem.
If hidden mold is discovered, reevaluate your remediation plan, and recommunicate to all parties involved the revised remediation plan.
Before Remediation
Are there already existing moisture problems in the building?
Have building materials been wet more that 48 hours?
Are there hidden sources of water or is the humidity too high (high enough to cause condensation)?
Are people reporting musty or moldy odors? Where in particular?
Are people reporting health problems or sneezing a lot with runny noses? What ar they?
Are the building materials or furnishings visibly damaged? Is mold readily apparent?
Has maintenance been delayed or the maintenance plan changed?
Has the building been recently remodeled or changed? Look at the plans?
Is consultation with health professional indicated?
Have there been grading problems or streams/springs nearby?
How Do I Determine What Type of Mold It Is and How It Should Be Treated?
• Laboratory testing to determine the type of mold is often needed in case a person is or does become ill from mold. A doctor will ask what it is prior to prescribing treatment.
• Mold sampling is needed to ascertain the proper remediation procedures.
• An environmental professional who is specifically trained for this task should perform mold testing and sampling.
• Samples are sent to an environmental laboratory where testing is conducted to determine the type and severity of contamination. Often, it will take several days to complete the lab testing.
The three basic tools used to determine the relevant remediation plan are as follows:
• Visual inspection
• Photographs
• Laboratory analysis
The written remediation plan will accomplish the following tasks:
• Types of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used
• A level of containment that must be erected
• Procedures to be followed to clean and/or remove moldy building materials.
Post remediation, mold testing is often performed to ensure that the mold has been eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level. Remember, that it is virtually impossible to eliminate all mold.
Surface Samples
Surface sampling is not required prior to remediation. A visual examination is usually sufficient because the mold may be visible or the damage to the structure may tell the story.
Samples should be taken if people in the structure are complaining about physical symptoms that could be related to mold. Samples are generally taken from the moldy surface through scraping or cutting the mold with a clean instrument. It is then put into a sealed plastic bag to be taken to the lab for identification. If the volume of mold is not too high, swabbing or stripping can be done to collect the surface samples. If you have questions about how to sample, consult a mycology lab. This is also the type of lab that would conduct the testing to determine the type of mold.
An individual trained in sampling should perform bulk or surface sampling. Bulk, the larger samples from more extensive mold infestation, are usually collected from visibly moldy surfaces by scraping or cutting materials with a clean tool into a clean plastic bag. Surface samples are usually collected by wiping a measured area with a sterile swab or by stripping the suspect surface with clear tape. Surface sampling is less destructive than bulk sampling. Other sampling methods may also be available. A laboratory specializing in mycology should be consulted for specific sampling and delivery instructions.
Air sampling for mold should not be part of a routine assessment. This is because decisions about appropriate remediation strategies can usually be made on the basis of a visual inspection. In addition, air-sampling methods for some molds are prone to false negative results and therefore cannot be used to definitively role out contamination.
Air monitoring may be necessary if an individual has been diagnosed with a disease that is or may be associated with a mold exposure or if there is evidence from a visual inspection or bulk sampling that ventilation systems may be contaminated. In this case the scope and degree of contamination would have to be ascertained. In this situation, conduct sampling while ventilation systems are operating. This way the full scope will be known. If there may be hidden mold that you just cannot locate, air monitoring may be employed. Remember, both outdoor and indoor samples should be taken for comparative purposes.
“Microscopic identification of the spores/colonies requires considerable expertise. These services are not routinely available from commercial laboratories. Documented quality control in the laboratories used for analysis of the bulk/surface and air samples is necessary. The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) offers accreditation to microbial laboratories (Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program (EMLAP)). Accredited laboratories must participate in quarterly proficiency testing (Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing Program (EMP AT) ).
Evaluation of bulk/surface and air sampling data should be performed by an experienced health professional. The presence of few or trace amounts of fungal spores in bulk/surface sampling should be considered background. Amounts greater than this or the presence of fungal fragments (e.g., hyphae, and conidiophores) may suggest fungal colonization, growth, and/or accumulation at or near the sampled location.3° Air samples should be evaluated by means of comparison (i.e., indoors to outdoors) and by fungal type (e.g., genera, and species). In general, the levels and types of fungi found should be similar indoors (in non-problem buildings) as compared to the outdoor air. Differences in the levels or types of fungi found in air samples may indicate that moisture sources and resultant fungal growth may be problematic. “
What Can Be Salvaged? What Should Be Discarded?
Salvagable
• Metals
• Glass
• Ceramics
• Plastics
• Wood
• Concrete materials
• Fabrics that have only a small amount of mold and can be cleaned are a judgment call.
* These materials must be structurally sound be able to be cleaned.
Cleaning should be done using the Caltex System.
Discard
• Porous materials
• Ceiling tiles
• Insulation
• Wallboards with more than a small area of contamination should be removed and discarded.
The use of gas based biocides in mold remediation can cause health issues for people in the non-moldy parts of the building and for people who will later be in the remediated space if used improperly. These types of approaches are unproven.
Setting the Remediation Plan
The first step is to assess the size of the mold and/or moisture problem and the type of damaged materials before planning the actual work. Select a remediation manager for large or medium sized jobs. The plan should include the steps to fix the water or moisture problem or potential reoccurrence. The plan should cover the use of appropriate PPE and include steps to carefully contain and remove mold building materials to avoid spreading the molds. A remediation plan can vary greatly based on the job size, complexity, and possible revisions to the plan.
The most important factor is to protect the health and safety of the occupants and the remediation staff. This may mean the relocation of people to an alternate location while the remediation is taking place. Remediation should be conducted during off hours because people will not be in the area.
Communication is an integral part of the mold remediation process. The homeowner/building owner is often quite perturbed about the situation and the impact on the business/occupants. In addition, the insurance adjustor must understand what the written remediation plan is, and how the project is progressing. The initial report and plan are also given to the adjustor. The employees must receive a through safety training on mold, the appropriate safety gear, and how to wear it. They need to be aware of the adverse health conditions that can result if they do not comply with the required safety gear. In addition, there must be sanctions if they choose not to comply and wear the required safety gear. Be sure to communicate in a manner that does not alarm the homeowner, or create additional or unnecessary liability or cost for the insurance company/building owner.
HVAC
• Do not run the HVAC system if you suspect that it is contaminated with mold or if mold is located near the intake to the system. If the occupants inform you that they know there if mold in the HVAC system because when they turn it on, the mold smell becomes much stronger all over, there is probably mold in the HVAC system. If the occupants have been running this system regularly, the mold spores are probably all over and air testing will have to be done with the system on. The HVAC system will also have to be remediated. and the system not run until it has been thoroughly remediated and the air tested post remediation.
What if You Can’t See the Mold But Suspect It Is There?
Mold growth indoors may not always be in plain view. It can be hidden on the back side of dry wall, wallpaper or paneling, the top of ceiling tiles, and the underside of carpets and pads etc. Other locations of possible hidden mold are pie chases and utility tunnels, walls behind furniture, condensate drain pans inside air handling units, porous thermal or acoustic liners inside ductwork, or roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to rook leaks or insufficient insulation). Materials such as dry wall with vinyl wallpaper over it or wood paneling can act as vapor barriers which trap moisture underneath and provide a moist environment for mold. You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and building occupants are reporting health problems. Be sure to use the required PPE when investigating hidden mold sources. Removal of wallpaper can lead to a massive release of spores from mold growing on the underside of the paper.
