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CHAPTER 5 LARGE AREAS AND OTHER SPECIAL CONCERNS Lesson 1Remediating Large Areas of Mold Contamination

For large or complex mold remediation jobs, you may consider hiring professionals who have experience working on large mold remediation projects, particularly since extensive containment and PPE may be needed. Be sure to check references and ensure that the professional has experience working in mold remediation situations. Remediators should follow EPA mold remediation guidance or other government or professional remediation guidance. Building occupants need to be informed about what is going to happen, when it will happen, and how they may be affected.

Containment should be designed to prevent the movement of mold spores from one area of the building to another. This effort usually requires full containment using double layers of polyethylene sheeting and fans to create negative air pressure. A decontamination chamber or airlock should be used to separate the clean areas from the contaminated areas during entry into and exit from the remediation area. The entryways to the airlock from the outside and from the airlock to the main containment area should consist of a slit with covering flaps on the outside surface of each entry. Contaminated PPE, except respirators, should be sealed in bags while inside the containment exit chamber. Workers should wear respirators until they are in the uncontaminated area, where the respirators can be removed. Disposable respirators can be thrown away and re-usable respirators can be put into a bag for cleaning. Full PPE may also be necessary during these operations and may consist of protective clothing and full-face or powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) with HEPA filters. Protective clothing should include head and foot coverings with all gaps sealed with duct tape or the equivalent.