Determine suitability for occupancy,
Investigate potential amplification problems,
Document existing levels or pre-remediation levels and
Assess completion of remediation.
Cannot determine suitability of occupancy based upon health effects
May not apply during the winter months (Soloman 1976 and Reponen 1992)
May provide incorrect conclusions when high outside mold spore concentrations are present.
Provide homeowners and doctors meaningful comparisons to normal levels in uncontaminated housing
Determine if mold spore levels require further investigation
Determine if mold spore levels require evacuation of the premises
Determine if a remediation project is complete in a contaminated building
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
American Industrial Hygiene Association
Brazil
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp
Commission of European Communities
Czech Republic
Finland
Indoor Air Quality Association (Rescinded)
International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate
Netherlands
New York City Department of Health
Nordic Council
US OSHA (Proposed)
Russia
Texas Department of Public Health (Internal)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Acceptable Levels or Permissible Exposure Level Standards
Action Level Standards
Ceiling Limit or IDLH Level Standards
Clearance Levels
Mold Spore levels at or below these limits in an indoor environment can be considered a low level of exposure and acceptable for the general public.
This level or below of mold spores would classify an environment as being "normal" or "typical" and "acceptable" for the average person.
"Action Level" identifies a minimum level of a substance in the air that would prompt certain preemptive actions to maintain exposures to non-hazardous levels.
Exceeding an action level would normally require further investigation to determine the location of mold amplification.
A "ceiling limit" standard is one where the exposure concentration is not to be exceeded, even instantaneously. Ceiling exposure limits are mostly based on health problems that are of a serious nature. However, some are based on irritation or a reversible health effects.
Exceeding a ceiling limit or IDLH Level would normally require evacuation of the premises.
An exposure standard similar to an "acceptable" level. However, these standards reflect that once a building has had a mold problem, the background levels of mold in that building may be higher than a building that has never had a mold problem.
A remediation project can be cleared independently of preexisting mold problems within a building.
