We do not perform remediation. This is a conflict of interest and we feel that in order to bring our clients the best possible service at the best possible price we can give out names of remediation companies that we’ve worked with that have historically performed well. Remember, companies that offer ‘free inspections’ must make it up somewhere, they are not in business to give out work for free. Also, any company that performs several or all phases has eliminated the checks and balances that tend to keep companies competent, competitive and eliminate fraud. This is in your best interest.

Basic Remediation Guidelines

*Note*
The procedure for remediation may change as work site conditions warrant. The need for security, safety and access will affect the construction of the containment and material costs. It is highly recommended that the remediation process be performed by a competent remediation contractor only.

It is strongly recommended that an independent and competent hygienist inspects and tests prior to remediation to determine the cause of contamination, scope of work and recommendations for solving the issues as well as “post remediation verification” (PRV) to ensure remediation efforts were successful and the remediated areas are within industry acceptable standards. *Please note* There may be an separate/additional charge for PRV.

It is the responsibility of the contractor performing remediation to know if there is a presence of lead, asbestos or any other environmental contamination, safety hazards or other construction related issues prior to any work being performed. All permits, certifications, safety training, MSDS, fire extinguishers, lock-outs and hazard communication are the sole responsibility of the contractor.

The EPA does not endorse or approve any chemical, material or product. Any and all such items may be registered with the EPA.

The remediation contractor or client must inform the hygienist of any delays immediately.

For purposes of remediation – when carpet is removed the padding and carpet tack-strip must be removed as well as any damaged or contaminated baseboards.

Abatement guidelines (partially based on asbestos guidelines)

1)    Any mold growth discovered must be removed under guidelines proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) in the 1999 publication entitled, Bioaerosols, Assessment and Control. Similar guidelines have been established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the publication entitled “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings”. Someone experienced and qualified in mold growth abatement should supervise abatement procedures as laid down by ACGIH and the EPA. The EPA information is available on their web site, www.epa.gov/iaq/iaqinfo.html. Pages 4 through 27 are applicable.

A. Prior to set-up, an adequate number of fire extinguishers should be set up and their locations visibly marked. All personnel should be trained in the proper use of a fire extinguisher and their locations. Additionally, all employees should be safety trained, including MSDS. Caution should be used if any aerosols are applied with the fans running as this may cause a fire/explosion hazard.

B.  Before any demolition commences (or removal of items in the area to be abated), the area must be isolated with fire retardant plastic sheeting of at least 4 mil. and including all “criticals” such as, but not limited to, air supply/return, windows and other openings. A containment area is recommended based on the amount of the actual known contamination area based on the scope of work and should allow for expansion if warranted. Multi-room containments may need directions posted indicating all exits. Negative air pressure should be maintained at -.2WB at all times until clearance. Air filtration should provide 4 complete air changes per hour with no dead spots (mechanical assistance may be provided to accomplish this). A decontamination (decon) chamber should be added to create an air lock at the entrance, to help prevent cross contamination. If a disposable decon chamber is used it should be discarded after use, not cleaned and re-used. A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor) filtered air movement machine should be used to place the abatement area under negative air pressure to keep from disseminating mold spores and construction dust to other areas through the walls and ceiling/floor cavity. Make up air should be from a filtered location (as far from the negative air machines as possible) to avoid compounding airborne particulates (inside plus outside). All items to be removed are to be cleaned in the decon chamber immediately before removing from the containment area. Each item must be 100% cleaned prior to removing from the decon chamber.

C.  Workers performing the demolition must be notified of the potential hazard to their health. Persons who are ill, allergic or asthmatic, or who have impaired immune systems, should not work on this project. All work through step “J” of this project should be done wearing HEPA filtered respirators, disposable suits and gloves. Workers should be advised to wash face and hands after leaving the site and prior to eating or smoking and should change clothes following the end of a shift. Workers should be advised to report to their employer if they become ill following the project. 

D.  Prior to and during the course of demolition, materials being demolished should be moistened to keep down levels of spore bearing dust. Note: This does not need to be sopping wet, only damp.

E.  The demolition is to include all porous materials (fiberglass insulation, wall board, plaster) that are visibly water damaged, mold contaminated, or smell moldy, and to a distance of two feet beyond if possible. This may include back sides of walls and walls that intersect.

F.  All materials demolished should be bagged, and when brought into the decontamination chamber – placed in another bag and then immediately taken outside for disposal. All microbial contaminated waste materials are typically considered non-hazardous (with the exception of lead and/or asbestos containing materials) and may be discarded with normal trash.

G.  Any visible mold growth on non-porous or semi-porous materials, e.g. wooden studs, plywood, etc. should be cleaned free of visible mold using wire brushes, sand paper, washing, etc.

H.  All isolated areas are then to be vacuumed using HEPA filtered vacuum cleaners or canister vacuums with the canisters located outside.

I.    Hard surfaces in isolated areas may be wiped down using a 15% solution of household bleach with the addition of a small amount of non-ammoniated detergent to cut surface tension. Pure water is used by some companies with success due to diligence of cleaning and proper drying. Care should be taken to not create excessively moist conditions. This includes the walls, ceiling, flooring and any equipment that must be left inside the containment area. All dust and debris should be removed prior to the next step.

J.   Clearance testing should be done inside the enclosure prior to removing barriers. This first would consist of a visual inspection to ensure all visible microbial growth has been removed and the area is free of dust, debris, trash bags and the equipment is clean. Next is to ensure all areas are dry to industry standards by using a moisture meter. Final clearance step consists of surface samples and samples for airborne mold spores. Air samples would be taken both inside the enclosure and outdoors for comparison. *Please note* There may be an additional charge for clearance sampling.

K.  With acceptable clearance testing results, plastic sheeting can then be carefully taken down, folded or rolled up with the contaminated side inside, bagged and disposed of with the other contaminated materials, vacuum cleaner bags, etc.

L.   Disposal of contaminated materials (with the exception of lead and/or asbestos containing materials) can be in an ordinary Dumpster, i.e. these are not classified as hazardous materials for legal purposes.

*Note* Due to the nature of mold growth, it is not possible to determine the exact area of affect and mold growth may extend further than previously believed without extensive, costly and intrusive testing.