Testing Process
How is Your Indoor Air Quality?
Testing Process
The goal of our process is to identify the sources of contamination within the home to understand the impact they are having on the rest of the home through dispersion. This information is then used to write the remediation plan.
- A complete sampling strategy varies and is unique to each individual home.
- A sampling strategy is only able to be determined after performing an inspection.
Below are the 3 types of samples work with.
3 Types of Samples
1. Source Identification Samples
- Air & Swab testing
2. Dispersion Samples
- ERMI and Mycotoxin testing
3. Progressive Samples
- Actinobacteria, Endotoxin, Formaldehyde & VOC testing
1. Source Identification Samples
Enables us to develop the part of the remediation plan that focuses on source removal.
- Air Testing – These samples are collected from inside wall, floor, ceiling cavities and small isolated areas. They are aimed at pinpointing hidden areas of mold that could be caused by current or previous moisture issues.
- Swab Testing – Are collected from any area where there is visible mold growth (i.e., walls, toilet tanks, window tracks, ventilation systems, inside kitchen/bathroom cabinets). The goal is to identify visible areas of suspect mold growth, aimed at confirming sources of contamination in a specific area.
Air and swab samples are used to pinpoint both the source of the contamination and to help determine how widespread the issue is in those areas.
2. Dispersion Samples
These samples enable us to set the appropriate protocols for cleaning the home.
Dispersion samples (ERMI & Mycotoxin) test for the various bi-products dispersed throughout a home during the mold’s life cycle.
They are collected from settled dust in/on the ventilation, heating systems, duct work, contents and/or specific rooms.
- ERMI Testing – Uses DNA sequencing to identify molds at the species level. It’s important to know the species because the species determines the opportunistic nature of what the molds can do.
The ERMI helps to establish both the quantity and the level of cross contamination throughout the general living areas, from the sources of contamination.
- Mycotoxin Testing – Identifies if 4 specific groups of Mycotoxins (Tricothecenes, Gliotoxins, Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin A and Zearalenone) are present.
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by various mold species as a toxic defense mechanism to protect their food source and territory.
3. Progressive Samples
Mold is typically the main culprit, but bacterial and chemical contaminants can also contribute to an unhealthy environment.
Bacterial:
- Actinobacteria Testing – The most frequent bacterial species found in Water-Damaged Buildings are Actinomycetes.
- Endotoxin Testing – Are derived from the cell walls of Gram Negative bacteria. Their toxins are found within the outer layer membrane of the cell wall.
- Formaldehyde Testing – Is a gas used in making building materials and many household products.It is used in pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard; glues and adhesives; permanent-press fabrics; paper product coatings; and certain insulation materials.
- VOC Testing – Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from a wide variety of products.
Paints, varnishes and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing and hobby products.
All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored. Concentrations of VOCs can be higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.
Schedule your mold investigation today and learn how to prevent the problem before it affects your family.