Mold Clearance Procedures After Mold Cleanup

How to inspect and test a building after mold cleanup
Mold Clearance Procedure Outline after Mold Cleanup
What building areas should be tested?
How does a building "pass" a clearance inspection?
MOLD CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS - separate article
- CLEARANCE PROCEDURES
- MOLD CLEARANCE TIMING - separate article
- ACCEPTABLE MOLD LEVEL - separate article
- MOLD CLEANUP, VISUAL CHARACTERISTICS - separate article
- MOLD CLEARANCE TEST, SUCCESSFUL - separate article
- MOLD LEVELS IN BUILDINGS - separate article
- MOLD CLEARANCE: FOLLOWUP STEPS - separate article
MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE - separate article
Questions & Answers about the criteria for a successful post mold cleanup job inspection & test
References

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Mold clearance inspection & test procedure details. Here we explain and describe in more detail the post remediation mold clearance procedures and testing that should be used after a mold remediation or mold cleanup project.

CLEARANCE PROCEDURES: to be Used After a Mold Cleanup / Remediation Project

This article is part of our series: the Mold Action Guide which provides an easy to understand step-by-step guide for dealing with toxic or allergenic indoor mold and other indoor contaminants: what to do about mold "mildew," moisture, in your house or office, building-related illness, involving your physician, treatment, sick building investigators, reduction of irritants, and special products to help clean buildings and air.

Our page top photo shows a rather pro-forma application of fungicidal sealant paint at a mold remediation project. Given the evidence of half-hearted work during the relatively easy paint job we wondered about the care that had been taken during the more difficult physical cleaning of building surfaces.

Our next mold cleanup job photo (above-left) shows an immaculately and professionally cleaned section of building framing that had also been treated with a sealant spray.

There are no single accepted "pass-fail" criteria for clearance inspections.

An expert performing a mold clearance inspection and "test" will examine remediated areas for mold or other allergens and
S/he will also inspect other building areas for evidence of spread of contaminated demolition debris or inadequate cleaning if cleaning was recommended for those areas.

A professional onsite post-mold-remediation project clearance inspection and test combines a visual inspection of the extent of removal and cleaning of infected materials/areas with a microscopic examination of surface, dust, air, and/or vacuum samples collected at the property.

Visual Inspection for Demolition & Cleaning Completeness

A visual inspection is performed of both the cleaned area and other building areas. Also see MOLD CLEARANCE TIMING. In the clean-up area we want to know that demolition has been sufficient - that no moldy materials remain, and that all surfaces appear to have been physically cleaned. If a fungicidal sealant was to be applied, we want to see that it was not simply sprayed atop mold and dirt or debris instead of first cleaning those surfaces.

Mold Screening Tests for Effective Cleaning in the Work Area

The clearance inspector will collect mold clearance inspection test samples of physical surfaces which appear to still be moldy or dirty; if all surfaces are clean we will collect at least one settled dust sample from a representative cleaned surface in each major area. We may also collect other screening samples by using air or vacuum sampling methods. But beware; air sampling alone is not a reliable means of screening a building for problems.

Mold Screening Tests for Cross Contamination Outside of the Work Area

Outside of the remediation area we will collect screening samples of suspect surfaces, settled dust, vacuum and/or air samples of representative areas in the building, paying special attention to areas (or equipment such as HVAC systems) which are at particular risk of having been cross-contaminated by inadequate dust containment measures during the cleanup.

General Property Condition

The clearance inspector should also report ongoing conditions which continue to put the building at extra risk of a new mold problem, such as failure to correct various causes of leaks, water entry, and high moisture.

Lab Processing of Mold Clearance Test Samples

Test samples from the site examined in a qualified aerobiology, forensic, or environmental test laboratory using appropriate chemical/stain preparations and a light microscope at magnifications up to 1000X.

Our opinion and that of other microbiologists or aerobiologists regarding the level of cleanliness reflected by fungal samples is based on several existing studies of building contamination, a comparison with the original contamination levels, and our field and laboratory experience examining properties before and after remediation.

U.S. EPA Guidance for Mold Clearance Inspection After a Mold Cleanup

From the US EPA we include this more general advice on the criteria for a mold cleanup job: [Our comments are in brackets]

How Do I Know When the Remediation or Cleanup is Finished?

You must have completely fixed the water or moisture problem before the cleanup or remediation can be considered finished. [See MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE]
You should have completed mold removal. Visible mold and moldy odors should not be present. Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage. [See MOLD CLEANUP, VISUAL CHARACTERISTICS and see ACCEPTABLE MOLD LEVEL. Remember that no building is mold-free except perhaps inside of a manufacturing "clean room" - mold exists in air everywhere and small amounts of molds will be found in settled dust just about everywhere - don't set a target of "zero mold".]
You should have revisited the site(s) shortly after cleanup and it should show no signs of water damage or mold growth. See MOLD CLEARANCE TIMING.
People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy the area without health complaints or physical symptoms. [See MOLD RELATED ILLNESS GUIDE.]
Ultimately, this is a judgment call [and must include an understanding of the original location, extent, type, and cause of mold contamination that was to be removed as well as the chances of other mold contamination in the building that was not addressed]; there is no easy answer. If you have concerns or questions consult our Frequently Asked Questions database and ask a question [or Contact Us directly at InspectAPedia.com] if you don't find what you need.

