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Mold
Assessment
Building occupants, homeowners, facility
managers, and insurance companies are becoming increasingly aware
of the adverse health implications of mold contamination. Exposure
to mold can have serious health and financial impacts.
Health Effects of Mold The presence of certain mold and mold spores in a building can result in adverse health effects ranging from mild to severe. Some molds can deteriorate the structure of a residence. Health effects may include, but are not limited to; asthma, allergy symptoms, watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, blurry vision, sinus congestion, sore throat, dry cough, aches and pains, skin irritation, headaches, memory loss, and fever. As humans vary greatly in their chemical make-up, so does the individuals reaction to mold exposure. For some people a small number of spores from certain molds can cause ill effects, in others it may take many more before effects are noticed. According to the American Air Quality Council the following is a synopsis of an EPA statement regarding the effects of hazardous and toxic substances; the effects of hazardous materials on an individual are subject to the duration and intensity of the exposure as well as the individual’s health and personal habits. Whether or not symptoms develop in people exposed to fungi depends on the nature of the fungal material, the amount of exposure, and the susceptibility of exposed persons. Susceptibility varies with the genetic predisposition (e.g. allergic reactions do not always occur in all individuals), age, state of health, and concurrent exposures. For these reasons, and because measurements of exposure are not standardized and biological markers of exposure to fungi are largely unknown, it is not possible to determine “safe” or “unsafe” levels of exposure for people in general. To date EPA, CDC, or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to date have not established any PEL (permissible exposure limit) for mold. Whiting Environmental Building Inspection indoor environmental professionals are AIAQC Certified Indoor Environmentalists and Certified Residential Mold Inspectors. Our consultants are trained in the latest methodology with advanced technology for mold testing and mold assessments.
Our assessments include the following process:
Identifying the Problem IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification) S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation, has identified levels of contamination based on conditions 1, 2 or 3. Condition 1 (normal fungal ecology): An indoor environment that may have settled spores , fungal fragments, or traces of actual growth whose identity, location and quantity are reflective of a normal fungal ecology for a similar indoor environment. Condition 2 (settled spores): an indoor environment which is primarily contaminated with settled spores that were dispersed directly or indirectly from a condition 3 area and which may have traces of actual growth. Condition 3 (actual growth): an indoor environment contaminated with the presence of actual mold growth and associated spores. Actual growth includes growth that is active or dormant, visible or hidden. Our visual assessment will help identify not only the actual growth but also the source of the mold growth and the pathways through which the mold may contaminate other areas of the building Moisture control and building repair In all situations, the underlying moisture problem must be corrected to prevent recurring mold growth. Indoor moisture can result from numerous causes, such as: façade and roof leaks; plumbing leaks; floods; condensation; and high relative humidity. Our inspectors are trained to identify not only the mold growth but also those conditions which, if not corrected, could lead to a return of mold growth. Any mold remediation plan should include repairing those conditions causing the mold growth.
Remediation Support
The goal of remediation is to remove or clean mold-damaged materials using work practices that protect occupants by controlling the dispersion of mold from the work area and protect remediation workers from exposures to mold. Whiting Environmental Building Inspection can provide ongoing remediation support for your situation such as scope of work and remediation plans for any project. As independent indoor environmental professionals and experts in building sciences, we can work with contractors to establish a strategy to properly eliminate the mold and to correct the underlying causes of mold growth. Post Remediation Clearance Following a detailed plan, Whiting Environmental Building Inspection is able to determine if the remediation project has been properly completed in accordance with industry standards using our expertise and advanced sampling techniques. We work to protect our clients from incomplete work. Measures to ensure the quality and effectiveness of remediation should be undertaken regardless of the project size. Evaluations during, as well as after remediation, should be conducted to confirm the effectiveness of remedial work, particularly for large-scale remediation.
At
minimum, these quality assurance indicators should be followed
and documented:
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