Remediation
Fix the water or humidity problem.
Continue to communicate with the occupants as appropriate. Address all their concerns
Completely clean up the moldy and dry water damaged areas. Carefully contain and remove the moldy materials.
Small Mold Areas
• A small mold remediation area is defined as 10 square feet or less. This may be a small section of tile or wallboard, or simply that the mold problem has been caught early on before it had a chance to cover and extensive area.
• Remediation can be conducted by maintenance staff. Such persons should receive training on proper clean up methods, personal protection, and potential health hazards. Training is essential. You must comply with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
• Respiratory protection must be worn. It is important to ensure that you and all staff within the containment areas comply with the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), is recommended. Gloves and eye protection should be worn. An N 95 respirator must be worn while in the containment zone and while remediating.
• The work area should be unoccupied except by the remediators. Vacating people from spaces adjacent to the work area is not necessary in all cases
• Remove the following people from areas nearby the remediation zone: infants of less than 1 year old, persons who recently had surgery, immune suppressed people, or people with lung diseases or allergies.
• Containment of the work area is not always necessary . Dust and mold suppression methods, such as misting surfaces prior to remediation, should also be employed.
• Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in a sealed plastic bag. Moldy bagged materials can simply be placed in the regular garbage.
• The work area and areas used by remedial workers for egress should be cleaned with a mop and the Caltex System. This is important to prevent the spread of mold spores which may have been tracked in and out.
• The job site should be left, clean, dry, with no debris or obvious mold problem.
Medium Sized Areas
A medium sized areas is defined as being 10- 30 square feet. This can include any of the surfaces commonly devoured by mold.
• Remediation can be conducted by maintenance staff. Such persons should receive training on proper clean up methods, personal protection, and potential health hazards. Training is essential. You must comply with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
• Respiratory protection must be worn. It is important to ensure that you and all staff within the containment areas comply with the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), is recommended. Gloves and eye protection should be worn. An N 95 respirator must be worn while in the containment zone and while remediating.
• The work area should be unoccupied except by the remediators. Vacating people from spaces adjacent to the work area is not necessary in all cases
• Remove the following people from areas nearby the remediation zone: infants of less than 1 year old, persons who recently had surgery, immune suppressed people, or people with lung diseases or allergies.
• Containment of the work area is not always necessary . Dust and mold suppression methods, such as misting surfaces prior to remediation, should also be employed.
• The work area should be covered with a plastic sheet(s) and sealed with tape before remediation, to contain dust/debris.
• The work area and areas used by remedial workers for egress should be HEPA vacuumed ( a vacuum equipped with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter) and cleaned with a damp cloth and/or mop and a detergent solution.
• Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in a sealed plastic bag. Moldy bagged materials can simply be placed in the regular garbage.
• The work area and areas used by remedial workers for egress should be cleaned with a mop and the Caltex System. This is important to prevent the spread of mold spores which may have been tracked in and out.
• The job site should be left, clean, dry, with no debris or obvious mold problem.
Large Mold Issues
• A large mold problem is defined as being 30- 100 square feet.
• Microbial investigations should be performed prior to remediation activities to provide guidance.
• Respiratory protection must be worn. It is important to ensure that you and all staff within the containment areas comply with the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), is recommended. Gloves and eye protection should be worn. An N 95 respirator must be worn while in the containment zone and while remediating.
• The work area should be unoccupied except by the remediators. Vacating people from spaces adjacent to the work area is not necessary in all cases
• Remove the following people from areas nearby the remediation zone: infants of less than 1 year old, persons who recently had surgery, immune suppressed people, or people with lung diseases or allergies.
• Containment of the work area is not always necessary . Dust and mold suppression methods, such as misting surfaces prior to remediation, should also be employed.
• The work area should be covered with a plastic sheet(s) and sealed with tape before remediation, to contain dust/debris.
• The work area and areas used by remedial workers for egress should be HEPA vacuumed ( a vacuum equipped with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter) and cleaned with a damp cloth and/or mop and a detergent solution.
• Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in a sealed plastic bag. Moldy bagged materials can simply be placed in the regular garbage.
• The work area and areas used by remedial workers for egress should be cleaned with a mop and the Caltex System. This is important to prevent the spread of mold spores which may have been tracked in and out.
• Seal ventilation ducts/grills in the work area and areas directly adjacent with plastic sheeting.
• If the remediation process will generate a lot or dust or involve a lot of scraping and surface agitation or there are blankets or mold, follow the highest remediation guidelines available.
• The job site should be left, clean, dry, with no debris or obvious mold problem.
Extra Large Mold Site
• A super size mold site is defined as being over 100 square feet.
• Microbial investigations conducted before remediation for project guidance.
• A staff trained in hazardous material processes. Full-face respirators with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cartridges Disposable protective clothing covering both head and shoes. Gloves must be worn also.
• Containment of the remediation areas must be done by ensuring thorough isolation of containment zone from inhabited areas using plastic sheeting sealed with duct tape. Any opening into the containment zone must also be plastic sheeted and duct taped to prevent air flow out. The use of an exhaust fan with a HEPA filter to generate negative pressurization. It is important to set up a decontamination zone also.
• Remove the following people from areas nearby the remediation zone: infants of less than 1 year old, persons who recently had surgery, immune suppressed people, or people with lung diseases or allergies.
• The contained area and decontamination room should be HE A vacuumed and cleaned with the Caltex System. The containment zone should be clean to the naked eye. Only then should the containment barriers be removed.
• Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in a sealed plastic bag. Moldy bagged materials can simply be placed in the regular garbage.
• Air monitoring should be conducted prior to occupancy to determine if the area is fit to reoccupy.
HV AC System Remediation
Small HVAC Mold Site
A small HVAC mold site is defined as being 10 square feet.
• Remediation can be conducted by the maintenance staff. The maintenance staff will be trained in and knowledgeable about correct clean up methods, PPE requirements, and potential health hazards of mold. it is essential to comply with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
• Respiratory protection ( e.g., N95 disposable respirator), in accordance with the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), is recommended. Gloves and eye protection should be worn.
• The HV AC system should turned off before remediating.
• The work area should be covered with a plastic sheets and duct taped prior remediation. This will contain the dust and mold and prevent it from spreading.
• Dust suppression methods, such as misting surfaces prior to remediation should be done. This will help reduce the amount of more mold spores from coming into the air.
• Remove mold food. In an HVAC system this can be the paper on the insulation of interior lined ducts and filters.
• Place moldy and contaminated items earmarked for disposal in garbage bags and dispose of in the regular trash.
• HEPA vacuum all the work areas and all the surfaces with the Caltex System. in addition, any areas where remediation staff may have entered and exited should also be cleaned using the Caltex System.
• The work areas should be dry, clean, and debris free upon completion of the job.
• Use the Caltex System to clean coils and condensation pans
Medium Size HVAC Mold Issue
A medium sized mold problem in the HVAC system is defined as being 10 square feet.
• Microbial investigations should be performed prior to remediation activities to gain guidance and help set the remediation plan.
