Molds are microscopic organisms found everywhere in 

the environment, indoors and outdoors. Most molds are 

harmless but some can cause infections, allergy symptoms 

and produce toxins. Inhalation is the exposure of most 

concern to cleanup workers. 

Health Effects of Mold Exposure

• Runny nose • Eye irritation • Cough/congestion

• Sneezing • Skin rash • Aggravation of asthma 

People at Greatest Risk of Health Effects 

• Individuals with: a weakened immune system, allergies, 

sinusitis, or asthma and other lung diseases. 

How to Recognize Mold 

• Sight – Usually appear as colored, woolly mats.

• Smell – Often produce a foul, musty, earthy smell. 

General Mold Cleanup Recommendations 

• Identify moisture problems and remove excess moisture 

with a wet-dry vacuum and dry out the building as quickly 

as possible. 

• Make sure working area is well ventilated. 

• Use fans to assist in the drying process. 

• Clean wet items/surfaces with detergent and water. 

• Work and egress areas should be cleaned with a damp 

cloth or mop and a detergent solution. 

• Discard all water/mold damaged materials; discard 

mold damaged materials in plastic bags; discard all 

porous items that have been wet more than 48 hours. 

• Disinfect surfaces with 1/2 cup household bleach in 

1 gallon of water. CAUTION: Do not mix bleach with 

cleaning products that contain ammonia.

• Use approved respiratory protection. 

• Use hand and eye protection (non-vented goggles). 

• Wear long gloves made of material that will protect 

from chemicals used for surface cleaning. 

• Wear protective clothing to prevent contamination and 

skin contact with mold and chemicals.

• Set up a decontamination area. 

• Re-wet materials with a mist of water to suppress 

spores, dust, and debris.

• Vacuum areas that are clean and dry with a 

HEPA vacuum.

• Do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas; avoid 

breathing dusts; after working, wash thoroughly, 

including hair, scalp and nails. 

Mold

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Specific Remediation Tactics Based on Area Size 

Small Areas of Mold Remediation (i.e., < 30 ft.2) 

• The work area should be unoccupied. 

• Recommend removing infants and persons recovering 

from surgery, with immune suppression, or with 

respiratory health conditions from adjacent spaces. 

• Wear non-vented goggles, gloves, and protective 

clothing such as disposable coveralls. 

• Containment of the work area is not necessary. 

• Cover surfaces in the work area that could become 

contaminated with secured plastic sheets. 

• At a minimum, use a half-face or full-face N, R, or 

P-95 respirator.

Large Areas of Mold Remediation (i.e., 30-100 ft.2) 

• The work area and areas directly adjacent to it should 

be unoccupied. 

• Cover surfaces in the work area and in adjacent areas 

that could become contaminated and seal ventilation 

ducts/grills with secured plastic sheets. 

• At a minimum, use a half-face or full-face N, R, or 

P-95 respirator. 

• Wear non-vented goggles, gloves, and protective 

clothing such as disposable coveralls. 

• If remediation is expected to generate a lot of dust or 

the visible concentration of mold is heavy, follow the 

extensive contamination procedures below. 

Extensive and Visible Mold Contamination 

• Develop a suitable mold remediation plan addressing: 

work area isolation, the use of exhaust fans with 

high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration, and the 

design of airlocks/decontamination room. 

• At a minimum, use a half-face or full-face N, R, or 

P-100 respirator. 

• Wear non-vented goggles, gloves, and protective 

clothing such as disposable coveralls. Ensure that 

protective clothing covers entire body including 

head and feet.

• Consult with experienced health and safety 

professionals prior to this level of remediation. 

For more information:

www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

OSHA 3691-09 2013