Indoor air quality & mold testing
How The Test Is Performed
We offer indoor air quality testing using a Zefron mold sampling pump and Air-O-Cell sampling cassettes. The process is quite simple: an air pump draws air through a small cassette containing a sticky slide and the slide catches microscopic particles in the air. The cassette is then sent to a certified lab for analysis and a report is generated with the lab’s findings.
How Problems are Established
A control sample is taken at the exterior of the home using the above process. This helps determine what particulates are being generated within the home and which are occurring in the exterior environment. If the lab report states that a high concentration of irritants (mold spores for example) were found in the interior sample relative to the exterior control sample, further action is likely necessary.
What the test measures
This testing focus primarily on the presence of fungal spores. These spores are comparable the seed of a plant; they allow dispersal and reproduction of fungi. When these spores settle on moist, organic matter, mold can form.
Health Issues
Some of these spores are irritants that can lead to allergic reactions or respiratory issues. These spores are common in outdoor air and can enter the home in a number of ways. Issues arise when these spores settle in a stagnant, moist environment. Excessive moisture in crawlspaces and attics, inadequate ventilation, and poorly sealed exterior walls can lead to fungi/mold growth.
