Much can be done to address mold contamination. (Insiders Outlook).

Mold contamination has recently become the cause of rising public concern. Even though the issue of mold has been around for decades--it appears now that the growing public awareness fueled by news media sources is starting to galvanize a demand by both commercial and residential dwellers for mold-free environments and workplaces. In 2002, much more can be done in terms of identifying and measuring the levels of mold contamination, and with improvements in the remediation process.

The increased awareness has accounted for a proliferation of tenant-landlord and employee mold exposure litigation. As a result, building management of both residential and commercial properties are now compelled to get up to speed very quickly in dealing with this newly emerging issue. A number of our clients in the metropolitan area have expressed concern and have now enrolled in our mold training courses to learn more about how to determine and minimize the impact of mold in their buildings.

Unfortunately, the awareness of mold and its multiple hazards has not been given the priority attention that, for example, the asbestos issue has received over the past 15 years. In the case of asbestos, the widely acknowledged dangers (which received vast news media attention) led to a series of laws and regulations through multiple levels of government with oversight/enforcement agencies. However this past year, New York Sen. Carl Marcellino formed a task force to develop legislation designed to clear the air about mold contamination, insurance coverage, and property managers. Also, New York Superintendent of Insurance Greg Serio, is an active member of the "mold contamination advocacy community.

Mold contamination not only creates a serious health hazard with a variety of ongoing illnesses, infections, and disease--its presence can lower the value of the real estate in question. What can be done to identify mold, measure its potentially damaging effects, and keep the situation under control?

Mold is often encountered after flooding, catastrophic damage, or as a result of construction defects or damage to building components which allow moisture to be trapped within a building. Since mold can often be contained beyond visible areas it is difficult to control these potential risks from underneath floors, inside walls, and in HVAC systems without the help of professionals. Recently there have been a great deal of innovative approaches and technology applied to the accurate investigation and remediation of mold contamination such as the use of fiber optic cameras and the use of robotic cameras to view the interior of HVAC ducts that can view inaccessible areas with minimal damage to interior structures and fixtures.

In order to prevent further contamination the source of moisture should be eliminated and comprehensive structural drying should be performed by qualified professionals. Should a building become mold contaminated there are ways to successfully remediate a condition either by removal of contaminated materials by specialized containment and decontamination procedures or by using advanced anti microbial agents and encapsulates to kill and inhibit regrowth of mold. Remediation workers should be qualified and well experienced in not only remediation techniques but also in hazardous materials. Thus, a company that is experienced in environmental remediation and insurance restoration has the combination of skills to not only eliminate but take care of the underlying condition that causes mold growth in the first place. The building manager need not be daunted by the fact that they find a large amount of mold contamination in air shafts and HVAC systems; there are companies that are, by virtue of their equipment and large teams of trained personnel capable of properly remediating mold in these types of areas.