EPA Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home

July 7, 2012

Indoor air pollutants are unwanted, sometimes harmful materials in the air. Indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks. Usually the best way to address this risk is to control or eliminate the sources of pollutants, and to ventilate a home with clean outdoor air.   The ventilation method may, however, be limited by weather conditions or undesirable levels of contaminants contained in outdoor air. If these measures are insufficient, an air cleaning device may be useful. Air cleaning devices are intended to remove pollutants from indoor air. Some air cleaning devices are designed to be installed in the ductwork of a home’s central heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to clean the air in the whole house. Portable room air cleaners can be used to clean the air in a single room or specific areas, but they are not intended for whole-house filtration. The following pages will provide information on different types of air cleaning devices and how they work.

Indoor Air Pollutants
Pollutants that can affect air quality in a home fall into the following categories:

•Particulate matter includes dust, smoke, pollen, animal dander, tobacco smoke, particles generated from combustion appliances such as cooking stoves, and particles associated with tiny organisms such as dust mites, molds, bacteria, and viruses.

•Gaseous pollutants come from combustion processes. Sources include gas cooking stoves, vehicle exhaust, and tobacco smoke. They also come from building materials, furnishings, and the use of products such as adhesives, paints, varnishes, cleaning products, and pesticides.

What Types of Pollutants Can an Air Cleaner Remove?
There are several types of air cleaning devices available, each designed to remove certain types of pollutants.

Particle Removal

Two types of air cleaning devices can remove particles from the air — mechanical air filters and electronic air cleaners. Mechanical air filters remove particles by capturing them on filter materials.

High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are in this category. Electronic air cleaners such as electrostatic precipitators use a process called electrostatic attraction to trap charged particles. They draw air through an ionization section where particles obtain an electrical charge. The charged particles then accumulate on a series of flat plates called a collector that is oppositely charged. Ion generators, or ionizers, disperse charged ions into the air, similar to the electronic air cleaners but without a collector. These ions attach to airborne particles, giving them a charge so that they attach to nearby surfaces such as walls or furniture, or attach to one another and settle faster.

Gaseous Pollutant Removal

Gas-phase air filters remove gases and odors by using a material called a sorbent, such as activated carbon, which adsorbs the pollutants. These filters are typically intended to remove one or more gaseous pollutants from the airstream that passes through them. Because gas-phase filters are specific to one or a limited number of gaseous pollutants, they will not reduce concentrations of pollutants for which they were not designed. Some air cleaning devices with gas-phase filters may remove a portion of the gaseous pollutants and some of the related hazards, at least on a temporary basis. However, none are expected to remove all of the gaseous pollutants present in the air of a typical home. For example, carbon monoxide is a dangerous gaseous pollutant that is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned, and it is not readily captured using currently available residential gas-phase filtration products.

Pollutant Destruction

Some air cleaners use ultraviolet (UV) light technology intended to destroy pollutants in indoor air. These air cleaners are called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) cleaners and photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) cleaners. Ozone generators that are sold as air cleaners intentionally produce ozone gas, a lung irritant, to destroy pollutants.

Ozone is a lung irritant that can cause adverse health effects.

•UVGI cleaners use ultraviolet radiation from UV lamps that may destroy biological pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, allergens, and molds that are airborne or growing on HVAC surfaces (e.g., found on cooling coils, drain pans, or ductwork). If used, they should be applied with, but not as a replacement for, filtration systems.

•PCO cleaners use a UV lamp along with a substance, called a catalyst, that reacts with the light. They are intended to destroy gaseous pollutants by converting them into harmless products, but are not designed to remove particulate pollutants.

•Ozone generators use UV light or an electrical discharge to intentionally produce ozone. Ozone is a lung irritant that can cause adverse health effects. At concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone has little effect in removing most indoor air contaminants. Thus, ozone generators are not always safe and effective in controlling indoor air pollutants. Consumers should instead use methods proven to be both safe and effective to reduce pollutant concentrations, which include eliminating or controlling pollutant sources and increasing outdoor air ventilation.
Visit http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html for more information on ozone generators sold as air cleaners.

John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
www.Microshield-ES.com

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Indoor Air Quality and Asthma

July 7, 2012

Jason Earle. Founder and CEO of Mycelium Holdings LLC
Posted: 07/02/2012

With 50 Percent of Childhood Asthma Uncontrolled, Time to Look Homeward

“Despite available treatments, less than 50 percent of asthmatic children control their symptoms,” announced Prof. Nikos Papadopoulos, Chair of the International Consensus (ICON) on Pediatric Asthma, two weeks ago at The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) 31st Annual meeting, Geneva, Switzerland.

As a childhood asthmatic, and someone who has long worked with families to regain control of their indoor air, that number nearly knocked me off my chair.

Granted, many of the worst cases of asthma exist in developing nations where there is, sadly, little anyone can do about it. This is largely due to substandard living conditions and poor education, compounded by inadequate medical care. When people cook over unventilated open flames indoors, asthma is bound to rear its ugly head. Combine that with a whole host of other variables and you have yourself an epidemic.

