Cleaning Procedures for Mold

Successful cleaning of mold requires an understanding of the location of contamination and the reason why fungal growth initially occurred. In buildings with extensive moisture damage, the extent of hidden mold colonization is almost always greater than that which is readily visible in the occupied space. In buildings with extensive moisture damage it is generally necessary to open up and inspect representative structural components in order to estimate the extent of mold growth to be removed by cleaning. Basic steps in mold cleaning include the physical removal of colonized materials, the removal of associated dusts and debris, the prevention of dusts and spores generated during clean-up from entering occupied or clean areas, and the use of appropriate protective equipment by knowledgeable clean-up workers. When surfaces are cleaned emphasis must be placed on thorough physical removal of dusts and mold residues rather than on use of microbicidal agents.

A clear pathway for data evaluation including an informed inspection should precede any sampling performed in buildings including those undergoing cleaning. The limitations of the sampling methods should be understood (e.g., a negative air sampling result does not prove the absence of hidden growth in a wall cavity). The procedures used to clean mold are highly influenced by variables such as the kind of occupant (e.g., very conservative guidelines are used for cleaning of mold in health care centers), the kind of building (e.g., generally more wood framing is used in residential building), or kinds of materials in a building (e.g., library and archival materials are difficult to clean). Special protocols are needed for mold cleaning in these different types of buildings. Finally, the ultimate success of mold cleaning is dependent upon prevention of leaks and dampness that can lead to new growth.

Remediation of Mold in Buildings