When you find what you suspect as mold in a home or business, it is important to utilize the appropriate PPE or personal protective equipment prior to disturbing the area. Microbial spores can cause a host of medical/health issues for both individuals and pets alike. It is imperative that mold remediation be performed properly. Hiring of a state licensed mold remediator is the first step to ensuring the mold remediation project is performed properly.
Another opinion would be:
If you suspect a home or property has a mold issue recommend a qualified Mold Assessor inspect the structure.
A good mold inspection and report should be the first step in any mold remediation project.
FL licensed Mold Assessor must identify the location, extent and source of the mold problem. A Mold Assessor / Inspector that is also a Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE) will write recommendations for remediation in his mold report.
Florida Mold assessors are required by Florida statutes when performing a mold assessment to identify and document the “origin, identity, location, and extent of amplification of mold growth”.
Mold Inspection:
A visual inspection of the accessible areas of a home.
1. Photos to document signs of water intrusion and suspected microbial growth (mold).
2. Moisture meter reading of suspect areas.
3. Infrared Thermal Imaging Cameras.
(aids in finding moisture intrusion)
4. A DETAILED report, including executive summary, recommendations (protocols), scope of work, methods, lab analysis, digital & infrared thermal imaging photos documenting suspected problems.
Then cleanup then can be performed properly by a Florida licensed remediator and the property can be cleared by a Florida licensed mold assessor that is required to have mold E&O (by law) for post remediation inspections.
(good reads)
**Why a Mold Inspection before Remediation is Always a Good Idea **
http://ietbuildinghealth.com/blog/mold-inspection-remediation-florida/
Lack of Mold Remediation Protocol can greatly Increase Your Mold Remediation Cost. Web Page Under Construction
**
Who should have a remediation protocol written? ** http://www.ecanllc.com/what-is-a-mold-remediation-protocol/
Another look at Mold Air Sampling (or mold tests for some)
EPA …… https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-testing-or-sampling
“Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods and interpreting results.”
"Should You Trust a Laboratory to Interpret Your Mold Results?
Indoor air quality as a scientific discipline is evolving as our knowledge of the subject increases. We know that sample results for fungi and fungal spores are highly variable even under the most controlled sampling conditions. Given the complexity of interpreting your results, can you really rely on a lab doing this for you?
Here are some reasons not to:
1.Laboratory results by themselves should not be used alone to form the basis of your data interpretation. Visual inspection of the site, site location and nearby land use, understanding the site history, identifying indoor micro-climates, and interviews with affected occupants should play a major role in your result interpretation.
2.Fungal counts have spatial, geographic, local land use, seasonal and diurnal variability just to name a few. This variability can be orders of magnitude different in samples that are taken a few minutes apart! An interpretation of your samples that is based on subjective, un-validated internal criteria developed by a laboratory is a great way to make incorrect conclusions!
3.We know that different sampling devices result in different collection efficiencies that depend on the spore size. This variation is significant when comparing sampling devices. These collection efficiency differences are not taken into account by labs offering this type of data interpretation! What are you really getting? The sole purpose of a laboratory is to provide you with independent, objective, and scientifically defensible data.
Labs that offer you statistical data interpretation, a score, or tell you whether your samples have elevated mold levels are jeopardizing your reputation and exposing you to professional liability. No one can afford that kind of service. "
Fungal Contamination:
“A Manual For Investigation, Remediation And Control”
By: Hollace S. Bailey, PE, CIAQP, CIE, CMR
www.becifl.com
• “Anything can be toxic in high enough concentrations, even water! If you drink too much water to quickly, your body fluids will become dilute. The result is tissue damage and death.”
• “The overall visual observations made of the building must be considered in combination with the results of any testing, to determine the overall condition of the building. Test results alone should never be considered to give a definitive account of the building’s condition.”
• “Testing is just another tool that provides us with information. By itself, testing does not do anything, accomplish anything, or fix anything.”
MoldReport™
http://www.moldreport.com/mold_faq.html
• “A professional mold inspector does not rely only on air sampling results to decide whether or not a home has a mold problem. Carefully conducted sampling is combined with visual inspections and discussions with the homeowner. In addition, many different factors affect the reliability of an air sampler. The professional mold inspector understands these variables and accounts for them in the sampling plan.”
This is a practical advice that I personally follow. I once thought that making use of those DIY mold kits for your home will solve the problem immediately. I’ve learned my lesson and was able to solve the problem by hiring a professional.