We the following Indoor Air Quality Services:
INDOOR
MOLD ASSESSMENT
Cursory Visual
Assessment - (visual inspection)
Infrared Thermal Imaging -
(advanced temperature variances)
Mold Sampling Assessment -
(conventional & ERMI
indexing)
Post-Remediation Verification
ERMI© Index Assessment - (relative
moldiness)
ASTHMA
TRIGGERS & ALLERGEN SCREENING
Visual Assessment
Dust Sampling Assessment -
(allergen identification)
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC)
Visual Assessment
Air Sampling Assessment
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GENERAL
MOLD INSPECTION & TESTING SERVICES OVERVIEW:
For further details and pricing please call the
number at the top of this page. |
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CURSORY VISUAL
ASSESSMENT
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A Cursory Visual Assessment is a non-invasive visual inspection
of the structure (inside and out) for mold and conditions
associated with indoor mold growth using state-of-the-art,
industry specific equipment to detect "red flags", such as:
- Abnormal changes in temperature, humidity, and
moisture retention in construction materials
- External sources of current and prior water
intrusion
- Internal sources of current and prior water
intrusion
- Photo documentation of any suspect areas
Includes:
- Field consultation (findings review)
- Reference report with EPA recommended guidelines for
self clean up or referral to an appropriate specialist.
- Documentation and follow up consultation by an IESO
Trained Residential Mold Inspector (CRMI)
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INFRARED THERMAL IMAGING
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The use of an infrared camera technology expedites the
inspection process of homes, large buildings, multi-unit
apartments and hotels. Variances in temperature of
construction materials is often the result of water
intrusion. Infrared cameras can help pin point areas needing
attention, while not disturbing those that are dry. Includes:
- Minimum 2 hour imaging session
- Unlimited photos
- Field consultation (findings review)
- Written report with photo documentation of
suspect areas by a Certified Thermographer
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MOLD SAMPLING ASSESSMENT
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Conventional
Mold Sampling:
The primary purpose of mold sampling is to confirm or rule
out the probability that mold is originating indoors. The
secondary purpose is to identify and quantify mold spore types
and concentrations indoors for potential health risk
assessment. There are three conventional mold sampling
methods:
- Surface sample; involves using either a cotton swab
apparatus or direct tape lift to collect mold from a
surface for culturing or direct microscopic examination
and analysis.
- Bulk sample; involves physically extracting a piece
of material from a surface for culturing or direct
microscopic examination and analysis.
- Air sample; involves trapping air in a special
cassette specifically designed for culturing or direct
microscopic examination and analysis.
* Your inspector will make sampling recommendations
based on
observations made in the visual inspection.
Includes:
- All sampling supplies and field documentation
- All laboratory fees and analytical reports
- Data interpretation of lab reports and explanation
of elevated and/or unusual mold conditions according to
IESA and ACGIH references.
- Full analytical review by a highly qualified
Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE), Certified
Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC), or a Certified
Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM). Analytical review
includes a reference report with EPA and IICRC S500 and
S520 recommended guidelines for self clean up or
referral to an appropriate specialist.
*Sample price guidelines follow national standards.
*Some minimums may apply.
*Please call for current information.
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POST-REMEDIATION
VERIFICATION
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Post-remediation verification is mission-critical in
determining the success of a remediation project. Unless
certain criteria is met, there is a very high likelihood
that mold will return. An independent third-party assessment
is your only way to know if that mold is no longer
originating from the remediated areas and that all remaining
construction materials are dry enough for reconstruction.
Includes:
- A visual inspection of the work area(s)
- Moisture assessment of salvaged materials
- Air sampling of work area(s) with comparative
control
- All sampling supplies and field documentation
- All laboratory fees and analytical reports
- Data interpretation of lab reports and explanation
of elevated and/or unusual mold conditions according to
IESA and ACGIH references.
- Full analytical review by a highly qualified
Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE), Certified
Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC), or a Certified
Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM). Analytical review
includes a reference report with EPA and IICRC S500 and
S520 recommended guidelines for self clean up or
referral to an appropriate specialist.
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ERMI© INDEX ASSESSMENT (EPA Relative Moldiness Index)
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What is ERMI©?
ERMI© is the EPA Relative Moldiness Index – the combination
of EPA research, powerful PCR technology, and a new method
to screen homes for mold.
Based on recently published data from EPA researchers and
the 2006 HUD American Healthy Home Survey, the test has been
developed as a tool to evaluate the potential risk of indoor
mold growth and associated health effects.
How does it work?
The test involves the analysis of a single sample of dust
from a home. The sample is analyzed using mold-specific
quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MSQPCR), a highly
specific DNA-based method for quantifying mold species. A
simple algorithm is used to calculate a ratio of water
damage-related species to common indoor molds and the
resulting score is called the EPA Relative Moldiness Index
or ERMI©. The ERMI© value is typically between -10 and 20.
