Mold is ubiquitous (common) in all
continents across the globe. When exposed to mold the majority of the
population can handle low-level exposure, but the problem with mold is that it
multiplies when it has access to moisture and organic substrates like building
materials, food, soil, wood, paper, leaves and fabric. When mold grows in your
house, it can become a health hazard for you and your family members. The
following steps may help to identify molds:
- Check
for patches that appear fuzzy, or cotton-like. Many household mold looks
like this. If mold-like conditions appear on walls or hard surface, place
a flashlight against the surface. If filamentous (long visible chains,
threads or filaments) structures appear in the shadow of the light, most
likely mold is present.
- Identify
mold by the discolorations. Mold comes in almost all colors of the
rainbow, including brown, gray, black, green, yellow, white and orange.
- Use
your nose to find mold. Household mold by its musty or earthy smell.
- Look
for mold in places where you've had any water damage. Leaking roofs, leaky
windows, plumbing leaks and flooding leave household areas ripe for mold
growth. Check ceilings and carpets.
- Know
that the humidifiers and vaporizers you use for your health are prime places
for mold growth due to the high level of humidity. Poorly vented bathrooms
may contain mold fed from the steam from showers. Plumbing leaks in
interstitial walls can also be problematic.
- Understand
that mold loves damp basements and garages. And if you store books,
clothing, drywall, cardboard or wood in these locations (and who
doesn't?), then mold has a ready food source to grow on.
- Inspect
you air handling system for visual mold like conditions. Check the
evaporator coil, blower assembly, drain pan, wetted insulation liner, etc…
Look for primary or secondary drain pan leaks.
- Play
detective and identify mold in these hiding places: under the kitchen
sink, air ducts, entryways and refrigerator seals.
- The best way to identify
mold with the Mold Screen Check (MSC), a product of the
do-it-yourself IAQ Screen Check. The Mold Screen Check
(MSC) is as easy to use as 1-2-3, is inexpensive and quantitative.
(EDLab, an AIHA accredited laboratory analyzes all of the samples. For as little as $52.50 a complete mold report is available.
You can purchase the Mold Screen
Check through your HVAC distributor/dealer or on-line at
www.IAQScreenCheck.com,
or call toll free 1-800-422-7873 ext 303
About Pure Air Control Services:
Founded in 1984 by Alan Wozniak, President/CEO in what began as a small
mechanical contracting business has grown into an award winning, industry
leading indoor environmental quality (IEQ) service company serving many fortune
500 corporations, school boards, county, city, state and federal governments
and consumers across the US. The firm has serviced over 500 million
square feet of indoor environments in over 10,000 facilities. Pure Air
Control Services is under contract with the General Services Administration
(GSA), Contract #GS-10F-0488R, linking them directly to federal governmental
agencies as a provider for IAQ consulting, expert laboratory analysis, as well
as HVAC system cleaning and mold remediation services. The firm is also a
certified 8(a) MBE.
The firm has offices in Tampa, FL, Atlanta, GA, West Palm Beach, Fl., Houston,
TX and Washington, DC, that services the entire country.
Pure Air Control Services provides the following indoor environmental
services on a national basis:
· Building Sciences Evaluation
· Building Health Check
· Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (AIHA
Accredited)
· Environmental Project Management
· IAQ-Screen Check Test Kits/EvaluAire and EvaluAire
Pro
· Mold Remediation Services
· HVAC System Remediation
Clients of Pure Air Control Services include: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), General Services Administration (GSA), Johnson Controls,
Allstate Insurance, Carrier Air Conditioning, Siemens’ Building Technologies
(SBT), V.T. Griffin, Dobbins Air Force Base, Naval Air Warfare Center
- Orlando, Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia; The Haskell Company,
Leon County Government, Tallahassee, Florida, Pinellas County Government,
Clearwater, Florida; Collier County Government, Naples, Florida; Bayfront
Medical Center, St. Pete, Florida; US Army - Ft. Bragg, Kentucky; Naval Station
- Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Montgomery County School District, Maryland; Citrus
County School District, Florida; and many others.
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Ed Ziegler, VP Business Development
Pure Air Control Services, Inc.
(800) 422-7873 x 802
www.pureaircontrols.com
www.edlab.org
www.buildinghealthcheck.com
www.indoorairtest.com
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Pure Air Control Services
800-422-7873
