Modern Solutions Inc.

There are distinct differences between people that work with mold contamination, namely inspectors, remediators and hygienists. There can also be some similarities or overlaps depending on their individual areas of training. This article will help you understand some of the differences and similarities.

Industrial Hygienists

Industrial hygienists are specialists who tend to approach mold primarily from the scientific perspective. They take samples of visual mold, as well as, perform air sampling for mold and other indoor air contaminants. These samples can then be sent to a laboratory for analysis. When mold is analyzed, the lab can determine the genus (type) of the mold, and through more extensive examination, the exact species. As a result, the analysis can determine if the mold is allergenic, pathogenic, toxigenic, or a combination of these. This information can lend consideration as to how a given mold may be affecting the occupants of a building. This mold analysis is most commonly performed through two methods; microscopy and culturing.

Microscopy can identify the genus of a mold, but it is not perfect science because some of the molds will appear visually the same under a microscope. Microscopy is still however the preferred method of sampling because it is the least expensive and offers speedy analysis.

Culturing is the process of growing mold in a Petri dish, which can then determine its genus, as well as, identify subspecies within a genus. Culturing is typically more costly and takes considerably longer to obtain results. The growth of mold cannot be rushed.

Although the sampling of mold can yield valuable information, in many cases analysis of mold is unnecessary. The primary reasons I perform mold sampling during mold investigations are: 1) When an individual has been experiencing health problems which are suspected to be related to mold exposure. 2) In cases of potential litigation involving real-estate transactions or disputes between landlords and tenants. 3) To help ascertain whether a significant mold contamination problem is a do-it-yourself project or whether professional remediation should be considered. Beyond this, approaching mold from the scientific angle is often meaningless and a waste of financial resources that could be used for proper inspection or remediation.

Largely as a result of general indoor air quality in commercial buildings and testing of biologically contaminated surfaces, there are now many trained industrial hygienists. As concerns have risen over indoor mold contamination, most industrial hygienists were right there to welcome this new increase in business through sampling and analysis fees.

To their credit, industrial hygienists have more scientific knowledge regarding indoor air contaminants than anyone else; however, industrial hygienists generally do not perform remediation (safe removal) of mold. Further, they are typically not trained in the area of building construction and performance in order to determine the conditions that cause indoor mold growth.

While industrial hygienists certainly have a place in the arena of indoor mold contamination, in my opinion they should be the last people to call in cases of mold contamination. Due to the marketability of mold testing, I am sure some would readily disagree with my opinion.

Mold Remediators

To remediate mold, means to provide a “remedy” for mold contamination. While some remediators will also perform mold sampling, remediation has nothing to do with the scientific aspects of mold, but rather the practical. In other words, if you have mold, quit worrying about what kind it is; just get rid of it.

There can be many remedies for mold contamination. These can range from simple do-it-yourself projects, to areas of contamination that should never be considered without proper training and special equipment. The latter obviously is where the mold remediators are required.

In general, mold remediators are professionally trained in the finer art of mold removal. The remediators are the people you call to lay out the strategic plans for the safe removal of mold contamination where seriously infected areas are of concern. Professional remediation can be costly because of the training, equipment, and protocol involved. The knowledge, equipment and protocol are essential to preventing mold contamination from spreading further around a building. One must remember that mold is opportunistic and can spread like cancer throughout a building.

Many of the remediation companies that have performed asbestos abatement over the years already owned the special equipment required to safely remove mold. This is due to the similarities between asbestos fibers and mold related spores and hyphal matter. In light of the airtight construction methods of today, many of these companies are now performing far more mold remediation projects than asbestos abatement. It was actually quite helpful that they were already positioned for this new (and I believe more serious) health concern.

Mold remediators will often know more about building design than industrial hygienists, and depending on the remediation company, can sometimes be more helpful in determining structural conditions that caused the mold contamination in the first place.

Mold Inspectors

Like industrial hygienists and remediators, some building inspectors now offer mold sampling along with their services, however, very few building inspectors are currently professional mold inspectors. As discussed above, there is a distinct difference between simply taking mold samples, and knowing how to inspect a building for mold.

Professional building inspectors have the greatest amount of knowledge regarding construction; specifically construction defects and inadequacies. They understand construction techniques, drainage grading, roofing, siding, mechanical systems, plumbing, ventilating, etc., and better understand how all of these components are supposed to work in harmony as a system. Properly trained, professional building inspectors will become the best resource for people with mold contamination problems. They will be able to locate areas of mold contamination, determine the cause or combination of causes, provide do-it-yourself cleanup information when applicable, or prepare a report for professional remediation companies and other necessary contractors to use as a guide.

Unlike industrial hygiene and remediation, there are no professional training programs available for mold inspection. Building inspectors who are also knowledgeable enough to perform mold inspections are currently difficult to find. In fact, I have received calls from people suffering from mold exposure in other states who cannot find a mold inspector to help them on a practical level.

After working with so many people suffering from mold exposure, some to the point that they can no longer live in their own homes, I have with passion and a sense professional obligation, been developing a formal training program for professional building inspectors. This training will help the building inspectors to help homeowners solve minor mold contamination problems and their causes, before they spread or become costly to resolve. Ascertaining the causes of mold contamination is more than half of the battle. The inspectors will also be able to help homeowners understand when they should not attempt mold remediation on their own, but should call in the professional remediators.

Both Phase I and Phase II mold inspection training programs with the detailed investigation forms are already developed and the exam is forthcoming. There are many inspectors awaiting this training program which will begin this coming spring. Once trained, there will be no one group of individuals who will be better qualified to help homeowners with mold contamination problems. The mold inspection training program will also be offered to remediators and industrial hygienists.

by Building Inspector and Indoor Air Specialist, Dan Schilling
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