Extensive disaster-related damage from external sources or from broken water pipes may cause eligible facilities to become inundated or exposed to wet and humid conditions for several days following a disaster. The disruption of electrical power may inhibit the use of water-extraction, pumping, and drying electrical equipment, and the limited availability of private repair and restoration contractors may delay cleanup activities. If this happens, water saturation may cause growth and propagation of mold on structures and interior contents, causing health-related problems and increasing the costs of repairs.
Mold remediation may be eligible under the Public Assistance Program, either as an emergency protective measure in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, or as part of the permanent repair work of eligible facilities. For mold remediation to be eligible, the mold must not be a result of poor facility maintenance or failure to take protective measures in a reasonable time after the event.
The incident may cause facilities to be inundated or exposed to wet and humid weather conditions for extended periods of time. These conditions may cause growth and spreading of mold in structures and on contents, causing threats to public health and increasing the repair cost.
The following remediation activities may be eligible as emergency protective measures:
• Wet vacuuming, damp wiping, or vacuuming with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) equipment of the interior space
• Removal of contaminated gypsum board, plaster (or similar wall finishes), carpet or floor finishes, and ceilings or permanent light fixtures
• Cleaning of contaminated heating and ventilation (including ductwork), plumbing, and air conditioning systems or other mechanical equipment
Pre-remediation mold sampling is only eligible when the sampling reveals the presence of mold. Post-remediation sampling is eligible to confirm that remediation is complete.
The Applicant may use a variety of mold cleanup methods to remediate mold damage based on the extent of damage and type of damaged material. Appendix I: Mold Remediation, provides information for consideration when developing a SOW for mold remediation. The Applicant must follow applicable State, Territorial, Tribal, and local government guidelines for mold sampling and remediation.
FEMA only provides PA funding for mold sampling performed by an indoor environmental professional, such as a Certified Industrial Hygienist, Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant, or Certified Microbial Consultant. The indoor environmental professional should not be employed by the remediation company to avoid a conflict of interest. FEMA considers technical evaluations performed by licensed professionals when determining the eligibility of mold remediation.
For mold remediation to be eligible, mold must not be a result of poor facility maintenance or failure to take protective measures to prevent the spread of mold in a reasonable time after the incident. If the Applicant can document and justify why it did not take measures to prevent further contamination, or why measures taken were insufficient to prevent further damage, mold remediation may be eligible.
Examples of extenuating circumstances include:
• Disruption of power
• Facility is underwater
• Facility is inaccessible
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is damaged
• Insufficient resources to remediate the entire facility
FEMA evaluates whether the facility had pre-existing water infiltration conditions when determining whether mold remediation is eligible. For this evaluation, FEMA considers whether there is evidence of:
• Improperly sealed windows or exterior vents
• Standing water against an exterior wall
• Poorly maintained drains or gutters with rust or vegetative growth
• Absence of rain gutters
• Leaking ceiling tiles