But more disconcerting are the cases here in our own backyard, where we have the ability to do something about it, yet we’re still not doing all that can be done.

It’s well known there are higher concentrations of asthmatics in urban environments, especially in close proximity to highways, but asthma is an equal opportunity ailment. It affects people across the whole human spectrum, with kids being the hardest hit.

While medications are an important part of controlling symptoms — they save lives every single day — one of the most overlooked aspects of asthma prevention is the home environment, where many children spend most of their time. In essence, asthma = inflammation + irritation. Most of the irritants that trigger asthma symptoms are avoidable, and really have no place in a healthy home.

-Dampness of any sort, which invariably leads to:

•Mold growth
•Dust mites
•Pests

– Noxious chemical cleaners

– Air fresheners

– Candles

– VOCs

– Cigarette smoke (does this even need to be said?)

– Carpet in the basement (yes, I know, it’s common, but so are most mistakes)

– And much, much more.

I’ve written about this in the past. Here’s a a piece I did about spring cleaning that elaborates on these items in greater detail, if you’re so inclined to dig deeper.

There was a time when doctors made house calls. These have been supplanted by eight-minute clinic visits. Symptoms are discussed, but underlying causes are rarely explored. Physicians simply have no practical way to know what’s going on in the home, nor do they have the time to pursue it. While numerous studies have been done proving the positive impact of custom, home-based environmental interventions directed at educating the affected and reducing asthma triggers indoors, it has not been done consistently on a large scale.

Interestingly, the CDC Community Preventive Services Task Force put out a report late last year in which they recommend these home-based initiatives. The report cited extensive data showing that a relatively small investment in these programs can yield significant health care savings, reduce the number of missed school days, increase the productivity of the parents who would otherwise miss work to care for their children and, of course, improve quality of life for the whole family.

The average person spends more than 90 percent of every day indoors, yet we hear relatively little in the media about what we’re doing to our indoor environment. Buildings are built tighter to save energy, while a dizzying array of pollutants accumulate indoors, all helping to steadily increase the reach and cost of a disease that should already be on the decline. It’s part of our modern condition.

There is much that can be done at relatively low cost. Most synthetic cleaning products, for example, can be swapped for natural versions (many of which work better!); air fresheners can be jettisoned in favor of HEPA air purifiers and HEPA vacuum cleaners, and pillows, mattresses and bedding can be fitted with allergen encasements. Some homes require professional help, especially those with serious moisture, mold or pest problems, but a great percentage will benefit from minor to moderate interventions.

The home environment is what I call the last mile in asthma treatment and prevention. It is where education and awareness can help turn the asthma juggernaut around, and where more attention needs to be directed. The solutions to much of this suffering are hiding in plain sight.

John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
www.Microshield-ES.com

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Florida IAQ and the 7 Principals of Healthy Homes

July 7, 2012

Face it. Anywhere in Florida makes for a great place to live. Yet every home endures a certain amount of unwanted, indoor air pollutants. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ranks indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental health risks faced by U.S. citizens.

Indoor air pollution builds up via in-home activities such as cooking, cleaning and even indoor remodeling projects. To eliminate the associated risk factors, a Florida homeowner could attempt to replace the indoor air with cleaner outdoor air. However, residential ventilation systems usually don’t include outdoor air supply.  If you consider opening a window that could occasionally be rendered inefficient due to unfavorable weather conditions, elevated humidity, or extreme accumulations of contaminants in the outdoor air.

At times, homeowners must embrace alternative indoor air cleaning methods. Some residents of Florida are known for making use of indoor air cleaning devices and products that attach to your homes air handler such as UV lights or hydroxyl and ozone generators in an attempt to disinfect purify or destroy air contaminants before they are recycled back into their home air supply.  But those are just bells and whistles that don’t actually correct the issue.

We recommend that you begin the improvement of your indoor environment using the 7 Principals of Healthy Homes.

1. Dry:
Damp houses provide a nurturing environment for mites, roaches, rodents, and molds, all of which are associated with asthma.

2. Clean:
Clean homes help reduce pest infestations and exposure to contaminants.

3. Pest-Free:
Recent studies show a causal relationship between exposure to mice and cockroaches and asthma episodes in children; yet inappropriate treatment for pest infestations can exacerbate health problems, since pesticide residues in homes pose risks for neurological damage and cancer.

4. Safe:
The majority of injuries among children occur in the home. Falls are the most frequent cause of residential injuries to children, followed by injuries from objects in the home, burns, and poisonings.

5. Contaminant-Free:
Chemical exposures include lead, radon, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and environmental tobacco smoke. Exposures to asbestos particles, radon gas, carbon monoxide, and second-hand tobacco smoke are far higher indoors than outside.

6. Ventilated:
Studies show that increasing the fresh air supply in a home improves respiratory health.

7. Maintained:
Poorly-maintained homes are at risk for moisture and pest problems. Deteriorated lead-based paint in older housing is the primary cause of lead poisoning, which affects some 240,000 U.S. children.

