Indoor Air Quality Solutions, IAQS

New Edition! Manual 18 Moisture Control in Buildings: The Key Factor
in Mold Prevention: 2nd Edition

Twenty-eight comprehensive chapters focus on the major issues involved in the process of moisture resistive construction. This one-of-a-kind publication provides the latest and most important information relating to moisture problems in buildings.
Three new chapters have been added to make this the ultimate publication on moisture control:

• Details and Practice
• Quality Management in Design and Construction
• Development of Methods for Assessment of Moisture-Originated Damage

Four sections cover fundamentals, applications, construction principles and recommendations, and implementation.
Order your copy today!

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

The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies when referring to indoor air quality. So remember to look for low VOC or VOC free choices when purchasing common household products. Currently there’s no standard labeling system for VOCs, but many manufacturers offer a low or no VOC option. Formaldehyde, one of the best known VOCs, is surprisingly common in new home construction. Luckily, it happens to be one of the few indoor air pollutants that can be readily measured. Air monitoring is one approach that can help prevent adverse effects of exposure to volatile organic compounds.

One study on formaldehyde and VOC levels utilizing air monitoring found that “the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in new homes decreased markedly after 1 year”. This is due primarily to the off-gassing process which diminishes over time. If you don’t happen to have expensive air monitoring equipment lying around, you could always use your sense of smell. Just remember that not all VOCs are detectable with the human nose.

Preventing Exposure to VOCs

Identify, and if possible, remove the source. If it’s not possible to remove, reduce exposure by using a low or no VOC sealant on surfaces and other furnishings emitting chemicals. You should always increase ventilation during the period of VOC off gassing and consider using an air purifier.

Potentially hazardous products often have warnings aimed at reducing exposure to the user. Many people, however, don’t bother to read the label before every use (guilty as charged). If a label states to use the product in a well-ventilated area, go outdoors, open the windows or work in areas equipped with an exhaust fan. You should always provide the maximum amount of clean air flow possible. This rule applies when you are using petroleum-based products, fuels, hydraulic fluids, paint, thinners, cleaning agents and the like. This also applies to your new carpet, new car, air fresheners and a variety of other surprising sources.

Other preventative measures

Safely disposing of empty containers or those with very little product remaining. – Using products according to the manufacturer’s directions. – Buying in quantities that you may consume quickly to prevent additional exposure from seepage or vapors, like paint VOCs, that may escape from poorly sealed containers. – Keeping products out of the reach of children and pets. – Making every effort to utilize integrated pest management techniques when using pesticides. – Never mixing products unless directed on the label. – Choosing low VOC or VOC free products.

Via the Eco Evaluator

The American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) requested that Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) give guidance for those seeking Florida licensing for mold assessor or remediation – who missed the deadline for grandfathering – but have previously taken an ACAC certification examination.  Their response:

Any applicant, who has taken the ACAC proctored examination and passed in any of the categories already approved by Florida as meeting the Florida standards, will be accepted. However, in order to obtain a Florida license in Mold profession, they must also meet the rest of the Florida requirements as stated in Statute Chapter 468, Part XVI, Florida Statutes

The categories of ACAC proctored examinations approved are the CIE, CIEC and CMC for the Florida Mold Assessor and CMR, CMRS and CIES for the Florida Mold Remediator.

Please call the ACAC staff toll-free at 888-808-8381 for additional information.

An easy, no-cost credit

Like the similar credit, IEQc4.1: Low-Emitting Materials: Adhesives and Sealants, it shouldn’t cost you anything extra to earn this credit—it will just take some work. Your first priority should be to specify only  paints and coatings that comply with the credit’s VOC limits, and enforce those specifications on the jobsite. Research low-VOC paints and coatings before construction begins and provide lists of acceptable materials to contractors to help ensure that the right products are used.

Performance should not be an issue

Major manufacturers offer paints and coatings that are just as durable and perform just as well as their higher-VOC…

Verify Your Information

Don’t allow the use of products that merely claim to be “low VOC.” Everyone specifying and purchasing products must actually find the products’ VOC content in grams per liter (g/L), which is usually found on the product’s technical data sheet or material safety data sheet, and compare that number with VOC limits listed for different uses determined by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule #1113 and Green Seal GS-11 and GS-03.

Only 20% of product cut sheets selected at random need to be uploaded to LEED Online to document this credit although it is best to keep all product cut sheets on file in case the credit is audited.

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

Do It Yourself Mold Test Kits Earn a Not Recommended Rating from Consumer Reports.

If you see or smell mold, you don’t need a test kit to tell you it’s there. Generally, it’s not necessary to identify the species of mold growing in your home, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If mold covers an area less than 10 square feet, you may be able to eliminate the problem yourself. Larger areas require a pro. When we tested the kits below for our report, we found significant shortcomings in all of them, flaws that were serious enough to earn each a “Not Recommended” Rating.

