Homeworks Environmental Indoor Air Quality Testing

 

Why Homeworks Environmental Inspection is your best choice.

Indoor Air Quality Testing for Mold requires specific knowledge, skills, and equipment. Our staff have the following:

  • Knowledge of mold types, growth conditions, and health effects
  • Understanding of building science and moisture management
  • Experience in mold inspection and sampling techniques
  • Access to proper testing equipment, such as air sampling pumps, laboratory analysis, and moisture meters
  • Training in interpreting laboratory results and writing comprehensive reports

By having these qualifications, a professional can accurately assess the presence of mold in the indoor environment, determine the type and extent of contamination, and make recommendations for remediation.

What is Indoor Air Quality Testing – Mold

Indoor air quality (IAQ) testing for mold is a process used to assess the levels of mold and mold-related contaminants in the air inside a building. IAQ testing is typically performed by a professional indoor air quality inspector and involves collecting air samples from various locations within the building and analyzing them in a laboratory.

IAQ testing for mold is important because exposure to mold and mold-related contaminants can cause a range of health problems, including allergies, asthma, headaches, and respiratory problems. Mold testing can help identify the presence and extent of mold growth, allowing for prompt and effective remediation to be performed.

Why is Indoor Air Quality Testing – Mold Important?

Indoor air quality testing for mold is important for several reasons:

  • Health Assessment: Mold in indoor air can cause various health problems, including allergies, respiratory issues, and infections. Indoor air quality testing can determine the presence and levels of mold fragments in the air, which can help assess potential health risks for those living or working in the environment.
  • Identification: Indoor air quality testing can identify the types of mold present in the air, which is important for determining the potential health effects and appropriate remediation actions.
  • Hidden Mold: Mold growth can often be hidden behind walls, under flooring, or in other hard-to-reach areas. Indoor air quality testing can detect mold in these areas even if it is not visible, helping to identify the full extent of the problem.
  • Confirm Presence: Indoor air quality testing can confirm the presence of mold, which can be helpful in cases where mold is not easily visible.
  • Evaluate Effectiveness of Remediation: Indoor air quality testing can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of remediation efforts by comparing pre- and post-remediation mold levels in the air.
  • Peace of Mind: Knowing the types and levels of mold present in the air can give you peace of mind and help you take appropriate actions to protect your health and well-being.

Overall, indoor air quality testing for mold can provide valuable information about the presence and potential health effects of mold, and help guide decisions about remediation and prevention.

People with asthma, respiratory issues, and mold allergies often request Indoor Air Quality Mold Testing as symptoms often include respiratory issues. Other individuals are looking for assurance that the Indoor Air doesn’t contain elevated levels of mold. at Homeworks Environmental Inspections, we offer Professional Indoor Air Quality Testing services in Eastern NC. & Southeastern Va.

Please call us today to schedule your appointment! 252-473-6525

 

 

When you should consider an
Indoor Air Quality Test for Mold

  • When a recent or prior water damage event is suspected or has occurred.
  • When a “Musty” smell is noticed.
  • An occupant of the home is predisposed to respiratory distress.
  • Recent mold remediation has taken place and you want to verify the effectiveness.

Indoor Air Quality Testing
Air Sampling Methods

Air samples are possibly the most common type of environmental sample that investigators collect to study bioaerosols (mold, pollen, particulates). The physics of removing particles from the air and the general principles of good sample collection apply to all airborne materials, whether biological or other origin. Therefore, many of the basic principles investigators use to identify and quantify other airborne particulate matter can be adapted to bioaerosol sampling. Common to all aerosol samplers is consideration of collection efficiency. The following are the two most common forms of air sampling methods.

Air-O-Cell Cassette
The Air-O-Cell spore trap cassette is used with a portable air pump (15 liters/minute for 1 to 10 minutes) to collect airborne aerosols including mold, pollen and other airborne particulates. Air is drawn through a small opening at the top of the cassette and spores are trapped on a sticky coated glass slide inside the cassette. These cassettes are efficient at collecting spores as small as 2.6μm.

Z5 Cassette
The Z5 spore trap is used with a portable air pump (5 liters/minute for 1 to 5 minutes) to rapidly collect airborne aerosols including mold, pollen and other airborne particulates. Air is drawn through a small slit at the top of the cassette and spores are trapped on a sticky surface on a small glass slide inside the cassette. They are efficient at collecting spores as small as 1μm.

Microbial Violate Compound Sampling:

This inspection detects bothersome odors in homes and the workplace.

If mold spores are not detected in air sampling and mold odors persists than MVOC sampling might be the next step in an air quality investigation. MVOC odors were discovered to pass through building materials such as flooring, walls and ceilings, while mold spores do not. In homes and buildings with elevated moisture issues mold and other fungi give off odors as they grow and die decomposing behind building material. MVOC have been linked to health issues affecting building occupants and are indicative of microbial growth within a structure. Concerns have increased research by health professionals and indoor air quality exports.

CALL US TODAY to schedule a mold inspection for your home or office in or near Durham, North Carolina. There is never a wrong time to test your property for mold, and it can save you thousands in the future.

Microscope