Click on each service to expand additional information
Air Quality & Mold Inspection
- Visual inspection (interior and exterior)
- Moisture detection (Infrared and Radio Frequency)
- AC test and inspection includes:
- Air or surface sampling- Lab results include:
- Particle counts
- Pressure check
- Humidity and condensation readings
- Ventilation or co2 readings
- Recommendations for correction or prevention
- Digital reports with digital images
- Lab results interpretation
- Visual inspection of duct-work, coils, and interior AC components
- AC Testing includes: Condensation readings, temperature differentials, relative humidity levels and (GPP) grains per pound of water in air
- Mold count and identification by genus
- Pollen count
- Airborne debris count
- Fibrous particulate count
Mold sampling
- Air or surface sample in client specified areas
- Humidity and condensation readings
- Particle counts
- Pressure check
- Ventilation or co2 readings
- Lab results and interpretation included
Purpose:
Will help determine the presence of mold in the air or a given surface.
Lab results include:
- Mold count and identification
- Pollen count
- Airborne debris count
- Fibrous particulate count
- Insect fragments count
- Skin fragments
Note:
Sampling only will not determine the source or cause of the contamination and without a complete inspection it will be very difficult to determine a correction or remediation strategy.
DNA mold sampling (ERMI):
- The ERMI is an acronym for Environmental Relative Moldiness Index.
- It was developed by scientists at the USEPA to provide a straightforward, objective, and standardized way to obtain results for indoor air quality investigations.
- The EPA is developing an ERMI ranking system based on dust samples collected from homes across the U.S.
- The ERMI will help predict the moldiness of homes. Homes with high ERMI values have a greater chance of having a mold problem then homes with a low ERMI.
- 36 different fungi make up the ERMI and are designated as Group I (those found in atypical, water damaged homes) and Group II (those commonly found in all homes)
- It’s a FAST, ACCURATE, and SENSITIVE DNA-based analytical method for identifying and quantifying molds to the species level.
- The method looks for the presence of DNA sequences that are unique to a particular mold species.
Bacterial sampling:
Purpose
To detect and identify the presence of bacteria in water, air or a given surface, mostly applicable after sewage backups, floods, or when standing water or foul odors are present.
Available Sampling:
- Viable Bacteria Enumeration and Gram Stain Identification
- Viable Bacteria Enumeration and Identification (Three Most Prominent Types)
- Bacterial Speciation
- Sewage Contamination in Buildings (Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform, E.coli, and Fecal Streptococcus)
- Legionella
Call us for more information
Water Testing:
Purpose
To detect microbial or chemical contamination in water,
including drinking water, well water or swimming pool water
Available Sampling:
- E. Coli
- Total Coliforms
- Fecal Coliforms
- Legionella
- Staphylococcus and streptococcus (pools- spas)
To get more information about water testing please give us a call
Indoor Allergens Sampling:
- Cat dander
- Dog dander
- Cockroach allergens
- Dust mite allergens
- Rat allergens
- Mouse allergens
Purpose:
This is a comprehensive indoor allergen test that is used to detect and quantify the presence of cat, dog, cockroach, rodent and dust mite allergens in indoor environments.
VOC’s (Volatile organic compounds):
Purpose:
Odor identification, airborne organic compound detection and identification, fixed gases detection, airborne chemicals detection and identification.
Radon Measurement / Testing
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural radioactive decay of radium, which is a natural decay product of uranium. Scientifically, “radon” is known to be radon-222. As a noble gas, radon is colorless, odorless and chemically inert and cannot be detected by human senses.
Why test for Radon?
According to the Surgeon General of the United States, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer within the USA. Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to EPA’s 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). The
numbers of deaths from other causes are taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Report and 2002 National Safety Council Reports.
Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths, but if your home has high radon levels and you smoke, then your risk of lung cancer is especially high. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association agree that long term exposure to elevated levels of radon pose a significant health risk to you and your family. Therefore, since radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, the only way to determine if radon is in your home is by testing.
Purpose:
The purpose of this service is to determine if dangerous levels of radon are present indoors.
Post Remediation Verification:
- Visual inspection (interior and exterior)
- Moisture detection (thermal and RF)
- AC test and inspection
- Humidity and condensation readings
- Air or surface sampling- Lab results include:
- Mold count and identification
- Pollen count
- Airborne debris count
- Fibrous particulate count
- Particle counts
- Pressure check
- Ventilation or co2 readings
- Recommendations for correction or prevention
- Digital reports with digital images
- Lab results interpretation
Purpose
The purpose of this inspection is to determine if microbial remediation was successful.
Chinese Drywall Test (Sulfur & related compounds)
Overview:
It has been reported that drywall imported between 2004-2006 from certain areas in China, can release sulfur-like odorous compounds. These compounds can corrode air conditioning coils and other copper-bearing materials, causing them to be replaced repeatedly. Chemical analysis suggests that the problem is possibly related to presence of iron disulfide (FeS2 pyrite), Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbonyl sulfide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon disulfide (CS2) are also suspected as culprits. There have been reports that large quantities of drywall produced in China were kept on sea barges for months awaiting permission for importation to the USA. This drywall has a higher than typical density and a higher propensity to off-gas sulfur compounds.
Drywall is usually made of gypsum (hydrated calcium sulfate). Therefore, sulfur is one of the main components present in the sample. All drywall has sulfur in its elemental composition; therefore the odor is not explained by an analysis of the total sulfur content.
The extent of the indoor air quality issues related to this is still unclear. EPA is currently investigating the severity of the problem. However, it is well known that exposure to sulfur compounds can create irritation and breathing disorders.
Affected Drywall Symptoms:
- Sulfur or rotten egg smell
- AC copper lines corroding
- AC evaporator coils corroding
- Plumbing pipes corroding
- Refrigerator lines corroding
- Corroding electrical components and wiring
- Chinese labeled drywall
- Irritations, headaches or respiratory problems
Type of properties that may be affected:
- Properties built after 2004
- Properties that were remodeled after 2004
- Properties that were rebuilt or repaired after Hurricanes Katrina and/ or Wilma
Please give us a call to discuss testing methods and pricing