Grandfathering Ended Yesterday!

If you didn’t apply for your Florida Mold License under the Grandfathering clause you’ve run out of time.

The requirements for grandfathering as amended by House Bill 713 include submission of an application to the department by March 1, 2011, whether postmarked or delivered by that date. Applicants must meet the following licensure requirements:

Applicants applying for their Florida Mold Assessor or Mold Remediator License will now be required to either apply through Exam or Endorsement.

1. Mold Assessor – Initial License by Examination

This application is used by individuals who have passed at least one of the examinations offered by The American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC). The department has approved the following examinations: Council-certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE) examination, Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC) examination, and Council-certified Microbial Consultant (CMC) examination.

Application Requirements:

•  EXAMINATION: Individuals seeking licensure as a mold assessor must first take and pass one of the examinations approved by the department and administered by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC), in computer based testing format. To contact the American Council for Accredited Certification please call 1-888-808-8381 or go to the website at http://www.acac.org. Please refer to the application instructions for information regarding the administration of the examination.

•  EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: A copy of a transcript is required demonstrating an Associate of Arts degree or higher with at least 30 credit hours in microbiology, engineering, architecture, industrial hygiene or occupational safety or related field of science from an accredited institution. The applicant must also demonstrate a minimum of 1 year of documented field experience in microbial sampling or investigations, and documented training in water, mold and respiratory protection;

or

a high school diploma and 4 years of experience under the supervision of a Florida licensed mold assessor or remediator. This is not a complete listing of educational and experience requirements. Please see the application instructions page for complete information.

•  FINGERPRINTS: An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process. To learn more about fingerprinting, please visit our fingerprint FAQs.

•  INSURANCE: Applicants for a Mold Assessor license are required to attest that they have obtained general liability and errors and omissions insurance for both preliminary and post remediation mold assessment in the amount of no less than $1 million dollars as determined by statute.

•  FEE: Pay the required fee as provided in the application, payable to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

•  APPLICATION: Complete the application by clicking on the “Printable Application” link at the bottom of the page.

•  MORE INFORMATION: Learn more about this profession’s application requirements (use the back button or arrow to return to this page).

2.  Mold Assessor – Initial License for Out-of-state Applicants (Endorsement)

This application is used by individuals who qualify for licensure by having passed a certification examination offered by a nationally recognized organization that is substantially equivalent to Florida’s examination; or hold a valid license by another state or territory of the United States whose criteria for licensure are substantially equivalent to Florida’s licensing requirements.

Application Requirements:

•  DEFINITION: Endorsement is licensure of individuals who hold a valid license in another state and would like to become licensed in Florida based on their out-of-state license or provide proof of passing a certification examination offered by a nationally recognized organization that certifies persons in mold remediation or assessment, and the examination has been approved by the department as substantially equivalent to Florida’s examination.

•  OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE: Submit proof of licensure in another state whose criteria for licensure are substantially equivalent to Florida’s requirements

or

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATION: Provide proof of passing a certification examination offered by a nationally recognized organization that is substantially equivalent to Florida’s examination that is recognized by the department. If you passed a certification examination by a nationally recognized organization that is substantially equivalent to the Florida’s examination and you do not have an out-of-state license, then you must submit:

•  a copy of a transcript demonstrating an Associate of Arts degree or higher in microbiology, engineering, architecture, industrial hygiene or occupational safety or related field of science from an accredited institution. The applicant must also demonstrate a minimum of 1 year of documented field experience in microbial sampling or investigations;

or

•  a high school diploma and provide proof of 4 years experience under the supervision of a Florida licensed mold assessor or remediator; This is not a complete listing of educational and experience requirements. Please see the application instructions page for complete information.

•  EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: If you passed a certification examination by a nationally recognized organization that is substantially equivalent to the Florida’s examination and you do not have an out-of-state license, then you must submit a copy of a transcript demonstrating an Associate of Arts degree or higher in microbiology, engineering, architecture, industrial hygiene or occupational safety or related field of science from an accredited institution. The applicant must also demonstrate a minimum of 1 year of documented field experience in microbial sampling or investigations;

or

a high school diploma and provide proof of 4 years experience under the supervision of a Florida licensed mold assessor or remediator. This is not a complete listing of educational and experience requirements. Please see the application instructions page for complete information.

•  FINGERPRINTS: An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process. To learn more about fingerprinting, please visit our fingerprint FAQs.

•  INSURANCE: Applicants for a Mold Assessor license are required to attest that they have obtained general liability and errors and omissions insurance for both preliminary and post remediation mold assessment in the amount of $1 million dollars as determined by statute.

•  FEE: Pay the required fee as provided in the application, payable to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

•  APPLICATION: Complete the application by clicking on the “Printable Application” link at the bottom of the page.

•  MORE INFORMATION: Learn more about this profession’s application requirements (use the back button or arrow to return to this page).

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