• Staff will be fully trained in hazardous material procedures. Staff will be wearing an N95 disposable respirator. it is important to comply with the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134). Gloves and eye protection are necessary as are full-face respirators with HEPA cartridges and disposable protective clothing covering both head and shoes should be worn if contamination is greater than 30 square feet.
• The HV AC system should be shut down prior to any remedial activities.
• Contain the HVAC location being cleaned from other areas of the HVAC system using plastic sheeting sealed with duct tape.
• Use an exhaust fan with a HEPA filter to generate negative pressurization. Airlocks and decontamination room if contamination is greater than 30 square feet.
• Discard the mold food. Bag and throw out the paper on the insulation of interior lined ducts and filters. In situation where a cleanup room is present, wipe the bags down with a surfactant or HEPA vacuum them. place in regular garbage.
• HEPA vacuum and wipe all remediation areas and the cleanup room with The Caltex System prior to removing the plastic sheeting and duct tape.
• Be sure to leave the work site and cleanup room visibly clean, free of garbage and debris, and fresh.
• Be sure to conduct air monitoring of the HVAC system to ensure that the air quality is fit for occupants.
• Use The Caltex System to clean coils and condensation pans.
When large areas of mold are found the following should transpire:
• The owner or employer should notify occupants that mold has been found.
• Provide an overview of remedial measures and a target completion date
• Group meetings pre and post remediation detailing results.
• Individuals with persistent health problems that appear to be related to mold exposure should see their physicians or a physician specializing in this type of medicine.
• Individuals seeking medical attention should be provided with a copy of all inspection results and interpretation to give to their medical practitioners.
The most important actions are the elimination of the moisture problem through a structural repair process and the clean up of the mold. Be sure to employ a simple quick method that complies with mold remediation guidelines and safety requirements. When the job is completed, be sure to communicate that regular building maintenance is the key to preventing mold. It certainly is much simpler to prevent it in the first place and much less costly.
|Mold Clean Up |
|Guidelines for Response To Water Damage within 24-48 Hours To Prevent Mold Growth |
|Material |Action Plan |
|Books and Papers |Discard |
| |Photocopy important items, discard originals |
| |Freeze or freeze dry |
|Carpet and Backing-dry w/i 24-48 Hrs. |Remove water with water extraction Vacuum |
| |Reduce ambient humidity with dehumidifier |
| |Accelerate drying process with fans |
|Ceiling Tiles |Discard and replace |
|Cellulose Insulation |Discard and replace |
|Concrete or cinder block surfaces |Remove water with water extraction vacuum |
| |Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or |
| |heaters |
|Fiberglass insulation |Discard and replace |
|Flooring |Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to |
| |dry;scrub if necessary |
| |Check to make sure underflooring is dry, dry underflooring if |
| |necessary |
|Plastics, metals |Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to |
| |dry;scrub if necessary |
|Upholstered furniture |Remove water with water extraction vacuum |
| |Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or |
| |heaters |
| |May be difficult to completely dry within 48 hours. if the piece |
| |is valuable, you may wish to consult a restoration water damage |
| |professional who specializes in furniture |
|Wallboard (drywall/gypsum) |May be dried in place if there is no obvious swelling and seams |
| |are intact. If not, remove, discard, and replace. |
| |Ventilate the cavity, if possible. |
|Drapes |Follow laundering or cleaning instructions recommended by the |
| |manufacturer. |
|Wood surfaces |Remove moisture immediately and use dehumidifiers, gentle heat, |
| |and fans for drying (Use caution when applying heat to hardwood |
| |floors) |
| |Treated or finished wood surfaces may be cleaned with mild |
| |detergent and clean water and allowed to dry. |
| |Wet paneling should be pried away from wall for drying. |
What Are the Mold and Indoor Air Regulations
|Remediation of Building Material with Mold Growth |
|Material Affected |Cleanup Method |PPE |Containment |
|Less than 10 Square Foot Surface |
|Books and Papers |3 |N-95 respirator, gloves, and |None Required |
| | |goggles | |
|Carpet and backing |1,3 | | |
|Concrete or cinder block |1,3 | | |
|Flooring |1,2,3 | | |
|Plastics, metals |1,2,3 | | |
|Upholstered furniture/drapes |1,3 | | |
|Wallboard (drywall/gypsum) |3 | | |
|Wood surfaces |1,2,3 | | |
| | | | |
|10-100 Sq. Ft. To Be Cleaned |
|Books and Papers |3 |Limited or Full |Limited |
|Carpet and backing |1,3,4 |Use professional judgment |Use professional judgment |
|Concrete or cinder block |1,3 | | |
|Flooring |1,2,3 | | |
|Plastics, metals |1,2,3 | | |
|Upholstered furniture and |1,3,4 | | |
|drapes | | | |
| |3,4 | | |
|Wallboard |1,2,3 | | |
|More Than 100 Sq Ft. To Be Cleaned |
| |
|Books and Papers |1,3,4 |Full |Full |
|Carpet and backing |1,3 | | |
|Concrete or cinder block |1,2,3,4 | | |
|Flooring |1,2,3 | | |
|Plastics, metals |1,3,4 | | |
|Upholstered furniture and |3,4 | | |
|drapes | | | |
|Wallboard |1,2,3,4 | | |
|Wood surfaces | | | |
“32
Be Sure to Use These Cleaning Methods
1. Wet vacuum. This works very well on hard materials. Be sure that they are thoroughly dried. Steam cleaning may be an alternative for carpets and some upholstered furniture
2. Wipe surfaces down using surfactant or The Caltex System depending on what surface you are cleaning.
3. HEPA vacuum after the material has been thoroughly dried. Dispose of the contents of the HEPA vacuum in tied plastic garbage bags. Place in regular garbage.
4. Tear down and throw away water damaged materials and seal in plastic garbage bags. Be sure to close them tightly while inside the containment area.
Cleanup
Mold growth can cause significant structural damage over time. If a mold/moisture problem has not been addressed for a long time it can weaken floors, and walls. This is because mold feeds on wet wood. If you believe that mold has weakened the structural integrity of a building, consult a structural engineer or a professional with expertise in this field.
Wet vacuums collect water but should not be used on porous materials because they can damage the material. Wet vacuums can spread spores if the surface being vacuumed is not sufficiently wet. The tanks, hoses, and various attachments of the vacuum should be thoroughly cleaned and dried after use because the mold and spores may remain on its surfaces.
Mold can usually be removed from non porous surfaces by wiping and scrubbing with water and The Caltex System. Dry these surfaces quickly and thoroughly after wiping to discourage further mold growth. Porous materials that are wet and have mold growing on them can be discarded. Be sure not to paint or caulk over moldy surfaces. Do not paint over moldy surfaces.
HEPA vacuums are used for the final cleanup of the remediation area after the materials have been removed and the surfaces wiping and dried. Be sure that the filter is placed properly on the vacuum. This is important because all air must pass through the filter to ensure the particulate matter is removed from the surface/air. Wear the proper PPE when changing the vacuum filter to avoid exposure to the mold. The filter and HEPA bag contents must be disposed of in a well sealed plastic bag.
