Radon & Mold Professionals

October Newsletter 2007

Home
Mold
Home Inspectors
Mold Cleanup
About Us
Radon
Real Estate Transactions (Radon Info)
Schools & Assisted Living (Radon Info)
Service Area
Florida Mold Inspection Law
Sample Test Report
E.P.A. Documents
Recent News
UV lights
Formaldehyde Testing
HVAC Cleanliness (duct cleaning check)
Allergen Sampling (TESTS)
Lead Testing
Links
Home Inspector Link Partners
Certifications
Contact Us
Test order form
Marco Island
Cape Coral Home Inspectors
Site Map

Radon & Mold Professionals Newsletter
October

WallRadon Testing, Inc.

Radon & Mold Professionals
FL DOH certified Radon Business, RB1938
FL DOH certified Radon Technicians, R1751, R1867, R1778
AmIAQC certifed Indoor Environmentalists
AmIAQC certified Residential Mold Inspectors
 
John Cosgrove, CIE, CRMI   &  Doug Wall, CIE, CRMI
Office: (239) 498-4619    toll free: (800) 881-3837
 
In seven years we have performed over 13,000
radon tests and over 4500 mold inspections with thousands of mold tests.
Best Service  /  Best Report  /  Best Test
Our insurance coverage has always exceeded the requirements of the new Florida law requirement of $1 million E&O.
 
Next month: Infrared Thermal Imaging Cameras ( a must for Mold Inspections)
Fall is considered Allergy Season
 
fall pics 

Allergic diseases currently affect more than 20 percent of the individuals in the United States ..... American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology    http://www.aaaai.org

 

While environmental factors are believed to be partly responsible for the development of allergic diseases.  The good news is that the environmental factors can be controlled to some extent.

It is important to have allergen testing done before any type of "clean up" of a suspected problem to obtain a base line for comparison.

Common sense tells us that allergen avoidance can help prevent the development of sensitization to allergens and help relieve allergic symptoms in people already allergen sensitized.

The most common Indoor Allergens:

The most common allergens tested for are dust mites, cockroach, cat and dog dander, rat and mouse.  Many labs report cat dander, dog dander, cockroach and dust mites  from one carpet/bulk or dust sample.   Analysis can be done for just one or more though.  Testing (sample collection) is simple and quick.

Since dustmites can grow after a dust sample collection, it's a good idea to refrigerate and ship sample to lab as soon as possible.

Common collection points in home/building for indoor allergens are bedding, mattresses, carpets and upholstery.

Kitchens are the usual spot for cockroach collection point.

Although with people and children bringing food to a bedroom computer area, the bedrooms are fast becoming another common collection place.
 
Consumer should consider where in home they notice symptoms, such when they wake up (bedroom).
 

DuPont Innovation Helps Allergy Sufferers Get A More Restful Night's Sleep

"DuPont (NYSE: DD) today introduced a new innovation with Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT) that will allow pillow and mattress covers to deliver unsurpassed protection from a range of harmful allergens without sacrificing personal comfort."

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/78668.php
Back to School is Allergy time
 
back to school 

Back To School Basics For Food Allergic Children

More than 2.2 million school-age children have life-threatening food allergies and that number is expected to rise according to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. For these children, heading back-to-school can spell increased risks unless prepared.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/81146.php

 

Avoiding Allergies And Asthma In The Classroom

"Allergies and asthma account for over 14 million missed school days, millions of dollars in medical bills and even lost work days for parents of children who suffer from allergic disease,"

 
 

Alergy News

Dozens of news reports concerning allergies:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/allergy

EPA articles on allergies and Indoor Air Quality
 
epa 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indoor Humidity
 
Indoor RH (Relative Humidity) is best when between 30 to 50%.
University of Florida  Fact Sheet HE 3198 recommends you use "ventilation only
when the outside dewpoint temperature is 55 degrees F or lower".
 
This means you should only have your windows open about 2 months a year in Southwest Florida.   Since many of us have our doors and windows open much more than that, we need to be concerned with the indoor relative humidity.
 
It is possible for mold growth when the indoor humidity is above 55%.  Many factors affect mold growth; people with allergy concerns should be aware that
mold can cause allergenic reactions.
 
Remember:
Mold can be allergenic, and it needs moisture to grow (food & water).
Your HVAC (air conditioner) system removes moisture from the indoor air.
Your clean HVAC filter is a simple way to improve your indoor air quality; too often homeowners fail to maintain their HVAC system especially their air filters.
 
Musty Odors: Do They Always Indicate Mold?
 
By Dr. Harriet Burge, EMLab P&K Chief Aerobiologist and Director of Scientific Advisory Board

"Musty odors are caused by volatile organic compounds. While mold is a common source for these compounds, they can come from other sources. If there is no water anywhere in the basement, then musty odors are probably not caused by mold. If there is water, mold probably plays a role, but may not be the entire problem.

