MOLD INSPECTIONS AND LABORATORY INDENTIFICATION
Over 100 species of fungi or fungal products are known to affect humans. They can cause systemic, opportunistic, or dermatophic
infections. It is known that certain fungal products, such as mycotoxins can be the primary causes of these human diseases.The
most severely affected are the immunocompromised, young, and elderly exposed individuals. Actually, the most common health
effect from exposure is allergy like symptoms, mucous membrane irritation, headache, fatigue, and cold or flue-like symptoms.
Do you a "moldy" smell, or visible suspect mold growth in your existing home or new home? In the event that fungal contamination
is determined within a dwelling, a professional investigation by Viscomi Inspection Services is essential to thoroughly evaluate
the home in order to determine appropriate cleanup measures.
Think you can do it yourself? Just take a look at what the EPA has to say about that subject:
"Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals with specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols,
sampling methods, and interpretation of results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American
Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional
guidelines (see Resources List). Types of samples include air samples, surface samples, bulk samples (chunks of carpet, insulation,
wall board, etc.), and water samples from condensate drain pans or cooling towers.
A number of pitfalls may be encountered when inexperienced personnel conduct sampling. They may take an inadequate
number of samples, there may be inconsistency in sampling protocols, the samples may become contaminated, outdoor control
samples may be omitted, and you may incur costs for unneeded or inappropriate samples. Budget constraints will often be a
consideration when sampling; professional advice may be necessary to determine if it is possible to take sufficient samples
to characterize a problem on a given budget. If it is not possible to sample properly, with a sufficient number of samples
to answer the question(s) posed, it would be preferable not to sample. Inadequate sample plans may generate misleading, confusing,
and useless results.
Keep in mind that air sampling for mold provides information only for the moment in time in which the sampling occurred,
much like a snapshot. Air sampling will reveal, when properly done, what was in the air at the moment when the sample was
taken. For someone without experience, sampling results will be difficult to interpret. Experience in interpretation of results
is essential." (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds)
What are the causes of mold growth or contamination?
Unfortunately, drywall, insulation, wallpaper and other porous building materials are either made of or contain some type
of organic material. When building material become moist from either flooding, excessive humidity or a water leak/source,
the fungi initiate the reproduction phase of their life cycle. They reproduce through spore production rapidly, and thrive
virtually anywhere. They will continue to grow unchecked, until the moisture and/or nutrient sources are removed.
What type of tests or evaluation service do you offer?
Viscomi Inspection Services conducts their evaluations and testing of Fungal contamination under the Standards of
Practice as a Certified Professional Mold Inspector by the CICPI, more commonly known as the Center
for International Certification Programs, Inc. Using professional and aseptic lift, swab and/or air impactor sampling techniques
- we obtain cultures and use the services of an AIHI Accredited Laboratory for analysis
(recommended accreditation by the EPA). Depending on the type of analysis the site may require, results from
the lab are recieved within 3 days for a visual identification to a culture growth minimum of 10 days growth cycle on Potato
Dextrose Media.
Once the species and or genus are identified, we can then determine appropriate cleanup measures, toxicity, and Pathogenicity
or Clinical significance. It is only then that you can determine if the services of a mold remediation company may be required.
Don't call them in unitially to analyze if their services are necessary, basically putting the foxes in charge of the henhouse.
Also realize that just because you don't have visible mold growth, there isn't an active colony lurking in the floors and
walls. In these cases, only a "moldy smell", or the above human symptoms are recognized.
Call for us today for pricing and information! 440-623-3322
Viscomi Inspection Services offers this service as an aid to homeowners, it is not our intended source of financial profit,
as such, you will find our prices are greatly below our competitors.
