Abstract
As our population ages, and many persons with chronic diseases are living longer, threats to their health from biopollutant exposures in the home environment take on major importance. Opportunistic fungal infections are increasing, as are the number of individuals convalescing at home due to managed care and other factors. Individuals experiencing cancer chemotherapy, transplant recovery, and AIDS require clean living quarters to minimize the risk of opportunistic infections from undue exposures to environmental molds. A critical element of control will be provided by the trained, certified, professional specialty cleaner, who will meet the challenge of reducing fungal reservoirs by maximizing the cleaning of porous furnishings and hard surfaces, while minimizing dust resuspension and cleaning residues. With a working knowledge of indoor ecology and related pollutant reservoirs, and by using high performance equipment and effective cleaning products, the professional specialty cleaner becomes an essential component of the indoor environmental quality team.