IICRC S520 Standard.
What is it and why is it important?

About

IICRC - institute inspection restoration certification, have in constant development an ANSI standard for Mould Remediation, known as the S520.

This is a consensus document developed and agreed upon by industry professionals from all over the world.  The people involved in the development of the S520 range from PhD holders through to Restoration Professionals who actually do the work of mould removal.

From the IICRC Web Page;

The ANSI/IICRC S520 is a procedural standard for the remediation of mould damaged structures and contents. The ANSI/IICRC S520 is based on reliable remediation and restoration principles, research and practical experience, and attempts to combine essential academic principles with practical elements of water damage restoration for technicians facing “real-life” mould remediation challenges. The S520 and R520 are written for use by those involved in the mould remediation industry, and is the result of collaboration among microbiologists and other scientists, public health professionals, industrial hygienists, remediation contractors, restoration service companies, cleaning and restoration training schools, trade associations that service the professional restoration industry, allied trade-persons and others with related professional and practical experience.

ANSI/IICRC S520-2015 Standard and IICRC R520 Reference Guide is published as two separate documents: the standard itself and a supplementary reference guide. The procedural standard is supported by the reference guide. The intent is to use the principles outlined in the reference guide as a tool to better understand and apply the standard itself. However, the reference guide is not considered part of this standard.

What does the IICRC S520 Say about Mould Removal

Wikepedia:

Cleanup and removal methods

The purpose of cleanup is to eliminate mold and remove contaminated materials. Killing mold with a biocide is insufficient, since chemicals and proteins causing reactions in humans remain in dead mold. The following methods are used.

Evaluation: Before remediation, the area is assessed to ensure safety, clean up the entire moldy area, and properly approach the mold. The EPA provides the following instructions:[8]

HVAC cleaning: Should be done by a trained professional.[15]

Protective clothing: Includes a half- or full-face respirator mask. Goggles with a half-face respirator mask prevent mold spores from reaching the mucous membranes of the eyes. Disposable hazmat coveralls are available to keep out particles down to one micrometer, and protective suits keep mold spores from entering skin cuts. Gloves are made of rubber, nitrile, polyurethane, or neoprene.[8][14]

Dry brushing or agitation device: Wire brushing or sanding is used when microbial growth can be seen on solid wood surfaces such as framing or underlayment (the subfloor).

Dry-ice blasting: Removes mold from wood and cement; however, this process may spray mold and its byproducts into surrounding air.

Wet vacuum: Wet vacuuming is used on wet materials, and this method is one of those approved by the EPA.[citation needed]

Damp wipe: Removal of mold from non-porous surfaces by wiping or scrubbing with water and a detergent and drying quickly.

HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) vacuum: Used in remediation areas after materials have been dried and contaminated materials removed; collected debris and dust is stored to prevent debris release.

Debris disposal: Sealed in the remediation area, debris is usually discarded with ordinary construction waste.

Equipment

Equipment used in mold remediation includes: moisture meter: measures drying of damaged materials; Humidity gauge: often paired with a thermometer; borescope: Camera at the end of a flexible snake, illuminating potential mold problems inside walls, ceilings and crawl spaces; digital camera: Documents findings during assessment; personal protective equipment (PPE): Respirators, gloves, impervious suit, and eye protection; thermographic camera: Infrared thermal-imaging cameras identify secondary moisture sources.

The US EPA, also has a fantastic resource on mould remediation.  Read More

WA Health have a brilliant publication on Mould and Health - Read it Here

IICRC S520

Other References

They Key to Mould Removal is
REMOVE THE MOULD

INDUSTRY CONSENSUS AND BEST PRACTICE AGREE;
SINCE CHEMICALS AND PROTEINS CAUSING REACTIONS IN HUMANS REMAIN IN DEAD MOULD,
KILLING MOULD WITH A BIOCIDE IS INSUFFICIENT

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT INDEPENDENT TESTING