Interesting article about mold by litigation.

[Douglas Wall]

Other quotes:
"If you see it or smell it, you do not have to test for it. It is more important to get rid of the mould rather than spend a lot of money trying to find out more about it." (by sampling and identifying the species of mould- our comment) Dr. Joe Lstiburek, P. Eng., Phd..; Building Scientist and principal at Building Science Corporation (Website: www.buildingscience.com)

Why Air Sampling Results Are Undependable

By Jim H. White, Former senior researcher at CMHC

"The problem with most air sample methodologies is that they take a "snapshot" of a highly variable measurement. Several studies have shown that the number of viable spores in a building, at a given location, varies by orders of magnitude over a few days to weeks. This is due to changes in weather (and the way air moves through the building), changes in colony condition (moisture and food availability, energy available for sporulation, and so on), etc. Sampling outcomes are also highly dependent on the specific location of the sampling, especially if the mould is growing."

EPA
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldcourse/chapter7/lesson2.html
"remember that a negative sampling report must not be used in place of a visual survey. Factors such as barometric pressure, inside and outside temperatures, activity levels, and humidity may dramatically reduce or increase the spore levels within a building. Air sampling for mold provides information on what was in the air only for the moment when the sampling occurred. It is important, therefore, that sampling not replace visual inspection."

I agree most testing is probably not required. So many home inspectors in our area have convinced realtors and consumers that air sampling is vital that not collecting air samples makes you look bad. We work 11 to 12 hours a day as it is, trying to educate the public would be a thankless task and we just don’t have the time. Home inspectors have done a great job of marketing air samples, so we do our job take the samples and the money and educate the ones we can. EMSL says we do about 3,000 to 3,500 samples a year so, a big thank you to all our local home inspector mold “professionals” for educating the consumers .
I’m too old to fight and as long as it doesn’t affect my social security check or retirement check, I’m happy with the situation.
Thank god tomorrow is Friday, I’m tired.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by douglas

I agree most testing is probably not required. So many home inspectors in our area have convinced realtors and consumers that air sampling is vital that not collecting air samples makes you look bad. We work 11 to 12 hours a day as it is, trying to educate the public would be a thankless task and we just don’t have the time. Home inspectors have done a great job of marketing air samples, so we do our job take the samples and the money and educate the ones we can. EMSL says we do about 3,000 to 3,500 samples a year so, a big thank you to all our local home inspector mold “professionals” for educating the consumers .
I’m too old to fight and as long as it doesn’t affect my social security check or retirement check, I’m happy with the situation.
Thank god tomorrow is Friday, I’m tired.

In this IAQ issue, good to see that there is at least one or two others with knowledge and personal integrity on the boards.......
This is more wool being pulled over the consumers' eyes!!