John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
www.Microshield-ES.com

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Workplace Air Quality: Sometimes Dust Is The Problem

July 7, 2012

July 03, 2012|By BARBARA NAGY, Conn. Health I-Team Writer, The Hartford Courant

The office workers, police officers, social workers and court employees Brian Sauvageau talks with have reached a breaking point.

They might come to work feeling OK, but soon develop chronic coughs and sneezing, scratchy throats, itchy eyes and even headaches. No one can find the mold they think is causing their symptoms. Unsympathetic colleagues say they feel just fine, so there can’t be anything wrong.

The problem is surprisingly simple, said Sauvageau, an occupational hygienist with CONN OSHA — the state Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

The culprit isn’t mold. It’s dust — the tiny particles of fiber, skin scales, insect parts, pollen, cobwebs and dirt that settle on surfaces everywhere.

Indoor air quality is a growing issue. Belt-tightening has reduced custodial staff and budgets. Time-pressed workers aren’t enthusiastic about cleaning their workspaces. And the growing number of extreme weather events makes for more leaks and flooding. Poor air circulation and blocked heating systems aggravate the problem.

The impact is staggering. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that poor indoor air quality costs tens of billions of dollars annually in lost productivity and added health care. One study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 2010 concluded that improving workplace environments could save businesses $300 per worker each year.

In the past 14 months, Sauvageau has investigated 20 complaints filed by people who thought that mold was compromising the air quality in their workplaces. Of hundreds of samples that he collected, only one had mold levels that were considered significant.

“It seems invariably I find dust,” Sauvageau said. “In some cases it’s extremely bad — years of accumulation.”

Solutions require everyone in an office to work together in ways they haven’t had to do before, said Paula Schenck, assistant director of the Center for Indoor Environments and Health at the University of Connecticut Health Center. “It takes a team,” she said.

Workers, their union representatives, building owners, managers and cleaning staff all have to buy into the solution, said Ken Tucker, director of CONN OSHA.

“We do know air quality is a growing problem,” said Larry Dorman, a spokesman for Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in New Britain. “It’s one of the hidden dangers of the workplace.”

The union has worked with the state and with several municipalities on air quality in buildings ranging from schools in Bridgeport to police headquarters in Hartford. Workers are often unaware of the hazards. “And employers don’t tend to be proactive on issues like that. Sometimes it’s not their fault,” he said, noting that the state leases much of its office space.

Often, employees don’t realize that there’s more to air quality than mold levels.

Mold can be highly hazardous, Schenck emphasized. But people should look first for more obvious culprits if they don’t smell mold, can’t see water stains on walls or ceilings, and aren’t aware of any dampness or water from leaks, seepage or humidity.

“People go nuts about mold because it’s been so publicized, and I appreciate the concern,” Schenck said. “I always talk about three things: ventilation, moisture and dirt/dust.” Mold, she said, is always related to a water problem. “What mold tells you is there’s water where it shouldn’t be, and a biological material is growing.”

Dust is such a prevalent problem, Sauvageau made it the topic of an article in CONN OSHA’s May newsletter ( http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/osha/2012/qtly-may12.htm). There is no doubt about its irritating effects.

People have different tolerances for the mites, pollen and spores in dust that builds up. Those who are sensitive have allergic reactions. Those who aren’t might think that nothing is wrong. The location of people’s workspaces can also aggravate their symptoms.

None of this is a surprise to Ray Cassarino, owner of Cassarino Commercial Cleaning in Wethersfield.

“I go into an office and the women are sneezing, especially at the reception desk. It’s a haven for dust,” he said. Cassarino lifts the phones, looks at the wires behind the computers and checks under small equipment like fax machines. He can tell how long the dust has been there by how it clumps up. “It’s sick what I find,” he said.

Symptoms like itchy eyes, a runny nose and headaches can be caused inadequate ventilation and by dust and dirt because the respiratory system is being irritated. People feel better once they leave the environment, Schenck said. Asthma-like symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, are harder to diagnose as building-related. Breathing can be affected by a wide range of irritants — including mold. Prolonged exposure to some of the contaminants in dust can also cause asthma-like symptoms.

Sensitivity and exposure make all the difference. Schenck recalls one woman who complained that the vent above her desk was blowing air onto her. The custodian, trying to be helpful, diverted the flow with a piece of plastic. The woman became ill and couldn’t understand why — after all, the air wasn’t blowing on her anymore. A UConn hygienist took a “wipe” sample from the plastic and discovered that it was loaded with bacteria and mold.

When Sauvageau goes into workplaces, he finds congested offices and desks loaded with clutter. Storage spaces are too small, so supplies and equipment are piled in work areas. Heating and air conditioning equipment isn’t maintained and cleaned. The walls and floors behind heating units and desks are filthy. Furniture obstructs ventilation or makes it hard for the cleaning staff to do its work. People don’t want anything on their desks or shelves moved, which also makes cleaning difficult.

Some buildings — hospitals, factories and schools, for example — are now courthouses, town halls and offices. They weren’t designed for that use. Balancing the ventilation and keeping the space clean can be a tremendous challenge.

Cassarino said that many companies have cut back on spending for custodial services. They have unrealistic expectations of how much can be done in a limited time with a limited budget.

