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By Louise Classon
Editor’s Note: Certification for mold professionals
is a hot topic of conversation and controversy. EH&S called
on association representatives in the environmental industry
to offer their opinions on this issue. These persons were
asked questions regarding various facets of the certification
issue. Their answers reflect the diversity of opinions surrounding
this topic.
The following participants answered the questions for their
organizations
and they are listed alphabetically by the acronym of their
organization. The
responses throughout the following article are identified
by the acronym of the
organization.
ASSE, Bob DeSiervo, Director of Professionals and Tim Fisher,
Director of Practices and Standards, American Society of Safety
Engineers, phone: 847-768-3406. Founded in 1911, the non-profit
ASSE is the oldest and largest professional safety organization
and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment.
Its more than 30,000 members manage, supervise, research and
consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental
issues in all industries, government, labor and education.
EEF, Troy E. Johnson, Executive Director, Environmental
Education
Foundation, phone: 480-659-9356 EEF’s mission is to
engage in the developing and disseminating of information
regarding hazards to human health and threats to the environment
with particular emphasis on hazards or threats which are associated
with occupying, purchasing, insuring, selling or owning residential,
commercial or industrial property; testing methodologies and
procedures to detect such hazards and threats; and programs
and measures which mitigate or eliminate such hazards or threats.
Such information is disseminated primarily to professionals
engaged in assessing such hazards and threats, financial institutions
which are lenders for real estate, insurance providers who
sell or issue policies to transfer risk, owners or prospective
buyers, as well as the public generally. The Environmental
Education Foundation is a unique, non-profit corporation that
provides educational seminars, publications and advanced technology
(including software) to both the public and private sectors
through donations from its contributors and cooperative agreements
with government agencies.
IAMM, Dana Carter, Executive Director, International Association
of Mold Management, phone: 800-805-4266. IAMM’s mission
is to provide a means for education, solutions, resources,
and networking for its members, associates, and consumers
with respect to all issues concerning mold. This will enable
a consistent standard of practice and care in providing quality
professional services to the public for inspection, testing,
consulting, sampling, remediation, insurance and legal advice.
IAMRS, Anne Jameson, Executive Director, International Association
of Mold Remediation Specialists, phone: 817-735-1900. IAMRS
is a non-profit multi-disciplined association promoting competence
and quality in mold mitigation and remediation through research
and education.
IAQA, Glenn Fellman, Executive Director, Indoor Air Quality
Association, phone: 301-231-8388 IAQA is a non-profit organization
with members representing a wide array of IAQ-related professions,
including investigators, remediators, product manufacturers,
laboratories, contractors, engineers, attorneys and facilities
management personnel. There are more than 2,500 IAQA members.
IAQA conducts training and certification programs including
Certified Indoor Environ-mentalist (CIE), Certified Mold Remediator
(CMR), and Mold Loss Prevention (MLP). Other IAQA programs
include an annual meeting and exposition, non-certification
educational seminars, active monitoring of industry governmental
affairs, a newsletter and other publications, and several
technical committees.
AIAQC, Charlie Wiles, Executive Director, American Indoor
Air Quality Council, phone: 800-942-0832. AIAQC, is a non-profit
association for IAQ managers, technicians, investigators,
consultants and professionals.
IESO, David Fetveit, President, Indoor Environmental Standards
Organization, phone: 800-406-0256. IESO is a non-profit organization
that provides a national forum for the development and publication
of voluntary consensus standards for the assessment of indoor
environments. Its mission is to be the foremost developer
and provider of voluntary consensus indoor environmental quality
standards, related technical information, and services having
recognized quality and applicability that promote public health
and safety, and the overall quality of life. IESO also offers
certification programs to promote awareness and compliance
to the established standards. IESO writes environmental sampling
and assessment standards, and offers certification programs
based on the standards.
NAMP, Seth Norman, Director, National Association of Mold
Professionals, phone: 248-669-5673. NAMP is a non-profit trade
organization, which seeks to influence the mold industry through
proper education, a strict code of ethics, and by providing
professionally trained and certified mold inspectors and remediators.
NAMP offers continuing education, support and consultation
to its members along with proper credentials.
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