NORMI CMA cheat sheet

Sampling hierarchy: visual inspection plus moisture mapping first; air and surface samples only answer specific questions the inspection cannot resolve.

Non-viable (spore trap) sampling gives genus-level counts and total spore concentration; viable (culture) sampling identifies species but undercounts stressed and non-culturable organisms.

Spore trap results are reported as count per cubic meter (counts/m³) or per slide trace; raw counts alone are not comparable between labs unless converted to concentration.

Surface sampling: tape lift or swab for suspected growth on materials; bulk sampling only when destructive removal is already planned.

Moisture meters measure relative moisture content of materials; thermo-hygrometers measure air temperature and RH; neither confirms hidden condensation without a moisture map.

ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) uses MSQPCR to compare 36 indicator species against a reference distribution; it is a research-derived index, not a health threshold.

A negative sample does not prove absence: sampling location, duration, and detection limit determine what a null result can exclude.

Chain of custody, calibrated pumps, and documented flow rate and time are required for defensible air sample volumes.

New York City Department of Health guidance tiers work by area: Level I (under 10 sq ft) can be done by trained maintenance staff; Level IV (over 100 sq ft) requires a professional remediator.

Level II (10-30 sq ft) and Level III (30-100 sq ft) require increasing containment; Level III generally requires a minimum of two layers of plastic and HEPA vacuuming.

Containment principle: isolate the work area, maintain negative pressure relative to occupied space, and exhaust filtered air (HEPA) when exhausting to occupied or clean zones.

HEPA filtration removes 99.97% of particles at 0.3 micrometers; it is the standard for remediation exhaust and final cleaning.

Remediation is complete when visible mold and moisture source are corrected, materials are dry, and clearance verification (visual and/or sampling) is documented.

Porous materials with mold growth (drywall, insulation, carpet) are generally removed; semi-porous and non-porous materials may be cleaned and HEPA-vacuumed when structurally sound.

Personal protective equipment for remediation includes a respirator (N95 minimum; P100 or supplied air for larger jobs), eye protection, gloves, and disposable coveralls.

Post-remediation verification should be performed by a party independent of the remediation contractor to avoid conflict of interest.

ASHRAE Standard 62.1 and 62.2 set ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality criteria; 62.2 addresses residential ventilation.

Relative humidity above 60% supports mold and dust mite growth; keeping indoor RH between 30% and 50% is the common target.

Dust mites thrive at 70-80% RH and temperatures around 25°C (77°F); reducing RH below 50% is the primary control.

Common indoor allergens: dust mites (Der p 1, Der f 1), cat (Fel d 1), dog (Can f 1), cockroach (Bla g 1), and mold spores.

CO2 is a proxy for ventilation adequacy, not a direct pollutant; outdoor CO2 is about 400-420 ppm and indoor levels above ~1,000 ppm suggest inadequate ventilation.

PM2.5 and PM10 are size fractions; particles under 2.5 micrometers penetrate deep into the lung and are the focus of health-based IAQ assessment.

Formaldehyde and VOCs off-gas from building materials and furnishings; testing should follow recognized methods (e.g., ASTM or EPA protocols) with documented sampling conditions.

HVAC systems can distribute mold and allergens; filter rating (MERV) and duct cleanliness are part of IAQ assessment.

Sanitizer vs disinfectant: sanitizers reduce bacteria on surfaces to levels judged safe by public health codes; disinfectants destroy or irreversibly inactivate specific pathogens on inanimate surfaces.

Contact time (dwell time) is the time a product must remain wet on the surface to achieve its labeled claim; it is product-specific and must be followed.

EPA registration numbers on disinfectant labels indicate the product has been reviewed for efficacy claims; the label lists the organisms it is registered to kill.

Monitoring tools: moisture meters, thermo-hygrometers, particle counters, and spore traps; each measures a different variable and should be used for its intended purpose.

Documentation should include date, location, method, instrument, calibration status, and results; this supports defensibility and continuity of care.

Conflict of interest: the assessor should not also perform the remediation on the same project unless disclosed and accepted by the client.

Client communication should distinguish findings (measured data) from interpretation (professional judgment) and state the limits of sampling.

Scope of practice: assessors identify conditions and recommend remediation; they do not diagnose illness or prescribe medical treatment.

Informed consent: explain sampling limitations, costs, and what results can and cannot prove before collecting samples.

Confidentiality: client information and results are shared only with authorized parties or as required by law.

Objectivity: avoid financial incentives tied to findings; disclose any relationship with remediation contractors or product vendors.

Record retention and chain of custody protect the integrity of samples and the defensibility of reports.

Report writing should state methods, standards referenced, detection limits, and uncertainties; avoid absolute claims such as 'mold-free' from a single sample.

Continuing education and adherence to recognized standards (e.g., IICRC, AIHA, ACGIH guidance) support competent practice.