Mold Remediation Safety: PPE, Containment and Protecting Your Family

When our crew shows up in white suits and respirators, homeowners sometimes ask if the house is dangerous. It is not. The protective gear and containment exist because removing moldy materials releases far more spores than the mold does while it sits undisturbed. Here is what each piece does.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Respirators: at minimum an N95 for small jobs; half-face or full-face respirators with P100 filters for larger remediation. Full-face models also protect the eyes.
• Disposable coveralls: keep spores off clothing and are removed before leaving the containment.
• Gloves: nitrile or rubber gloves protect skin from mold and cleaning products.
• Eye protection: goggles without vents when not wearing a full-face respirator.
• Boot covers: prevent tracking debris through the house.

Containment and Negative Air

Containment uses polyethylene sheeting from floor to ceiling, taped seams and a zipper door. A HEPA air scrubber exhausts air out of the containment, often through a window, so the work area stays at lower pressure than the rest of the house. If there is any gap, air flows into the work area rather than out of it. Supply and return vents inside the area are sealed so the HVAC cannot spread spores.

Decontamination

For larger projects, a small chamber at the entrance lets workers remove suits and HEPA vacuum before exiting. Waste is double-bagged inside the containment, wiped and carried out along a protected path.

What It Means for Your Family

• Most families can stay home during remediation; the containment keeps work areas separate.
• People with asthma, severe allergies, infants and anyone with a weakened immune system may be advised to stay elsewhere during demolition.
• Pets should be kept away from work areas and equipment.
• Expect some noise from air scrubbers, which run continuously until the job is cleared.

Why This Matters for DIY

Most DIY mold cleanups skip containment, which is why they so often spread contamination. Read how not to remove mold before attempting it yourself, and see the principles of mold remediation for the full process.

Next Steps

Containment and PPE are part of every job our crews do. Learn how we protect the rest of your home during structural mold remediation and how we clean belongings in our contents mold remediation service. For anything larger than about 10 square feet, call a professional mold remediation team.

Frequently Asked Questions