contractor success Meddling With Mold Understanding the nuances of mold is paramount in successfully ridding it from surfaces. By: Aaron Baunee, managing editor G Given the right environmental conditions, it is something with the potential to cultivate and grow in any facility. And, if it is not remediated quickly and thoroughly, it can fester and cause malodor-ous problems, sicken building occupants and damage building materials. This multicellular fungal enemy we dare not speak of is none other than mold. Common and harmless or toxic and black, the presence of mold has the poten-tial to soil the image of a facility and cause countless headaches for those tasked with interceding its existence. With over 100,000 known types of mold — roughly 1,000 of which can be found in the United States — chances are good that you will encounter it in some capacity while on the job. Remediation According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), while it is pos-sible, there is no practical way to completely remove all of the mold spores in an indoor environment. As such, it is vital that surfaces be cleaned regularly and the moisture of the indoor environment be controlled to inhibit the opportunities for mold spores to incubate. Image courtesy of 3M Utilizing the proper PPE can be the difference between a routine day on the job and serious long-term health problems. 38 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • March 2011
CMM – Archives Mar 2011: 38
