COPYWRITE 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
| Final Inspection LLC |
| INSPECTING AND TESTING Molds are common life forms. They can be found in areas where everything freezes as well as in the tropics where everything is burning hot. They are found in homes and schools and office buildings. They are destructive to many different materials. Mold can eat away the leather in your shoes. Mold can eat away wood and wood products. Mold can invade your body and cause diseases, including allergic reactions, dizziness, sleeplessness and irritability. Although no standards for exposure to airborne microorganisms exist, scientists generally agree that airborne concentrations exceeding 1,000 colony-forming-units per cubic meter (cfu/m3) of air constitutes an abnormal condition. Because outdoor concentration often exceed 1,000 cfu/m3…especially in the summer months…the specific types of organisms and airborne concentrations found indoors should be compared to outdoor samples before concluding that an indoor air quality problem exists. Complete Visual Mold Inspection A visual inspection is the most important initial step in identifying a possible mold contamination problem. The extent of any water damage and mold growth shall be visually assessed by a certified mold inspector/remediator. This assessment is important to determine remedial strategies. Ventilation systems shall also be visually checked, particularly for damp filters but also for damp conditions elsewhere in the system, and for overall cleanliness. Ceiling tiles, gypsum wallboard (sheet rock), cardboard, paper and other cellulosic surfaces shall be given careful attention during a visual inspection. The inspector shall use hygrometers, a boroscope (fiber optics) and a protimiter (moisture meter), where necessary, to detect hidden mold behind the walls, ceilings and floors and to determine the areas of potential mold growth and continuing moisture penetration. Bulk/Surface Sampling A certified inspector, trained in appropriate sampling methodology, shall perform all necessary bulk or surface sampling. Bulk/Surface sampling is necessary if the building inhabitants are suffering from health problems which are or may be associated with fungal exposure. Bulk/Surface sampling is also necessary to identify the presence or absence of mold if a visual inspection is equivocal (e.g. discoloration and staining). Bulk samples are collected from visibly moldy surfaces by scraping or cutting materials with a clean tool into a clean plastic bag. Surface samples are collected by wiping a measured area with a sterile swab or by stripping the suspect surface with clear tape. The surface sample is then transferred to a potato dextrose agar petri dish. The dish is then incubated in a special incubator that is high in humidity and void of all ambient light at a temperature suitable for fungal growth. The most accurate mold identification is only possible after seven (7) days of live culturing for the mold cultures to reach their maximum identification growth. After seven (7) days of incubation, the fungal samples are removed and identified down to genus and to species where possible through visual identification under the microscope. Air Monitoring A certified inspector, trained in appropriate sampling methodology, shall perform all necessary air monitoring. Air samples are collected via an Anderson Style Bioaerosol Sampler. This type of sampler imparts viable spores on potato dextrose agar petri dishes laced in the apparatus at a rate of 28.3 cubic liters of air per minute. The impacted fungi petri dishes shall be incubated at a temperature suitable for fungal growth. The most accurate fungal identification is only possible after seven (7) days of live culturing for the mold cultures to reach their maximum identification growth. After seven (7) days of incubation, the fungal samples shall be removed and identified down to genus and to species where possible through visual identification under the microscope. Results shall be provided in colony forming units per cubic meter of air. Air monitoring is necessary if there is evidence from a visual inspection that the ventilation systems may be contaminated. The purpose of such air monitoring is to assess the extent of contamination throughout the building. Sampling should be conducted while ventilation systems are operating. Air monitoring is necessary if the presence of mold is suspected in a particular area of the structure (e.g. a microbial volatile odor is detected) but cannot be identified through a visual inspection or bulk sampling. The purpose of such air monitoring is to determine the location and/or extent of mold contamination. Air monitoring is also necessary if the building inhabitants are suffering from health problems which are or may be associated with fungal exposure. If air monitoring is performed, for comparative purposes, outdoor air samples should be collected concurrently at an air intake, if possible, and at a location representative of outdoor air. The outdoor control air test is very helpful in evaluating whether there is an internally generated mold problem. Such a problem may exist if indoor mold tests report mold levels that are either (a) higher than the outdoor control air test or (b) present indoors but absent from the outdoor control test. |
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