EPA Contractors Mold Requirements

• Additional mold rules and requirements can exist from state to state. Monkey Business Images Ltd/Valueline/Getty Images

  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes many different reports on how the issue of mold in buildings should be handled. These range from identification to potential health problems, regulations and recommended cleanup actions. Many contractors specialize in mold cleanup of homes and buildings, but as of 2010, no EPA rules exist that specifically apply to contractors for cleaning mold.

10 Square Feet Rule

• The documents put out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggest that, when an area of mold damage larger than 10 square feet is discovered, a professional contractor should be hired to do the cleanup instead of attempting to address the situation yourself.

Mold Cleanup Guide

• Several guides for cleanup of mold from a contaminated area are released by the EPA. "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings" remains the standard EPA document for identifying the various types of mold and how to deal with each individual type. This document includes the EPA-approved method for identifying the most probable causes of the problem and the proper step-by-step methods for cleaning up the area and preventing future issues.

Mold Remediation

• While the EPA offers guides for the identification and cleanup of mold from homes, schools and commercial buildings, no federal laws exist from the EPA forcing contractors to use these methods. According to the EPA website, individuals who need to hire a contractor to get rid of mold should ask for references from past jobs, or ask the contractor if they follow the EPA standards for mold removal. Some states require specific licensing in relation to mold removal, and checking on these credentials can help in the hiring of a competent contractor.