MRS Mold Containment and Cleanup Practices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of negative air pressure in a mold containment zone?
- To increase humidity for easier spore removal
- To prevent mold spores from escaping into unaffected areas (Correct answer)
- To speed up the drying process after cleanup
- To reduce the effectiveness of biocides
Correct answer: To prevent mold spores from escaping into unaffected areas
Negative air pressure keeps contaminated air inside the containment zone, preventing cross-contamination of clean areas.
Question 2: Which type of containment is typically used for remediation projects involving less than 10 square feet of mold-affected material?
- Full containment with airlock
- Mini containment
- Mega containment
- Source containment (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Source containment
Source containment (covering the immediate source area) is appropriate for small mold jobs under 10 square feet.
Question 3: When setting up polyethylene sheeting for containment, what minimum thickness is generally recommended?
- 1 mil
- 2 mil
- 4 mil (Correct answer)
- 6 mil
Correct answer: 4 mil
A minimum of 4 mil polyethylene sheeting is recommended to provide adequate durability and tear resistance for containment barriers.
Question 4: During mold remediation, what should workers do before exiting the containment area?
- Remove all PPE inside the containment and bag it (Correct answer)
- Apply a final coat of encapsulant to all surfaces
- Open all windows to ventilate the space
- Turn off the negative air machine immediately
Correct answer: Remove all PPE inside the containment and bag it
Workers should remove and bag PPE inside or at the exit of the containment zone to prevent tracking spores into clean areas.
Question 5: What does HEPA stand for in the context of mold remediation air filtration?
- High-Efficiency Particulate Air (Correct answer)
- Hazardous Environmental Particle Absorber
- Heavy-Duty Exhaust Purification Assembly
- Hygroscopic Element Pressure Adjustment
Correct answer: High-Efficiency Particulate Air
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air, referring to filters that capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger.
Question 6: Which statement best describes the 'critical barrier' in a remediation containment setup?
- The final HEPA filter stage of the air scrubber
- The sealed entryway separating the work zone from clean areas (Correct answer)
- The PPE ensemble worn by the lead remediation technician
- The dehumidifier set point used during drying
Correct answer: The sealed entryway separating the work zone from clean areas
The critical barrier is the physical seal (polyethylene sheeting) at the entry point that separates the contaminated work zone from clean areas.
Question 7: When disposing of mold-contaminated materials, how should bags be sealed before removal from the containment area?
- Stapled shut and labeled
- Sealed with duct tape and wiped down on the outside (Correct answer)
- Left open at the top for inspection
- Tied with a loose knot and placed in a secondary container
Correct answer: Sealed with duct tape and wiped down on the outside
Bags should be sealed with duct tape and wiped down on the outside with a damp cloth or disinfectant before being removed from the containment zone.
MRS Mold Containment and Cleanup Practices 2
What is the primary purpose of negative air pressure in a mold containment zone?