|
 TESTING FOR MOLD
When
testing
for
mold
we
advise
our
clients
that
mold
and
fungal
spores
have
been
integrated
into
our
environment
for
thousands
of
years.
There
are
well
over
100,000
species
of
fungi
and
bacteria.
Fungal
spores
germinate
and
form
Hypha
and
divide.
When
testing
for
mold,
the
inspector
must
use
every
means
at
his
or
her
disposal
to
ascertain
the
identity
and
concentration
of
the
microbic
elements
that
they
are
called
upon
to
analyze
and
characterize.
In
our
organization,
we
always
make
a
concentrated
effort
to
determine
as
closely
as
possible
the
extent
of
the
toxic
issues
that
may
be
encountered
onsite.
When
testing
for
mold,
we
must
first
determine
what
protective
gear
may
be
necessary
to
conduct
an
in-depth,
meaningful
inspection
of
a
site.
For
example,
when
our
organization
is
first
contacted,
we
ask
several
pointed
questions,
such
as:
· What
are
the
conditions
that
prompted
your
call?
· Is
anyone
in
the
household
having
respiratory
problems
at
the
present
time?
If
so,
for
how
long?
· Do
they
feel
better
when
they
leave
the
premises
for
several
hours
or
days?
· Have
you
or
anyone
in
your
household
consulted
a
physician
concerning
respiratory
problems?
If
so,
what
were
the
results
and
what
was
the
specialty
of
the
physician?
We
try
to
evaluate
the
conditions
that
prompted
the
inquiry
from
the
caller.
For
example,
was
it
an
indoor
flood
condition
caused
by
a
leaking
or
broken
pipe,
an
over-flooding
toilet,
condensation
from
heating/venting
air
conditioning
ducts,
a
leaking
roof,
or
condensation
from
under
the
house,
if
the
structure
is
freestanding.
The
more
information
we
can
have
prior
to
our
onsite
inspection
will
enable
our
inspectors
to
take
the
proper
precautionary
safety
methods
prior
to
entering
a
site.
1. Step
number
one
in
testing
for
mold
is
to
determine
if
there
is
any
offensive
musty
olfactory
odor
when
crossing
the
threshold
or
entering
a
site.
2. Try
to
characterize
the
site
by
location.
Certified
Environmental
Appraisers
have
been
in
business
officially
since
1969.
We
have
a
huge
data
file
on
areas
of
Los
Angeles
that
have
a
climate
favorable
to
microbic
growth.
3. It
is
standard
operating
procedure
for
our
qualified
specialists
to
bring
a
microscope
onsite
and
take
tape
lift
samples
with
clear
tape.
The
tape
lift
sample
is
placed
sticky-side-down
on
a
microscopic
slide
and
then
placed
under
a
microscope
of
at
leapt
400x
magnification.
The
tape
lift
samples
are
compared
to
known
and
proven
laboratory
slides
and
then
sent
to
an
EPA-approved
laboratory
for
further
analysis
if
necessary.
4. Air
cassette
sampling
is
only
called
for
when
there
are
visible
signs
of
black
mold,
an
offensive
musty
olfactory
odor,
or
young
children
residing
onsite
encountering
respiratory
and
pulmonary
malfunction.
If
called
for,
we
test
for
air
with
our
air
pump
into
a
Air-O-Cell
cassette,
fill
out
a
chain
of
custody,
and
send
it
to
an
EMLAP
certified
testing
laboratory.
When
legal
issues
are
anticipated,
we
will
test
with
Anderson
Air
Impactor
Plates
and
send
to
the
laboratory
for
culture
testing,
when
requested.
5. When
testing
for
mold,
we
always
use
at
least
two
moisture
meters
and
a
hygrometer
to
test
for
wetness
and
humidity.
6. We
take
swab
or
vacuum
samples
from
the
edges
of
carpets
for
analysis
and
laboratory
confirmation.
Testing
for
mold
is
always
best
left
to
experienced
individuals
with
the
Environmental
Professional
(EP)
designation,
who
has
the
highest
standards
and
qualifications.
______________
We travel anywhere in the USA at
prevailing rates. BMR can IMMEDIATELY respond to these
local Southern California areas below by calling:
800-898-4470
Agoura Hills, Airport LAX,
Los
Angeles, Artesia,
Bel Air, Bay Area, Bellflower, Beverly Hills,
Brentwood, Burbank, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Carson,
Century City, Cerritos, Chatsworth, Commerce,
Compton,Culver City, Downey, Downtown Los Angeles,
Encino, El Segundo, Malibu, Florence, Gardena,
Glendale, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hermosa
Beach, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Huntington Park,
Inglewood, Laguna, Lakewood, Lawndale, LAX, Lomita,
Long Beach, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu,
Manhattan Beach, Mar Vista, Marina del Rey,
North Long Beach, Norwalk, Pacific Palisades,
Palos Verdes Estates, Paramount, Pasadena,
Playa del Rey, Rancho Palos Verdes, Reseda, Redondo
Beach, Rolling Hills Estates, San Clemente, Santa
Ana, San Pedro, Santa Monica, Silverlake, Signal
Hill, Sherman Oaks, South Gate, South Pasadena,
Studio City, Tarzana, Torrance, Universal City, Van Nuys, Venice,
Vernon, View Park, West Los Angeles, Westchester,
West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Westwood, Woodland Hills,
Windsor Hill
BMR and Black Mold
Removal are registered trademarks of Certified
Environmental Appraisers Inc.
All rights
reserved 2006
TESTING FOR MOLD
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