Containment of the moldy area means that polyethylene sheets area put up and thoroughly curtain off the entire area being remediated. This may mean tacking the sheets to an existing surface or erecting a steel or stud frame.
Quality Control
We all know that the most important part of any service is the quality of service work performed for their customers. The training you receive in our Caltex mold and mildew seminar is the best in the industry. You receive from us years of mold and mildew mold and mildew cleaning experience, but it is you who has to be sure your customers are receiving the best possible service available. Being good enough is not what most customers want. The want the best possible service at a competitive price. You, as a Caltex product user, become a direct reflection on the mold and mildew mold and mildew cleaning industry and on Caltex products. It is up to you to maintain the highest quality of mold and mildew cleaning in your area. It only makes sense that your customer will use your company again and again and refer others to your company if you provide a very good cleaning job. To make a mistake and not provide your best job only opens the door for your competitors to take business from you. The training you receive from this manual or from the Caltex cleaning seminar is only as successful as you make it.
Knowledge not used is of little help when trying to provide quality service to a customer. Having a thorough knowledge of mold and mildew mold and mildew cleaning is the first step in being able to provide a quality job. The second step is having a quality chemical cleaning solution. Step three is having a well trained service crew. The fourth step is having quality equipment designed for mold and mildew mold and mildew cleaning. Giving second best to any of the above only lessens your ability to provide the quality of cleaning service your company should be capable of producing. Knowledge is by far the most important requirement. Knowing how to provide quality service helps the experienced person select chemicals and equipment required to provide quality service. How clean is clean?
Is the mold and mildew capable of being cleaned? What results can be expected? How much time should each job take? How many service personnel do you need? Where to start? What to do first? Only knowledge and experience will provide these answers. Learn from every job and build your knowledge further each day. Let’s face facts, if your chemical solution is not capable of cleaning mold and mildew well, your knowledge is worth nothing. Knowledge can help you see problems before they arise. It can also help you overcome problems. The fact still remains that you are limited by your product. There is no chemical solution that will clean every mold and mildew no matter how dirty. Learn the limitations of your products. Don’t try the impossible. It’s better not to provide cleaning service than to provide a second rate cleaning service. Customers never remember what a good quality cleaning jobs costs. They never forget the cost of a poor cleaning job. What I am saying is, a low price for poor results will never make a customer happy. Refuse to clean an overly moldy surface or inform the customer that the surface must be discarded and replaced or gain other professional advice before losing a potential good customer. Be honest with yourself. If the mold and mildew should have been cleaned three years ago, do not expect the chemical solution to do the impossible. The chemical solution should be capable of cleaning an average amount of mold and mildew. Some moldy and mildewed sufaces are easier than others. The chemical solution along with your knowledge is the key to quality mold and mildew mold and mildew cleaning. Personnel that have received training are important to job quality. The best chemicals and equipment are still limited by the people using them. Your cleaning crew should know the basics such as how to use extension poles, fixi clamps, in addition to vacuum and spray equipment. They should have an understanding as to the importance of each step of the cleaning operation. Of course, experience is one of the best methods for training your personnel.
Mold more quickly invades porous surfaces, often resulting in discarding of the material. This is because mold devours a porous surface more easily than a non porous surface. The dictionary describes pores as any minute surface opening or passageway, The fact is, porous surfaces absorb liquid, Non-porous surfaces do not absorb liquid. Many surfaces appear to be non-porous but almost all surfaces have some pores. Example: Is a common rock porous? if you wet a common rock an wipe it off with a paper towel, in most cases you will see that the rock is still damp. The rock has actually absorbed some liquid into it. Is the rock porous or non-porous? The fact is that the rock is semi-porous. This means that the rock is capable of absorbing some liquid, we know it will absorb gases as well. mold and mildew surfaces are broken down into three distinct classifications: porous, non-porous, and semi-porous. No matter what the mold and mildew is made of, it falls into one of these three classifications. Before cleaning any mold and mildew or mold and mildew surface, you should know the composition of the surface.
This manual has been written for instructing you on how to clean mold and mildew. Following the basic knowledge provided in the manual, you should be capable of cleaning most mold and mildew properly. But, it is you who have to expand upon the basic foundations that are provided within this manual. Learn from each job performed.
Equipment Required
Vacuum Cleaner
This is used with a combination of extension tubes and brushes to remove soot and dust from around the air diffusers in the mold and mildew. You will use a variety of lengths of extension poles depending upon the mold and mildew height. The majority of diffusers are vacuumed from the mold and mildew. The extension tubes are usually made from PVC pipe that is 1” to 1/2 inch or aluminum tubing. the PVC pipe is much lighter to hold for hours thought than aluminum tubing and can be replaced for just a few dollars. Remember that taller people will not require as long of a pipe as a shorter person. The brush attachment should be soft bristle and preferably have a rubber bristle holder for durability. We have found that a good quality dust brush made by many vacuum cleaner manufactures works well. It may seem a little slow when using, but the end results are usually very good, if the vacuuming is done correctly. The vacuum should have a good strong pull, so when vacuuming the mold and mildew surface it will draw the loose soil of the fissuring of the mold and mildew mold and mildew. To ensure vacuum power, be sure to keep the vacuum bag emptied.
Extension Poles
Extension poles are used in a variety of job duties. For the most part, though, they are used with the fixi-clamp. This clamp opens so that a sponge can be clamped into it. The sponge is used to wipe non-porous items, The extension poles are also used with scrub brushes to clean moldy and mildewed surface. These poles come in a variety of lengths and are adjustable to the length that is required. These extension poles are also used to hold cups for protecting lights and other items from the chemical spray mist.
Drop Clothes
Drop clothes are used to cover items where the chemical may drip heavily or to protect equipment. There are many different varieties of drop cloths. We prefer the paper/plastic drop cloths because of their light weight and excellent light reflection. The white paper provides light to the mold and mildew surface. The plastic under the paper gives us the protection from chemicals, water or dirty chemicals that have fallen onto the drop cloth from passing through. The plastic side is laid down, leaving the paper side towards the mold and mildew. This way the paper absorbs the water or chemical that may drop onto it. Also, you will always have a dry bottom with these, thus nothing that is covered will become wet. How many you have supplied in your truck depends on the type and size of the job you are going to do. If there is a lot of covering on a certain job, you may need two dozen in order to cover enough area so that you can move at a fast cleaning rate. You always want enough drop cloths so that you can clean at a fast rate.
Mold and Mildew Cleaning Machine-Sprayer
A machine is required to apply the chemicals to the mold and mildew in a spray mist. The machine, however, has very little to do with the end results from cleaning. The end results come from the chemicals and the method of using the chemicals. The big difference in machines comes in the amount of time it takes to apply the chemicals and move the room. Because you will be on the move all the time and you are always moving from one area to another, you need a machine that is light and portable. The machines we use are designated for mold and mildew cleaning. There are different spray tips and spray assemblies available which speed up the spraying process. One good crew leader with the proper cleaning equipment can keep 5-8 wipers working steadily.