“It’s a bidding war,” Cassarino said. He suggests that businesses and building owners carefully evaluate not only cost, but the level of service they’ll receive.

Sauvageau wants employers to realize that poor air quality can affect employee attendance, productivity and morale. Some of the people who called CONN OSHA were facing disciplinary actions for missing work too often because of their illnesses. They had been diagnosed with sinus infections, bronchitis, allergies and asthma.

Building managers have a hard time because people like different temperatures and have different tolerances for air flow. Generally, Schenck said, it’s not good to cut down on ventilation. That lets contaminants accumulate. She also discourages the use of scented air fresheners because they irritate some people.

That, she said, is the kind of “joint responsibility” that’s required to create a healthy environment. For their part, workers need to be vigilant about their own spaces, and they need to make sure that what they do doesn’t diminish air quality for their co-workers.

If you are having problems, Schenck and Sauvageau suggest you:

• Act promptly, because prolonged exposure can lead to chronic symptoms.

• Start by defining and tracking your symptoms. What time of day do you have them, and where are you?

• Try to correct the problem through your supervisor and union representativess first. Consider breaking down the office and doing a thorough cleaning. When dust is the problem, symptoms often improve immediately.

This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team (www.c-hit.org).

 

 

• John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
• Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
• Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
• www.Microshield-ES.com

 

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The Design Build Industry vs. The Remediation Industry

May 8, 2012

The oversight elements of the design build process that most fail to recognize, and are somewhat equivalent to the separation between assessment and remediation, are as follows. (That is unless you are in a state that requires nothing to build a home.)

Plan Review and Permit Application (Design Build Oversight pre-construction)

First and well before you actually begin bending nails, you will need either a Licensed Architect or a Licensed Engineer to review and approve your design before you can proceed to the next step.

You’ll then need to submit your plans to the City Building Department where the plans will again be reviewed and approved before you can proceed to the next step.

That alone eliminates any comparison between the unlicensed mold assessors providing an assessment on a home that he intends to remediate.

At this point and again well before you start bending nails the city will require most if not all of the following:

• Completed building permit application
• Site plan
• Footing plan
• Foundation plan
• Floor Plan
• Building Elevations
• Header schedule
• Framing Plan
• Truss and structural specifications
• Plumbing, Electrical and Mechanical Plans
• Engineered Septic plan
• Window and Door schedule
• Manufacturer’s Installation Procedures
• Energy Compliance Calculations

I pulled that list up from City of Rome just to provide an example of the hoops a design build contractor must jump through prior to the actual construction of the design build project.

The equivalent of the Mold Assessment.

Once you actually receive the Building Permit you must then receive the necessary inspections that are required.

Residential Inspection Schedule (Design Build Oversight during construction)
All applicable inspections listed below are mandatory and must be completed by a City of Rome Building Inspector prior to use or occupancy.

  1. FOOTINGS / POSTS
  2. FOUNDATION / PERIMETER DRAINS
  3. CONCRETE / UNDER SLAB
  4. ROUGH IN ELECTRICAL
  5. ROUGH IN PLUMBING
  6. FRAMING
  7. CHIMNEYS & FIREPLACES
  8. INSULATION
  9. FIRE SEPARATION
  10. BUILDING SYSTEMS
  11. FINAL ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING INSPECTIONS
  12. FINAL BUILDING INSPECTION
    Smoke Detector / Carbon Monoxide Detectors
    Interior and Exterior coverings in place
    Windows and doors operational.
    Railing / staircases / landings in place
    All mechanical systems operational
    911 House Number in Place

The equivalent of the Post Remediation Verification Inspection (Design Build Oversight post-construction)

There is one hell of a lot of oversight involved in the Design Build industry and unless there is separation between assessment and remediation there are none thats right 0 in the Mold industry.

The comparison between the Design Build industry and the Mold Remediation industry, Not a fair apples to apples comparison of industries or industry oversight.

The Mold Remediation industry would require only 2 points of oversight.

  1. The Independent Mold Assessment prior to mold remediation (Mold Remediation Oversight pre-remediation)
    Here in Florida by a State Licensed Mold Assessor when the mold affected area is greater than 10 square feet. The Mold Remediator cannot perform or offer to perform any mold remediation to a structure on which the mold remediation or the mold remediation’s company provided a mold assessment within the last 12 months.
  2. And the Independent Post Remediation Verification Inspection after mold remediation (Mold Remediation Oversight post-remediation)
    Here in Florida by a State Licensed Mold Assessor that cannot perform or offer to perform any mold assessment to a structure on which the mold assessor or the mold assessors company provided mold remediation within the last 12 months.

It just seems to be much easier than many want to make it out to be.

History and experience tell me that the remediator who skips the initial step of an assessment from a licensed assessor usually finds it just as easy to skip other steps durring remediation and usually also skip the last step of independent post remediation verification from a licensed assessor.

• John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
• Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
• Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
• www.Microshield-ES.com

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IICRC board of directors votes to return to original name “The IICRC!”

March 19, 2012

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) announced today that the Board of Directors has voted to return the formal name of the organization to the IICRC, keeping cleantrust as the service mark of the organization. The full details surrounding the transition will be announced at the Certification Council on April 22, 2012.