First, let's talk about mold. Actively growing mold produces a wide range of volatile compounds, some of which can impart a musty odor. Many of these compounds can be detected by the human nose at very low concentrations. The mold colonies do not have to be sporulating to release these compounds, so that nearly invisible mold can be the source. When I see carpeting on a basement floor, I usually assume that it is the source for any musty odors that might be present, even if the carpeting looks new and dry and clean. Removal of the carpeting usually ends the odor problem. Mold does occur behind paneling if the wall is damp, and drying the wall is the only solution. Such drying may or may not involve removing the paneling. In both of these cases, airborne spore concentrations can be very low. This is an indication either that the mold producing the odors is not sporulating, or that any spores that are produced are trapped and not entering the air.

Wet concrete has an odor that could be interpreted as musty. While mold can grow on the surface of concrete, it isn't always present, and just the dampness may be producing odors. Standing water usually doesn't result in mold growth, but bacteria may grow and produce volatiles with "musty" odors.

Dehumidification is one means for controlling both mold and the damp concrete odors discussed above. I use a dehumidifier that keeps my entire 1000+ square foot basement odor free, and that drains directly into my stationary washtub. It could also drain into a floor drain. Otherwise, the reservoirs of dehumidifiers have to be emptied regularly, and if they are not, they could become odor sources in themselves.

Finally, some dry environments have a musty odor. One cause of this odor that I call the "Antique Shop Odor" is degradation of paper products and very old wood. Old waxes and polishes could also contribute. I am not aware of publications that discuss the specific compounds that cause these odors. I do know that some people find them objectionable and, for that reason, don't visit antique shops or even museums with antique collections."
 

High court: Insurers not responsible for flood damage

TALLAHASSEE - In a case that may reduce payouts to hundreds of 2004 hurricane victims, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday that insurers must only pay for damage specifically covered by their policies. The 7-0 decision affects many homeowners who have not settled with their insurance companies over whether damage caused by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, or Jeanne came from wind or flood waters, for which many homeowners are not insured. Want to read more
?
 
 
 
 New Florida Mold Law
 FLflag 
One very important aspect of the new law the consumer should understand is that Mold Inspectors and Home Inspectors are two different professions, with separate licenses and regulations.
 
When You have MOLD.
What are the benefits of a preliminary mold assessment?
 

AmIAQC logo·          Certified Indoor Environmentalist - third party assessment:  Inspector should not perform any type of remediation so there is no conflict of interest. Our goal is to provide accurate information without bias so that educated decisions can be made.

 

·          Defined "Scope of Work": Defines the boundaries of the affected area(s) needing remediation. Additionally, knowing if the airborne levels are in a range of thousands, or hundreds of thousands may affect decisions regarding the timeliness of remediation, and the continued occupancy of the home.

 

·          Documentation: Many insurance adjusters will not authorize or undertake mold remediation if the presence of mold growth is not scientifically demonstrated. We identify the presence or absence of mold growth with AIHA EMLAP accredited laboratory analysis. Elevated moisture presence is identified through non-intrusive visual inspection with the use of infrared thermal imaging and other moisture detection equipment.

 

·          Recommendations for corrections: Know the extent of cleaning and what specific items/materials can be saved and how, plus what items/materials should be disposed based on nationally accepted industry standards.

 

·          Receive accurate remediation proposals: Saves homeowners and insurance companies money.

 

·          Achievement of "Clearance" is a significantly higher percentage: Providing useful information to remediation companies equals a successful project and allowsoccupants to return home quicker since additional cleaning after post remediation inspection and testing is reduced or eliminated.

 

·          Assessment cost is covered by most insurance companies:

 

·          Cross contamination? Many times when remediation is performed without a preliminary assessment and a containment is used; the post remediation air quality will pass inside the containment but will fail outside the containment. Knowing the extent of airborne microbial amplification before remediation begins eliminates questions of whether cross contamination occurred.

  •  Can be used as part of the Seller's Disclosure: Detailed documentation gives the prospective buyer a sense of comfort knowing the entire process was handled appropriately from start to finish while following accepted industry standards.
 
Why Mold Losses Aren't Covered (And What to do About It)

By Jim Pearson

 

By now, everyone providing water-damage restoration has surely faced the uninsured mold loss. The old joke, "No insurance? No mold!" isn't funny anymore. The lack of coverage for mold losses has become commonplace. What happened?
This is used to determine if you need a mold inspection not remediation.
 
z5Does your Home Inspector label
Home with a mold problem using
this air sampling cassette?
Unfortunately this happens regularly in Naples and Ft Myers.
( note: collect 25 liters of air, not 150 liters of air like an Air O Cell cassette)
 
You should know:
 
Pro Lab website states:
The Z5 Sampling Cassette is a cost effective, first-line mold screening tool that efficiently and reliably collects mold.
 
