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NH Mold Task Force Standard of Care
Oral Presentation
Prepared by G. Sylvester
Absolute Resource Associates, 124 Heritage Avenue, Portsmouth, NH, 03801
Contact Information: guys@absoluteresourceassociates.com; 603-436-2001
ABSTRACT
The New Hampshire Mold Task Force Presents the NH "Standard of Care”
Background
In 2008, a group of NH business leaders and health professionals came together with the same concern: few states have laws in place to protect citizens when it comes to mold and poor indoor air quality. They had seen how lack of regulation in the industry was creating a variety of problems for citizens and the industry itself, and were motivated to find a way to get mold legislation on the books. The group worked with lawmakers for several months to write and propose NH House Bill 482, relative to mold assessment, testing and remediation, which lost by just one vote.
Not ready to give up, the group was encouraged by the lawmakers involved to form a "Mold Task Force," with the goal of creating a Standard of Care for the state's mold industry. Published in December, 2012, the New Hampshire Mold Task Force (NHMTF) Standard of Care is now a public document which provides detailed information to citizens about the causes of indoor mold, possible health risks, prevention measures, and about the mold industry in general, including best practices and tips for hiring consultants and contractors. This document was created for the citizens of NH, but the information is being distributed nationwide because of its broad appeal. Charlie Wiles, the Executive Director of ACAC (American Council for Accredited Certification), upon reviewing the document, stated, “I have seen few documents that are as well written as this one.”
The NHMTF views the Standard of Care as just the first step toward protecting our citizens when it comes to mold and poor indoor air quality. The document, sponsored by the American Lung Association, is being seen as a very helpful tool by health professionals and indoor air quality experts alike. Their work is starting to cause a buzz in the industry; they made a presentation a few weeks ago at the 2013 ACAC National Conference in Phoenix, and are have been asked to speak at various professional conferences on the East Coast in the coming months.
Conclusion
This presentation summarizes the findings of the NHMTF and the process which paved the way for the “Standard of Care’ and future legislation. The group is sharing their story with other states in the hopes that the document will be shared nationwide, providing valuable information to those who are affected by mold as well as those in the mold industry. Their ultimate hope is that Mold Legislation takes root across the country, protecting the health and well-being of our citizens.
Members of the NHMTF:
Chair and Presenter: Guy Sylvester, Absolute Resource Associates,
Chair: Philip Alexakos, Manchester Health Department, Chair: Rick Rumba, Keene State University, Tim Carr, Able Restoration, David Choate III, Grubb & Ellis Real Estate, Cathy Coe, Environmental Health Inc., Dennis Francoeur, RPF Environmental, Lee Gilman, American Lung Association, Scott Knightly, Envirovantage, Jeff May, May Indoor Air Investigations, Ed Miller, American Lung Association, and Chris Sullivan, Certrex LLC.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by G. Sylvester
Absolute Resource Associates, 124 Heritage Avenue, Portsmouth, NH, 03801
Contact Information: guys@absoluteresourceassociates.com; 603-436-2001
ABSTRACT
The New Hampshire Mold Task Force Presents the NH "Standard of Care”
Background
In 2008, a group of NH business leaders and health professionals came together with the same concern: few states have laws in place to protect citizens when it comes to mold and poor indoor air quality. They had seen how lack of regulation in the industry was creating a variety of problems for citizens and the industry itself, and were motivated to find a way to get mold legislation on the books. The group worked with lawmakers for several months to write and propose NH House Bill 482, relative to mold assessment, testing and remediation, which lost by just one vote.
Not ready to give up, the group was encouraged by the lawmakers involved to form a "Mold Task Force," with the goal of creating a Standard of Care for the state's mold industry. Published in December, 2012, the New Hampshire Mold Task Force (NHMTF) Standard of Care is now a public document which provides detailed information to citizens about the causes of indoor mold, possible health risks, prevention measures, and about the mold industry in general, including best practices and tips for hiring consultants and contractors. This document was created for the citizens of NH, but the information is being distributed nationwide because of its broad appeal. Charlie Wiles, the Executive Director of ACAC (American Council for Accredited Certification), upon reviewing the document, stated, “I have seen few documents that are as well written as this one.”
The NHMTF views the Standard of Care as just the first step toward protecting our citizens when it comes to mold and poor indoor air quality. The document, sponsored by the American Lung Association, is being seen as a very helpful tool by health professionals and indoor air quality experts alike. Their work is starting to cause a buzz in the industry; they made a presentation a few weeks ago at the 2013 ACAC National Conference in Phoenix, and are have been asked to speak at various professional conferences on the East Coast in the coming months.
Conclusion
This presentation summarizes the findings of the NHMTF and the process which paved the way for the “Standard of Care’ and future legislation. The group is sharing their story with other states in the hopes that the document will be shared nationwide, providing valuable information to those who are affected by mold as well as those in the mold industry. Their ultimate hope is that Mold Legislation takes root across the country, protecting the health and well-being of our citizens.
Members of the NHMTF:
Chair and Presenter: Guy Sylvester, Absolute Resource Associates,
Chair: Philip Alexakos, Manchester Health Department, Chair: Rick Rumba, Keene State University, Tim Carr, Able Restoration, David Choate III, Grubb & Ellis Real Estate, Cathy Coe, Environmental Health Inc., Dennis Francoeur, RPF Environmental, Lee Gilman, American Lung Association, Scott Knightly, Envirovantage, Jeff May, May Indoor Air Investigations, Ed Miller, American Lung Association, and Chris Sullivan, Certrex LLC.