Issue link: http://iaqnet.uberflip.com/i/636984
4 Environmental Assessment The presence of mold growth, water damage, or musty odors should be addressed quickly. In all instances, any sources of water must be identified and corrected and the extent of water damage and any mold growth determined. Water-damaged materials should be removed or cleaned and dried. For additional information on cleaning water-damaged materials and personal belongings, refer to the EPA document "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings." 9 A trained building or environmental health professional may be helpful in assessing the extent of the moisture problem and mold growth and developing a site-specific work plan. The presence of a trained professional to provide oversight during remediation can also be helpful to ensure quality work and compliance with the work plan. According to the American Industrial Hygiene Association a trained professional should have, at a minimum, a relevant science or engineering degree and two years of full-time supervised experience in mold assessment. 10 Visual Inspection A visual inspection is the most important initial step in identifying a possible mold problem and in determining remedial strategies. The extent of any water damage and mold growth should be visually assessed and the affected building materials identified. A visual inspection should also include observations of hidden areas where damages may be present, such as crawl spaces, attics, and behind wallboard. Carpet backing and padding, wallpaper, moldings (e.g. baseboards), insulation and other materials that are suspected of hiding mold growth should also be assessed. Ceiling tiles, paper-covered gypsum wallboard (drywall), structural wood, and other cellulose- containing surfaces should be given careful attention during a visual inspection. Ventilation systems should be visually checked for damp conditions and/or mold growth on system components such as filters, insulation, and coils/fins, as well as for overall cleanliness. Equipment such as a moisture meter or infrared camera (to detect moisture in building materials) or a borescope (to view spaces in ductwork or behind walls) may be helpful in identifying hidden sources of mold growth, the extent of water damage, and in determining if the water source is active. Using personal protective equipment such as gloves and respiratory protection (e.g. N-95 disposable respirator) should be considered if assessment work might disturb mold. Efforts should also be made to minimize the generation and migration of any dust and mold. Environmental Sampling Environmental sampling is not usually necessary to proceed with remediation of visually identified mold growth or water-damaged materials. Decisions about appropriate remediation strategies can generally be made on the basis of a thorough visual inspection. Environmental sampling may be helpful in some cases, such as, to confirm the presence of visually identified