Mold remediation history. Well, it goes back to the Bible, in Leviticus... The history of mold remediation, "goes back to the Bible" states Kevin Bristol a mold remediation specialist and president of his...
The history of mold remediation, "goes back to the Bible" states Kevin Bristol a mold remediation specialist and president of his own mold removal company. So, mold removal guidelines, though archaic, go back centuries. Currently, mold removal or remediation is not regulated by the United States government, but that may come in the future. Some states do have their own guidelines and certification requirements. This article will tell a little bit about what we know about the mold removal profession.
A house that has mold in it, depending on how severe, may need the assistance of a mold remediation professional. These houses are often referred to as 'sick houses'. Kevin Bristol tells about the story in the chapter of Leviticus in the Bible that tells homeowners what steps they need to take if they find mold in their home; "basically, it says if mold takes over a house, the residents need to remove the area that is bad leave the house and wait three days, come back, and if the mold has returned then the house should be burned." "So mold remediation has been going on for thousands of years. You just didn't call it remediation back then. But as far as abatement of molds, I would say it has always been there, just not in a fashion where it was really controlled" conveys Bristol.
As far as guidelines from the United States Government for mold removal, "there are no real guidelines by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)" advises Bristol. In other words, there is no governing body that sets exact guidelines that have to be followed like there is for asbestos removal, but there are credible agencies that give recommendations. The U.S. Department of Labor O.S.H.A. division has a brief guideline on mold removal but right at the beginning it states, "This Safety and Health Information Bulletin is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. The Bulletin is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist building managers, custodians, and others who are responsible for building maintenance. Contractors and other professionals, who respond to mold and moisture situations in buildings, as well as members of the general public, also may want to refer to these guidelines." Though there may a lack of legal or specific guidelines nationally there are many states and other countries around the world that are beginning to require professionals to take tests and receive certifications to become a mold removal specialists or company. There is also plenty of National and International agencies and groups that help regulate, set standards and license this profession. For example, people conducting mold assessment or mold remediation in the state of Texas are required to get a state license as of January 1, 2005. Before you can get a state license you must take and pass an exam. There are different levels of certification in Texas, for example you can apply as a mold analysis laboratory, or as a mold assessor contractor or removal specialist.
As mold growth becomes more and more common and when the public realizes the health risks involved in being exposed to mold we will find the need for government intervention. Therefore, in the future there may be set standards and laws on mold removal from the federal government. This will happen when legal standards need to be made to protect the consumer, contractors, insurance agencies and the government.
