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Mold & Indoor Air Quality With ESC’s industrial hygiene capabilities, diverse testing can be done to determine if there is an IAQ problem and, if so, to determine what it is. Whether it is an initial assessment, a cleanup plan (Remediation Protocol), remediation monitoring, or post-remediation testing, ESC can do it. Problem sources range from biological or chemical contaminants, to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. ESC’s team of professionals can diagnose the problem and plan a solution. ESC’s reports are user friendly and easy to understand. ESC has built up a following of satisfied clients who insist on ESC doing all of their work in this area. ESC is thorough and does court-defensible work. Clients have learned that anything less is a waste of time and money. They have also learned that they avoid the notorious conflict of interest by retaining ESC. That conflict is found when a firm or mold contractor both tests and remediates. ESC only tests and never remediates. Florida's regulation prohibiting this conflict of interest will take effect in 2010. ESC's sole objective is to properly assess the problem, accurately prepare the Remediation Protocol for the mold contractor, provide consultation concerning the remediation if required, inspect after remediation, and complete testing after remediation. ESC's clients have learned they can relax and rest assured that ESC will handle the project properly. ESC begins its assessment with a telephone call from the client. The building conditions and complaints or health impairments of the occupants are identified. Any testing and cleanup already undertaken are reviewed. A clear objective is formulated and a Scope of Work is identified. ESC then typically prepares the estimate during that same initial telephone call. If the client decides to retain ESC, a Professional Services Agreement is prepared and submitted to the client. After the Agreement is executed, the work is scheduled. ESC typically completes the site work within two to three days of receiving the executed Agreement. The report is usually ready within eight to ten days of the site work. Preliminary results can typically be made available within three to five days of the site work. With special arrangements, the initial Remediation Protocol can be prepared within one to two days of completing the site work. ESC completes the assessment using the scientific method. The client is interviewed and points out areas where water intrusion or indoor air quality problems have occurred. ESC uses an infrared camera and moisture meter and conducts a thorough inspection, looking for moisture, water damage, water stains, visible mold, odors, chemical sources, and building defects. Wall or ceiling cavities can be inspected with a borescope. Once the inspection is completed, sampling stations are established and samples are collected. ESC always collects both spore trap samples and nutrient agar plate samples at each room air station inside and at two stations outside. The two different types of samples give the whole story on mold, not just part of it, and the two outside stations identify the true mold population outside, not just part of the population which only one sample would identify. Wall and ceiling cavity samples are collected with spore traps, since agar plate samples cannot be collected in those locations. Settled dust samples from flooring materials or upholstered furniture are collected with a vacuum and grown out on nutrient agar plates in the laboratory. Surface samples are collected using transparent cello-tape and clean plastic sample bags. These samples can be collected from surfaces of contents, building materials, and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Temperature and relative humidity are always measured at the room air stations inside and outside, using electronic instrumentation. In non-mold investigations, ESC may measure other parameters, such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Samples may also be collected for total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), microbial VOCs, hydrogen sulfide, dust, formaldehyde, allergens, bacteria, or various chemicals. All samples are analyzed by laboratories accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association. Whatever your mold or indoor air quality problem is, ESC will do its absolute best to properly diagnose it and recommend the corrective action required. Help is just a call or e-mail away.
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