According to Certified Restorer Ron Reese, there's two sides to remediation in the real world: there's the soft side with all the technical, black and white material/evidence; and then there's the tough side with the people factor-the occupants, the professionals who are involved in the case.

"Professionals usually have different views on the case, and these positions influence the results or the remediation of the problem;" Reese said. "It's important to have everyone on the same page, thinking roughly the same way so that resolution can be achieved."

Thus, the premise for "Remediation In The Real World Panel Discussion," moderated by Reese, and one of the highlights at last month's Assessment, Remediation and Prevention of Mold Growth in Buildings Symposium in Baltimore late last month. The event had more than 150 attendees, and was produced by MidAtlantic Environmental Hygiene Resource Center.

Panelists represented all perspectives on a remediation project and included: Pete Consigli for the restoration industry; Mike McGuinness for the environmental consultant; Davidge Warfield for the remediation contractor; Jerry Provencher for the insurance industry; Tom Weller III for the property management; Mac Pearce for the uninsured and those with limited budgets; and Edward Cross on legal issues. Each panelist gave a short presentation on his perspective before attendee questions were answered.

The biggest debate among the panelists ensued over the question, "What responsibility do you have to let the owner know of a health risk [in a moldy home]?"

Provencher said it wasn't his role to investigate/assess a health risk. "I'm not there to evaluate a health risk; I'm not qualified [to make that determination]." Cross told attendees that the insurance company should have responsibility to tell the owner about the mold, while Pearce said that if "you have a smell that's so bad, you [the contractor] have the responsibility to get the family out of there fast... that's common sense."

Weller said "kicking people out of businesses or homes is serious business. I have to have a couple experts come in and tell me that and even then I'll be hard-pressed to do this. Who's qualified to make the decision? But McGuinness said, "I have three N.J. schools closed down because of mold. If you make a mistake, it's better to err on the side of safety."

Warfield bristled at the liability factors involved as a contractor, while Consigli told attendees that "occupant safety is only one factor. You have to look at all factors and the cause and effect of the particular situation and building."