Applied Microbial Remediation Technician flashcards
Applied Microbial Remediation Technician · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Mold growth moisture threshold
- Mold requires moisture; porous materials above roughly 60% equilibrium moisture content or wood above about 16% moisture content can support growth. Moisture control is the first step.
- Water damage categories
- Category 1 is sanitary water, Category 2 is significantly contaminated, and Category 3 is grossly contaminated and includes sewage. Contamination degrades lower categories on contact.
- Category 3 porous materials
- Porous materials contacted by Category 3 water, including carpet, pad, upholstery, drywall, and insulation, are removed and discarded rather than dried and reused.
- HEPA vacuum requirement
- HEPA vacuuming is the only acceptable vacuum method in mold remediation. Standard shop vacuums exhaust respirable particles and are prohibited inside containment.
- Negative pressure containment
- Containment uses negative pressure, typically -5 to -10 Pa relative to adjacent spaces, with HEPA-filtered exhaust, so airborne spores flow into the work zone rather than out.
- Critical barrier use
- Critical barriers are simple plastic seals used for small, isolated work areas to stop dust and spore migration without full containment walls and negative pressure.
- Porous material removal rule
- Porous materials with more than small, surface-level mold growth are removed and discarded. Sound non-porous and semi-porous surfaces can be cleaned instead.
- Biocide limitations
- Biocides do not replace physical cleaning. Dead spores remain allergenic, so surfaces must be cleaned first, then treated only when the label permits the substrate.
- Post-remediation verification
- Clearance requires independent assessment of settled spores, airborne spores, and visible condition in the work area. The remediator does not self-approve the completed work.
- Mold PPE minimum
- At minimum, mold workers use N-95 or better respiratory protection, eye protection, and gloves. Heavy aerosol tasks call for full-face or powered air-purifying respirators.
- HVAC mold isolation
- An HVAC system serving a mold-affected area must be isolated or the system itself remediated, because ductwork can distribute spores throughout a building.
- Mold remediation definition
- Remediation is the removal of mold and the correction of the moisture condition that caused it. Killing mold without fixing moisture leads to regrowth.
- Wood moisture target
- During structural drying, wood framing is dried toward 16% moisture content or below, measured with a pin or pinless meter and compared to a dry standard.
- Dry standard concept
- A dry standard is a moisture reading taken from an unaffected area of the same material in the same building, used as the target for drying affected materials.
- Sewage pathogen risk
- Sewage carries bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause gastrointestinal illness. Remediation must include disinfection and protection of unaffected areas from cross-contamination.
- Antimicrobial application
- After removal of porous materials, affected structural surfaces are cleaned and treated with an antimicrobial product applied according to its label, then dried and documented.
- Sewage containment controls
- Sewage work isolates the affected area, uses negative air pressure where feasible and HEPA filtration, and excludes occupants until clearance is documented.
- Sewage debris disposal
- Sewage-contaminated debris is bagged or wrapped, transported in a covered container, and disposed of according to local regulations. Workers do not eat or drink in the area.
- Sewage clearance criteria
- Clearance for sewage work requires visible cleanliness, no residual odor, and documented disinfection, confirmed by an independent post-remediation evaluation before reoccupancy.
- Category 2 water definition
- Category 2 water is significantly contaminated and contains some harmful agents. It can degrade to Category 3 if left standing or if it contacts contamination.
- Category 3 water definition
- Category 3 water is grossly contaminated and includes sewage, floodwater, and other sources carrying pathogenic organisms. It requires removal of porous materials.
- Sewage PPE level
- Sewage remediation requires waterproof gloves, boots, eye protection, and respiratory protection. Disposable coveralls are used where splashing or heavy contamination is likely.
- Dehumidification principle
- Drying removes moisture by evaporation and dehumidification together. Air movers increase evaporation; dehumidifiers remove the vapor so materials can dry below the target.
- Mold spore size
- Mold spores are typically 1 to 20 microns, small enough to remain airborne and reach the lower respiratory tract, which is why HEPA filtration and respiratory protection are used.
- Moisture meter use
- Moisture meters detect elevated moisture in building materials. Readings are compared to a dry standard to determine when drying is complete and materials are ready for reconstruction.
- Fungal contamination cleanup
- Surface mold on non-porous materials is cleaned with detergent solution and dried. Cleaning is verified visually and by post-remediation sampling when required by the project plan.
- Containment exhaust placement
- HEPA-filtered exhaust is placed so air moves from clean to dirty, keeping the work area under negative pressure and preventing spore escape into occupied spaces.
- Sewage cross-contamination
- Workers prevent cross-contamination by controlling foot traffic, using dedicated tools, and cleaning or discarding equipment that contacted sewage before it leaves the work area.
- Sewage odor control
- Odor after sewage remediation indicates incomplete cleaning or residual contamination. Persistent odor is a clearance failure and requires further cleaning or removal.
- Category 3 drying limits
- Category 3 water intrusion does not permit in-place drying of porous materials. Structural cavities are opened, contaminated material removed, and surfaces disinfected before drying.
- Mold remediation work plan
- A work plan documents the moisture source, extent of contamination, containment method, removal scope, cleaning method, and clearance criteria before work begins.
- Sewage worker hygiene
- Workers wash hands and face before eating, drinking, or smoking, and change out of contaminated clothing. Hygiene practices reduce the risk of infection from sewage pathogens.