Real-Life Communication
You're a mold consultant who has diagnosed a mold problem at
the Reimers' house. Now that the family knows about the problem, they
want to know what they can do to get rid of it. It's your job to help
them understand issues surrounding mold and mold cleanup.
"Communication
skills are very important," says Mark Sneller. He is a microbiologist and
mold consultant. "You need to be able to write reports, and to have good verbal
skills."
For large mold problems, people may choose to hire restoration
contractors or professional cleaners. Smaller mold problems may be tackled
by the occupants. Here is how you instruct the Reimers to clean their home:
"First
of all, we have identified the source of the moisture, and you need to correct
the problem before tackling the mold cleanup. Consider how you can make your
home environment dryer and better ventilated.
"When you're ready
to begin cleaning the mold, remove and throw out any porous materials such
as rugs, ceiling tiles and drywall. A moisture meter can help detect water
content in materials. These materials must be bagged and thrown out -- not
just cleaned -- because mycotoxins can be found on both living and dead spores.
"Next,
clean the area with a non-ammonia soap and hot water. After cleaning, disinfect
the area with household bleach. Allow the bleach to dry naturally for six
to eight hours.
"Remember that the cleanup of mold can be hazardous
to your health. While you're cleaning the mold, spore counts in the air
can actually increase. I recommend using rubber gloves and a respirator."
The
Reimers are quite concerned about the cleanup and want to make sure they understood
your directions. Here are a few questions they ask:
- What instrument can help detect water content in materials?
- Why do porous materials need to be thrown out rather than just cleaned?
- What precautions should you take against health hazards while cleaning?
How do you answer them?