Before the Job Preparation
Once you have received confirmation from the customer, you need certain information before you can proceed. You need to know what day, time, who to see, where to enter the building, and any other additional instructions you may require. The person in charge of scheduling jobs should fill in the service work sheet with this information. The service crew leader should then receive this work sheet and prepare for the job. By following the information provided on the service work sheet, the crew leader should be able to set up the number of crew personnel required, chemical supply, and other needed items. Coordination for each job is very important so that you provide your customer with a very professional image and have the job completed correctly in proper form and manner. It looks much more professional if everything goes smoothly and in a set order when on the job. Many times a customer forms an opinion of your service not by the end results but by the professional image that your company has given them. If a crew acts and looks like they really know what they are doing and that they appear to be true professionals., the end results may not be perfect but the customer feels he has been provided with the best cleaning available. That is the most important part of your service business, making the customer satisfied that he has received the best possible service available, not always a perfectly cleaned mold and mildew. It lets the crew leader know what, how much, and what type of area he is cleaning. This better prepares him for performing a professional job.
Before Job Checklist
Service Work Sheet- correctly filled out
Clean Equipment-in proper working order
Correct Chemical Supply-always have an extra on hand
Clean Service Vehicle- good supply of sponges, drop cloths etc.
Suggestions for Providing a Professional Image
Uniforms, clean and neat, shirt, pants, baseball cap. Service personnel that control their language, work without creating any more mess than possible, are careful of items about the work area, and take a direct interest in the quality of the service they are performing.
On Job Arrival
When the service crew arrives at the job location, the crew leader, with his service work sheet, should report to the person whom he should see. he would ask this person for any special instructions such as which door to use, alarm system, light switches etc. They should walk through the job area together. The crew leader should observe the types of mold and mildew, mold and mildew systems, and environment. He should also observe mold and mildew heights, equipment, furniture and fixtures in the area they will be working in to see if any special tools are needed for the job. This will tell him if there are any special drop cloths needed and the amount of drop cloths needed. As they walk through this area, there may be other questions he may need to ask this person such as, should the door be locked when he leaves, is there going to be anyone occupying the areas to be cleaned etc. This will help tell the crew leader what area he should start in and what order to follow through the job. While the crew leader was inspecting the job, his or her crew should have removed the cleaning machine and other regularly used tool from the service vehicle. Once the crew leader has given the special instructions to the crew, he will mix the odorless mold and mildew chemical solutions into the chemical tank. He will then install the tank onto the machine and attach the proper hoses. He will select the proper lengths of spray extensions, spray tips, and double sprayer that will be necessary to perform the cleaning job ( see equipment operations).While he is doing this, the crew members should be gathering and preparing the extension poles, fixi-clamps, vacuum cleaner, and attachments per the special instructions. Once all the equipment is ready, they will go into the building as instructed by the crew leader to the first area to be cleaned.
On The Job
The crew leader will then assign jobs to his crew. One normally will be vacuuming around the wetted moldy surface (see application instructions section), the others will normally be drop clothing the areas as instructed by the crew leader. The size of the crew varies with the amount of area to be cleaned, number of rooms, type of mold and mildew, and the amount of time available to complete the job. The normal crew consists of three people, the crew leader, who will do the spraying, and two people to assist him with wiping, drop clothing and vacuuming. It is possible for one person to perform an entire job. However, in most cases it would require less man hours if two or more persons are used rather than one. Once the room has been drop clothed properly and the air diffusers are vacuumed clean, the person vacuuming should go to the next area instructed by the crew leader. At this point you are ready to start the special odorless mold and mildew dry cleaning process.
Sample Job
Job description: Office Building
1. 3 offices with desks, furniture etc.
2. Office sizes: 24’ x24’
3. mold and mildew in 24” x 48” lay in mineral board ceiling
4. mold and mildew: exposed white ceiling
5. mold and mildew in paneling
6. Air Diffusers: 18” square aluminum
7. mold and mildew on all walls to Height: 9’
How To Clean The Above Job
The crew leader has selected one office to start cleaning in. Upon entering the first room, the crew leader instructs his crew as to who is to clean and vacuum the air diffusers and surrounding mold and mildew and instructs the other crew member to start covering the proper furniture and fixtures with the proper drop cloths and close off the remediation area. After, the crew leader should select a corner to start spraying in. The machine should be placed in a position where it is convenient for both the sprayer and the wiper. This is important because the wiper will need to rinse the sponge frequently with out losing time. It is important for the wipe to keep the sponge clean or he will leave the mold and mildew on fixtures or other items which are hard to remove/remediate. The machine must also be positioned so that there is enough hose to the sprayer can spray the selected area without moving the machine.
Spraying
The crew leasser (sprayer) will select the proper spray tip and length of spray pipe. After attaching, he should clean the air out of the spray hose. This is done by turning the machine on until the spray comes out even. Be sure the spray tip is directed at the mold and mildew while doing this so the chemicals do not spray onto the mold and mildew, desks, furniture or mold and mildew. The sprayer should then make sure that the spray form the spray tip is coming out in an even flow and in a fan spray. You should see an even mist, with no breaks, in the shape of an open fan. If not, the spray tip is possibly dirty or clogged. It should be replaced or cleaned to ensure an even spray in order to attain an effective cleaning job.
The sprayer holds the spray handle in one hand and the attached spray pipe in the other hand. The spray pipe and handle assembly should be held at approximately a 45 degree angle. The spray handle assembly should not be held straight in front of you, but off to one side. It should be in position where you can see the chemical spray as it is applied to the mold and mildew surface. While spraying, it is important to constantly watch the spray. This is to help guide you and you will also be able to tell if the spray tip clogs up. In that case, you should stop immediately to clean or replace the spray tip. To spray, depress the ON button, keep the spray pipes steady in front of you, walking slowly backwards. Never spay in a sweeping motion. When moving your arms always move then both the same distance. If you do not move both arms the same distance you get a sweeping motion, rather than a steady, even, straight line spray. If, for some reason, you can’t take another step backwards, for example a desk is in your path, stop and move to the other side, rather than using a sweeping motion to reach more of the mold and mildew. The single spray tip should be help approximately seven inches from the mold and mildew. Be sure to keep the tip at a constant level of seven inches from the mold and mildew during all the spraying, or the chemical will be dispensed unevenly onto the mold and mildew. Watch where you are dragging the hose so that you do not knock things off the desks, etc.
Note: In most all of the cleaning operation the sprayer and wipers will be walking backwards. To prevent damage to furniture or fixtures and ensure safety of the cleaning personnel, it is important that they select a path where they will not stumble, trip, fall over or break anything from backing into it. With experience, they will find walking backwards while working becomes very ease, but job safety must always be remembered.
The sprayer start in the corner using a single spray tip, which has a spray width of about eight inches. He should, therefore, hold the tip approximately four inches out from the mold and mildew and about seven inches below the mold and mildew. The sprayer should start at 45 degree angle from the corner, rather than straight on. By doing this, the spray will reach all the way into the corner and spray only one moldy and mildewed surface without spraying the other. The object is to spray the chemical on the mold and mildew edge without spraying very much on the mold and mildew. He should spray approximately one and one-half feet in one direction from the corner. The wiper immediately wipes the mold and mildew with a clean sponge/scraper to remove the residual mold after the chemical has remained on the surface per the application instructions (refer to this section of the manual).