“We’ve heard the feedback from registrants over the past few months and considered many options,” said IICRC Chairman Darrell Paulson. “Ultimately, the board has decided to use the IICRC as the main brand and use the cleantrust as a service mark. This allows us to honor the 40-year history of our organization, while also working to gain more awareness with end-users. We are still working through all of the details and we thank the inspection, cleaning and restoration community for their patience during this process.”

The IICRC will retain the use of the updated logo, which represents the strength and breadth of the organization. The shape reflects a globe, symbolizing the IICRC’s international status. And like the organization, the logo is made up of many different parts that are working together in a unified pattern, depicting an organization that is deep in knowledge.

“Together, this powerful brand combination of IICRC and the cleantrust, will enable us to constantly work towards our mission of identifying and promoting an international standard of care that establishes and maintains the health, safety and welfare of the built environment,” said Paulson.

Updated materials with the new IICRC logo and an updated design will gradually rollout in the coming months, including ID cards, brochures, introductory video and a new website.

• John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
• Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
• Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
• www.Microshield-ES.com

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Does the Home you want to rent have Hidden IAQ Indoor Air Quality Issues?

March 13, 2012

Microshield IAQ Landlord TenantIn today’s volatile and uncertain real estate market, many Florida families who would otherwise purchase a home are now turning to renting homes, condos, and apartments. For many, renting provides them the opportunity to rebound from their own dad real estate experience and for others it’s an opportunity to move into a property when the market is uncertain and financing may not be readily available.

It’s important for potential tenants to do their homework with regards to potential indoor environmental concerns at a property they are considering renting. This may include talking with the landlord, researching the building’s prior use and hiring an IEP Indoor Environmental Professional to perform an Indoor Environmental Assessment.

 

If you are in the market for a new rental home ask questions.  Landlords are bound to deal truthfully when discussing the property and any past issues.  Ask the Landlord about issues dealing with past leaks, flooding events, mold, sewage contamination, asbestos, lead, radon and vapor intrusion issues.

These questions and answers are all part of the IEP’s interview and will be a part of the written report you will receive if you decide to hire an IEP.  If you decide that you are ready to hire an IEP there are questions that you should ask to ensure you are receiving the best possible assessment of your family’s new home.

A professionally prepared Indoor Environmental or Indoor Air Quality Report should clearly answer the following questions:

  1. Is there an Indoor Environmental or Indoor Air Quality Concern in your home?
  2. What is the cause?
  3. Where is the source?
  4. What containment and cleaning is needed?
  5. What home repairs are needed to prevent future problems?

If you suspect that there is an indoor air problem in the home or office involving any unknown Allergens, Asthma Triggers, or Mold, in addition to the visual assessment of your home you may also need to know the following:

  1. Is Indoor Environmental Sampling Necessary?
  2. If Sampling is necessary why?
  3. Where? And
  4. Which Type of Sampling is recommended?

The Visual Inspection should provide a Sampling Plan specific to the findings in your home or office so you can then determine;

  1. If there is a mold, allergen, asthma trigger, or similar environmental problem in the home or office?
  2. If there is a problem, where is it and how big is it?
  3. What does the lab work indicate about the level of risk to occupants or workers?
  4. Are we looking at a “cosmetic-only” concern?
  5. What is the extent of remediation or cleaning necessary, and
  6. based on the lab results, what is the level of containment and care needed?
  7. What needs to be changed or repaired on the home or office so that problems don’t recur? And
  8. after the cleanup has been completed, was it proper and complete?

A professionally prepared Indoor Environmental Assessment should also an education on the 7 Seven Principles of Healthy Homes

Dry: Damp houses provide a nurturing environment for mites, roaches, rodents, and molds, all of which are associated with asthma.

Clean: Clean homes help reduce pest infestations and exposure to contaminants.

Pest-Free: Recent studies show a causal relationship between exposure to mice and cockroaches and asthma episodes in children; yet inappropriate treatment for pest infestations can exacerbate health problems, since pesticide residues in homes pose risks for neurological damage and cancer.

Safe: The majority of injuries among children occur in the home. Falls are the most frequent cause of residential injuries to children, followed by injuries from objects in the home, burns, and poisonings.

Contaminant-Free: Chemical exposures include lead, radon, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and environmental tobacco smoke. Exposures to asbestos particles, radon gas, carbon monoxide, and second-hand tobacco smoke are far higher indoors than outside.

Ventilated: Studies show that increasing the fresh air supply in a home improves respiratory health.

Maintained: Poorly-maintained homes are at risk for moisture and pest problems. Deteriorated lead-based paint in older housing is the primary cause of lead poisoning, which affects some 240,000 U.S. children.

• John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
• Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
• Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
• www.Microshield-ES.com

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Who’s Required to have a Florida Mold License?

March 13, 2012

John Lapotaire CIEC Florida Licensed Mold AssessorI am often asked who in the State of Florida needs a license to preform Mold Assessments and/or Mold Remediation. At the top of the list are General Contractors, Home Inspectors, Duct Cleaners, and Air Conditioning Contractors.

