Mold

IICRC has how many classes of drywall categories

4

Neurological problems often found particularly in children occupying sick buildings, including both schools and homes, are

All of the above

AC return air boxes that look perfect on the outside: (Choose the one best answer.)

Are oftentimes nasty and full of mold on the inside. Always check AC return air boxes for mold and/or water damage problems.

Lift tapes are very useful when checking dirty AC coils to determine if the build up is mold or dirt

But if the surface is wet you may have to scrape off a little of the debris and place onto the slid

What is the slowest category to dry?

Class 4

The best way to clean up a sewage problems is:

Cleaning by low pressure washing/extraction, followed by application of disinfectant on clean and drywall surface.

Since dead spores are no less allergenic or toxic than XXXX spores, investigators most often look at total counts rather than only viable spores

Either "Live" or "Viable"

A visual Assessment of the exterior of an AC return air box is sufficient.

False

Environmental test results should be interpreted according to official EPA numeric criteria

False

It is generally preferable to use scientific testing methods rather than relying on visual inspection to determine that remediation work has been effective

False

Moist air from bathroom, kitchen or dryer can be safely vented to the attic to prevent mold growth.

False

Mold can grow not only on but in wood potentially destroying the wood.

False

Vinyl wallpaper on an exterior wall in a hot humid climate is a good strategy to prevent mold.

False

Mold contaminated air handlers, ducts or AC plenums will always irritate sensitive occupants even if there is no measurable Elevated mold spores in the air.

False. Potentially ...

Air ducts are often made from flex duct which has a thin and very fragile plastic lining. (Choose all the correct statements)

For these types of ducts, "duct cleaning", improper though it may be, typically means spraying illegal chemicals inside the ducting.

Ailments from mold and mold remediation work can be diverse including neurological problems, respiratory problems and other. Which symptom is not a common mold related ailment?

Hair Loss

How do you protect yourself from lawsuits when you miss something and/or your interpretation is perhaps not perfect?

Have the lab determine Elevated or Not Elevated for you.

Sometimes small amounts of hidden mold are not a health problem. Choose the best answer:

However, when there is mold, even small amounts, in an air handler or ductwork there is always the potential for major exposure

Sometimes small amounts of hidden mold is not a health problem. Choose the one best answer

However, when there is mold, even small amounts, in an air handler, ductwork or ventilation system there is always major exposure.

If test results for mold under cabinets come back Not Elevated you never say there is no problem or no mold. What do you say?

If the testing was negative but the cabinets look in bad shape, you might want to mention that a mold remediation contractor remove a check for interior mold and/or water damage.

What is the most common routes for indoor mold exposure causing health issues?

Inhalation

mVOC's Produced by growing molds and released into the air as a byproduct of mold growth often have strong and/or unpleasant odors. What does mVOC stand for?

Microbial volatile organic compound

The best way to remove Asbestos is

Mold Remediators are not permitted to remove Asbestos.

Mycotoxins. Choose the one incorrect answer

Mycotoxins are inactivated (killed) by typical disinfectants used to kill mold or bacteria

Mold remediation of heavily moldy areas should use upgraded procedures for mold removal developed for Asbestos.

No. Asbestos removal procedures do not allow you to exhaust outside. Exhausting outside reduce cost and improves quality of work.

Microban and Botanica... are these biocides approved by cabinets, drywall, carpet or wood?

No. Hard surfaces only

In-Place drying is an accepted practice so long has mold has not had time to grow.

No. You never know what lurks in those walls.

Pick the one best answer with regard to building exteriors. Pick one correct answer

Non absorbent foil backed insulation for exterior walls dramatically helps cut down mold and moisture problems as there is always at least some seepage thru exterior walls.

When a house is retrofitted with hurricane windows this usually fixes water leaks and intrusions under and around windows.

Not always. Sometimes they get worse because the windows are the wrong size (too small) and it is too much trouble (time/money) to properly install new window bucks so windows never fit right and always leak.

When a house is retrofitted with hurricane windows this usually fixes water leaks and intrusions under and around windows.

Often this makes matters worse. The windows may be too small and openings around the windows too large to properly caulk. Rarely will the window installer replace the old bucks with new correctly sized wood and properly shim.

Because fiberglass wall insulation does not lose its R value if it gets wet you never have to open wet insulated walls

On the contrary, such walls may never dry unless they are cut open during the drying process.

PAPR means

Powered Air Purifying Respirator

Quat based biocide?

Quat based biocide such as Microban is water based and has a high concentration of quaternary ammonium complex (Quat.) Not suitable for kitchen surfaces.

Which of the following is NOT a potential source of indoor moisture?

Some electronic devices

Which of the following mold species can begin growing as soon as 7 days following a water intrusion event with large amounts of water?

Stachybotrys

IICRC S520-2015 the focus on PRV is: Choose the one best answer:

Testing inside the containment... but it should not be!

When particle board gets wet it swells irreversibly. Replace.

There is no guidance in S500-2015 about replacing particle board

The primary way workers get sick when cleaning up sewage contamination is:

Touching the sewage and then touching their mouths (ingestion.)

Home and office AC systems are a common source of mold contamination

True

Leaking AC supply ducting is bad because the cold air leaking out can create a cool condensing surface where elevated moisture on that surface supports microbial growth

True

Mold can cause many adverse health effects in humans, but does NOT degrade building materials as is the case with dry rot and wood rot.

True

Occasionally the Lab's interpretations may be inconsistent with the real world because when the lab interprets mold sampling results they do not have all the other important factors in their "equation". But if you don't like their determination simply ask for the results to leave out the analysis of Elevated or Not Elevated.

True

Respiratory symptoms from mold exposure are the most common health problems from mold

True

Total spore counts is the total of both viable and not viable spores.

