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EE&G Companies, lead based paint, EE&G
by Olga Loreto Olga Loreto No Comments

Removing Lead-Based Paint With Abatement Methods

Lead abatement is an activity to reduce levels of lead, particularly in the home environment, generally to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards, in order to reduce or eliminate incidents of lead poisoning.

Lead abatement may be undertaken in response to orders by state or local government. It requires specialized techniques that local construction contractors typically do not have. It includes activities such as lead-based paint inspections, risk assessments, and lead-based paint removal.

In the United States, lead abatement activities are regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  Lead abatement companies are governed by the EPA and the EPA requires individuals and firms that conduct lead-based paint activities, including abatement, to be licensed. The lead abatement company, its supervisors, and all of the workers have to take classes and receive a certificate of completion. State agencies work with the EPA to enforce state and federal laws.

Lead abatement is distinguished from Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) programs, which are typically performed at the option of the property owner for aesthetic or other reasons, or as an interim control to minimize lead hazards. RRP programs are not designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards.

The Process

Prior to beginning work, a lead abatement service firm should notify EPA of the work being planned. The notification notice should include:

    • Type of notification — either original or updated
    • The expected start date of lead abatement activities
    • The expected completion date of lead abatement activities
    • Name, address, contact numbers, and certification of the firm performing abatement
    • Property name or project description
    • Type of structure where lead abatement will be carried out
    • Location of the project including units being worked on and their respective id number
    • Copy of documentation showing lead abatement emergency order (if applicable)
    • Name and EPA certification number of the project supervisor
  • Total square feet to be abated
  • Description of the lead abatement activities that will be performed
  • Signature of the representative of the certified firm
EE&G Companies, EE&G, mold remediation protocol
by Olga Loreto Olga Loreto No Comments

What is a Mold Remediation Protocol?

A Mold Remediation Protocol is typically written when items or areas have been identified containing an unacceptable amount or type of mold and a client requires an industry-recognized method of removal or cleaning instructions.

Before a Mold Remediation Protocol is written, a mold assessment is conducted by a qualified Mold Assessor (some States have licensure requirements). The information that is gathered, which includes but not limited to; a site visit, client interviews, room drawings, temperature & Relative Humidity readings, cause & origin, and sampling (where applicable), are used in the report generation.

Though no federal standards have been set for mold remediation, industry guidance and practices have been established. Those are:

  • The United States Environmental Protection Agency (2001). Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings (EPA Publication No. 402-K-01-001). Washington DC: US EPA
  • American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (1999). Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control. ISBN: 882417-29-1 Cincinnati OH: ACGIH
  • New York City Department of Health (2000) Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments. New York New York: New York City Department of Health
  • Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (2003, 2004, 2008). Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation. Vancouver, WA: IICRC S520
  • American Industrial Hygiene Association (2008). Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Indoor Mold. Fairfax, VA: AIHA
  • American Industrial Hygiene Association (2005). Field Guide for the Determination of Biological Contaminants in Environmental Samples. Fairfax, VA: AIHA
  • American Council for Accredited Certification. CIE, CMI, CMR. Glendale, AZ: ACAC.

Who should have a Mold Remediation Protocol Written?

Any entity that is going to have work performed where mold has been identified either visually or by a qualified Mold Assessor.

What is performed with a Mold Remediation Protocol?

Interview – Review, and discussion with an authorized representative of the Property of current conditions which has led to the claim.

Site Assessment – A physical site assessment of the Property in the area(s) of concern to visually assess the damage(s), retrieve temperature and RH readings, take air and direct samples for mold (if applicable), and gather room dimension to create room/floor drawings to identify the location(s) of concern.

  • Air Sampling – The purpose of non-viable spore trap air sampling is to provide an approximation of the airborne microbial (fungal) spore concentrations. A minimum of one control sample is typically taken outside the most commonly used entrance into the building, then one or more air samples are collected in the areas of concern within the building. Elevated airborne spore concentrations may indicate an indoor microbial reservoir(s), or that cleaning of personal effects or the HVAC system(s), is a necessary component of a microbial remediation plan.
  • Direct sampling – The purpose of direct sampling is to identify the type and concentration of microbial spores present on affected materials identified with suspect visible microbial growth. The sampling results are also used for reference for source contamination when air samples are taken.

Non-Scope Items – include visual identification and records review for:

  • Asbestos-Containing Building Materials (ACM)
  • Lead-Based Paint
  • Fire Reduction Chemicals

Qualifications: No federal guidelines exist at this time. However, some states have placed requirements for licensed Mold Assessors and Mold Remediators. For those States that do not have specific requirements, it is recommended that you use a person who:

  • Has taken a minimum of 24 hours of mold assessment and remediation courses,
  • Follows one or more of the recognized industry guidelines and practices, and
  • Acquires, at a minimum, 8 Continuing Educational Units (CEUs) bi-annually.

A person not meeting one or more of those qualifications may assist in the conduct of a Mold Remediation Protocol if the individual is under the direct supervision or responsible charge of a person meeting the minimum qualifications.

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