Let’s start with why the state decided to require a license?

The Florida Legislature finds it necessary in the interest of the public safety and welfare, to prevent damage to real and personal property, to avert economic injury to the residents of this state, and to regulate persons and companies that hold themselves out to the public as qualified to perform mold-related services.

Now let’s get to the individuals that believe they don’t require a mold license.  First home inspectors and the answer is yes, a home inspector requires a mold assessor’s license to conduct a mold inspection and yes the collection of samples to identify the presence of mold requires a mold assessor’s license.

As for the duct cleaners and air conditioning contractors, the answer is also yes.  Anyone removing or identifying mold in a home or business requires a mold assessment or mold remediation license and that includes those in the air conditioning and duct cleaning business.

There are exceptions to the law and those are listed below. Which brings us to the general contractor?  Does the GC need a mold license? No. As the law currently states the prohibitions in the law do not apply to a Division 1 contractor as stated below.

468.8419 Prohibitions; penalties.—

(1) A person may not:

(d) Perform or offer to perform any mold assessment to a structure on which the mold remediator or the mold remediator’s company provided a mold remediation within the last 12 months. This paragraph does not apply to a certified contractor who is classified in s. 489.105(3) as a Division I contractor. However, the department may adopt rules requiring that, if such contractor performs the mold remediation and offers to perform the mold assessment, the contract for mold assessment provided to the homeowner disclose that he or she has the right to request competitive bids.

(d) Perform or offer to perform any mold remediation to a structure on which the mold assessor or the mold assessor’s company provided a mold assessment within the last 12 months. This paragraph does not apply to a certified contractor who is classified in s. 489.105(3) as a Division I contractor. However, the department may adopt rules requiring that, if such contractor performs the mold assessment and offers to perform the mold remediation, the contract for mold remediation provided to the homeowner disclose that he or she has the right to request competitive bids.

You may want to ensure that your GC is actually trained in Mold Assessment or Mold Remediation before you hire him. Currently the law requires nothing in the form of mold assessment or mold remediation training for a GC.

A Florida Licensed Mold Assessor or Mold Remediator must first take and pass one of the examinations approved by the department and administered by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC).

The ACAC has certifications for both the Assessor and Remediator, such as the CIEC Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant Required: 8 years’ experience consulting on indoor environmental issues including asbestos, lead, HVAC, building science, chemicals, mold and microbial contamination, or the CMC Council-certified Microbial Consultant Required: 8 years’ experience in designing and conducting microbial sampling regimens, or the CMRS Council-certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor Required: 5 years’ experience remediating microbial issues in the indoor environment, and the CMR Council-certified Microbial Remediator Required: 2 years, experience remediating microbial issues in the indoor environment.

I would much prefer that my Mold Assessor or Mold Remediator be Licensed by the state and have the ACAC qualifications.

Mold assessment is a process performed by a mold assessor that includes the physical sampling and detailed evaluation of data obtained from a building history and inspection to formulate an initial hypothesis about the origin, identity, location, and extent of amplification of mold growth of greater than 10 square feet.

Mold remediation is the removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventive activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter of greater than 10 square feet that was not purposely grown at that location; however, such removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventive activities, may not be work that requires a license under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, unless performed by a person who is licensed under that chapter or the work complies with that chapter.

These items are offered as examples of services you do need to hire a person with a Florida license and services you do not need to hire a person with a Florida license. The list is not all inclusive. If you have specific questions, please contact the department at 850.487.1395 or review the rules for the profession at www.myfloridalicense.com. You should also check with your county or city to learn whether or not a local business tax receipt or certificate of competency is required for services that do not require a state license. Please visit our Unlicensed Activity page to learn more about how you can help us combat Unlicensed Activity.

Needs a License Does not need a License
Advertising or representing oneself to be a Mold Assessor or Remediator. A residential property owner who performs mold assessment on his or her own property.
Taking samples for purposes of testing for the presence of mold. A person who performs mold assessment on property owned or leased by the person, the person’s employer, or an entity affiliated with the person’s employer through common ownership. This exemption does not apply if the person, employer, or affiliated entity engages in the business of performing mold assessment for the public.
A person who performs mold assessment on property operated or managed by the person’s employer or an entity affiliated with the person’s employer through common ownership. This exemption does not apply if the person, employer, or affiliated entity engages in the business of performing mold assessment for the public.
A person working solely as an officer or employee of a governmental entity.

 

Here are some Florida Mold License FAQ’s Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

What are the statutes and rules that govern the mold-related services Profession?

Chapter 468, Part XVI of the Florida Statutes and Rule 61-31 of the Florida Administrative Code.

What are the statutes and rules that govern the Home Inspection Profession?

Chapter 468 Part XV of the Florida Statutes and Rule 61-30 of the Florida Administrative Code.

Where can I obtain the laws and rules of the profession?

The laws and rules may be obtained on the website at http://www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses & Professions > the license you are looking for > Statutes and Rules.

If you need further assistance, you may call the Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395.

If my company does both Mold Assessments and Mold Remediations, will I be required to get two (2) licenses (one for Mold Assessor and one for Mold Remediator?