To wipe the corners, one should hold the sponge straight up and down, with the sponge laying flat against the mold and mildew. The wiper then pushed the sponge pole up the mold and mildew so that the sponge fits exactly into the corner. Full straight across, wiping the sprayed mold and mildew. The top and side of the sponge should be wiping the mold and mildew. The wiper will then make room for the sprayer to spray in the other direction from the corner. Again, the sprayer will start at a 45 degree angle, slight overlapping the other 45 degree angle sprayed mold and mildew. (first one side of the corner, than other side.)
After wiping the corners (one and one-half feet), the sprayer then informs the wiper which edge of the mold and mildew he will spray. The sprayer and wiper now work together as a team. The wiper stands in front of the sprayer, walking slowly backwards in time with the sprayer, while wiping the mold and mildew. The wiper will hold the sponge pole at an angle, leaving the sponge flat against the mold and mildew, with the top edge of the sponge on the mold and mildew mold and mildew. If you press to hard, the fixi-clamp will scrape the mold and mildew and the sponge will drip chemical, rather than absorbing it. The sprayer should not get too far ahead of the wiper. He may have to stop occasionally to let the wiper catch up. It is best to trim the entire room first. However, depending on the size of the room and the placement of the furniture, you may find it easier to do only a portion rather than the entire room. Then do the remaining trimming and the remaining mold and mildew afterwards. Move the machine, as necessary.
As the sponge surface becomes dirty or full of chemicals, it must be rinsed. The wiper should clean the sponge as often as necessary. To clean the sponge, rinse it in the water, squeezing the sponge with hand to remove the dirt. Keep the pole slightly higher than the bucket and over the bucket so the water does not run down the pole onto the mold and mildew. After the sponge is rinsed clean, fold the sponge back against the bottom of the fixi-clamp and squeeze it with both hands to remove the excess water. Do not wring the sponge out. While cleaning the sponge, be careful not to break or knock objects over with the end of the sponge pole.
Spraying - Double Tip
After the trimming has been done, spray the mold and mildew using a double spray tip assembly which has a spray width of about 24 inches. Always check the spray pattern of the spray tips after attaching them for clogs or blockage. A double sprayer is used instead of a single spray tip because the spray width is three times of a single spray tip, making it much faster to spray. The sprayer holds the spray wand and the handle the same way as with the single spray tip. There are two ways to spray a mold and mildew, spraying the mold and mildew length wise and widthwise. Which way you choose will depend on the circumstances. If you are spraying widthwise on a 2’ X 4’ mold and mildew, you will need to make two passes across each mold and mildew to clean the entire mold and mildew. If you spray lengthwise, you will center the tips between the mold and mildew, one pass would clean the whole mold and mildew. Remember the trimming has already been done, so you do not have to worry about spraying all the way to the edge of the mold and mildew. The sprayer sprays the mold and mildew moving his body to the right side and then to the left side. He then steps back and continues spraying from right to left on the next row of mold and mildew mold and mildew. The sprayer should slightly overlap the areas where he is spraying to ensure that areas of the mold and mildew are not missed. When using a double sprayer, it is important that it is not held too close to the mold and mildew. If it is, the spray from the two tips will not meet in the center, thus leaving a strip on the mold and mildew that the chemicals did not reach. The double sprayer assembly should only be used after the sprayer had had a lot of experience.
Wiping
The wiper follows, wiping the mold and mildew, speaker, vents, lights, any surface which is non-absorbent. When wiping the mold and mildew, he should stand directly underneath it, walking backwards while pulling the sponge on the mold and mildew surface. First, he should hold the pole as if he were going to wipe the mold and mildew and mold and mildew mold and mildew on each side of the mold and mildew. Now he should move the sponge over so that only the top corner of the sponge is on the mold and mildew. He should be tilting the pole so the sponge is on an angle and the only place the edge of the sponge should be making contact is on the mold and mildew, not on the mold and mildew. The mold and mildew should be wiped with the sponge in this manner and position. When the corner becomes dirty, rotate the pole 180 degrees, this will give you two more corners of the sponge to use. Again, wipe the mold and mildew using the same method described above, one edge of the sponge at a time.
When the vacuuming of the air diffusers in each room has been completed, the crew leader may ask this person to help wipe or possibly to start moving the drop cloths to the next room to get ready to be sprayed. the same spraying and wiping process should be followed throughout the other offices.
After completely cleaning the mold and mildew in all three offices, the crew leader should instruct his crew to start folding the drop cloths, removing the partitioned off remediation area, and preparing to leave. The crew leader will inspect all the rooms to ensure that they have been cleaned properly. The crew leader will be looking for any sections of the formerly moldy and mildewed surface or other items, such as fixtures and mold and mildew components, that may need additional cleaning. The crew leader should make sure that any mess that the crew has created is cleaned up and all the items that were moved should be put back in place. When everything is satisfactory, they will then finish preparing the equipment to leave and return all the service equipment to the service vehicle. The crew will then prepare the machine for loading and complete the service work sheet. While he is doing this, the crew will load all the equipment into the service vehicle.
If all of the above is completed properly, you will have a job that has been done well, a job that you and your service personnel can be proud of. Good service is an art, not a job. If all the service you provide is done as if it were a show piece, you can be assured there will be many more jobs ahead.
Hidden Mold
It is always important to take note of the paneling/wallboard used and the mold conditions behind them once you have removed a section for analysis. As you start looking at different mold locations, you will notice that some locations are damper and have more mold/mildew than others. You will learn from cleaning them how some are very easy and fast to clean and others are more time consuming based on mold buildup and depth. It is very important that as much of the mold behind the paneling be removed as possible if the mold buildup is very thick before applying any chemical solutions..
Caltex International Ltd.
Mold Remediation Product Application Instructions
Mold remediation is a job that a contractor can demonstrate amazing visual changes to a homeowner! Mold remediation is often a job that the homeowner or commercial manager wants to contract out! Based on the level of mold, doing a remediation can provide the contractor with not just one job but two: repairs and the mold remediation. Each job can be billed separately!!
Mold remediation can be a time consuming task that involves assessing the viability of infected materials. Infected materials may or may not be salvageable. When materials have become infected with dry rot, the more insidious form of mold, often removal and disposal is the only option. A visual examination will be required. Is there warping or bubbling of the materials? Is the surface raised? Is the mold distributed throughout the material? In these types of situation, often the only choice is to remove and dispose of the materials to prevent further reinfection. However, some materials may not have gotten very damp and may simply require disinfection and to have the cause of the moisture problem solved.
The most important factor in a mold remediation is to have the source of moisture, whether it is a leak, hole, or failed building materials, fixed. Once the source of the moisture problem is fixed, no moisture would enter, and mold would not grow. Mold can only thrive in a moist environment with a food source. Food sources for mold can be wood, paper, or other such materials.
The steps of a mold remediation project are as follows:
1. Get the Job
2. Assess the area in question. Has it spread to locations other than where the homeowner or commercial facility manager have identified?
3. Look for hidden mold sources such as behind wallboard or paneling. This may involve pulling or prying off particular building materials to properly assess the situation.
4. Calculate the square footage in each major area and the overall project square footage.
5. In areas that will require the removal of building materials (rather than simple cleaning/remediation), substantial repair/rebuilding, dry locking, or layers rework or reapplication due to the severity of the mold problem, calculate the additional manpower, time, and materials cost.
