Mold - Facilities
The best action to control mold growth is to control moisture within a space. This moisture may be a result of water incursions through external or internal sources, when materials in spaces are wet for extended periods of time, or when humidity levels within a building are not properly controlled. Repairing sources of water intrusion and repairing improperly functioning HVAC systems are the priority to ensure that environments conducive to mold growth do not exist. Ways to mitigate future mold issues include:
- Wet building materials should be dried within 48 hours
- Water leaks should be repaired immediately
- Relative humidity levels in buildings should be below 50%
If conditions conducive to mold growth are identified, EHS will work closely with Facilities Services to ensure that these conditions are addressed and remediation takes place. The following are general guidelines for mold cleanup projects:
- Mold growth on non-porous surfaces (plastic, vinyl, glass, sealed wood/concrete) should be cleaned with a mild detergent. Biocides are not usually recommended for indoor cleanups except under special circumstances.
- Small areas (<10 square feet) of porous materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation and carpet can not be satisfactory cleaned and must be discarded. These materials should be lightly misted prior to demolition to avoid spore and dust dispersal.
- Large areas (>10 square feet) may require additional resources and must be coordinated with EHS.
- Mold contaminated materials are not regulated and may be disposed of as regular waste. It should be contained in plastic and removed directly from the work area within the building.