In order to most effectively use this new tool, the ERMI©
must be compared to a national database. Indices were
determined using this method for 1,096 homes across the U.S.
as part of the 2006 HUD American Healthy Home Survey.
Individual indices, ranked from lowest to highest were used
to create a national Relative Moldiness Index (RMI) scale.
How was it developed?
In initial studies by the EPA, the concentrations of
different mold species in “moldy homes” (homes with visible
mold growth or a history of water damage) and “reference
homes” (homes with no visible mold) were compared. Based on
those results, mold species were selected and grouped into
those with higher concentrations in moldy homes (group1) and
those with lower concentrations (group2). For the
calculation of the ERMI©, all concentrations are
log-transformed and the sum of group 2 is subtracted from
the sum of group 1.
What are the advantages?
In addition to the simplicity of taking only one sample, the
ERMI© offers several advantages over traditional mold
screening methods. Carpet dust acts as a reservoir for mold
spores and is more representative of mold levels over time
versus short term air samples. The use of MSQPCR for this
test allows for increased precision as it is based on a
biochemical assay using calibrated instrumentation. Further
research is being conducted and published that will link the
ERMI© assessing health risks for susceptible individuals.
This information along with the national database will be
invaluable in providing an objective and standardized method
for screening homes for mold.
When should I use the ERMI© test?
The ERMI© test can be used for evaluating “moldiness” in any
indoor environment. Molds are found in every home but not
all molds are always present. The ERMI© helps to make an
assessment if a home is more or less likely to have
“unhealthy” mold conditions. Especially residents sensitive
to molds should consider using the ERMI© to evaluate their
indoor environment. Home buyers can use this tool to predict
if their new home is likely to have a history of water
damage.
How do I interpret the ERMI© test?
Allows you to compare the amount and types of mold found in
your home with a thousand other homes found on a national
database. You can see how moldy your home is relative to
other homes throughout the U.S. This method is ideal for
real estate property transfer, especially when structural
defects or inappropriate mold remediation procedures are
suspected.
How much does it cost?
The average RespirNet list price for the ERMI© test is $595.
The report includes the results for all 36 fungal species
and the ERMI© calculation along with a category designation
of low, moderate, or high.
National
Relative Moldiness Index Values
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GENERAL ALLERGEN SCREENING OVERVIEW:
For further details and pricing please call the
number at the top of this page. |
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ASTHMA
TRIGGERS & INDOOR ALLERGENS
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Asthma kills over 5,000 Americans every year. Since
indoor allergens can play a significant role in triggering
asthma attacks it is important to recognize potential asthma
triggers indoors and reduce your exposure to those triggers.
With today's technology, indoor environments can be tested
for asthma triggers and other allergens quickly and
affordably.
Includes:
- All sampling supplies and field documentation
- All laboratory fees and analytical reports including an immunoassay for: cat allergens, dog allergens,
cockroach allergens, and dust mites
- Post-test consultation with full data interpretation of results
- Full analytical review by a highly qualified
Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE), Certified
Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC), or a Certified
Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM). Analytical review
includes a reference report with EPA and IICRC S500 and
S520 recommended guidelines for self clean up or
referral to an appropriate specialist.
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GENERAL VOC TESTING OVERVIEW:
For further details and pricing please call the
number at the top of this page. |
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VOLATILE ORGANIC
COMPOUNDS
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Do you notice odors at home or in the workplace? Do you
get headaches or feel nauseous? You may want to conduct
testing for a general Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) scan?
The best way to sample the widest range of compounds with
the greatest of ease is TO-15.
TO-15 uses sophisticated canister technology. The
analytical equipment is capable of seeing parts per trillion
of certain volatile organic compounds. The GC/MS instrument
also makes it possible to look at ‘unknown compounds’ and
make tentative identifications. It is this versatility that
makes TO-15 one of the most powerful tools used for
investigation and for any initial evaluation.
The TO-15 analysis as written by the EPA refers to a
specific 63 compound list of regulated compounds. The list
was developed to support the Clean Air Act. Respircare
Analytical will also perform a non-target compound library
search. This will provide a listing of up to 10-20 extra
compounds that are not targets. These compounds are referred
to tentatively identified compounds (TICs).
Includes:
- All sampling supplies and field documentation
- All laboratory fees and analytical reports
- Post-test consultation with full data interpretation
of results
- Full analytical review by a highly qualified
Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE), Certified
Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC), or a Certified
Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM). Analytical review
includes a reference report with EPA and IICRC S500 and
S520 recommended guidelines for self clean up or
referral to an appropriate specialist.
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SERVICES