6. Present your quotation to the homeowner or commercial facility manager in terms of location (what has to be removed, replaced, cleaned, reworked/reapplied and the reasons) versus the simpler remediation areas. It is important for the decision maker to understand why there are differences in a quotation based on the area being remediated.
7. Bring pamphlets on mold and mold remediation. It is important for the customer to understand the issues and the importance of performing the remediation. The customer should also understand the differences between dry rot and wet rot.
8. Remediate the Affected Area(s)
9. Bring in your staff, remediation materials, and safety gear.
10. Ensure that the staff has on their NIOSH 95 respirators, gloves, safety glasses, face shield (as applicable) and their work uniforms on.
11. Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
12. Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
13. Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
14. Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
15. Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
16. Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
17. Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
18. Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
19. Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
20. Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
21. Allow the surfaces to dry.
22. Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
23. All this to dry.
24. Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
25. Once all of these steps are completed, then installing wall board, drywall, priming with mold resistant primer, and applying mold resistant paint can be performed.
If you have a question about a mold remediation job, call Caltex at 315-425-1040 for further assistance.
Various Types of Mold Remediations
Hidden Ceiling Mold
The characteristics of hidden ceiling mold will often be a strong musty smell. Occupants may be sneezing often and not know why but feel “something is wrong.” If it is an acoustical ceiling, stains or buckling may be occurring. It is important to determine the location of the hidden ceiling mold and then to determine its range.
Hidden ceiling mold can be located in the following places:
• Pipes above a ceiling
• Wood supports above a ceiling
• In the insulation
• In acoustical tiles or other tiles
Once you have determined that hidden ceiling mold exists, what should you do? You will have to remove the area of the ceiling where the mold is located. This may be done by removing panels of tile from a fixed grid system or by removing the drywall and plastering.
If the mold has not compromised the materials, you can remediate or clean the materials by performing the following:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
• Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
The most important factor is that the source of the water leak in the ceiling area be stopped. The water leak issue must be fixed or the mold problem can reoccur.
Hidden Wallboard Mold
Hidden wallboard mold can often be found in bathrooms, work out rooms, basements, finished lower levels of homes or any area where wallboard and water or leaks can be found together. Remember, the mold will not grow and thrive without cellulose, its food source.
Once again, the occupants will most likely mention a strong musty smell. However, because wallboard is a much tougher material than plaster, for example, there may be no mold visible to the naked eye. Look carefully. Are there any damp areas? Mold often creates a damp spot as part of its growth cycle. This can occur even before there is any visible mold. The mold will most likely have adhered to the unfinished back side of the wallboard.
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
• Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or severe areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
The most important factor is that the source of the water leak in the ceiling area be stopped. The water leak issue must be fixed or the mold problem can reoccur.
Wall Mold
Wall mold is generally not a hidden mold although it can start from the back side of a painted surface or the back of wallpaper. The signature musty odor may be present. Often, the homeowner or commercial facility manager will place the call immediately, when he or she realized there is a wall problem. Often, the surface simply needs to be cleaned and then re-primed and re-painted with mold resistant primer and paint. On other scenarios, the surface may have the wall paper stripped and then re applied or simply cleaned. Each situation may be slightly different.
Remediating this type of job can have quick and visually pleasing results. The homeowner or manager will be pleasantly surprised because of the aesthetic results.
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
• Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
The most important factor is that the source of the water leak in the ceiling area be stopped. The water leak issue must be fixed or the mold problem can reoccur.
Concrete Basement Mold
The causes of basement mold can be as follows:
• Cracked foundation
• Cracked basement windows
• Overflowing drains
• Porous concrete blocks or bricks
• Cracked floor or walls
• Broken pipes
• Sweating pipes
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
• Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
The most important factor is that the source of the water leak in the ceiling area be stopped. The water leak issue must be fixed or the mold problem can reoccur.
Interior Roof Mold
Interior roof mold can be found on the following surfaces:
• Roof joists and supports
• Roof insulation
• Around soffit or ridge vents
• Wood covering
Roof mold can be caused by:
• Failing roof shingles
• Missing roof shingles
• Improperly installed soffit or ridge vents.
• Damage skylight systems
• Too much insulation coupled with a small hole
• Tree or storm damage resulting in holes or broken support structure
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
• Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
The most important factor is that the source of the water leak in the ceiling area be stopped. The water leak issue must be fixed or the mold problem can reoccur.
Exterior Mold on Siding (Both Vinyl and Wood)
Exterior siding mold can be commonly found on the following locations:
• Section of siding that trees are touching
• Bottom slates of the siding nearest to or touching the ground
• Corners where siding or wooden slates meet that are not sealed/calked
• Areas where paint is peeling and has not been maintained.
• Near external spigots, especially if there are existing spigot leaks.
Exterior surface mold can be caused by:
• Broken or damaged siding
• Failure to calk or seal siding joining edges
• Failure to replace rotting bottom siding
• Failure to repaint or reside on a maintenance basis
• Failure to house wash periodically
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
• Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
The most important factor is that the source of the water leak in the ceiling area be stopped. The water leak issue must be fixed or the mold problem can reoccur.
Mold on Steps
Mold on steps can be caused by the following:
Rain dripping onto steps
Leaves and other biological materials
Time without cleaning
The Caltex System performs a beautiful job on moldy stone steps. The system rejuvenates them to a like new state and brings back the original color of the stone. For example, the various colors of slate will be both cleaned and enhanced.
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets to protect any plants.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
Mold on Sidewalk
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets to protect any plants.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
Mold Under Sinks
The causes of mold under sinks are as follows:
• Leaks in the pipes
• Broken sink itself
It will be important to ensure that a plumber fixes the leaky sink to prevent recurrence of this problem.
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
• Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
The most important factor is that the source of the water leak in the ceiling area be stopped. The water leak issue must be fixed or the mold problem can reoccur.
Mold Around Non-Insulated Pipes
The causes of mold around non-insulated pipes are as follows:
• Heated pipes can sweat causing mold buildup
• The pipe may have a leak
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
• Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
The most important factor is that the source of the water leak in the ceiling area be stopped. The water leak issue must be fixed or the mold problem can reoccur.
Mold in Commercial Refrigeration Units
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
• Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
The most important factor is that the source of the water leak in the ceiling area be stopped. The water leak issue must be fixed or the mold problem can reoccur.
Mold Around Non-Insulated Pipes
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
• Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
The most important factor is that the source of the water leak in the ceiling area be stopped. The water leak issue must be fixed or the mold problem can reoccur.
Mold on Decks
Mold on decks can be caused by
• Dirt, mold, leaves, and other biological agents falling on it.
• Wood used in decks is a food source for mold and mildew
• External spigots constantly leaking onto deck surface
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets to protect nearby plants. .
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• All this to dry.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
Mold Under Floors
The cause of mold under floors can be as follows:
• A basement foundation crack, window crack, or leak that has gone unaddressed and the mold has reached the floor joist and the underside of the first habitable level’s floor
• Flooring installed on a wet surface that did not or could not dry properly
• Raised floor tiles that a living level water leak got underneath
This can be a very serious problem is the mold has reached the floor joists. In this case, the type of mold infestation becomes an issue. How serious the problem is and the type of action that is taken can in part be determined by the type of rot.
