NIOSH Releases Resources on Dampness and Mold Assessment
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) unveiled its Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool checklists to help employers assess damp areas and identify mold. There are two versions of the tool — one for general buildings and one for schools — and a four-step assessment cycle. The resources include checklists and instructions to guide users through assessing rooms for dampness and mold, and then identifying the sources. The tools "provide an inexpensive mechanism to investigate, record and compare conditions over time," said David Weissman, director of the Respiratory Health Division at NIOSH. "Implementing regular visual inspections for dampness can help to identify trouble areas before they become major problems and help to prioritize maintenance and repair." NIOSH encourages employees who suspect health issues are being caused by exposure to building-related dampness or mold to report new, persistent, or worsening symptoms to their physician and employer.