Mold RemediationContamination Restoration & Remediation

Mold Matters: Why Legislation and Consumer Protection Can’t Wait

As consumer awareness grows around mold, our industry must lead the charge for regulation and reform.

Office Worker — Photo: simpson33 / iStock / Getty Images Plus
*Photo: simpson33 / iStock / Getty Images Plus*

Consumer awareness and mold are two terms that generally are not in the same sentence, let alone share the same space, but that is changing. Mold and consumer awareness are becoming more intertwined. This is a huge win for our industry. Something we’ve asked for longer than I have been in this industry. More individuals are faced with health issues linked to mold exposure, public demand for transparency, regulation and accountability in mold remediation is growing. This shift is motivating and prompting industry leaders, legislators and advocacy groups to unite with a common mission and goal: to establish clear guidelines, raise awareness and provide reliable resources for our consumers. There is no time like the present for our industry to come together and make mold legislation a national priority.

The Goal for the Industry

Organizations such as the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), NORMI (National Organization of Remediators and Microbial Inspectors), Change the Air Foundation and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (The IICRC) are actively working to shape mold-related legislation and improve consumer protections. These efforts include:

Federal and State Legislation: Advocating for consistent licensing, training and consumer protection laws across the United States.
Public Health Advocacy: Highlighting the health risks of mold exposure and advocating for mold to be recognized as a serious environmental hazard.
Industry Standards: Promoting best practices and standardized protocols for mold inspection, remediation and post-remediation verification.

The Power of Training

Education, training and knowledge are the foundation for safe, effective and ethical mold remediation. Without proper education, you can cause more harm than good. That’s why organizations, like the ones mentioned earlier in this article, offer certification programs and resources.

Training goes beyond certification programs and into the realm of hands-on and in the article, “Training to Triumph: Mastering Mold Remediation for a Healthier Environment”, Rachel Adams emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning, continuing education and staying current with science-backed remediation techniques. Her insights reinforce the idea that training isn’t just a professional requirement, it’s imperative to our consumer’s quality of life and their health.

How We Can Help

To support this movement, industry professionals and businesses can:

Partner with Advocacy Leaders:
- NORMI: Offers a Mold Resource Library, consumer education, professional certifications, and legislative advocacy tools.
- Goldmorr USA: Provides advanced remediation systems, training programs, and supports industry-wide standardization.
- MoldUncovered.org: Delivers consumer education, a legislation tracker and a certified professional directory.
- Industry Professionals: Lean on our industry professionals and experts not just for mold but indoor air quality (IAQ), building science and beyond.
Educate and Empower Consumers: Share information about mold risks, consumer rights and most importantly, offer remediation solutions.
Support Legislative Action: Join the efforts led by our industry organizations and associations to help influence change with state, local and federal government on policy that help protect your teams and our consumers.
Promote Certification and Accountability: Encourage the use of certified professionals.

Conclusion

Mold legislation is no longer a concern for just our industry; it’s a public health issue that demands immediate action. If we prioritize legislation, raising awareness and supporting consumer education, we can lead the way in creating safer, healthier environments.

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Kayla McGowan is the SPAR Partner Manager for PuroClean, where she manages and strengthens the company’s vendor partnership ecosystem. In her role, she serves as a key liaison between PuroClean, approved vendor partners, internal stakeholders, and Franchise Owners, helping connect the network with trusted tools, services, and products that support operational success.

With more than 10 years of experience in marketing and communications within the restoration and cleaning industry, Kayla has built her career around connecting people, ideas, and resources that move the industry forward. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Restoration & Remediation (R&R) Magazine and continues to contribute to R&R as a writer, bringing her industry knowledge and perspective to its audience.

Kayla holds a B.S. in Criminal Science and an M.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Restoration Industry Association’s Marketing Committee.

Her industry credentials include Microbial Warrior®️, Certified Forensic Operator®️, and High Risk/High Level Decontamination Specialist™️. Passionate about elevating the restoration industry and the professionals within it, Kayla enjoys building meaningful relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for collaboration. Outside of work, she is a food lover who enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.