Mold Remediation and Testing
At Sparkkles we provide extensive testing and remediation services for this health hazard. Over the past decade, there has been growing concern over indoor air quality, and in particular mold growth inside your home or office. While mold occurs in nature and is usually harmless, certain types of mold release harmful toxins that when inhaled or ingested causes serious health risks. Because of these risks, the EPA recommends immediate remediation of any active mold growth inside a structure whether it’s your home or business.
Types of Testing
Several tests can be performed to check for active colonization of mold.
Nonviable Air Sampling
This is the most common type of air sampling. A technician makes use of nonviable air samples, taken both inside and outside of a structure. The samples are then sent to a lab for counts and identification of spores and hypae fragments. Because these samples are not cultured, the results are usually returned in 3 days.
Viable Air Sampling
A viable air sample can be taken to determine how many spores in a given amount of air are colonies forming, or how many would survive to grow in the right conditions. These samples give a different kind of snapshot of what is in the air at a certain time and in a certain place than nonviable samples. Because samples must be cultured results are returned in 10 to 14 days.
Swab Samples
For identification purposes swab samples may be taken. A wet cotton swab is brushed over an area of about one square inch for 10-30 seconds. The swab is relinquished to an accredited laboratory and results are returned usually within 3 days. Results will indicate a distribution of fungal genera on the surface swabbed, but the presence of variables (including time of sample, the pressure applied to the swab, the exact amount of area swabbed and more) can affect the reliability of this test.
Visual Inspection
Visual inspection easily identifies mold problems. Homeowners can look for signs of mold growth along walls in bathrooms, and in the crawlspace under a house. An experienced remediator will inspect areas that are commonly problematic but not as obvious to the homeowner. Sometime a visual inspection requires removal of baseboards and small amounts of drywall, as growth behind walls is hidden from common view.