what mold publications should hazard mitigation staff distribute?

Notification should include a description of the remedial measures to be taken and a timetable for completion. Mold | NCHH Emphasis should be placed on preventing contamination through proper building and HVAC system maintenance and prompt repair of water damaged areas. Last updated on March 14, 2023. Repairing plumbing leaks and leaks in the building structure as soon as possible. Keeping HVAC drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed. Mold spores continually float through the indoor and outdoor air. Indoor air related documents, answers to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) questions, maintains listing of State IAQ contacts, and regional EPA Contacts. Community Floodplain Management ordinances. When you use biocides as a disinfectant or a pesticide, or as a fungicide, you should use appropriate PPE, including respirators. For areas greater than100 ft.2, ensure that protective clothing coversentire body including head and feet. Refer to an HM Insurance Specialist at the JFO if you need assistance with answering a specific question from a member of the public, or if you need clarification and additional information about aspects of the NFIP. In this lesson you learned about the mitigation methods for flooding that included: Lesson 5: Official Information and Resources. Floodproofing measures are generally designed to protect individual components of a structure, not to bring the structure into compliance with a communitys floodplain ordinance. ONLY the mold publication provided by the Centers for Disease Control. Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. REMEMBER YOU MUST COMPLETE THE ENTIRE COURSE TO RECEIVE CREDIT. You should revisit the site(s) after remediation, and it should show no signs of moldy or musty odors, water damage, or mold growth. This explains why mold infestation is often found in damp, dark, hidden spaces; light and air circulation dry areas out, making them less hospitable for mold. In addition, exposure to mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose and throat in certain individuals. The primary function of personal protective equipment is to prevent the inhalation and ingestion of mold and mold spores and to avoid mold contact with the skin or eyes. Protecting Your Property from Flooding provides information on damage-resistant building materials, dry flood proofing, raising electrical components, anchoring fuel tanks, raising HVAC equipment, protecting walls and installing sewer backflow valves. You must have identified and completely corrected the source of the water or moisture problem. Venting kitchens (cooking areas) and bathrooms according to local code requirements. How do I prevent mold from endangering my family? Warning: Repeatedly pressing Tab beyond the number of selections on the screen may cause the keyboard to lock up. Floodwaters in closed-basin lakes accumulate over long periods of time and may stay for weeks, months, or years. Flood water can easily damage electrical system components including service panels, meters, switches, and outlets. Flooding can cause sewage from sewer lines to back up through drain pipes. However it CAN meet requirements for non-residential and commercial structures. (e.g., asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and severe allergies). This training can be performed as part of a program to comply with the requirements of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (. The tanks, hoses, and attachments of these vacuums should be thoroughly cleaned and dried after use since mold and mold spores may adhere to equipment surfaces. The NFIP provides specific resources to policy holders and the public following a flooding event. Use hand, eye, and respiratory protection. It is important to be able to discuss basic information about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with anyone concerned about flooding. Aside from official FEMA websites, there are FEMA-partner organizations that provide comprehensive, user-friendly information and guidance on flood mitigation. Information on engineering issues and indoor air quality. The mold must be removed, since the chemicals and proteins, which can cause a reaction in humans, are present even in dead mold. When in doubt, caution is advised. Its mission is to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other property losses by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance, and preparation practices. 1999. This bulletin is directed primarily at building managers, custodians, and others responsible for building maintenance, but may also be used as a basic reference for those involved in mold remediation. These materials can usually be discarded as ordinary construction waste. (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636)cdcinfo@cdc.gov, AIHA Video Series: Keeping Your Home & Your Family Safe and Mold-Free, The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) developed, Resources for Mold Cleanup and Moisture Control (PDF), Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool forSchools, Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool for General Buildings. Molds gradually damage building materials and furnishings. These can be accessed from the FEMA website. Dust suppression methods, such as misting (not soaking) surfaces prior to remediation, are recommended. Barriers may not be used to bring a Substantially Damaged or Substantially Improved residence into compliance with a communitys floodplain management ordinances or laws. Hazard Mitigation staff have a variety of FEMA resources available to help educate the public on flood mitigation techniques. This training can be performed as part of a program to comply with the requirements of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (, Respiratory protection (e.g., N-95 disposable respirator) is recommended. Their interpretation is best left to the industrial hygienist or other environmental health or safety professional. If possible, remediation activities should be scheduled during off-hours when building occupants are less likely to be affected. Information on industrial hygiene and indoor air quality issues including mold hazards and legal issues. What is mold? Microscopic identification of the spores/ colonies requires considerable expertise. People with weakened immune systems and with chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. Are building occupants reporting musty or moldy odors? A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home (pdf) (1.38 MB) Pinpointing areas where leaks have occurred, identifying the causes, and taking preventive action to ensure that they do not reoccur. Molds are part of the natural environment. A variety of cleanup methods are available for remediating damage to building materials and furnishings caused by moisture control problems and mold growth. Remediation can be conducted by the regular building maintenance staff as long as they are trained on proper clean-up methods, personal protection, and potential health hazards. We would not have food and medicines, like cheese and penicillin, without mold. What can he do? Level IV: Extensive Contamination (greater than 100 contiguous square feet in an area). While conducting building inspections and remediation work, individuals may encounter hazardous biological agents as well as chemical and physical hazards. Dust suppression methods, such as misting (. Click on the "Glossary" button to look up key definitions and acronyms. New York City Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Disease Epidemiology. Appropriate precautions and protective equipment for biocide applicators should be selected based on the product manufacturer's warnings and recommendations (e.g., goggles or face shield, aprons or other protective clothing, gloves, and respiratory protection). In many cases, it is not economically practical or useful to test for mold growth on surfaces or for airborne spores in the building. Remember to change filters as appropriate, especially following any remediation activities. The goal of this course is to enable you to select the