Mould Hazard Classes
Some countries have adopted a mold hazard class system to place molds in different categories based on their health risks. They are broken into Mould Hazard classes A, B and C:
Mould Hazard Class List
- Mould Hazard Class A:Moulds in this group are either directly hazardous to health due to risk of infection or creation of toxins. They should not be in homes or workplaces and should be removed right away if found.
- Mould Hazard Class B:Moulds in this group can cause allergic reactions, especially over longer periods of time.
- Mould Hazard Class C:Moulds in this group aren’t known to cause any health risks or reactions in humans. Note, however, that even moulds in this category can potentially cause structural damage to things that they are growing on, and should still be gotten rid of.
Although mould is potentially a health hazard, there are no standards for exposure limits in residential buildings that are protective of the public health and safety. Similarly there are no internationally recognized procedures for the inspection, identification, and evaluation of the interior of residential buildings for mould.
Standards for mould hazard abatement procedures including specialized cleaning, repairs, maintenance, painting, temporary containment and ongoing monitoring of mould hazards or potential hazards are also lacking. There is no goverment regulated certification program for persons who inspect for the presence of mould hazards in residential buildings and who perform mould hazard abatement work in residential buildings.
It’s still debatable as to whether mould testing and sampling is necessary prior to mould assessment and mould remediaton. Mould assessment is the process of identifying the location and extent of the mould hazard inside a structure. Mould remediation on the other hand is the process of mould removal and/or cleanup from an indoor environment. As more is understood about the health issues related to mould growth in interior environments, new methods for mould assessment and remediation are being put into practice.
The level of mould remediation required is determined by the total area of visible mouldy surface. Just a few square inches of mould growth is unlikely to be a real mould hazard in a home. In such a case you can clean the surface with any household cleaner, and make sure that the source of moisture is eliminated and the cleaned surface is completely dry.
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