Mold Cleanup: The Need for Personal Protective Equipment
by Paul Cochrane

When property owners or tenants of buildings are faced with mold growth in their structure the situation must be handled carefully and methodically. Since mold and other microbial contaminants may cause severe allergenic reactions in some individuals and may cause infection in immuno-compromised individuals, the removal and cleanup of any microbial contamination should not be taken lightly.

If mold cleanup is improperly handled, the situation can actually be made worse by the dispersal of mold spores during the cleaning process. The dispersal of these spores can also put the persons directly involved with cleaning the mold at greatest risk since they are in closest contact.

Before discussing how to properly protect one?s self using personal protective equipment when cleaning mold and other microbial contaminants there are three key points to consider:

* First, microbial contamination will not happen unless there is a moisture problem from leaks or other water sources which could include excess humidity. If the cause of this moisture is not rectified, in all likelihood, the mold will return.

* Second, just because a small amount of mold is visible to the naked eye the actual mold problem behind walls, below carpets and in other hidden areas that are not within eye sight could be exponentially greater. When in doubt, or faced with more than a small amount of mold contamination, call in a reputable professional to handle the problem.

* Third, many porous materials such as carpeting and ceiling tiles may have to be appropriately discarded since mold will grow into porous materials and can contaminate more than just the surface of the materials.

When cleaning contaminated areas it is easy to create a bigger problem than the one that you are attempting to fix if spores are aerosolized during the cleaning process and disrupted during the removal of any porous materials.

Avoiding exposure to the individuals involved in cleaning and those in surrounding areas is very important. When cleaning an area it is important to try to contain any spores and materials in an enclosed area. The affected area should be closed off from uncontaminated areas by sealing off the area with the appropriate gauge plastic sheeting or other nonporous materials to minimize the aerosolizing of the mold spores. This process is appropriately called ?containment? and is an absolutely critical step in a properly designed project protocol.

Individuals involved with the cleaning process must wear gloves to prevent dermal contact with the microbial contamination. These gloves can be latex gloves, although some individuals are allergic to latex. Another alternative is nitrile gloves which do not contain latex. Ideally these gloves should cover the entire hand and forearm.

To avoid breathing in mold spores one should wear an N-95 rated respirator. These can be found at most hardware stores. Full face respirators are recommended and give greater protection to the face. If a full face respirator is not used then the use of goggles (along with a half-face respirator) that do not have ventilation holes are strongly recommended to protect the eyes.

Polypropylene shoe covers are also available that are disposable and can prevent not only contamination getting on one?s shoes but can also be removed to prevent contaminating clean areas while walking through them. Full body Tyvek suits are also a consideration and should be worn at all times when confronted with a microbial situation. These suits will prevent clothing from becoming contaminated and can also be removed before entering clean areas to prevent cross contamination.

The preceding suggestions propose ways to prevent exposure during the cleaning of moldy areas. It is very important that when faced with a mold contamination problem that the root cause of the moisture be resolved to prevent new microbial growth and that if in doubt a mold professional be involved to properly handle the situation. Should you encounter this type of situation call in a professional such as Global Prevention Services who are professionally trained to identify, resolve, and prevent these types of microbial problems.

The Global Prevention Services Solution

Global Prevention Services has been in the forefront of treating buildings with mold problems and providing preventive mold solutions to residential and commercial facilities for years. The company provides unprecedented final results (validated by 3rd-party testing of the client?s choice) in a process that is also the least disruptive option available. The service is inherently the fastest path to a complete solution and due to its reduced labor component is far less expensive than conventional and flawed alternatives. To learn more about how Global Prevention Services can help prevent or resolve your microbial issues please call 877.NoMold5, email info@NoMold.com or visit www.NoMold.com for your no cost phone evaluation.

Company Name: Global Prevention Services
Website: www.NoMold.com
Author: Paul Cochrane
E-Mail: info@nomold.com
Address: 7950 E. Acoma Dr., Ste. 100
City: Scottsdale
State: AZ
Zip: 85260