Definitions
Actual growth: molds that have colonized a substrate, formed fungal mycelia, growth structures and spores; are active or dormant; visible or hidden.
Assessment: a process performed by an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) that includes the evaluation of data obtained from a building history and inspection to formulate an initial hypothesis about the origin, identity, location and extent of amplification of mold contamination. If necessary, a sampling plan is developed, and samples are collected and sent to a qualified laboratory for analysis. The subsequent data is interpreted by the IEP. The IEP or other qualified individual may then develop a remediation plan.
Condition: for the purpose of this Standard, Conditions 1, 2, and 3 are defined for indoor environments relative to mold.
Condition 1 (normal fungal ecology): an indoor environment that may have settled spores, fungal fragments or traces of actual growth whose identity, location and quantity are reflective of a normal fungal ecology for a similar indoor environment. […normal fungal ecology (i.e. types and concentrations of molds typically found in non-water damaged, environmentally well-maintained structures, and reflective of the ecological and climatic elements of the geographical region in which the building is located)]
Condition 2 (settled spores): an indoor environment which is primarily contaminated with settled spores that were dispersed directly or indirectly from a Condition 3 area, and which may have traces of actual growth.
Condition 3 (actual growth): an indoor environment contaminated with the presence of actual mold growth and associated spores. Actual growth includes growth that is active or dormant, visible or hidden.
Contaminated (contamination): the presence of indoor mold growth and/or mold spores, whose identity, location and quantity are not reflective of a normal fungal ecology for similar indoor environments, and which may produce adverse health effects, cause damage to materials and/or adversely affect the operation or function of building systems.
Due diligence: proper care, attention or persistence in doing a thing; such a measure of prudence, activity, or assiduity, as is properly to be expected from, and ordinarily exercised by, a reasonable person under the particular facts and circumstances.
Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP): an individual that is qualified by knowledge, skill, education, training and/or experience to perform an assessment of the fungal ecology of property, systems and contents at a job site, create a sampling strategy, sample the indoor environment, interpret laboratory data and determine Condition 1, 2 and 3 status for the purpose of establishing a scope of work and verifying the return of the fungal ecology to a Condition 1 status.
Materially interested parties: an individual or entity substantially and directly affected by the mold remediation project.
Mold: a common term for filamentous fungi, often seen as a superficial or “wooly” growth of long chains of fungi cells formed on damp organic materials. Toxigenic molds may produce a potentially harmful substance called a mycotoxin. Mold growth can degrade materials and present potential health risks to humans.
Post-remediation evaluation: an inspection performed by a remediator after a remediation project, which may include visual and/or olfactory methodologies to confirm that the remediation process has been completed.
Post-remediation verification: an inspection and assessment performed by an IEP after a remediation project, which may include visual, olfactory and/or sampling methodologies to verify that the building, system or contents have been returned to a Condition 1 status.
Preliminary determination: a conclusion drawn from the collection, analysis and summary of information obtained during an initial inspection and evaluation to identify areas of moisture intrusion and actual or potential mold growth.
Standard of care: practices that are common to reasonably prudent members of the trade who are recognized in the industry as qualified and competent.