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

[1] "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency US EPA - includes basic advice for building owners, occupants, and mold cleanup operations. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.htm
[2] US EPA - Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building [Copy on file at /sickhouse/EPA_Mold_Remediation_in_Schools.pdf ] - US EPA
[3] US EPA - Una Breva Guia a Moho - Hongo [Copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Moho_Guia_sp.pdf - en Espanol
[4] G. A. Payne, W. C. Nierman, J. R. Wortman, B. L. Pritchard, D. Brown, R. A. Dean, D Bhatnagar, T. E. Cleveland, Masayuki Machida, & J. Yu, "Whole genome comparison of Aspergillus flavus and A. oryzae", Medical Mycology September 2006, 44, S9S11
Abstract: Aspergillus flavus is a plant and animal pathogen that also produces the potent carcinogen aflatoxin. Aspergillus oryzae is a closely related species that has been used for centuries in the food fermentation industry and is Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS). Whole genome sequences for these two fungi are now complete, providing us with the opportunity to examine any genomic differences that may explain the different ecological niches of these two fungi, and perhaps to identify pathogenicity factors in A. flavus. These two fungi are very similar in genome size and number of predicted genes. The estimated genome size (36/8 Mb) and predicted number of genes (12 197) for A. flavus is similar to that of A. oryzae (36/7 Mb and 12 079, respectively). These two fungi have significantly larger genomes than Aspergillus nidulans (30/1) and Aspergillus fumigatus (29/4). The A. flavus and A. oryzae genomes are enriched in genes for secondary metabolism, but do not differ greatly from one another in the predicted number of polyketide synthases, nonribosomal peptide synthases or the number of genes coding for cytochrome P450 enzymes. A micro-scale analysis of the two fungi did show differences in DNA correspondence between the two species and in the number of transposable elements. Each species has approximately 350 unique genes. The high degree of sequence similarity between the two fungi suggests that they may be ecotypes of the same species and that A. oryzae has resulted from the domestication of A. flavus. Keywords aflatoxin, secondary metabolism, koji moulds
[5] Robert A. Blanchette & C. Gardner Shaw, "Associations among Bacteria, Yeasts, and Basidiomycetes During Wood Decay", Phytopathology 68: 631-637, also appearing in Ecology and Epidemiology.
Atlas of Clinical Fungi, 2nd Ed., GS deHoog, J Guarro, J Gene, & MJ Figueras, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, 2000, ISBN 90-70351-43-9 (you can buy this book at Amazon) - The Atlas of Clinical Fungi is also available on CD ROM
"A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency US EPA - includes basic advice for building owners, occupants, and mold cleanup operations. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.htm
"Disease Prevention Program for Certain Vegetable Crops," David B. Langston, Jr., Extension Plant Pathologist - Vegetables, University of Georgia (PDF document) original source: www.reeis.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/209797.html
"Disease Prevention in Home Vegetable Gardens," Patricia Donald, Department of Plant Microbiology and Pathology, Lewis Jett
Department of Horticulture, University of Missouri Extension - extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6202
"Management of Powdery Mildew, Leveillula taurica, in Greenhouse Peppers," Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, British Columbia - Original source: www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/peppermildew.htm
Fifth Kingdom, Bryce Kendrick, ISBN13: 9781585100224, is available from the InspectAPedia online bookstore - we recommend the CD-ROM version of this book. This 3rd/edition is a compact but comprehensive encyclopedia of all things mycological. Every aspect of the fungi, from aflatoxin to zppspores, with an accessible blend of verve and wit. The 24 chapters are filled with up-to-date information of classification, yeast, lichens, spore dispersal, allergies, ecology, genetics, plant pathology, predatory fungi, biological control, mutualistic symbioses with animals and plants, fungi as food, food spoilage and mycotoxins.
Fungi, Identifying Filamentous, A Clinical Laboratory Handbook, Guy St-Germain, Richard Summerbell, Star Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0-89863-177-7 (English) (buy at Amazon)
US EPA: Una Breva Guia a Moho - Hongo [Copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Moho_Guia_sp.pdf - en Espanol

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
Environmental Health & Investigation Bibliography - our technical library on indoor air quality inspection, testing, laboratory procedures, forensic microscopy, etc.
Adkins and Adkins Dictionary of Roman Religion discusses Robigus, the Roman god of crop protection and the legendary progenitor of wheat rust fungus.
Kansas State University, department of plant pathology, extension plant pathology web page on wheat rust fungus: see http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/path-ext/factSheets/Wheat/Wheat%20Leaf%20Rust.asp
"A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency US EPA - includes basic advice for building owners, occupants, and mold cleanup operations. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.htm
US EPA - Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building [Copy on file at /sickhouse/EPA_Mold_Remediation_in_Schools.pdf ] - US EPA
US EPA - Una Breva Guia a Moho - Hongo [Copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Moho_Guia_sp.pdf - en Espanol


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