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frequent questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Allergen/Mold Inspection

* What is mold and should I be concerned?
* Why is mold growing in my home/building?
* How can I prevent Mold growth?
* Can Mold be toxic?
* What is Black Mold?
* Why are we concerned about Mold?
* How do Molds affect people?
* Who is affected by exposure to Mold?
* What should I do if I see or smell Mold in my house/building?
* Should I test my building/house for Mold?
* Who do I call to deal with extensive Mold growth in a building?
* Can I remediate the problem myself?

VOC/MVOC Inspection

*What is VOC/MVOC?
*Should I test for VOCs?
*Will the lab reports be understandable?
*How long will the on-premises test take?
*What do I need to do with regard to test preparation?
*Can your test tell me where the off gassing is coming from?
*Who is affected by VOCs?
*What is the cost?




What is Mold and should I be concerned?

Most likely everyone has experienced indoor mold in our world, from bread and cheese mold to mold growing in that forgotten jar at the rear of our refrigerator. It is a common occurrence and not something to get overly alarmed about. What we need instead of fear is caution, living in the knowledge that molds can be dangerous in the right concentration and combination. We all know of the Ballard House in Texas and the Ed McMahon stories where the houses made the inhabitants sick. Michael Jordan had a suit in progress for mold in his Illinois mansion. With a bit of knowledge we can protect ourselves and be ever cautions of moisture on nutrient sources, i.e., almost any material in the modern building (wood, metal, fuel, concrete, drywall, carpet, anything carbon based). Back to Top


Why is Mold growing in my home/building?

It is important to stress that mold spores are everywhere, on all surfaces. When the factors are right, they will grow and form colonies. Add moisture and nutrients and mold will grow. Different types of mold will grow in a variety of conditions. Most likely there is a moisture source in your building that needs to be remedied. Sometimes the building structure was wet during construction. Moisture intrusion (from swamp coolers) may push the building envelope over the 60% mark. Mold spores will grow and propagate (multiply) on a variety of surfaces when moisture requirements are met. Common sources of indoor moisture that can cause mold problems include flooding, roof and plumbing leaks, damp basement or crawl spaces, or anywhere moist air condenses on cold surfaces.

How can I prevent Mold growth?

Controlling excess moisture is the key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth. Keeping susceptible areas in the home clean and dry is very important. Ventilate or use exhaust fans (to the outdoors) to remove moisture where it accumulates: bathrooms: kitchens: and laundry areas. Be sure the clothes dryer vents to outside the house. Repair water leaks promptly, and either dry out and clean or replace any water-damaged materials. Materials that stay wet for longer that 48 hours are likely to produce mold growth. Lowering the humidity in the home also helps prevent condensation problems. To lower humidity during humid weather, air conditioners and dehumidifiers may be used. Proper exterior wall insulation helps prevent condensation inside the home during cold weather that could cause mold growth. Back to Top

Can Mold be toxic?

Some molds can produce toxic substances called mycotoxins. Airborne mycotoxins have not been shown to cause health problems to occupants in residential or commercial buildings. The health effects of breathing mycotoxins are not well understood and are currently under study.

High or chronic airborne exposures, typically associated with certain occupations like agricultural work, have been associated with illnesses, although these are rare. More is known about eating mycotoxins (from humans and animals consuming moldy foods or feed) and the resulting health effects than is known about breathing mycotoxins.

What is "Black Mold"?

The news media often refer to "black mold" or "toxic black mold". It has usually been associated with the mod Stachybotrys chartarum, a type of greenish-black mold commonly associated with heavy water damage. Known health effects are similar to other common molds. It has been inconclusively associated with more severe health effects in some people. While there are only a few molds that are truly black, many can appear black. Not all mold that appears to be black is Stachybotrus. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), this mold is responsible for over "100 cases of lung disorders". Back to Top

Why are we concerned about Mold?

Small amounts of mold growth in workplaces or homes (such as mildew on a shower curtain) or workplaces are not a major concern, but no mold should be permitted to grow and multiply indoors. When molds are present in large quantities, they may cause nuisance odors and health problems for some people. Mold can damage building materials, finishes and home furnishings. Some molds can cause structural damage to wood.

How do Molds affect people?

Most people will have no reaction at all when exposed to molds. Allergic reactions, similar to common pollen or animal allergies, are the most common health effects for individuals sensitive to molds. Flu-like symptoms and skin rash may occur. Molds may also aggravate asthma. Fungal infections from building-associated molds may occur in people with serious immune disease but this is very rare. Most symptoms are temporary and eliminated by correcting the mold problem in the home. Back to Top

Who is affected by exposure to mold?

