We reference the industry standard Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control (1999), published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The ACGIH standard is the current authority on biological contamination, and is a practical guide for identifying and correcting suspected sources of microbiological amplification. Several other industry guides have been published in recent years, including:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, EPA 402-K-01-001, March 2001.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers, ISBN-0-16-035919-8, published in December, 1999.
- Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC), Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, IICRC S500, 1999.
- New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH), Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments, May 1993, Revised March 2004.
- American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA,) Field Guide for the Determination of Biological Contaminants in Environmental Samples 1996.
- American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), Assessment, Remediation and Post Remediation Verification of Mold in Buildings, AIHA Guideline 3, 2004.
As described by EPA and ACGIH, and supported by publications by the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the amplification of biological populations should not be tolerated in occupied buildings. The presence of amplification requires mitigation measures to remove the biological growth. Existing industry standards indicate the need to remove affected porous materials, clean affected non-porous materials, and thoroughly clean all surfaces in the area of the contamination. Caution is advised in the use of disinfectants, to ensure that building occupants are not exposed to chemical biocides that can be hazardous with uncontrolled use.