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Isn't Mold
Everywhere?
Yes, ultimately all mold comes from the outdoors. But mold growth
inside a structure is a symptom of a water problem. Resolving the
water intrusion or excessive moisture is the key.
EHSI's services are
designed to identify and help you correct the root cause of the water
problem.
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How
Can Mold be Toxic?
Virtually all types of mold can cause a variety of health effects,
including irritation, hypersensitivity reactions, and allergies.
Symptoms often include headache, sinusitis, asthma, malaise, rashes and
even some opportunistic infections.
Many types of fungi also produce mycotoxins. Mycotoxins
are toxic metabolites produced by the fungi. Some of these are
known to be potent poisons in animals or humans in their pure
form. The types of molds which are commonly referred to as
"toxigenic" are those believed to produce mycotoxins of significance to
people. Stachybotrys (the "black mold") is among them.
Some
evidence of mycotoxicosis can be found in agricultural
environments. However, whether there is a relationship between
the presence of toxigenic molds in traditional buildings and health
effects in humans is highly controversial. It is a matter of
great study and debate. In the meantime, it is prudent to err on
the side of caution, especially around sensitive populations (e.g.,
infants, the elderly and infirm, pre-existing hypersensitivities)
without over- exaggerating the possible hazard. |
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EHSI offers comprehensive services in the areas of mold,
bacteria and bioaerosol testing, as well as remedial specification
design, contractor oversight and post-remediation inspections.
These services are offered both for commercial and residential
customers. EHS Innovators has served major insurance, real
estate, educational and business customers in resolving complex
microbial contamination issues throughout the Northeast U.S.
| Mold
& Bioaerosol Investigations
Mold or other microbial growth
and water damage can be a major concern to businesses and residential
customers, causing health problems, business/family disruption and
reduced financial value in your investments. We start
investigations with a visual inspection for signs of mold and excessive
moisture or water intrusion. Certified Industrial Hygienists
(CIH) and Certified Microbial Consultants (CMC) then develop sampling
strategies for each specific situation. These strategies have
been developed in accordance with accepted industry, governmental and
professional consensus standards, such as ACGIH Bioaerosol and NYC
Guidelines. EHSI has the capability to use a combination of
sophisticated techniques to investigate sources of mold and bacterial
growth and their byproducts, in addition to other bioaerosols, such as
animal and insect allergens. Examples of common tests include:
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- Viable or Culturable Mold or
Bacteria in air
- Non-Viable or Spore Trap Mold
Testing in air or wall cavities
- PCR (i.e., "DNA") analysis
- Surface (culturable) wipes and
BioTape Lift samples
- Bulk building materials -
analyzed for mold, bacteria and allergens
- Water sample analysis for
Legionnella
- Full Particle Identification
- (air and bulk samples) - for fungal allergens, fibers, dust mites,
animal dander, insect parts, minerals and unusual materials
- Infrared
Thermography -
Learn
about EHSI's new money-savings capabilities.
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^ leaking skylight
leaky
dishwasher =>
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All our investigators are experienced,
certified professionals. Samples are sent only to accredited
laboratories. A comprehensive written report is usually issued
outlining the findings of testing, methodologies uses, interpretation
of results and recommendations for follow-up actions, including
recommendations for remediation, if necessary. We give
you the straight scoop without trying to scare you about "toxic mold",
as many of our competitors. And all our results are developed by
Certified Industrial Hygienists or Certified Microbial Consultants.
In addition to mold testing, EHSI
is certified to conduct sampling for other hazardous building
materials, including asbestos and lead-based paint. The purpose
of this testing is to ensure that abatement activities do not adversely
impact these materials, resulting in further harmful building
contamination or worker/homeowner exposures.
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| Pre-Remediation Services
If mold or microbial remediation is
necessary, experienced professionals from EHSI will meet with you and
members of your organization to discuss the abatement project. Development
of a written remediation specification is essential to a successful
large-scale microbial remediation. It is necessary to
describe the objectives of the project, proper containment and work
methods, as well as other safety and health issues to protect people
and property. CIHs and CMCs will develop these specifications
according to a combination of industry consensus standards. The
remediation specification may be used as an addendum to bid and
contractual documents arranged with prospective remedial contractors.
While EHSI has worked with a number
of highly reputable remediation firms in the NJ, NYC and Philadelphia
area, our work is independent and impartial from any contractor's.
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Remediation Oversight
The "New York City Guidelines"
and other industry consensus standards call for a health and safety
professional to be on-site to oversee large-scale mold remediation
projects. This oversight ensures that the contractor is
performing properly. Don't let the fox watch the henhouse!
EHSI will cost-effectively audit contractor work activities throughout
the project to ensure the objectives are being met in a safe manner
according to the remediation specification. This can be
accomplished using both pre-abatement and periodic (e.g., daily)
documented inspections of the work areas.
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Post-Remediation
Inspection & Testing
At the end of the abatement, a
post-remediation inspection and testing will be conducted by a CIH or
CMC. We are one of the few companies to give you written
post-remediation inspection criteria BEFORE the project begins
Final post-remediation testing is essential for documenting the
successful remediation project. Our testing is designed for rapid
turnaround of lab results and flexible acceptance criteria.
Reports can be used to document the adequate cleanup of mold to
prospective buyers of property, building inspectors and regulatory
authorities.
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Knowledgeable
Professional
Highly Experienced
Attention to Details
Timely Responses

How to Choose A Mold or Microbial Consultant?

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The key quality of a
good mold consultant is experience. Nothing beats having
seen and investigated a wide variety of situations and mold
conditions. Formal education and training is also
important in being trained to recognize the symptoms of mold or
moisture exposure, both to people and buildings. Too many costly
problems have been caused by inexperienced consultants making rash
judgments due to lack of knowledge and training. Specific mold
and IAQ certifications (e.g., CMC, CIH) demonstrate this training or
experience, and are essential for a consultant.
Never hire a
consultant who is both the investigator and the remediator,
because of the potential for conflict of interest. Don't let the
fox watch the henhouse.
Never hire a company who uses
scare tactics to get your project.
When it comes to
post-remediation testing, make sure the consultant supplies their
written post-remediation inspection criteria BEFORE the project
begins. The criteria should be objective and measurable with room
for professional judgment. This will help prevent expensive delays
and excessive remediation to reach a target that's impossible or not
well understood.
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