Yes, in addition, please note Section 468.8419(1)(d), F.S., provides that an assessor may not “perform or offer to perform any remediation to a structure on which the mold assessor or the assessor’s company provided a mold assessment within the last 12 months.” Section 468.8419(2)(d), F.S., provides that a remediator may not “perform or offer to perform any assessment to a structure on which the mold remediator or the remediator’s company provided a mold remediation within the last 12 months.”

Will there be additional requirements by DBPR to have an “applicators” license if the mold remediator applies chemicals to contaminated surfaces during a remediation?

No, please see the definition of remediators as it allows the remediator to treat and do preventive activities.

Is there a provision that would allow those licensed by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) to perform mold related services as long as they stay within the scope of their current licenses?

Yes, Section 468.841 F.S., exempts persons from the provisions of Chapter 468, Part XVI, when acting within their authorized scope of practice as licensed under Federal, state or local codes or statutes. Any person acting on this exemption must not hold himself or herself out for hire as a licensed assessor or remediator or any title implying licensure under Chapter 468, Part XVI.

468.8419 Prohibitions; penalties.—

(1) A person may not:

(a) Effective July 1, 2011, perform or offer to perform any mold assessment unless the mold assessor has documented training in water, mold, and respiratory protection under s. 468.8414(2).

(b) Effective July 1, 2011, perform or offer to perform any mold assessment unless the person has complied with the provisions of this part.

(c) Use the name or title “certified mold assessor,” “registered mold assessor,” “licensed mold assessor,” “mold assessor,” “professional mold assessor,” or any combination thereof unless the person has complied with the provisions of this part.

(d) Perform or offer to perform any mold remediation to a structure on which the mold assessor or the mold assessor’s company provided a mold assessment within the last 12 months. This paragraph does not apply to a certified contractor who is classified in s. 489.105(3) as a Division I contractor. However, the department may adopt rules requiring that, if such contractor performs the mold assessment and offers to perform the mold remediation, the contract for mold remediation provided to the homeowner disclose that he or she has the right to request competitive bids.

(e) Inspect for a fee any property in which the assessor or the assessor’s company has any financial or transfer interest.

(f) Accept any compensation, inducement, or reward from a mold remediator or mold remediator’s company for the referral of any business to the mold remediator or the mold remediator’s company.

(g) Offer any compensation, inducement, or reward to a mold remediator or mold remediator’s company for the referral of any business from the mold remediator or the mold remediator’s company.

(h) Accept an engagement to make an omission of the assessment or conduct an assessment in which the assessment itself, or the fee payable for the assessment, is contingent upon the conclusions of the assessment.

(2) A mold remediator, a company that employs a mold remediator, or a company that is controlled by a company that also has a financial interest in a company employing a mold remediator may not:

(a) Perform or offer to perform any mold remediation unless the remediator has documented training in water, mold, and respiratory protection under s. 468.8414(2).

(b) Perform or offer to perform any mold remediation unless the person has complied with the provisions of this part.

(c) Use the name or title “certified mold remediator,” “registered mold remediator,” “licensed mold remediator,” “mold remediator,” “professional mold remediator,” or any combination thereof unless the person has complied with the provisions of this part.

(d) Perform or offer to perform any mold assessment to a structure on which the mold remediator or the mold remediator’s company provided a mold remediation within the last 12 months. This paragraph does not apply to a certified contractor who is classified in s. 489.105(3) as a Division I contractor. However, the department may adopt rules requiring that, if such contractor performs the mold remediation and offers to perform the mold assessment, the contract for mold assessment provided to the homeowner disclose that he or she has the right to request competitive bids.

(e) Remediate for a fee any property in which the mold remediator or the mold remediator’s company has any financial or transfer interest.

(f) Accept any compensation, inducement, or reward from a mold assessor or mold assessor’s company for the referral of any business from the mold assessor or the mold assessor’s company.

(g) Offer any compensation, inducement, or reward to a mold assessor or mold assessor’s company for the referral of any business from the mold assessor or the mold assessor’s company.

(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits:

(a) A misdemeanor of the second degree for a first violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b) A misdemeanor of the first degree for a second violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(c) A felony of the third degree for a third or subsequent violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

 

468.841 Exemptions.—

(1) The following persons are not required to comply with any provisions of this part relating to mold assessment:

(a) A residential property owner who performs mold assessment on his or her own property.

(b) A person who performs mold assessment on property owned or leased by the person, the person’s employer, or an entity affiliated with the person’s employer through common ownership, or on property operated or managed by the person’s employer or an entity affiliated with the person’s employer through common ownership. This exemption does not apply if the person, employer, or affiliated entity engages in the business of performing mold assessment for the public.

(c) An employee of a mold assessor while directly supervised by the mold assessor.

(d) Persons or business organizations acting within the scope of the respective licenses required under part XV of this chapter, chapter 471, part I of chapter 481, chapter 482, or chapter 489 1are acting on behalf of an insurer under part VI of chapter 626, or are persons in the manufactured housing industry who are licensed under chapter 320, except when any such persons or business organizations hold themselves out for hire to the public as a “certified mold assessor,” “registered mold assessor,” “licensed mold assessor,” “mold assessor,” “professional mold assessor,” or any combination thereof stating or implying licensure under this part.

