New Florida Mold Law Provides Grandfather Clause

PRESS RELEASE for/from www.NORMI.org

New Florida Mold Law Provides Grandfather Clause

March 26, 2010 Abita Springs, LA

Governor Charlie Crist of Florida signed HB0713 on Wednesday evening, March 25, 2010 at 6:43pm providing for those currently working in the mold industry to be licensed under a “grandfather clause” option thus waiving the standard licensing requirements. When Florida’s new Mold Licensing Law goes into effect on July 1, 2010, Florida will become one of only five states across the nation to regulate the mold industry by licensing its mold professionals—the other four being Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Maryland.

“This grandfather clause is significant because it emphasizes Governor Crist’s commitment to avoid disrupting the mold industry while supporting and giving credibility to national organizations, like NORMI, that are keeping on top of this very dynamic industry,” commented Doug Hoffman, Executive Director of NORMI, the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors. “The Florida law gives credibility to national organizations that provide a proctored examination, which, of course, we do, and requires 60 hours of training for assessors and 30 hours of training for remediators thereby strengthening the concept that proper training is mandatory if you want to promote professionals to the public. Certifying agencies that require no training for certification, provide correspondence course certificates, or rubberstamp online training with a nice parchment certificate may begin to see how important it is to train properly and support their members with ongoing continuing education. That’s what we’re all about and we’re thrilled that Florida is taking a leadership role in setting the pace toward more professionalism in our industry.”

The Florida Mold Licensing Law, which goes into effect on July 1, 2010 will require mold assessors and mold remediators to be licensed with the state so the industry will be regulated under a new Mold Licensing Board, under direction of Richard Morrison, established for that very purpose. The grandfather clause provides for exceptions through March 1, 2011 to allow those trained and certified mold professionals already working in the industry, based on their association with a nationally recognized certifying agency or with proven work experience, to continue offering their services without interruption.

“This is a big day for NORMI because we have spoken and people are listening. The industry needs good regulation, no doubt, but just as important are certifying agencies like NORMI that offer ongoing support and training,” said Lance Eisen, COO of NORMI. “We answer questions every single day, do training every single day, help clients of our members every single day and that’s what not-for-profit certifying agencies should be doing. It’s not just about taking money for membership fees, it’s providing leading edge training, information, and support to anyone who needs it, the professional or the public. That, in the long run, is what will make the most significant difference in our industry.”

For more information on the Florida Mold Licensing Law or HB0713, please call NORMI at 877.251.2296 or email at support@normi.org
For information on classes available to support the Florida Mold Licensing Law, please call BTS at 888.856.4803 or visit www.BestTrainingSchool.com

Indoor Radon handbook

The WHO (World Health Organization) has just published a new handbook on indoor Radon. You can download a .pdf copy at http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241547673_eng.pdf

State laws listing

The National Center for Healthy Housing and National Conference of State Legislatures have joined forces to create a State by State listing of laws that impact healthy housing; including mold.

Their listing is available on an easy to use web-site with links to the actual laws referenced. Access the web-site at http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/codes/state.htm

If you know of any relevant laws not listed on their site, they encourage input and have included contact names and e-mail addresses in this site.

Healthy Buildings 2009

When: 09/13/2009 - 09/17/2009

Location: Oncenter, Syracuse, NY

Healthy Buildings 2009 is an international signature conference and exhibition of the International Society for Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ), hosted by Syracuse Center of Excellence and Syracuse University.

What: Healthy Buildings 2009Where: Oncenter, Syracuse, NYWhen: Sept. 13-17, 2009More information: http://www.hb2009.orgWho Should Attend? Architects, builders, building systems designers, building products and materials manufacturers, building maintenance and management professionals, public facilities administration, energy and indoor environment auditors, medical researchers, medical practitioners, health authorities, urban policy makers, urban planners, municipal authorities, work performance professionals, and insurers.
Conference Topics: indoor environmental quality, human performance and productivity, buildings and public health, indoor contaminants and pollutants, and building design and assessment.

Exhibition: The HB2009 exhibition will provide firms an unparalleled forum for the exchange of clean and green technology developments, a unique opportunity to showcase innovative products and services, and an extraordinary venue to network with national and global leaders working toward healthy, comfortable, and productive indoor and built environments.
Business-to-Business: To maximize business opportunities at HB2009, Syracuse University and SyracuseCoE will offer workshops, showcases, and seminars to both leverage the leading-edge work presented at the conference and to highlight to the international audience the research, demonstration, and commercialization projects underway in Central Upstate New York’s (http://www.creativecoreny.com) world-class colleges and universities.

Additional information:Website: http://hb2009.org

WHO publishes IAQ/Mold Guidelines

The World Health Organization (WHO) has just released their IAQ guidelines on Dampness and Mold. Learn more at... http://www.euro.who.int/mediacentre/PR/2009/20090715_1.

Just follow the various links on this page to either order a copy or view it in .pdf

New EPA program for home construction

EPA is rolling out a program for new home construction titled Indoor airPlus. EPA created Indoor airPLUS to help builders meet the growing consumer preference for homes with improved indoor air quality.

Construction specifications include the careful selection and installation of moisture control systems; heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems; combustion-venting systems; radon resistant construction; and low-emitting building materials.

You can visit http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/pdfs/consumer_brochure.pdf to learn more.

Particulates and Life Expectancy

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this year has found that reducing/removing fine particulate matter from the air you breathe can extend life.

In their own words...

"A reduction in exposure to ambient fine-particulate air pollution contributed to
significant and measurable improvements in life expectancy in the United States."

You can download a copy of the 11 page report at http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/360/4/376.pdf

formaldehyde linked to more cancers

USA Today article reports on a new study just published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that links formaldehyde to more, common cancers. You can read the USA Today article at http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-05-12-formaldehyde-cancer_N.htm

NORMIPro Environmental TASC Force

May 1, 2009 – The NORMIPro Environmental TASC Force has officially launched its Charter Chapters in over 15 states and in 3 provinces of Canada. More chapters are opening daily and there is an overwhelming interest in this organization.

The TASC Force chapters will hold positions for a variety of environmental professionals such as Certified Mold Inspectors and Remediators; Restoration Professionals; Infection Control Specialists; Green Home Designers, Builders & Architects; Environmental Medicine Doctors; Natural Health Practitioners; Licensed Contractors; Alternative Energy and Energy Management Specialists; Water Quality Solutions Providers; Air Quality Solutions Providers; Green Cleaning Providers; Organic Body Care and Cosmetics Providers and many more…

The mission of the TASC Force is to provide resources for these types of professionals who need multi-faceted solutions providers for many of their client jobs. This will enable them to have qualified and trusted environmental professionals to refer out or to subcontract in their projects.

Another important mission of the TASC Force is work in conjunction with local government officials and emergency personnel in the event of a local or regional disaster. These local chapters will be a one-stop resource for any and all of the services that would be needed in such a situation.

Charter Chapter President Applications are being accepted now, as well as member applications for the chapters already established.

For more information contact:
Linda Eicher
Director, NORMIPro Environmental TASC Force
877-751-3100 ext.865
Linda@NORMIPro.com

Fox News report - mold sickens family

Fox News reported that a Virginia family was sickened by mold in their new, custom built, home. Watch it here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5tXlKN5uFA