For those who are affected by mold exposure, there can be a wide variation in how they react. People who may be affected more severely and quickly than others include:

* infants and children
* elderly people
* individuals with respiratory conditions or allergies and asthma
* persons with weakened immune systems (for example, people with HIV infection, chemotherapy patients, or organ or bone marrow transplant recipients, autoimmune diseases.)

Those with special health concerns should consult their doctor if they are concerned about mold exposure. The symptoms that may seem to occur from mold exposure can also be due to other causes such as bacterial or viral infections, or other allergies.

What should I do if I see or smell mold in my home?

The most important step in solving a mold problem is to identify and fix the moisture sources that caused the mold growth. For small mold problems, use detergent and water to wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely. Porous or absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles, wallboard and carpeting) that become moldy should be replaced. If you do not see mold growth, but notice a musty odor, mold may be growing behind water-damaged materials, such as walls, carpeting or wallpaper. Persons cleaning mold should wear gloves, eye protection and a dust mask or respirator to protect against breathing airborne spores (an N95 dust mask or respirator may be purchased in hardware stores). If you have health concerns, you should consult your doctor before doing any mold cleanup. Back to Top

Should I test my home for mold?

Probably not. It should not be your first step. Your first step should be to inspect your home for any evidence of water damage and any visible mold growth. Testing for mold is expensive, and you should have a clear reason for doing so. In most cases, it is not economically practical or useful to test for mold growth on surfaces or for airborne spores in the home. Testing also tells you little about where mold is located and how to clean it up. In addition, there are no standards for 'acceptable' levels of mold in buildings, so when testing is done, it is usually to compare the levels and types of mold spores found inside the home with those found outside the home. If you know you have a mold problem, it is more important to spend time and resources to get rid of the mold and solve the moisture problem causing the moldy conditions rather than to test for the mold problem.

Who do I call to deal with extensive mold growth in a building?

A professional experienced in mold cleanup may need to be hired to address extensive mold growth in a building. It is important to correct large mold problems as soon as possible by first fixing the source of the moisture problem, then cleaning the surfaces, and finally by drying the area completely. If you use outside contractors or professionals, make sure they have experience cleaning up mold, check their references, and have them follow the recommendations and guidelines as outlined by the IESO (Indoor Environmental Standards Organization). Back to Top

Can I remediate the mold myself?

Spores from dried mold are very dangerous and should be cleaned with caution. You should never scrape or scratch at dried mold as the spores would then be released into the air and pose an inhalation risk. A respiratory mask and eye protection are necessary and adequate clothing to prevent skin contact is recommended.

If the problem is more internal such as on insulation or throughout a carpet, the only solution is to remove and replace the items. An infested area of over 2 feet is considered a "heavily infested" area and professional help should be consulted. Mold problems resulting from flooding should also be managed professionally to avoid possible health risks.

What is VOC/MVOC?

VOC stands for volatile organic compound. MVOC stands for mold volatile organic compound.

VOC is a chemical compound and is best thought of as off gassing particles from paints, varnishes, glues, perfumes, household cleaning agents, etc. All buildings and furnishings off gas their chemical components. Think of a new car smell or a library smell or that of a freshly painted room.

MVOC is an indication of mold colony off gassing. Often used in conjunction with a mold ambient air test for airborne spores or surface samples, this test can provide additional confirmation of the presence of mold.

Should I test for VOCs?

It depends. If you think there may be something amiss with the indoor air in your building, then perhaps it will affirm your suspicion. Typically, homeowners or office dwellers cannot identify the source of their concern. The testing equipment used by Prism Analytical is highly sensitive and measures to the nanogram (one billionth of a gram). As always, sometimes the absence of elevated VOCs is as instructive as the presence, giving you assurance that your home or office is not an issue.

Will the lab reports be understandable?

In my opinion they are, but I am familiar with them. I always provide a written report synopsizing the results. Any questions or clarification needed is welcomed. Feel free to call. More information and sample reports.

How long will the on-premises test take?

Two hours for the VOC/MVOC. Twenty minutes for the formaldehyde.

What do I need to do with regard to test preparation?

I will go over the protocol with you before the test. Essentially we do not want the building 'aired out' before the test as we do not want any VOCs diluted with fresh air. Heavy cooking or frying or house cleaning is also discouraged so we can obtain accurate results.

Can your test tell me where the off gassing is coming from?

No, not specifically. But the report is ingenious as it will link certain compounds with certain products. From there you can deduce what may be the culprit.

Who is affected by VOCs?

It is more an issue of sensitivity to VOCs rather than being affected by them, and sensitivity can manifest differently among individuals. We can all be adversely affected by a chemical if there is undue exposure. Certain exposure guidelines are included in the VOC/MVOC reports. In the report you will be able to gauge what is 'normal' or acceptable.

What is the cost?

$495 for the initial test, then $395 for each additional test.



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Call David Hartman today at 505.345.4465 or email: info@airqualitynm.com