Once mold has grown in a building, it has to be removed (also referred to as mold remediation or mold abatement). There are various mold removal guidelines:

• Mould Guidelines for the Canadian Construction Industry (2004): by Canadian Construction Association.
• Mould Abatement Guidelines (2004): by Environmental Abatement Council of Ontario (EACO).
• Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments (2000): by the New York City Department of Health.
• Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation (IICRC S520): by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
• Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings (2001): by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Some of these guidelines can be obtained free online. When determining appropriate mold remediation level, one has to consider the total area affected (the perimeter of affected materials) and the density of the mold growth. The Guidelines for the Canadian Construction Industry recognizes 3 remediation levels for building finishes and components (e.g., drywall, ceiling tile, carpet, etc.). These are:

• Level 1 (Small Scale): Areas less than 1 square metre (10 square feet)
• Level ll (Medium Scale): Areas between 1-10 square metres (10-100 square feet)
• Level lll (Large Scale): Areas greater than 10 square metres (≥100 square feet)

For more details about mold removal consult the various guidelines and/or consult a professional. For those working in the fields of mold investigation and remediation, you may want to register for our mold training course entitled "How To Recognize Indoor Mould, Develop Effective Sampling Strategies, Interpret Laboratory Results, And Remediate Mould Contamination". For the course details and available dates click http://www.moldbacteria.com/training.html