(e) An authorized employee of the United States, this state, or any municipality, county, or other political subdivision, or public or private school and who is conducting mold assessment within the scope of that employment, as long as the employee does not hold out for hire to the general public or otherwise engage in mold assessment.

(2) The following persons are not required to comply with any provisions of this part relating to mold remediation:

(a) A residential property owner who performs mold remediation on his or her own property.

(b) A person who performs mold remediation on property owned or leased by the person, the person’s employer, or an entity affiliated with the person’s employer through common ownership, or on property operated or managed by the person’s employer or an entity affiliated with the person’s employer through common ownership. This exemption does not apply if the person, employer, or affiliated entity engages in the business of performing mold remediation for the public.

(c) An employee of a mold remediator while directly supervised by the mold remediator.

(d) Persons or business organizations that are acting within the scope of the respective licenses required under chapter 471, part I of chapter 481, chapter 482, chapter 489, or part XV of this chapter, are acting on behalf of an insurer under part VI of chapter 626, or are persons in the manufactured housing industry who are licensed under chapter 320, except when any such persons or business organizations hold themselves out for hire to the public as a “certified mold remediator,” “registered mold remediator,” “licensed mold remediator,” “mold remediator,” “professional mold remediator,” or any combination thereof stating or implying licensure under this part.

(e) An authorized employee of the United States, this state, or any municipality, county, or other political subdivision, or public or private school and who is conducting mold remediation within the scope of that employment, as long as the employee does not hold out for hire to the general public or otherwise engage in mold remediation.

 

• John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
• Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
• Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
• www.Microshield-ES.com

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Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC

USGBC LEED public comment period open!!!

March 12, 2012

Microshield IAQ LEED USGBCThe U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED 2012 draft focuses on providing a simple-to-use, technically advanced, and more robust system.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced that the third public comment period for the proposed 2012 update to its LEED green building program opens March 1, 2012. The comment period, which will close on March 20, marks the start of the LEED 2012 program delivery process.

This third draft of LEED has been refined to address technical stringency and rigor, measurement and performance tools, and an enhanced user experience. The technical changes have been informed by market data, stakeholder-generated ideas, expert engagement, and advances in technology. Additional performance-based management features will help projects measure and manage energy and water usage, site and building material selection, and indoor environmental quality.

LEED 2012 extends itself as a long-term engagement tool for organizations and projects, enabling a focus on continuous improvement. Programs aimed at helping organizations use LEED to benchmark building performance in preparation for certification and for tracking performance of their buildings post-certification provide opportunities for ongoing engagement between project teams and USGBC both before certification and after the plaque is awarded.

For LEED projects outside of the United States, LEED 2012 will offer a new global perspective. Through modified language, new requirements and options that increase flexibility, LEED 2012 makes it easier for the international community to engage. In an effort to redefine and enhance the user experience, LEED credit requirements have been rewritten to better align with documentation already required by the architecture and construction fields. Improvements to submittals, documentation paths and LEED Online improve LEED usability.

As the LEED program evolves to address the dynamic needs of the building industry, the development process is based on principles of transparency, openness, and inclusiveness, and includes multiple comment periods where input received is incorporated into LEED. The third public comment documents, including technical refinements, scorecards, and responses to comments from the previous public comment period, will be available on usgbc.org/LEED2012 beginning March 1. Members of the public can comment on any substantive changes made since the second public comment period, which ran from Aug. 1 through Sept. 14, 2011.

Once the comment period process concludes, LEED 2012 will be balloted in June and launch in November. To vote in the ballot, USGBC members must opt-in to the Consensus Body beginning April 2. The Consensus Body is made up of employees of USGBC national member organizations in good standing, and ensures ballot participation from the full diversity of members who are using LEED in the marketplace. To be eligible to join the Consensus Body and vote in the LEED 2012 ballot, members must be in good standing by March 1, and be maintained throughout the balloting period.

 

• John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
• Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
• Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
• www.Microshield-ES.com

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Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC

HVAC EVALUATION STANDARD FROM IESO/RIA APPROVED BY ANSI

March 12, 2012

On February 15, 2012, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) notified the Indoor Environmental Standards Organization (IESO) of the approval of the IESO/RIA 6001-2011 Evaluation of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Interior Surfaces to Determine the Presence of Fire-Related Particulate as a Result of a Fire in a Structure. This is the first ANSI-approved standard for IESO. It was produced in close cooperation with a committee convened by the Restoration Industry Association (RIA). “The completion of this standard represents the efforts and expertise of many individuals, and we would like to acknowledge the IAQA and IESO Boards of Directors who provided the funding, leadership, staffing and guidance necessary to achieve this important milestone,” said Brad Harr, chairman of the IESO Consensus Body. The standard has been in development since early 2009 and will be used in the field to help determine if fire-related residues have been deposited on HVAC interior surfaces.

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Posted by John P. Lapotaire, CIEC

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