Professional Mold Assessment

Our mold assessment (sometimes referred to as a mold survey) of homes and commercial buildings is performed adhering to standard methods, practices, and protocols of the Certified Mold Inspectors & Contractors Institute and the EAA (Environmental Assessment Association). It encompasses a wide range of data sources, giving you the most accurate conclusions possible.


Precautions
To protect your property from accidental contamination, our field technicians put on new full shoe coverings (booties) before entering your premises. And you will notice their safety suits and respirators they utilize to protect themselves from possible toxin contact.


Visual Inspection
Because mold cannot live without moisture, sources of moisture are one of the focal points of our investigation. During the thorough visual inspection of your structure ( including the attic, crawl spaces and basement) we examine:
  • heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems
  • the moisture content of floors, walls and ceilings--even beneath surfaces--using a non-invasive moisture meter
  • the humidity of the indoor air, using a properly calibrated meter
  • all water-damaged areas.

Also available:

  • an examination of moisture barriers for proper installation and condensation occurrence, via a fiber optics scope and existing wall openings (whenever possible)
  • discovery of the point of water intrusion in water-damaged areas
  • a definitive report of adjacent and contiguous property contamination sources
  • an assessment of property damage
  • an assessment of other chemical contamination, such as benzene, formaldehyde, etc...
  • other professional support as needed.

Specimen Collection
Your field representative's training ensures that, throughout this portion of the inspection, there is consistency in collection protocols, minimizing the possibility of sample contamination. Specialized equipment allows us to collect specimens from:

Indoor Air
It is primarily these samples that determine airborne mold spore counts. Proximate outdoor air is also tested (for the control sample) 1. For reliable results, the equipment used includes a controlled volume air pump, which draws air through Air-O-Cell ® cassettes. In special cases where the species of mold needs to be identified, a collection plate with a growth medium is placed in a viable impactor (microbial particle sampler), in which one hour of spore settling time is replicated in five minutes.

Wall Interior Air
Moisture meter readings of an elevated moisture content of the wall material make it a candidate for this type of testing, especially when it is drywall (the paper covering is vulnerable to consumption from mold growth). Samples are collected using the WallChek ® system, providing an adapter for an Air-O-Cell ® cassette, and utilizing a small ¼ inch tubing, which is inserted into the wall. Air sampling pumps set at 15 liters per minute (lpm) draw air from the wall cavity for, normally, two minutes, for a total of 30 liters.

Suspect Surfaces
Here we use a swab or tape.

Carpeting
Carpet samples are collected with a system called DustChek ®, developed as a sampling and analysis technology for the enumeration and identification of both total and viable fungal spores in dust. The system involves sweeping carpeting with a vacuum that has a DustChek ® assembly attached. The collected dust can be analyzed for total and viable fungal spores, as well as allergens. After the collection is complete, the DustChek ® receptacle is securely capped to prevent external contamination.

Small Pieces of Contaminated Material
Sometimes it is necessary to remove a small portion of the material affected (e.g., wall board, insulation, etc.). These are collected without marring appearances, whenever possible.

Water From Condensate Drain Pans or Cooling Towers
This can be an indicator of contamination at the water source.


Specimen Destination
After the collection procedure is accomplished, we'll confer with you concerning which samples should be microscopically examined by a certified laboratory, allowing us to determine the genus of the mold sampled. This is necessary because unmagnified appearances may not be reliable indicators. While certain colors may suggest the presence of a toxic mold (for example, the purple and green sheen sometimes associated with Stachybotrys sp.), varieties may not always exhibit the same colors. Black mold, white mold, green mold, etc., all require scrutiny along with scientific methodology to ascertain if the sampled mold is a genus known to produce mycotoxins.

You pay an analysis fee only for the samples sent to the laboratory. There is no charge for those not sent. Those not sent will be placed in a special culturing area. Their mold growth progress will be noted visually, and documented.

For those samples chosen for the laboratory, a "chain of custody" form is completed by our field representative and the specimens media is carefully packaged and sent. Three days after the laboratory receives the samples, their microscopy technician will send Toxic Consulting a written report, which is immediately forwarded to you.


Laboratory Results
The specimens analysis report (an example can be seen here) is interpreted for you, following industry-standard analytical methods. The report includes quantitative findings for each of the following fungal spore varieties:
  • Alternaria
  • amerospores
  • Arthrinium
  • ascospores
  • Aspergillus/Penicillium-like
  • Aureobasidium
  • basidiospores
  • Bipolaris/Dreschlera
  • Botrytis
  • Chaetomium
  • Cladosporium
  • conidia, unidentified
  • Curvularia
  • Epicoccum
  • Fusarium
  • Memnoniella
  • Nigrospora
  • Oidium/Peronospora
  • Pithomyces/Ulocladium
  • rusts
  • smuts/Myxomycetes/Periconia
  • Stachybotrys
  • Stemphylium
  • Torula

Mold Inspection Report
You also receive the added benefit of a unique written compilation of all procedures and findings. Investigative methods, laboratory results, and your field representative's recommendations are documented in a comprehensive report averaging eighteen pages in length. Because of the proprietary nature of the report the preview is limited to the Table of Contents .


Benefits
  • occupants discover whether there is toxic mold
  • property owners protect their investment
  • doctors find assistance with their diagnosis
  • lawyers can show an association between mold and an illness
  • real estate brokers can present mold-neutral properties (waivers may be insufficient litigation protection)
  • employers increase productivity.