Latent Fungal (Mold) Investigations

The fungi include molds, yeasts, mildew, rusts, and mushrooms. Fungi are found everywhere. They are an important part of the ecosystem because they decompose plant material and recycle the nutrients; without fungi the world would be overrun with trash. There are more than 100,000 species of fungi, yet only about 100 of them are pathogenic to humans and animals. Almost all types of fungi can incite an allergenic reaction in a person who is hypersensitive to the spore. Sensitive individuals are usually the elderly, immuno-compromised and the very young. Spores are not the only culprits when exploring the health risks associated with fungi. Certain fungi produce mycotoxins or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). A mycotoxin is a substance produced by fungi that is toxic to humans. Mycotoxins can cause adverse health effects such as headaches, muscle problems, and respiratory distress. VOC’s are produced by active fungi and often have earthy or mushroom like odor.

When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers, they can cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems for people. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to the mold. Mold can also cause structural damage to a building.

For mold to grow, it needs a food source (wood, paper, leaves, dirt) and a source of moisture. The following are sources of indoor moisture that may cause problems:

• Flooding
• Backed-up sewers
• Leaking roofs
• Humidifiers
• Damp basements or crawl spaces
• Constant plumbing leaks

AquaTerra Assessments specializes in the resolution of these Environmental Issues confronting property owners and the Insurance Industry. Our service area includes Texas and the adjoining States.

Our Mold Investigation Reports include:

• Results within 7 Business Days
• Recommendations for Remediation included in the Report
• All Investigations Conducted and/or Reviewed by an Industrial Hygienist

These Limited Airborne and Latent Fungal Investigations include a visual inspection and testing of random interior surfaces and ambient air for possible fungal contamination at each subject property. Outside ambient air samples are collected for comparison. The tape lift samples are taken to determine the type of fungi, and the ambient air samples are taken to identify the presence and concentration of fungal organisms that are different than a normal indoor environment.

The following items are presented in these reports:

• Locations of Tape Lift Samples
• Locations of Ambient Air Samples
• Tape Lift Results
• Ambient Air Results
• Photographs
• Interpretations of Results and Recommendations

Currently there are no established guidelines that define “safe” or “unsafe” fungal levels. OSHA, New York City, and California have published guidelines for detection and remediation of indoor mold contamination. None of the guidelines are enforceable by law at this time.

Generally speaking, the distribution of spore types should be similar in both the indoor and outdoor samples. Indoor concentrations should be lower than outdoor concentrations, and non-complaint area levels should be lower than complaint areas.