Address
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Hours
Monday - Friday: 8am - 6pm
Saturday: 9:30am - 12pm
Mold, Mycotoxin & Air Quality Maintenance
Mold and mycotoxins are some of the most dangerous contaminants you can have in your house. Though it is not always visible or easy to notice, it could still cause damage to your health and home in the background. Mold can develop on moist or damp surfaces inside, including ceilings, wallpaper, wood, drywall, and insulation material. It can start growing on a moist surfaces within 48 hours and, if left uncontrolled, can affect your indoor air quality and jeopardize the structural integrity of your home. Air Mold Inspection & Testing offers mold inspection, mold testing and other services that can help you safeguard your property from mold damage and other biological contaminants.
If you see mold, or if you have experienced water damage and suspect mold is developing elsewhere, don't hesitate to contact us. We utilize modern technologies and methods to help identify and detect mold that may be present in your house, and inspect the area. Mold may be found everywhere in nature, but it has no place in your home! Our experience in mold inspections includes residential, commercial, government buildings and facilities, schools, nursing homes, healthcare facilities and restaurants. Unfortunately, mold does not discriminate as to where it will grow. If the conditions are right, mold will grow! We can help, no matter what your situation may be.
Mold Facts
Mold Inspection
A mold inspection is a full visual, comprehensive, walkthrough inspection of the property to look for any “red flags”, ie. water stains, discoloration, odors, paint peeling, etc., to determine if elevated mold levels exist. Mold inspections usually involve collecting various samples to send to a laboratory for analysis.
Mold inspections are necessary because some molds and other contaminants, at certain levels can be harmful to your health. Our mold inspection starts with you, our client, by gathering important information to better help us understand the current issues.
Why Mold Testing?
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If you notice a musty odor
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Following a basement flood, plumbing or roof leak
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Landlord/Tenant disputes or lawsuits
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Healthy living conditions/habitability concerns
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If people or pets exhibit allergy-like symptoms
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Doctors recommendation or unknown causes of certain health diagnosis.
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Prior to beginning remediation
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If you have a wet attic, walls or crawlspace
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Before buying or selling a house or property, especially if suspect mold was discovered during a home inspection
Sampling methods
Each method has its pros and cons.
Air samples - Calibrated air pumps utilize a specific air cartridge medium, such as a “mold spore trap”, to collect/identify/quantify airborne particulates such as mold.
Swab/Tape lift - Sterile swab or tape is used to physically “swab” the surface of the potential visible suspected growth to identify what it is.
Dust/bulk collection - Dust or water is collected from HVAC/air systems, carpets, flooring, vacuums on top of shelving, etc. to send off to the lab analysis. Dust collection is often used for several different tests.
(EMMA) Environmental Mold and Mycotoxin Assessment
The EMMA test uses sensitive molecular detection technology to look for the presence of 10 of the most toxigenic molds. It determines their presence and determines their relative abundance. EMMA also tests directly for 16 of the most poisonous Mycotoxins using its patented Mycotoxin detection test. Dust is typically collected from AC or air filters or swabs of contaminated areas. As a RealTime labs approved partner, I can offer EMMA sampling the day of inspection at a discounted rate. Ask us for more details. Visit https://realtimelab.com to read more.
ERMI EPA 36 & HERTSMI
According to the EPA, ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) “is a research tool developed by EPA scientists for estimating mold contamination.” The methodology is based on using mold-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MSQPCR) to quantify 36 molds and calculate an index number for comparison with a database of reference homes. Visit EPA website for more ERMI info. https://www.epa.gov/air-research/environmental-relative-moldiness-index-ermi
HERTSMI- HERTSMI-2 is a mold test that analyzes the dust sample provided for 5 molds. These molds are known as the "Big 5": Aspergillus Penicilloides, Aspergillus Versicolor, Chaetomium Globosum, Stachybotrys Chartarum, Wallemia Sebi.
We provide ERMI & HERTSMI testing upon request, however, we prefer to use other methods of testing first before using ERMI or HERTSMI-2
Healthy Homes/IAQ package
We provide an extensive package that includes additional testing methods to help determine if your home indoor air quality (IAQ) environment is potentially unhealthy:
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mVOC- mVOCs/VOCs are various volatile organic compounds, either of chemical or biological origin, consisting of hazardous gases. Exposure to MVOC’s has been blamed for headaches, cancers, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.
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Bacteria/Endotoxin(”gram-negative") bacteria E. coli, Listeria (Presence/Absence),MRSA, Legionella, Salmonella, Staph
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Pollen Identification and Enumeration - 17 different pollen's ie, Cedar - Juniperis (Cupressaceae), Ragweed - Ambrosia (Asteraceae), etc
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Indoor Allergens- Dust mites, Cat, Dog, Cockroach, Dust Mites, Mouse, Fiberglass, etc
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Water testing and analysis
*Ask about Lead, Radon, Asbestos testing reference services.
Our Inspection Process
Step 1 – Consultation - Gather and collect as much information from you as possible regarding your concerns, any past/present water events that could lead to possible mold growth.
Step 2 – Investigate - We start from the exterior looking for any susceptible moisture intrusion points in your building envelope. Then we examine all necessary readily accessible areas of your home such as living spaces, crawlspaces, attics, basements, underneath cabinets, etc. Our inspection process also utilizes infrared thermal cameras, moisture meters to try and detect possible hidden areas of mold growth such as behind walls and other spots not visible to the human eye. We also check inside your HVAC system and ductwork/vents.
Step 3 – Test - After the visual inspection is complete, we consult with you to develop a sampling strategy. This is based upon discovery of potential areas conducive to mold growth and other areas of concern. This sampling strategy will help us determine what, if any, sampling is needed, where to test and what are the most effective methods to use for testing. This testing will help us verify whether there is mold, bacteria, mycotoxins or other dangers present and the corresponding levels of contamination.
Step 4 – Analyze - We utilize independent third party accredited laboratories to analyze all samples collected. Once we receive the lab results, we like to review the results with you so you understand the lab results and answer any questions you may have. We find that most of our clients really value and appreciate our consultative patient approach in educating them on what the lab detected.
Step 5 – Report - The final step is deliverance of your report via email. This report includes pictures, comments, observations and, if needed, a recommended action plan with detailed step by step remediation protocol to help fix any problems.
We Educate Our Clients
Our objective before, during and after the inspection is to keep you informed, help you better understand mold and its effects, and answer any questions you may have! Most inspections tend to last a hour or more based on circumstances which means you spend more time than we do in your home or property we are inspecting. We find that our customers have valuable insight and history of what has and is happening under your roof that you can share with us to better assist our inspection process. So accompanying or shadowing us during your mold inspection is always welcome.