Roaring Brook News

Demystifying Mold - Part I

Mold Sampling

Design of a sampling program is more complex than many people think. At present there are no U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other federal regulations governing the allowable amounts of mold or mold spores present in buildings. Therefore, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with any federal mold standards. Air sampling may, however, be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated by comparing the mold levels before and after remediation. Sampling can be useful in locating the source of mold contamination, in identifying the species of mold present, and in differentiating between mold and soot or dirt.

Types of samples include air samples, surface samples, bulk samples (chunks of carpet, insulation, wallboard, etc.), and water samples taken from condensate drain pans or cooling towers. Properly done air sampling will reveal what was in the air only at the moment the sample was taken.

Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional guidelines.

Mold and mold-related illnesses have been in the news in the last few years. The following is intended to shed light on some of the technical aspects of dealing with mold exposure and the mold testing and sampling process. We will provide practical mold remediation topics in the Fall 2003 issue of Roaring Brook News.

Health Risks of Mold Exposure

Health professionals tell us that human health risks are based on the types of mold present, on the relative abundance of the types of mold spores present, and on the total indoor area of building materials observed to be involved in the growth of mold. They also tell us that some molds are more toxic or allergenic than others, and that individual reactions to exposure to molds vary. Furthermore, many molds are poorly studied and little may be known about their potential health effects.

All instances of mold contamination should be carefully considered in order to determine the proper cleanup and safety procedures to be followed. Because of the complexity of the problems involved, technical professionals often must be consulted to determine how to approach a specific cleanup. These professionals may include engineers, remediation specialists, toxicologists, and professionals from various health-related fields.

ENGINEERING A BETTER FUTURE