essential hazard mitigation information to communicate to members of the public following a flood event. These can be accessed from the FEMA website. FEMA's HM Disaster Workforce Website houses a wealth of hazard mitigation information. Mold | US EPA business. Floodplain management ordinances require that when a structure in the floodplain has Substantial Damage or undergoes Substantial Improvement, the owner must bring the structure into compliance with the most current standards when repairing or rebuilding. At a disaster, the Hazard Mitigation Community Education and Outreach (CEO) group, in collaboration with the state, decides which of these approved publications and resources support the Hazard Mitigation Strategy for the disaster. Further, the inclusion of these resources is not intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, by the author of the reference or the organization operating the service identified by the reference. Problems may arise when mold starts eating away at materials, affecting the look, smell, and possibly, with the respect to wood-framed buildings, affecting the structural integrity of the buildings. This insurance is designed to help those affected by floods accelerate recovery, mitigate future flood losses, and reduce the personal and national costs of flooding. Devastating floods occur throughout the United States every year. Because mold is common in flooded communities, some basic facts about mold that you can share with the public are: Removing mold and mold conditions does not protect a building from mold in future hazard events. Documented quality control in the laboratories used for analysis of the bulk, surface, and other air samples is necessary. Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in sealed impermeable plastic bags. Dry floodproofing may not be used to bring a - Course Hero Substantial Damage is defined as damage from any source for which the cost of repair is equal to or greater than half of the market value of the structure before the loss. Looking for condensation and wet spots. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA's publication, "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings," or other guidelines developed by professional or governmental organizations. Please refer to the discussion of the different levels of remediation to ascertain the type of respiratory protection recommended. Some biocides are considered pesticides, and some states require that only registered pesticide applicators apply these products in schools, commercial buildings, and homes. When using fans, take care not to extend the zone of contamination by distributing mold spores to a previously unaffected area. Molds are usually not a problem unless mold spores land on a damp spot and begin growing. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Education and training on cleaning and maintenance. You may take a test on the material covered in this course to demonstrate that you have learned the information. If you are in doubt about sampling, consult an industrial hygienist or other environmental health or safety professional with experience in microbial investigations to help you decide if sampling for mold is necessary or useful, and to identify persons who can conduct any necessary sampling. If a community decides to pursue a property acquisition project, the land cannot be redeveloped and often is preserved as public open space, parks, or recreation areas. Containment of the work area is not necessary. Biocides are toxic to animals and humans, as well as to mold. Surfaces in the work area that could become contaminated should be covered with a secured plastic sheet(s) before remediation to contain dust/debris and prevent further contamination. After correcting water or moisture infiltration, the prompt removal of contaminated material and structural repair is the primary response to mold contamination in buildings. You can read a description of the report and purchase a copy. Lesson Summary This mold can be difficult or impossible to remove completely. For example, air sampling may show a higher concentration of the same species of mold when the HVAC is operating than when it has been turned off. The information in these guidelines is intended only as a summary of basic procedures and is not intended, nor should it be used, as a detailed guide to mold remediation. Mold removal should be complete. Please note that these are guidelines; some professionals may prefer other remediation methods, and certain circumstances may require different approaches or variations on the approaches described below. Dry floodproofing includes measures that make a structure watertight below the level that needs flood protection to prevent floodwaters from entering. Structures must be elevated by trained professionals. Molds can cause adverse effects by producing allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions). High-quality filters must be used in a HVAC system during remediation because conventional HVAC filters are typically not effective in filtering particles the size of mold spores. It serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuums are recommended for final cleanup of remediation areas after materials have been thoroughly dried and contaminated materials removed. Seasonal rainfall and storm systems can cause the lake level to rise faster than it can empty. Please click here to see any active alerts. Improper maintenance and design of building heating/ventilating/air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, such as insufficient cooling capacity for an air conditioning system, can result in elevated humidity levels in a building. FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program FEMA has one post-disaster mitigation grant program to assist communities in reducing long-term hazard risk. The building owner, management, and/or employer should notify occupants in the affected area(s) of the presence of mold. This completes the final lesson in this course. A quick guide to the dangers of mold in your home. Potential health effects from mycotoxins are the subject of ongoing scientific research and are beyond the scope of this document. After the Flood: Tips from the NFIP provides advice on looking out for hazards in a flood-prone home, filing for flood insurance claims, and cleaning up after a flood. Original conversation User: Hazard Mitigation (HM) staff should distribute only the mold publications provided by the HM Community Education and Outreach. Resources for Flood Cleanup and Indoor Air Quality | US EPA Of these, 83 83 received a bonus last year, 100 100 attended a special sales training program at the beginning of last year, and 42 42 both attended the special sales training program and received a bonus. Consult an engineer for the appropriate filter efficiency for your specific HVAC system, and consider upgrading your filters if necessary. Level III: Large Isolated Areas (30 - 100 square feet) - e.g., several wallboard panels. Mold Course Chapter 5: | US EPA When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth often will occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains uncorrected. Eating, drinking, and using tobacco products and cosmetics where mold remediation is taking place should be avoided. CDC is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of the American people at home and abroad. When speaking with members of the public about reducing the risk of future hazard damages: Remember that you are THE face and voice of hazard mitigation. Remove filters in a manner that minimizes the reentry of mold and other toxic substances into the workplace. Actions that tend to disperse mold include: breaking apart moldy porous materials such as wallboard; destructive invasive procedures to examine or remediate mold growth in a wall cavity; removal of contaminated wallpaper by stripping or peeling; using fans to dry items or ventilate areas. What mold publications should Hazard Mitigation staff distribute? A Such persons should receive training on proper clean-up methods, personal protection, and potential health hazards.

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