Five key principles for dealing with mould contamination in buildings
- Provide for the health and safety of workers and occupants. Performing mould remediation can expose workers to heath and safety hazards. If performed in an uncontrolled manner, the remediation process may result in a significant increase in the level of airborne contaminants within the contained work area.
- Document the conditions and work processes. An effective mould remediation plan cannot be developed without first determining the extent of contamination to be removed. Enviro works alongside qualified indoor environmental professionals to ensure the job is performed correctly.
- Control the contaminant at its source. When mould spores are aerosolised they become more difficult to capture, so it’s important to apply the right techniques throughout the process. Initial moisture mitigation services may be performed to control mould amplification, while ensuring no further contamination
- does not spread to new areas. Using negative air filtration devices and containment chambers, Enviro seeks to minimise the effect mould can have on the indoor environment.
- Physically remove the contamination. It’s essential to remove mould from the structure and contents and return them to their pre-contamination status. Attempting to simply kill or encapsulate mould will not solve the problem.
- Correct the cause of the moisture problem to prevent recontamination. Moisture issues must be identified, located and corrected or controlled as soon as possible. Successful mould remediation results in the return of the site to reflect a normal fungal ecology in a similar indoor environment. Thorough drying and verification should be completed before reconstruction begins.