Industrial Hygienist Involvement

Industrial Hygienists/Certified Indoor Environmentalists (IH/CIEs) in Mold Remediation

Purpose of an IH/CIE:

• IH/CIEs are third-party scientists specializing in building health evaluations.

• They possess expertise in microbiology, building sciences, and mold remediation fundamentals.

• State licensing may be required.

• Their specialized training enables them to identify mold species and determine the necessity and extent of remediation.

Cost of Hiring an IH/CIE:

• Cost varies based on market and services requested. 

• Preliminary inspections (initial inspections & air testing as well as clearance testing) are generally less expensive than protocol generation.

• Protocol creation and remediation planning are more costly.

• Other services they offer include mold project supervision and ongoing air testing. (typically associated with commercial projects)

IH/CIE Services on Mold Projects:

• Preliminary Inspection:

  • Consists of a visual inspection, collection of a moisture survey, air samples, and perhaps swabs, and tape lifts.

  • The sample collection is labeled & sent off to a lab for analysis.

  • The IH will give their interpretation of the analysis and communicate with the client.

• Protocol Preparation:

  • The IH will develop a remediation plan outlining work per each room or area.

  • They'll make recommendations for PPE, equipment required, chemicals & products, as well as clearance testing.

• Clearance Testing:

  • Upon arrival, they'll perform a post-remediation visual inspection first.

  • If the project looks & smells acceptable they'll setup & perform  air testing.

  • "Flagging" means a project has failed with visual issues (no samples need to be collected).

• Project Management:

  • On-site or periodic inspections for complex or commercial projects.

When to Involve an IH/CIE:

• Recent Water Damage (Wet Materials):

  • Primarily for post-remediation verification (clearance testing).

    • There's generally no need to have a protocol prepared when the water damage migration line is clearly defined.

• Dried Water Damage:

  • Require a IH to prepare a protocol in situations such as:

    • When affected area outlines are unclear.

    • When moisture sources are unidentifiable.

    • When liability claims exist.

    • Contractors should always involve an IH/CIE for mold clearance testing.

• Remediation Protocol Request:

  • When the aforementioned situations arise.

  • To potentially reduce unnecessary contractor work and costs.

    • If we as the contractor aren't sure what the scope of work should be, we tend to over scope the project to error on the side of caution & liability.

Remediation Triggering Mold Species:

• While all molds can cause allergies, some are associated with infectious illness.

• No mold species is lethal to healthy adults; occupant health issues are typically due to complications of their pre-existing health conditions.

• We should avoid conversations regarding health implications & recommendations, and defer to the clients primary physician.

• The remediation process is the same regardless of mold species, it shouldn't matter to us what we are removing in terms of fungal contamination.

• These species will often trigger remediation.

  • Aspergillus:

    • Associated with Aspergillosis, ABPA or Allergic BronchoPulmonary Aspergillosis , and AFS or Allergic Fungal Sinusitis .

    • Generally these illness affect individuals with underlying health conditions.

  • Penicillium:

    • Linked to penicilliosis, keratitis, endophthalmitis, otomycosis, pneumonia, endocarditis, and UTIs or Urinary Tract Infections.

  • Fusarium:

    • Can infect humans and animals through spore inhalation or skin exposure.

  • Stachybotrys:

    • The species of mold that's commonly referred to as "Black mold" or "toxic mold." 

    • This species of mold often is not black in color.

    • Associated with IPH or Infant Pulmonary Hemorrhage, in infants but is extremely rare.

    • There is insufficient evidence for neurological damage from inhalation.

      • Can cause uncontrollable nosebleeds in adults not wearing proper respirator protection.

  • Bird/Bat Droppings (Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptococcus neoformans):

    • Heavy exposure can cause flu-like illnesses in healthy individuals.

    • Severe effects primarily occur in immunocompromised individuals.