Pennsylvania Mold Management Task Force Report

The Pennsylvania General Assembly, through the introduction of Senate Resolution 171 of Session 2001-02 (adopted June 18, 2002), House Resolution 434 of Session 2001-02 (adopted June 17, 2002), and House Bill 1187 of Session 2003-04, has previously expressed an interest in the development of such a task force to examine the issue of mold, its assessment, its remediation, and its effects on human health in indoor environments.  Although similar legislation has not yet passed the full General Assembly in the current session, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) moved forward to convene a task force to address these public health issues.

The Pennsylvania Mold Task Force (Task Force) was established with the intent of investigating the broad issue of mold contamination in homes and schools as well as in other public and private buildings throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  The objectives of the Task Force were both (1) to improve understanding of issues related to mold amplification in the indoor environment and (2) to reduce the negative consequences associated with the performance of mold assessment and remediation by individuals or groups lacking the qualifications to perform quality work.

In order to facilitate the meetings of the Task Force and provide a written report, the PA DOH entered into an agreement with Drexel University. Under the direction of PA DOH, Hernando Rafael Perez, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, facilitated four meetings of the Task Force, coordinated a comment period, and prepared this report (See Appendix F for Dr. Perez’ biosketch).  A broad range of stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth were represented on the Task Force including mold abatement experts, affected consumers and homeowners, real estate licensees, home builders, insurance officials, academicians, health and medical experts, school system officials, health officials, and others. From its inception, the Task Force was intended to meet over a finite period of time and develop recommendations to be delivered to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in a timely fashion.  The Task Force met quarterly during 2005.  During these meetings, Task Force members presented their viewpoints and discussed mold-related issues as a group. The recommendations of the Task Force focus on four areas: public education, assessment and remediation, licensing and certification of mold assessors and remediators, and insurance coverage for mold assessors and remediators.  This report provides background on the issue of mold and describes the conclusions and recommendations of the Task Force regarding each of the four critical areas described above.