Jim Pearson

Q: What do you enjoy most about mold remediation?

A: Mold remediation is meaningful, rewarding and exciting work! Not only do we contribute to saving properties by preventing further deterioration; we get the opportunity to help our clients feel better by professionally removing a contaminant that may be making them sick or preventing them from healing.  

Q: What are the top tools mold remediation professionals should have in their toolbox?

A: Adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), job knowledge and the desire to be thorough. Some of the other tools include a thermal IR cam, a good pin plus RF moisture content meter, and HEPA-filtered vacuuming, cutting and sanding tools.

Q: What are the most common missteps or misconceptions you see related to mold remediation?

A: There are several misconceptions about remediating mold properly. A big one is resisting the urge to dry the structure (and even contents) before remediating the mold. Blowing air on mold only serves to spread the contamination. Over the years, our industry has changed its position on water damage versus mold remediation. The new edition of the ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration prescribes the correct sequence: Remove the mold, then dry the structure and contents.

Another myth is believing that all black mold is toxic mold. It is not. Further, after finally realizing that “putting bleach on mold” is not recommended for a number of reasons, the industry has recently seen a proliferation of spray-applied products being used as a one-step solution for proper mold remediation. Most of these chemicals are great for appearance enhancement as described in the industry’s Standard of Care. They are designed to be effective when used as directed. This may include HEPA vacuuming, washing, sanding or scrubbing in order to comply with the ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation, which calls for physically removing the source (mold).

For years, manufacturers have worked hard to provide an answer to the age-old question from our customer, “Can’t you just spray something on it to kill it?” But even if one could really “kill” mold spores, they remain an allergen, and if they are of the toxic variety, they are still toxigenic because allergens and toxins (poisons) are not alive and, therefore, cannot be killed.

Mold remediation technicians need to understand that mold spores can float in the air for days and are invisible. The number of spores amplifies dramatically when disturbed, even by the air currents caused as they walk by the contamination. They also need to know that mold contamination must be physically removed and the conditions leading to the formation of the mold (water) must be corrected.

Q: What key steps should mold remediation contractors take to keep themselves safe during projects?

A: Determine the risk factors before you start the job. Be alert for the presence of hazardous materials and make a plan to deal with them. Take a history from the client and ask if there have been any recent leaks or floods and see if family members (or employees) have unexplained illnesses or other health issues that could be related to exposure to elevated levels of mold. Don’t try to be a hero. Always err on the side of safety and wear PPE appropriate to the project.

Q: Can you highlight your most memorable mold removal project and why it stands out?

A: My most memorable mold removal project was being a large-loss consultant after Hurricane Maria devastated the north coast of Puerto Rico. This project stands out in my memory because it became clear to me that everyone looks at mold contamination from different perspectives depending on what country or region they are from. In this case it was nearly impossible to impress upon the local workers on the island that exposure to mold can be dangerous and the wearing of proper PPE is essential to protecting oneself during remediation. In fact, a common saying when a worker was suffering from an allergic reaction to mold was, “Oh, it’s just a mold cold.”

Q: What are your top predictions and/or hopes for the near future of mold remediation?

A: I predict there will be a greater emphasis placed on mold and mycotoxins and how they can impact our health and our indoor air quality in general. The impact of mold exposure on our daily lives can be significant. While some people will never be convinced that human exposure to elevated levels of mold is a big deal, others are genuinely concerned that coming into contact with any type or amount of mold can make them very sick or even kill them. I think we will see a wider understanding of the true challenges caused by excessive exposure to mold as more of us become aware of the facts, and the fiction surrounding tomorrow’s mold issues. Doctors certainly should be taking mold contamination more seriously instead of relegating it to naturopaths for solutions. The mold remediation industry would do well to study the S520 standard and take better precautions to avoid harming our clients.

Q: What key resources do you turn to for continued education in mold remediation?

A: As the amount of new information, both real and fictitious, continues to increase, we tend to latch onto what sounds right to us, and we apply it to our belief system. With so much more information available to today’s technicians and supervisors, it is easy to get sidetracked by claims of new, improved, cheaper and faster ways to resolve mold issues. I tend to be skeptical about claims of products or methods that “kill” mold forever and your problem is resolved after applying a solution. I like to keep the basics in the forefront of my mind. For example, the five principles of remediation detailed in the ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation are the foundation on which the Standard of Care for remediation is built. Other great resources include IICRC and other professional teaching organizations with sanctioned training courses, AIHA’s “Green Book”, New York City’s Department of Health’s Guidelines, OSHA, EPA, and online forums and chat groups among many others.