Evaluating Wildfire Smoke and Soot
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Overview of Respiratory Protection Training
Overview of Respiratory Protection Training
Tina Perales, Honeywell Safety Products
Florida's warm, humid climate is the perfect setup for mold to grow in our homes. Roughly 1,000 strains of household mold, Strachybotrys chartarum, commonly called "black" or "toxic" mold have been identified. Many types of mold cause such health problems as sneezing, itching and wheezing and even trigger asthma attacks.
Safety - Personal Protection Equipment - Part 1
Personal protection is a very important part of mold remediation for the workers and the building occupants.
1. Mold Remediation Technicians will use the appropriate containment/enclosures before mold remediation begins. The enclosure will usually be constructed from plastic and tape.
2. Mold Remediation Technicians will suit up in protective clothing, in addition to eye protection and respirators.
3. Mold Remediation Technicians will also establish HEPA filtering and dehumidifying machines.
Mold Removal and Remediation - Part 1
Mold removal, transportation and disposal can be completed:
1.
2.
3.
Negative Air Machine - NAM - Part 1 HEPA Filteration
The pressure of a containment can be kept in a negative pressure environment when the exhaust of the negative air machine is ducted out of the enclosed areas.
In addition to a Negative Pressure Environment, negative air machines maybe allowed to re-circulate the air within the enclosed areas and effectively "scrub" the air (or filter out the small stuff). The picture below illustrates how debris, mold spores, and dust impact the filter of the negative air machine.
HEPA Vacuums and Microbial Wipe Downs - Part 1 Cleaning
The next phase after bulk removal of the contaminated items will be to HEPA vacuum the finer debris from the top of the enclosure to the bottom, paying attention to horizontal surfaces where accumulations of dust and debris may linger.
The beginning of this phase is to remove the majority of the dust and debris from the environment. With HEPA filteration and vacuuming, a microbial wipe down within the enclosure, followed by another HEPA vacuuming is a preferred method used by may mold remediation contractors.
Other procedures such as fogging, either
Final Cleaning - Part 1
Final cleaning of the machines and subsequent removal of the filters can increase the negative air machines ability to filter out particulates and ensure a cleaner environment.
Post Remediation Testing and Verifiaction of Indoor Environment
The final stage to any mold remediation should be to verify the removal of the contaminants, to attain building material moisture and compare indoor to outdoor mold spore concentrations.
The final stage of your mold remediation project may include the use of a 3rd party black
mold testing (only) company. Those environments that do not pass first inspections is often 10-25% or more.
Results of the
post remediation mold testing will be conveyed to you by the mold inspector or final clearance mold report.
