Mold Remediation Contractor TX State exam, With Complete Solution 2024.

Mold Remediation Contractor TX State exam, With Complete Solution 2024. Can mold be found anywhere? yes, they can grow on virtually any organic substance (food) What is needed for mold to to grow? moisture and oxygen must be present What is the key to mold control? Moisture control According to the EPA, what is the ideal RH? 30 - 50% (below 60%) If water is detected how quickly should it be cleaned and dried to prevent mold growth? within 48 hours What are the EPA regulations for mold? There are no EPA regulations for mold What is PPE? personal protection equipment What is the minimum PPE recommended? N-95 respirator, gloves and eye protection. What should a remediation plan include? 1. Steps to fix the water/moisture problem 2. The use of PPE 3. The steps to contain and remove moldy building materials to avoid spreading What is the remediation manager's highest priority? The protection of the occupants and remediators health and safety. Remediation involves what 3 steps according to the EPA book? 1. Fix the water/humidity problem 2. Continue to communicate with building occupants 3. Completely clean up mold and dry water -damaged areas What are possible locations for hidden mold according to the EPA book? pipe chases, utility tunnels, walls behind furniture, condensate drain pans inside air handler, porous thermal/acoustic liners in duct, roof materials above ceiling tiles What three water (clean) damaged materials are recommended to discard and replace? 1. ceiling tiles 2. cellulose insulation 3. fiberglass insulation What should you do if the building occupants are reporting serious health concerns? Advise them to consult a health professional According to the EPA, what are the 4 clean-up methods? 1. Wet Vacuum 2. Damp-wipe 3. HEPA Vacuum 4. Discard What 2 clean-up methods are the same for concrete or cinder block regardless of the square footage? 1 and 3 - Wet vac or HEPA vac Which clean up method can be used on every piece of material or furnishing affected? 3 - HEPA vacuum For non-porous, hard surfaces such as plastics and metals, regardless of amount, which cleaning methods are recommended. 1,2 and 3 Wet vacuum, damp wipe or HEPA vacuum According to the EPA, why is it recommended to clean up mold? It gradually destroys the things it grows on. How should materials that cannot be salvaged be disposed of? Double bagged using 6 mil poly. Bags must be sealed before disposal to minimize mold dispersion. Large items with heavy mold should be covered with poly sheeting and sealed with duct tape. Is there special disposal instructions once bagged? No, mold can be disposed of like regular garbage. What size surface area is limited containment? 10 to 100 sq feet What size surface area is full containment used? More than 100sf What is a PAPR and when is it recommended? Power air purifying respirator used in full containment situations. It uses a blower to force air through the HEPA filter that is supplied to a mask that covers the entire face. The containment must be maintained by what type of pressure? Negative Double layers of 6 mil poly should be used in what type of containment? Full - surface area greater than 100 square feet What type of containment is recommended in the EPA guidance for 10 to 100sf? Minimum 1. one layer of fire retardant 6mil poly 2. hvac return/supply blocked 3. slit opening and flap on the outside of containment 4. objects being removed must be cleaned/remediated prior to removal 5. the containment is to be ventilated with HEPA ventilation unit exhausted outside the building What containment is recommended for removal of mold by the EPA for greater than 100sf? Full 1. double layers of fire retardant 6 mil poly 2. a decon chamber or airlock constructed for entry into and exit from remediation area (airlock chamber) 3. slit entry with flap 4. should be large enough to hold waste container and allow person to put on/remove PPE, all contaminated PPE should be placed in sealed bag in this chamber, excluding respirators 5. respirators should be worn until outside decon chamber. PPEs must be worn when during full containment? Must be worn throughout the final stages of HEPA vacuuming and damp wiping of the contained area. PPE must also be worn during HEPA vacuum filter changes or cleanup of the HEPA vacuum What are acute reactions to mold? Acute is short term Are severe, immediate reactions usually occurring after a single exposure What are chronic effects of mold exposure? might take days to years to appear and usually from repeated small exposures How does hazardous substance (mold) enter the body? 1. inhalation (breathing) 2. skin absorption 3. ingesting (swallowing) What do the effects of hazardous substances depend on? 1. the chemical/material (what) 2. the concentration (how much) 3. the route of entry (how its taken into the body) 4. the duration of exposure What are the potential health effects of mold? 1. allergic reaction/disease 2. irritant effects 3. infections 4. toxic effects 5. mVocs List the 4 important indoor allergenic molds 1. penicillium 2. aspergillus 3. cladosporium 4. alternaria 3 & 4 are prevalent outdoor molds that can often be found indoors Irritant effects can effect what? eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs Cryptococcus fungus associated with bat droppings Histoplasma fungus associated with bird droppings Blastomyces fungus inhabiting decaying wood Coccidiodes fungus common is S W U.S. soil How many mycotoxins have been identified from common molds? over 200 w/ 450,000 different varieties What are 4 species of common toxigenic molds? stachybotrus, aspergillus, penicillium, fusarium What are mVocs? microbial volatile organic compounds. They are produced by molds and released into the air often having strong/unpleasant odors. Exposure has been linked to symptoms such as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, nausea What are glucans/fungal cell wall components? they are small pieces of cell walls of molds that may cause inflammatory lung and airway reactions What flu-like illness may be a result from the exposure of glucans in dust ODTS - organic dust toxic syndrome (4-12 hrs after exposure) Where is ODTS mainly found in? agricultural and manufacturing settings What is important to remember when dealing with the public? * DO NOT give medical advice to customers, you are not a dr * Tell them to consult a health care provider regarding any health issues they may be experiencing allergen a substance, such as mold, that can cause allergic reactions hypersensitivity great or excessive sensitivity mycotoxin a poisonous substance produced by a fungus and especially a mold pathogenic causing or capable of causing disease toxigenic organism that is able to produce toxin(s) toxic poisonous sensitization single or repeated exposure to an allergen that results in the exposed individual becoming hypersensitive to the allergen What are some allergic responses to mold exposure? sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, skin rash Asthma may be triggered