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These ANNOTATED LINKS offer more information on a variety of environmental issues.

Mold / Indoor Air Quality

When to Call an Expert
This article explains the role of a certified mold inspector and the legal benefits provided by professional documentation of the remediation process and expert witness services. Dominion Environmental

Mold Photo Gallery
This collection of photographs shows some common situations that lead to mold growth and the mold problems that result. Dominion Environmental

Homeowners / Renters

Mold in My Home: What Do I Do?
This fact sheet answers basic questions about identifying molds, determining possible health effects from mold exposure, determining if you have a mold problem, and very basic cleanup guidelines. California Department of Health Services, July 2001

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
This PDF guide provides information and guidance for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 402-K-02-003

Dealing with Mold & Mildew in Your Flood Damaged Home
This PDF guide gives step-by-step instructions for cleaning up after every type of water intrusion from flooding or roof leaks to high humidity problems. It includes a materials list, disinfecting guidelines, basic health effects information, and mold prevention tips. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Schools

Mold in My School: What Do I Do?
This PDF fact sheet covers how mold gets started, health effects associated with mold exposure, who is at risk for mold allergies, and basic voluntary guidelines for cleanup and prevention of all molds. California Department of Health Services, March 2002

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program
This PDF guide describes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "IAQ Tools for Schools" program that is designed to help schools identify, resolve, and prevent IAQ problems. Includes information on how IAQ problems affect student health, performance, and attendance; the economic benefits of taking a pro-active approach to IAQ problems; and how to minimize mold remediation costs. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 402-K-02-005. For more information, go to www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/index.html

Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings
This PDF guide is designed primarily for building managers, custodians, and others who are responsible for school and commercial buildings. Using this document, persons with little or no experience with mold remediation should be able to make a reasonable judgment as to whether the situation can be handled in-house or requires the services of a qualified remediation specialist. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 402-K-01-001, March 2001

Commercial Property Owners

Molds and Health

EHS Fungal Glossary
This html document provides health effects information for 81 species of fungi. University of Minnesota, Environmental Health & Safety, July 1996

Q&A on Stachybotrys chartarum and Other Molds
Here are answers to common questions about Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds as well as general questions regarding the health effects of molds. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 2002

State of the Science on Molds and Human Health
This is a transcript of the "Statement for the Record before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and Housing and Community Opportunity Committee," presented to the U.S. House of Representatives by Stephen C. Redd, M.D. of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in July 2002.

Legislation

Toxic Mold Protection Act / California Senate Bill 732
Approved by Governor Davis on October 5, 2002, this California Senate bill requires the State Department of Health to convene a taskforce to advise the department on the development of permissible exposure limits for mold, standards for assessment of molds in indoor environments, and standards for identification and remediation of mold. It will also require property owners to "provide a written disclosure to potential buyers... and occupants...of mold conditions" that exceed the permissible exposure limits once the standards are established.

Public Health — Fungal Contamination in Indoor Environments / California Assembly Bill 284
Approved by Governor Davis on October 5, 2002, this bill requires the California Bureau of Research to perform a study of, and publish findings on, fungal contamination in indoor environments.

School Indoor Air Quality / California Assembly Bill 2223
Pending in the California State Senate Appropriations Committee, this bill requires appropriate state agencies, representatives from school districts, the public, and statewide educational organization representatives to develop and distribute a list of voluntary construction, modernization, and maintenance guidelines to protect indoor air quality in schools.