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Judith E. Gostin Occupational Health Program

Highlights of the Pennsylvania Mold Management Task Force Report to the Pennsylvania General Assembly 2006. Judith E. Gostin Occupational Health Program Pennsylvania Department of Health. Background.

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Judith E. Gostin Occupational Health Program

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  1. Highlights of thePennsylvania Mold Management Task Force Report to the Pennsylvania General Assembly 2006 Judith E. Gostin Occupational Health Program Pennsylvania Department of Health

  2. Background • Pennsylvania Mold Task Force formed in 2005-2006 by PA Legislature • Based on following legislation: HB 1187, SR 171 & HR 434* • PADOH charged with setting up a task force on mold issues and provide written report within 1 year • Purpose—examine issue of mold, mold assessment, mold remediation, effects on human health • Focus on indoor environment in homes, apartments, condos, public & private office buildings, public & private school buildings, government buildings • *None passed General Assembly, but PADOH continues task

  3. The Pennsylvania Mold Task Force • Broad range of stakeholders in mold issues: business, academia, state & federal agencies, consumers, school officials, homeowners • Facilitator-Dr. Hernando Perez, Assistant Professor of Public Health, Drexel University • Charged with examining issues and making recommendations • Central theme—Protection of PA consumers • Other important concerns: -lack of public understanding of mold issues indoors -mold work done by people lacking proper qualifications -negative consequences of the above

  4. Critical areas for Mold Task Force recommendations • Public Education on Mold Issues • Assessment and Remediation of Mold • Licensing and Certification of Mold Assessors And Mold Remediators • Insurance Coverage of Mold Assessors and Mold Remediators

  5. Mold Task Force Recommendations • Critical Area 1: Public Education • Develop a central mold information website • Develop a public education media campaign • Develop printed, educational materials and distribution plan • Includes proposed changes to Integrated Pest Management Program and Worker & Community Right to Know Act • Other: This section contains basic information on molds in an indoor environment and health effects for people

  6. Mold Task Force Recommendations • Critical Area 2: Assessment and Remediation of Mold • Adopt NYC DOH Guidelines in entirety for mold assessment and remediation in indoor environment • Consider NYC Guidelines as minimum standard; utilize more stringent practices if necessary & recommended by competent professional • Other: Defines Competent Professional and Competent Individual • Provides basic information on assessment strategies and limitations, remediation, sampling • Recommends use of AIHA accredited lab for analysis • Makes no recommendation on safe exposure limits

  7. Mold Task Force Recommendations • Critical Area 3: Licensing & Certification of Mold Assessors and Mold Remediators • Evaluate licensing & certification issue for mold assessors and mold remediators by a task force of experts who represent all potential stakeholders* • *Task Force could not reach a consensus on this issue.

  8. Mold Task Force Recommendations • Critical Area 4: Insurance Coverage of Mold Assessors and Mold Remediators • Suggests general liability insurance for assessors and remediation contractors • Suggests pollution liability insurance for remediators • Suggests professional liability insurance for general business activities and negligence in performing service • Promote public education for home and business owners to require above insurances before hiring mold assessors or remediators • Explore/evaluate insurance issues for consumers with mold damaged property/belongings • Other: No consensus on mandating insurance coverage for mold assessors or remediators • Not prepared to recommend having insurance • coverage as condition for licensing or certification of contractors

  9. Importance of the Mold Task Force Report • First step toward possible future action on mold issues • Identified stakeholders on this issue • Identified common ground and areas of competing interests • Provides good information that can be used now by consumers: • Copy of the NYC Guidelines • Other informational resources (EPA,AIHA) • Basics on mold and health issues • Basics on assessment of indoor environment and some material on remediation • Useful definitions of IAQ professionals, necessary experience and credentials

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