AKAM Associates holds mold seminar. (Transcripts).

In response to growing public concern of possible health risks regarding mold and other environmental issues, AKAM Associates, Inc. invited a leading environmental protection and service expert to discuss Potential hazards such as mold, asbestos and lead, in addition to recommended remediation and removal techniques at an AKAM superintendent's club meeting on Nov. 8 at an upper East side client property, announces Leslie Kaminoff, CEO.

"If you don't know what you're doing, you can make the situation worse," warned guest speaker Joshua Sarett of ALC Environmental, as he launched his discussion of potential environmental hazards. When scraping paint, he advised the 70 AKAM super-intendents in attendance, removal must be according to regulatory guidelines. If the paint contains lead, this will minimize airborne dust particles that can pose a health risk, especially to children and pregnant women.

Asbestos, another environmental concern, is mainly found in boiler rooms, on pipes, in floor and ceiling tiles and in plaster. Only qualified asbestos contractors should remove asbestos, especially if it is "friable" (can be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder by hand pressure.)

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the governmental watchdog, levies heavy fines to those that violate the strict regulations concerning asbestos removal and remediation. Proper permits must be applied for before any work begins, including private work in an individual apartment.

Mold, is currently receiving a great deal of press due to an infestation of epidemic proportions in Texas, Louisiana and the southwest. This proliferation of mold has been caused by excessive flooding the last few years exacerbated by the use of dense building materials in new construction that do not breathe.

There are more than 100,000 species of mold but only a few are toxic. A toxic mold gives off spores or micro-toxins. These airborne particles can be inhaled and cause a variety of respiratory and allergic reactions. Because mold needs water to grow, it is advisable to routinely inspect bathrooms and kitchens and other locations with excessive humidity. It is important to conduct a visual inspection within 48 to 72 hours after fixing a leaking pipe or roof, as that is all the time that is needed for mold to start growing.