IR Inspections and Mold Safety
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IR Inspections and Mold Safety
Tip written by: Infraspection Institute
The past few years have seen a marked increase in the use of thermography to help detect the presence of mold. When working near mold, thermographers should be aware of the health risks associated with it and take appropriate safety precautions.
Molds are microscopic organisms found everywhere in the environment, indoors and outdoors. When present in large quantities, molds have the potential to cause adverse health effects. Such effects include: sneezing, cough and congestion, runny nose, aggravation of asthma, eye irritation and skin rash. People at greatest risk of adverse health effects are individuals with allergies, asthma, sinusitis, or other lung diseases and those with a weakened immune system.
Mold growth is common on organic building materials that have been wet for sufficient periods of time. Wetting can be the result of structural leaks, high relative humidity, or flooding. When present, mold can appear as discolored areas, woolly mats or a slimy film. Mold is often accompanied by a foul, musty, or earthy smell.
When working near mold, thermographers should keep the following in mind:
- Hand, eye and respiratory protection should always be worn
- Care should be taken not to disturb suspect mold areas
- Tools or clothing that contact mold should be isolated and properly sanitized to avoid contamination of clean areas
- Persons accidentally contacting contaminated areas should immediately wash with soap and water
Lastly, mold can only be positively identified through proper laboratory analysis. Whenever mold presence is suspected, verification testing should be performed by a qualified mold professional.
Detecting latent moisture within structures is one of the many topics covered in the Infraspection Institute Level I Certified Infrared Thermographer training course. For more information including course locations and dates, visit Infraspection Institute online at www.infraspection.com or call us at 609-239-4788.
For more information on mold or to locate a qualified mold professional, visit the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors.
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