True

When you send the samples to a lab that determines Elevated or Not Elevated your job is easy. If results come back Elevated you recommend mold remediation and/or further investigation by State Licensed Mold Remediation contractor.

True

Raising the air temperature when drying accelerates drying.

Yes but it also accelerates bacteria and mold growth.

Is there more to drying than wall permeance?

Yes. For example if there is water in the metal floor tract (C channel) the walls of any Class will dry slowly.

Checking for hidden mold problems with regard to AC or ducting by air sampling: If results come back Not Elevated you say there are no problems.

You never say that are no (hidden) mold problems you only provide results saying "Not Elevated".

Checking for hidden mold problems under kitchen and bath cabinets by air sampling with tube extensions: If results come back Not Elevated you say there are no problems.

You never say that are no (hidden) mold problems you only provide results saying "Not Elevated".

Fiberglass duct board used to make supply plenums and return air boxes and sometimes ducting

a) Has many nooks and crannies and accumulates dirt that can result in mold growth if indoor moisture is not controlled.

If you use mold resistant drywall you never need to worry about mold problems.

a) No. Mold resistant paper faced drywall will grow mold if wet long enough. It is not mold proof. b) No. If walls get wet and then you install cabinets, the cabinet backs can get moldy.

Leaks in AC return air ducting or plenums are bad because (one or more.)

a) Such leaks if they allow non conditioned air into the system can cause mold contamination of the HVAC and/or ducting.

You should always leave cellulose wall insulation in place during mold remediation because it is made from recycled material and is good for the environment.

a) When walls are cut open for mold remediation replace cellulose insulation with FiFoil that meets current FL Building Code.

Leaks in the AC supply ducting are no big deal because on the supply side you are never sucking in non-conditioned air. Pick one correct.

a) Wrong. Cool escaping air can cause condensation problems and mold growth. b) Wrong. Escaping air can pressurize wall cavities or plenums and push smells and possibly microbial contaminants into the living space.

Which of the following testing methods provides immediate feedback? (check all that apply)

a. "White Glove" (Swiffer) surface inspection b. Visual inspection of AC, ducts & plenum interiors

High volume cassettes such as the Air-O-Cell take in larger amounts of air ... sampling is done at XX liters per minute (lpm) flow rate.

a. 15 lpm

Which of the following species of mold are early colonizers that can start to grow within 48 to 72 after a water intrusion event?

a. Aspergillus

Health problems can result from elevated levels of mold. Why are careful and thorough mold Assessments that measure the levels of mold in the indoor air so important

a. Because it is mold that you breathe in the indoor air that impacts occupant, not mold hidden/ trapped in walls.

When are biocides that keep on killing recommended?

a. Black water clean up.

What is a biocide? (Choose one or more correct answers.)

a. Kills mold and bacteria. b. Keeps on killing d. Kills spores.

What is a biocide? (Choose one or more correct answers.)

a. Kills mold and bacteria. b. Keeps on killing d. Kills spores.

Indicate which one(s) of the following are often associated with indoor air quality problems that originate from mold contaminated attic air: (check all that apply)

a. Leaks in ducts b. Mold in AC closet c. Leaky recessed lighting fixtures

EPA approved cleaners/sanitizers approved for household use will keep you out of trouble. Examples are:

a. Lysol b. Soap & Water c. Bleach

Leaking windows can always be easily fix.

a. Not at all. The may be installed improperly. b) Always use mold resistant drywall when rebuilding under a leaking window. hang drywall off the floor; use FiFoil insulation.

Higher quality respirators such as N-100 or Full-Face respirators are always recommended

a. Not really. Best to use good containments that have high air flow and exhaust dusts to the outside than rely on more expensive respirator protection. c. Not really. Full face masks can block your vision compared to N-95 d. Not really. N-100 respirators make it harder to breath than N-95.

EPA requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb leadbased paint in, [Date], in YYYY, ZZZZ be certified by EPA.

a. Pre-1978 homes b. Child Care Facilities and Schools

How can you safely reduce the use of Tyvek suits?

a. Pre-cleaning. b. Source containment. c. Moistening/fogging d. HEPA vacuuming e. Running the AC

3M 8511 N-95 respirator is popular for mold work because

a. Relatively low cost. b. Has exhaust value to improves comfort and keeps the inside dry.

Odors can be caused by:

a. Smells released from wet building or contents. b. Bacteria. c. Fungi. d. Urine. e. All of the above

HVAC air leakage problems can occur around (pick the one best answer)

a. return air grills that leak around the edges because the drywall opening was overcut during construction. b. air filter slots, when the air handler is located in a garage or attic. c. leaking AC ducts in attics and crawl spaces.

Earlier leaks under cabinets ...

a.) Damage to cabinets may have been covered up by sellers with no apparent water damage staining or visible mold. b.) All cabinets can be tested for earlier water damage without destructive testing using air sampling extension tubes.

Air leaks in an AC closet can occur (pick the one best answer)

around AC pipes or electrical conduits in the wall, ceiling or floor.

What can be said about HVAC installation? Pick all the correct answers

b. If an HVAC closet is open to the wall or ceiling, you are pulling in contaminated air. c. If there are leaks in the AC supply plenum, cold air can cause condensation on drywall and result in mold

What type of sanitizers are approved for porous materials.

b. Lysol c. Bleach

The best way(s) to keep mold from returning is:

b. Make sure that the water problem has been fixed. c. Use mold resistant drywall. Sometimes one cannot stop seepage or other water intrusion completely. d. Paint with mold inhibiting paint/primer.

Mold remediators can check for Asbestos before doing mold work by:

b. Only necessary in older buildings. c. Mold Remediators are not approved for Asbestos testing.

Which of the following is not true about drywall and wall insulation installation?

c) Fiberglass wall insulation that gets wet must always be discarded.