Indoor Environment: Mold Abatement Procedures for UC San Diego Facilities Personnel

• Control the moisture source. This is essential for stopping mold growth. Common sources of moisture contributing to mold growth include but are not limited to:
  • Flooding
  • Leaking plumbing fixtures, pipes, or appliances
  • Roof leaks
  • Water intrusion from outdoor irrigation
  • Unvented combustion appliances
  • High humidity
  • Condensation
  • Water collection dishes, such as refrigerator drip pans
• Wear personal protective equipment and restrict access to the affected area if you know or suspect the water source is contaminated with sewage or chemical or biological pollutants.
  • Important: If flooding occurs in a lab or involves gray water (overflow from machines, pumps, aquariums, toilet bowls, etc.), call (858) 534-HELP (-4357). The Campus Police will dispatch an Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) professional.
  • EH&S must give clearance before facilities personnel can work in the area.

• Clean and dry water-damaged materials within 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
  • Maintain humidity below 60%.
  • Keep HVAC drip pans clean and flowing.
  • Do not use fans before determining that the water source is clean or sanitary.
• Be alert for mold growth if materials have been wet for more than 48 hours. Mold growth may have occurred — but not always.
• If you encounter or suspect mold growth during cleaning and drying activities, follow the steps below.

• Ensure personnel responding to work orders that may involve mold formation are trained to work safely.
  • Contact EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene Services at ehsih@ucsd.edu to schedule basic mold prevention and abatement training for UC San Diego facilities personnel.

• Take these safety precautions while investigating and evaluating mold and moisture problems:
  • Consider using an N-95 filtering facepiece, gloves, and eye protection.
  • Do not touch mold or moldy items with bare hands.
  • Do not get mold spores in your eyes.
  • Do not breathe in mold or mold spores.

• Emphasize the health and safety of building occupants is a top priority.
• Demonstrate that the occupants' concerns are understood and taken seriously.
• Present clearly the current status of the investigation or remediation efforts.
• Identify a person whom building occupants can contact directly to discuss questions and comments about the remediation activities.

• Measure the affected area. The level of remediation procedures to follow depends on the size of the area involved. There are four levels of mold remediation.
• Follow the appropriate procedure level for the size of the job:
  • Level 1: 10 sq. ft. or less
  • Level 2: 10 to 30 sq. ft.
  • Level 3: 30 to 100 sq. ft.
  • Level 4: Greater than 100 sq. ft.
• Contact EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene Services at ehsih@ucsd.edu if you need help classifying a mold remediation job.

• Level 1
  • Use Level 1 procedures for areas 10 sq. ft. or less. Trained UC San Diego facilities staff must perform Level 1 work. Containment is not necessary.
  • Restrict entry to the work area to trained staff.
  • Use personal protective equipment.
  • Remove or clean contaminated materials:
    • Place items in a sealed waste bag.
    • Dispose of items as regular garbage.
  • Leave the area clean and visibly free of contamination and debris.

• Level 2
  • Use Level 2 procedures for areas 10 to 30 sq. ft. Trained UC San Diego facilities staff must perform Level 2 work.
  • Restrict entry to the work area to trained staff.
  • Use personal protective equipment.
  • Cover the work area with plastic sheeting.
  • Remove or clean contaminated materials:
    • Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
    • Place items in a sealed waste bag.
    • Dispose of items as regular garbage.
  • Leave the area clean and visibly free of contamination and debris.

• Level 3
  • Use Level 3 procedures for areas 30 to 100 sq. ft. Specialists trained in handling hazardous material must perform Level 3 work.
  • Consult with EH&S for Level 3 jobs.
    • Contact EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene Services at ehsih@ucsd.edu.
  • Contract Level 3 work out to a professional mold remediation service.
    • Select a licensed service provider.
    • Ask for written scope of work, including removal method and use of biocides.
  • UC San Diego project managers, require the contractor to do the following:
    • Restrict entry to the work area to trained personnel.
    • Vacate building occupants from adjacent areas.
    • Use personal protective equipment.
    • Cover the work area with plastic sheeting.
    • Seal ventilation ducts and grills.
    • Remove or clean contaminated materials:
      • Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
      • Place items in a sealed waste bag.
      • Dispose of items as regular garbage.
    • Leave the area clean and visibly free of contamination and debris.

• Level 4
  • Use Level 4 procedures for areas over 100 sq. ft. Specialists trained in handling hazardous material must perform Level 4 work.
  • Consult with EH&S for Level 4 jobs.
    • Contact EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene Services at ehsih@ucsd.edu.
  • Contract Level 4 work out to a professional mold remediation service.
    • Select a licensed service provider.
    • Ask for written scope of work, including removal method and use of biocides.
  • UC San Diego project managers, require the contractor to do the following:
    • Restrict entry to the work area to trained personnel.
    • Vacate building occupants from adjacent areas.
    • Use personal protective equipment.
    • Seal ventilation ducts and grills.
    • Encapsulate the work area in plastic sheeting, ventilated with negative pressurization and a HEPA filter.
    • Use an airlocked, negative-pressure decontamination room.
    • Remove or clean contaminated materials:
      • Place items in a sealed waste bag.
      • Decontaminate the outside of the waste bags.
      • Dispose of items as regular garbage.
  • Contact EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene Services at ehsih@ucsd.edu before authorizing occupancy.

Note: The UC San Diego four levels of mold remediation are adapted from Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments (PDF), New York City Department of Health.

• EPA Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• CDC: Mold