2021 RIA Mold Remediation Refresher Class Outline

This year, the eight-hour class will address six main topic areas. Ample time will be provided for participant questions related to mold, regardless of whether the questions are tied to one of the specific sections, so that all attendees can have their specific concerns addressed.

For 2021 the mold remediation refresher class will focus on:

  1. Industry overview
    1. Mold myths
    2. Update of mold remediation while dealing with COVID 19
    3. Evaluating HVAC add-ons for virus & mold control
      1. Filtration
      2. ultraviolet light (UV) - also known as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI)
      3. polar/bipolar ionization
      4. electrostatic precipitators
      5. hydroxyl radical generators
      6. ozone generators
  2. Health impacts
    1. Allergic, irritant, poisonous, and infectious problems
    2. Mold sensitization
      1. Is it real?
      2. Is it genetic?
      3. Does it really debilitate people?
      4. How does remediation for sensitized individuals differ from “regular” remediation?
    3. Mold treatments
      1. Drug therapies
      2. Diet changes (alkaline foods, sugar restrictions, herbs, probiotics)
      3. Detox methods (sauna, exercise, chelation)
  3. Sampling
    1. Tools/equipment
    2. Choosing the proper sampling and analytical techniques for specific situations
    3. Discussion of the pros and cons of ERMI sampling
      1. Review of the various collection and interpretation methods for such samples
    4. The importance of knowing the endpoint for the project before it begins
      1. The “one spore” debate; should a single stachybotrys spore in an air or surface sample trigger additional remediation efforts.
  4. Remediation procedures/standard of care
    1. Recognizing the importance of characterizing projects according to the three conditions described in the S520 standard
      1. Condition 2, the forgotten problem with many remediation projects.
    2. Remediation chemicals
      1. Cleaners, antimicrobials, stain removers, dust suppressants, surface protectants
      2. Using antimicrobial chemicals properly for mold remediation
      3. Is “chemical removal” of fungal sources possible? Effective? Within the standard of care?
  5. Isolation/engineering controls
    1. The growing use of hard barriers for mold remediation
      1. STARC system
      2. Polycarbonate walls
    2. Negative air V. air scrubbing
      1. The value of fitting air scrubbers with tails
    3. Revisiting the question of NAM operation during final clearance sampling.
  6. Work Practices
    1. Source removal V. in place remediation
      1. “dry” fog
      2. Chlorine dioxide
      3. Surface cleaners