MOLD INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Molds and mold spores can be found almost anywhere, both indoors and outdoors. They are a ubiquitous, natural part of our environment. However, when excessive moisture is present in buildings or on building materials, mold growth can occur indoors.

It is not possible to completely eliminate mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture, responding promptly to water leaks and providing adequate ventilation.

Here are some helpful resources on mold in the indoor environment:

General Information and Guidance

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)

• AIHA FAQs About Spore Trap Air Sampling for Mold for Direct Examination - May 2019
• AIHA Position Statement On Mold and Dampness in the Built Environment
• Facts About Mold

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1- Latest Version - Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-Latest Version - Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy
• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2-Latest Version - Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings
• ASHRAE Technical FAQs – IAQ

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• General Mold Information
• Basic Mold Facts
• Facts about Mold and Dampness - General Buildings
• Preventing Occupational Respiratory Disease in Damp Buildings
• Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool - School Buildings

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• General Mold Information
• Basic Mold Information and Resources
• A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
• Moisture Control - Guidance for Building Design, Construction and Maintenance
• Interactive Mold House Tour
• Indoor Air Quality

National Toxicology Program (NTP)

• Mold Fact Sheet

Navy & Marine Corps Public Health Center

• Navy Indoor Environmental Quality - Mold Sampling Policy in Navy Buildings
• Mold Sampling and Home Test Kit
• Industrial Hygiene Field Operations Manual
• IH Topics - IEQ
• Mold Fact Sheet - NMCPHC

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Safety and Health Topics - Mold
• Preventing Mold-Related Problems in the Indoor Workplace
• A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace

Clinicians

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI)

• American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology
• Mold Allergy Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Management 

Environmental Protection Agency Clinician Guidance

• Environmental Protection Agency Clinician Guidance

Institute of Medicine (IOM)

• Damp Indoor Spaces and Health

University of Connecticut Health Center

• Guidance for Clinicians on the Recognition and Management of Health Effects Related to Mold Exposure and Moisture Indoors
• Bioaerosols and Mold and Moisture Publications and Guides

World Health Organization (WHO)

• Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality Dampness and Mould

State Resources

• Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors
• Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Mold Remediation and Inspection De-Regulation
• California – Mold and Dampness
• New York – Mold and Your Home: What you need to know
• Minnesota Department of Health

Laboratory Accreditation Information

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)

• Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program (EMLAP)

Mold Cleaning and Remediation Guidance

Cleanup and Mold Prevention

• EPA
  • Flood Cleanup: Protecting Indoor Air Quality
  • Water Damage - Cleanup and Mold Prevention
  • Mold Cleanup
• CDC
  • Cleanup and Remediation Resources
• Navy & Marine Corps Public Health Center
  • Industrial Hygiene Field Operations Manual
  • Mold Wheel

Duct Cleaning

• EPA - Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?
• North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA)
• National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)
• American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

What You Can Do to Reduce Exposure to Allergens

• EPA Tour the Indoor Air Quality House
• AAAAI- National Allergy Bureau - Accurate Pollen and Mold Levels
• AAAAI - Humidifiers and Indoor Allergies
• AAAAI - Indoor Allergens: Tips to Remember
• AAAAI - Managing Indoor Allergen Culprits
• AAAAI - Outdoor Allergens: Tips to Remember
• AAAAI - What is allergy testing?