There are two major types of rot, particularly in wood surfaces. These are wet rot and dry rot. Wet rot, the lesser of the two, is characterized by wet wood, that warps, and dry but then drops off or chips off in chucks thereby compromising the strength of the building. Dry rot, the more insidious of the two, destroys the material it feeds upon. It also
Put in write up on dry rot etc.
Follow the remediation steps listed below:
• Partition off the area being remediated by using large plastic sheets tacked onto the connecting walls/doorways. Use industrial tape too as long as it will not damage a surface.
• Be sure the partitioning is thorough. You do not want mold spores floating to other areas of the location and causing a new mold problem.
• Tear out all severely affected materials that cannot be remediated. . Often, depending on how the job was quoted or what the homeowner or commercial facility manager desired, the materials may be removed by a contractor.
• Assess the cause of the moisture problem and ensure that it is fixed.
• Lightly spray the affected areas with the product. Do not skip any sections.
• Use one gallon of Cal-Brite and one activator for minimal to moderate mold growth areas. For difficult or sever areas utilize one gallon of Cal-Brite to two activators.
• Spray an area a minimum of 5 feet around the affected areas also. This is important because the mold spores for dry rot snake out ahead of the visible mold and set in. The mold problem will exist for up to 5 feet around the visible affected area.
• Let it sit. Depending on the location, temperature, and humidity of the area, the dry time will vary. It is recommended that the product be allowed to remain on the affected surface 24 hours.
• Wet vacuum the affected areas thoroughly.
• Perform a second or third application as the surface requires based on the severity of the mold and vacuum accordingly.
• Allow the surfaces to dry.
• Spray on the Cal-Brite Product. This will “wash” the areas and cause them to smell pleasant.
• All this to dry.
• Verify that the surfaces are totally dry and the cause of the moisture problem has been solved before covering the surfaces with building materials or any type of covering.
If the mold has seriously compromised the materials, they may have to be disposed of and new materials reinstalled.
The most important factor is that the source of the water leak in the ceiling area be stopped. The water leak issue must be fixed or the mold problem can reoccur.
References
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2. Jarvis B, "Mycotoxins and Indoor Air Quality," Biological Contaminants in Indoor Environments, ASTM STP 1071, Morey P, Feely Sr. I, Otten J, Editors, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1990.
3. Yang C, Johanning E, "Airborne Fungi and Mycotoxins," Manual of Environmental Microbiology, Hurst C, Editor in Chief, ASM Press, Washington, D.C., 1996
4. Jarvis B, Mazzola E. Macrocyclic and Other Novel Trichothecenes: Their Structure, Synthesis, and Biological Significance. Acc. Chem. Res. 1982; 15:388-95.
5. Yon Essen S, Robbins R, Thompson A, Rennard S. Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome: An Acute Febrile Reaction to Organic Dust Exposure Distinct from Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. Clinical Toxicology 1990; 28(4):389-420.
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8. Malmberg P. Health Effects of Organic Dust Exposure in Dairy Farmers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 1990; 17:7-15.
9. Yoshida K, Masayuki A, Shukuro A. Acute Pulmonary Edema in a Storehouse of Moldy Oranges: A Severe Case of the Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome. Archives of Environmental Health 1989; 44(6): 382-84.
10. Lecours R, Laviolette M, Connier Y. Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Pulmonary Mycotoxicosis. Thorax 1986; 41:924-6.
11. Levetin E. "Fungi," Bioaerosols, Burge H, Editor, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 1995
12. Husman T. Health Effects of Indoor-air Microorganisms. Scand J Work Environ Health 1996; 22:5-13
13. Miller J D. Fungi and Mycotoxins in Grain: Implications for Stored Product Research. J Stored Prod Res 1995; 31 (1):1-16.
14. Cookingham C, Solomon w. "Bioaerosol-lnduced Hypersensitivity Diseases," Bioaerosols, Burge H, Editor, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 1995.
15. Rautiala S, Reponen T, Nevalainen A, Husman T, Kalliokoski P. Control of Exposure to Airborne Viable Microorganisms During Remediation of Moldy Buildings; Report of Three Case Studies. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal 1998; 59:455-60.
16. Dales R, Zwanenburg H, Burnett R, Franklin C. Respiratory Health Effects of Home Dampness and Molds among Canadian Children. American Journal of Epidemiology 1991; 134(2): 196-203.
17. Hodgson M, Morey P, Leung W, Morrow L, Miller I D, Iarvis B, Robbins H, Halsey I, Storey E. Building-Associated Pulmonary Disease from Exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus versicolor. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998; 40(3)241-9.
18. Croft W, Jarvis B, Yatawara C. Airborne Outbreak of Trichothecene Toxicosis. Atmospheric Environment 1986; 20 (3)549-52.
19. DeKoster J, Thome P. Bioaerosol Concentrations in Noncomplaint, Complaint, and Intervention Homes in the Midwest. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journa11995; 56:573-80.
20. Johanning E, Biagini R, Hull D, Morey P, Jarvis B, Landbergis P. Health and Immunological Study Following Exposure to Toxigenic Fungi (Stachybotrys chartarum) in a Water-Damaged Office Environment. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1996; 68:207-18.
21. Montana E, Etzel R, Allan T, Horgan T, Dearbom D. Environmental Risk Factor Associated with Pediatric Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemorrhage and Hemosiderosis in a Cleveland Community. Pediatrics 1997; 99(1)
22. Etzel R, Montana E, Sorenson W G, Kullman G, Allan T, Dearbom D. Acute Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Infants Associated with Exposure to Stachybotrys atra and Other Fungi. Ach Pediatr Adolesc Med 1998; 152:757-62.
23. CDC. Update: Pulmonary Hemorrhage/Hemosiderosis Among Infants ---Cleveland, Ohio, 1993- 1996. MMWR 2000; 49(9): 180-4.
24. Burge H, Otten J. "Fungi," Bioaeroso/s Assessment and Contro/, Macher J, Editor, American Conference of Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1999.
25. do Pico G. Hazardous Exposure and Lung Disease Among Farm Workers. Clinics in Chest Medicine 1992; 13 (2):311-28.
26. Hodgson M, Morey P, Attfield M, Sorenson W, Fink J, Rhodes W, Visvesvara G. Pulmonary Disease Associated with Cafeteria Flooding. Archives of Environmental Health 1985; 40(2):96-101.
27. Weltermann B, Hodgson M, Storey E, DeGraff, Jr. A, Bracker A, Groseclose S, Cole S, Cartter M, Phillips D. Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: A Sentinel Event Investigation in a Wet Building. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 1998; 34:499-505.
28. Band I. "Histoplasmosis," Occupational Respiratory Diseases, Merchant I, Editor, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington D.C., 1986.
29. Bertolini R. "Histoplasmosis A Summary of the Occupational Health Concern, " Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety .Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 1988.
30. Yang C. P&K Microbiology Services, Inc. Microscopic Examination of Sticky Tape or Bulk Samples for the Evaluation and Identification of Fungi. Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
31. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy -ASHRAE Standard (ANSI/ASHRAE 55-1992). Atlanta, Georgia, 1992.
32. EPA website:
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