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PROFESSIONAL INSPECTIONS
Residential, Structural, & Commercial
Please Call Us for a Quote or to Schedule an Appointment
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P.O. Box 210433
Montgomery, AL 36121
(334) 558-1719
Fax: (866) 638-8091
doug@allsafeinspections.com |
Fully Licensed & Insured
FREE Infrared Scan
with Inspection
Reports available on-line "Same Day" |
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Mold Testing |
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Mold exposure affects certain individuals more severely and quickly than others
including: |
- Infants and Children
- Elderly People
- Pregnant Women
- Individuals with Respiratory Conditions or Allergies and Asthma
- Persons with Weakened Immune Systems (e.g., People with HIV Infection, Chemotherapy Patients, or Organ or Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients, and Autoimmune Diseases)
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An ASI accredited mold inspector’s primary mission is to protect the health and
well being of both their clients and the general public from microbiological and
other environmental hazards in homes, condos, apartments, and other occupied buildings.
ASI performs mold inspections in compliance with the standards of practice set forth
by the Mold Inspection Protocol Training Institute.
Because we function as an independent inspection firm and not as a remediation firm,
we have no conflict of interest. Protecting your interest and your health is our
only concern.
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About Mold Inspections |
Inquiry
One very important step in properly diagnosing a potential mold problem
is to inquire of any current, existing problem conditions, such as but not limited
to the following: moldy odors, humidity problems, condensation problems, any
known past or present roof leaks, plumbing leaks or past floods and any visible
mold observed.
It is common to find mold growth in and around air conditioners and AC ductwork,
under kitchen and bathroom sinks, behind toilets, on shower stall walls, on garage
interior walls, under and behind aquarium stands, on drywall material, carpets,
and ceiling acoustical tile as well as many other areas in need of inspection.
Digital photographs may also be taken to document your particular conditions
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Sampling
Often, evidence of mold cannot be visually seen but must be detected instead
by taking samples of microscopic mold spores for analysis. Typically, air samples
are taken of the outdoor and indoor air by using Air-O-Cell for spore collecting.
This is done to determine if mold spore counts filtered from the indoor air
are unusually high in comparison to the mold spore count filtered from the air just
outside your property. It also indicates types
of mold at the property. The dominating presence of one or two kinds of fungi indoors
and the absence of the same kind outdoors may indicate a moisture problem and degraded
air quality
The Air-O-Cell is a typical and basic test that is often done as part of a professional
mold inspection routine. Depending on visible conditions, other types of mold sampling
may be required, and including surface sampling with the aid of swabs and/or simple,
clear tape.
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Lab Testing and Reporting
It is crucial that an accredited professional microbiology lab be used
for analysis of any mold or mold spore samples obtained at the property. The lab
report often gives information on the number of spores per cubic meter of air and
the specific types of molds found, including their potential health effects. The
printed lab results specifying what types of mold were found will be provided to
you.
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Interpreting Sampling Results
A useful method for interpreting microbiological results is to compare
the kinds and levels of organisms detected in different environments. Specifically,
in structures without mold problems, the qualitative diversity of airborne fungi
indoors and outdoors should be similar. Conversely, the dominating presence
of one or two kinds of fungi indoors and the absence of the same kind outdoors may
indicate a moisture problem and degraded air quality. Also, the consistent
presence of fungi such as Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus versicolor, or various
Penicillium species over and beyond background concentrations may indicate the occurrence
of a moisture problem that should be addressed and a potential atypical exposure.
Generally indoor mold types should be similar and levels should be no greater than
outdoor and non-complaint areas. Analytical results from bulk material or
dust samples may also be compared to results of similar samples collected from reasonable
comparison areas.
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For more information
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
http://www.epa.gov/mold/
Please contact us for information regarding mold testing services |
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