"... used by home inspectors to get preliminary information on whether amold problem may exist and further investigation is warranted."
 

"PRO-LAB/SSPTM Inc. is not able to make and does not make a determination as to the environmental soundness, safety or health of a property from only the samples sent to their laboratory for analysis."

 
Elevated mold count, call a professional mold inspector, not a mold remediator.  Never determine a home has a mold problem based on lab analysis only report.
Mold Inspections / Protect your client
 

What consumers should require of their mold inspector until the New Florida Mold Law becomes effective:

 

Note:  The new law was signed by Govenor Crist in June.  Many sources believe if litigation occurs, inspectors are required to meet certain aspects of the law even though the Florida DBPR is not enforcing the law yet.

You may want to consult legal advice concerning this matter.

Example:

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/COLUMNISTS16/707050328/1014/BUSINESS

Mold bill became law July 1
By Joe Adams
Originally published on July 05, 2007

"The law requires mold assessors and remediators to maintain general liability, and errors and omissions insurance coverage in an amount of not less than one million dollars."

"The law also requires that all contracts for mold assessment or remediation services to be in writing (which includes electronic versions) and the contracts must be signed, or otherwise authenticated by the parties, in order to be valid."
 
Infrared Thermal Imaging Cameras
 
Infrared 
It is a mistake to perform
a mold inspection without
an infrared camera.
Sooner or later moisture intrusion will be missed.
 
"wet spots" can not always be observed with the naked eye.
 
Mold needs moisture to grow!
Hire a PROFESSIONAL.
There are about a dozens inspectors
in Southwest Florida with Infrared Thermal Imaging Cameras.
Did you know only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths than radon?
 
"Radon causes more deaths per year than Drunk Driving".
 
"1 out of 4 homes tested in Collier and Lee had elevated Radon levels" FL DOH
 
Hire a Professional
 

AmIAQC logoAn AmIAQC

"Certified Indoor Environmentalist"

is qualified to determine if a structure has a mold problem and what should be done to correct it.

 
Mold Cleanup
H2O 

H2O 911  Restoration

        Storm / Fire / Water / Mold

               www.H2O911.com

 

Contact: Brian Bland

office: (239) 567-0001

fax:  (239) 997-0016

cell: (239) 707-7931

email: brian@H2O911.com

Infrared Thermal Imaging Cameras

Mold remediation with clearence certification
Mold Cleanup
 
femtotech 

MPSSEnvironmental

   

  http://www.mpssenvironmental.com

 

Contact:  Steve Wirtjes

office: (239) 992-6255

fax: (239) 992-6640

email: info@mpssenvironmental.com

 

Mold remediation with clearence certification
Mold Cleanup
 
femtotech 
 
 
 
 
Lee  
                                                          Charlotte
(239) 542-1000                                           (941) 624-3100
Collier                                                        Sarasota
(239) 434-8555                                            (800) 226-4060
 www.DamexCorp.com                               CBC 1252046
AmIAQC logoAmIAQC
 
Certified Indoor Environmentalists (CIE)
       http://www.iaqcouncil.org/locator/certificantsbyzip.htm   (CIE locator)              
 
                     Some of the 18 CIE's  listed

                 within 100 miles of Naples, FL

 

John Cosgrove,  Radon & Mold Professionals, CIE/CRMI, 239-498-4619

Douglas Wall, Radon & Mold Professionals, CIE/CRMI,    239-498-4619

Sean Dyer, Clean Air Inspections, Estero, CIE

 

J.D. Thompson, CoolZone, Naples, CIE

Michael Casanova, Lee County BOCC, Fort Myers, CIE/CMR

 

Joe F. Smith Jr., J.F. Smith Building Contractors Inc., Sanibel, CIE/CMR

David Radford, Thrifty AC & Refridgeration, Fort Myers, CIE/CMR

 

David Radford Jr., Thrifty AC & Refridgeration, Fort Myers, CIE

______________________________________________________

 

Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH)  that work in the Naples / Ft Myers Area

Paul L. Osley, Chastain Skillman,  Tampa

Rene' R. Salazar, Salazar Consulting Group, Inc.
Useful Links
Radon & Mold Professionals:  http://www.radonmoldhelp.com

Mold Inspection Info: http://www.naplesmoldinspection.com

American Indoor Air Quality Council: http://www.iaqcouncil.org/about/about.htm   

EPA MOLD:

http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html

Mold Cleanup:  http://www.H2O911.com

Mold Cleanup: http://www.mpssenvironmental.com

ECO TECH: