NYS Senator Diane J. Savino (D-I-WF North Shore/South Brooklyn) today introduced legislation to license mold mitigation and removal in New York State. Much like asbestos, mold can cause injury to the unprotected or untrained removal worker. In addition, if not all properly removed mold will aggressively return by growing again on almost any surface. Because of Super Storm Sandy, we have learned the hard way mold can harm our children, elderly and those with breathing difficulties such as asthma. Senator Savino’s district encompassing the North Shore of Staten Island and South Brooklyn has some of the highest asthma rates in the Nation.

Presently, there is no license or training for mold assessment and/or removal, also no work standard currently exists. Savino’s bill would set forth criteria to ensure that licensed mold mitigation is conducted thoroughly and with standards that ensure the mold will not return, nor will the workers conducting the work suffer any ill effects from mold removal.

Nearly four months after Hurricane Sandy ravaged parts of New York with massive flooding, there is an increasing public health risk associated with mold growth in residential and commercial buildings. Mold exposure causes respiratory health problems. People, especially children, with asthma are particularly vulnerable to illness from mold exposure. They often experience exacerbation of their asthma when exposed. On occasion, mold can cause even more serious health problems. Many people do not fully understand mold problems, the causes of mold in buildings, and proper assessment and/or remediation when a mold problem, exists.

“I have heard from countless storm victims that we need to minimize the public health risks posed by mold, avert economic injury to residents affected by mold, and regulates companies that hold themselves out to the public as qualified to perform mold-removal services,” Savino continued. “This bill will ensure that the public is protected from unscrupulous contractors offering mold assessment and/or remediation, and that licensed companies engaged in mold removal will be properly trained.”

An estimated 10,000 homes and 5,000 businesses in New York State have significant mold mitigation problems due to flooding during super Storm Sandy.

(YWN Desk – NYC)