Mold Inspections

1. Mold Inspections Independently owned and operated

2. Mold Issues • There is a growing and serious problem with certain types of mold and bacterial fungi • Mold has been around for thousands of years • Recent research and health investigations show an alarming rate of poisonous fungal species in poorly maintained offices and homes with water damage, moisture or high humidity levels • Not all molds are considered bad, but recently there have been reports linking toxic and allergic fungi, such as “Stachybotrys Atra” with ill health

3. Stachybotrys Atra: Mold • Stachybotrys Atra(aka S. Chartarum) is a genus of molds (Hyphomycetes) characterized by producing “slimy heads” of watered, ellipsoidal, usually black conidia from clusters of inflated phialides • Mold has a high moisture requirement, so it grows where moisture has accumulated from roof or wall leaks, or chronically wet areas from plumbing leaks • Mold has a very low nitrogen requirement and can grow on water-saturated cellulosic materials such as paper, wallpaper, ceiling tiles carpets, insulation material, wood-derived building materials and more

4. Penicillium Mold Species • Some Penicillium species are fairly common indoor fungi, even in clear environments • This particular species can proliferate in abundance in indoor environments • Penicillium species can be found at sub-basement levels, in offices and rooms, libraries auditoriums, storage rooms of paper materials and in ventilation systems • Some species can produce small, nondescript conidia and complex mixtures of metabolites that are more or less toxic

5. Mold Growth Conditions that contribute to mold growth: • Excessive water intrusion • Fibrous materials such as wood, paper backing for gypsum board and any building product that can hold moisture • Temperatures around about 72 degrees (Fahrenheit) • High humidity levels • Damp conditions

6. Assessment and Remediation • Safety first • Protect yourself • Use protective clothing, gloves, respirator • Protect the client • Use caution when inspecting • Understand contaminants

7. Visual Inspection A visual inspection involves checking for the presence of visible mold growth in these locations: • The basement and lower rooms, crawl space, room with water/flooding damage • Window frames and on carpets (check backing in water-stained areas if possible) • On ceiling tiles, as well as on any currently or formerly damp material made of fibrous cellulose (wallpaper, books, papers, shredded newspaper insulation) • All accessible heating, ventilation and air conditioning components • Indoor plants, contiguous greenhouses, attics with resident or seasonal bats, birds or other animals

8. Sampling • Swab samples • Air samples • Carpet samples If you suspect that your home or work environment has been contaminated, samples can be collected to confirm such contamination and learn what type of fungal species are present. It is highly recommended that such measures be carried out by an experienced and trained professional.

9. Clean-up • Measures taken to initiate clean-up based on size of problem • Nonpermeablesurfaces should be properly chemically disinfected • Stained ceiling, carpet and wall board should be fully replaced • Water intrusion must be stopped • Humidity levels and temperatures must be maintained

10. Contamination • With the right ingredients, conditions can occur at any time • These pictures were taken at a two-month-old home

11. Clean-up • Area of remediation must be properly protected and encapsulated to prevent possible spread to other areas of the home

12. Summary • Inspector must be trained and certified and fully understand the problem • Must be able to fully understand different types of molds and how to identifythem • Must be able to understand lab analysis reports and explain them to the client • Remediation must be conducted by qualified specialists

13. Thank you!