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Mold Remediation / Removal Services
Basic Mold Info Mold and fungi are found everywhere inside and outside. They can grow on almost any substance when moisture is present. Molds when they reproduce make spores, which can be carried by air currents. When these spores land on a moist surface that is suitable for life, they begin to grow. Molds are essential to the natural breakdown of organic materials in the environment. Without molds we would be inundated with dead organic matter. It has been estimated that 40 percent of United States homes have some form of mold problem.Mold is normally found indoors at levels that do not affect most healthy individuals. When these levels become abnormally high as determined by indoor air quality testing or a mold inspection, remediation is recommended to be carried out by a professional remediation company. Our mold remediation service has successfully addressed many microbe contaminated interior structures such as walls, ceilings, floors and HVAC systems. A team of professionals will develop a remediation plan detailing the protocol and scope of remediation, which we will follow until clearance is achieved. Personal and/or business belongings that can be cleaned and restored are itemized, evaluated and removed in a manner which eliminates cross- and re-contamination. Most mold requires very simple sources to grow and exist. It first requires some type of moisture intrusion, or water condensation. If there has been a plumbing leak or roof leak, there is a strong possibility that mold growth has already started. In many cases, it can take only 24 hours for the process to begin. Just because the source of the moisture has stopped, does not mean that the mold has stopped growing. Mold can survive a very long time with out moisture, thus the need for remediation. Mold also needs an organic source of food. People might be confused as mold can grow on glass, tile, stainless steel, cookware, etc. but it is generally feeding off of some organic source deposited on this material (oils, films, dirt, dust, skin cells, etc.). The fiberglass insulation people like to say mold does not grow on their product, which is a fairly true statement; however, it loves to grow on the organic debris that becomes trapped in their product. Mold also loves to grow on things such as wood, fabric, leather, gypsum, fiberboard, drywall, stucco, and many fibrous materials. All molds do require some form of moisture to grow, however, like temperature, the amount of moisture varies for different species. Some signs of possible mold growth
Our skill involves assembling the most competent technicians, engineers if needed, and highly trained hygienists to provide complete decontamination services for your entire structure. All areas are treated for mold growth according to protocol and heavily contaminated materials are removed and replaced. All contaminants are properly bagged/sealed for disposal. There seems to be a great deal of evidence that high levels of molds, its spores and the toxins they produce do indeed affect people’s health. Several remediators have exhibited mild respiratory symptoms including sore throat and cough after briefly examining well ventilated contaminated areas without respiratory protection on. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints. Technically molds are not “toxic,” they are toxigenic, which means that under certain circumstances, they may produce toxins. A lot has to do with the sensitivity on the part of the person exposed as well. Children under two years of age, pregnant women, adults over 60, asthmatics and others with respiratory problems can be much more sensitive and easily harmed by overexposure to mold. The terms “black” and “toxic” mold are often misunderstood by the public. One toxic black mold, Stachybotrys chartarum, formerly known as Stachybotrys atra, is more common and at the root of many mold lawsuits. Stachybotrys is a greenish-black mold that thrives on water and construction materials, such as wallboard, gypsum board, and cellulose ceiling panels. It is also a deadly neurotoxin that has been linked by medical researchers to a host of illnesses including bleeding lungs, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, chronic respiratory ailments. It also produces toxins that cause severe memory loss, disorientation and behavioral changes. Mold Symptoms and Medical Problems A wide variety of symptoms have been attributed to the toxic effects of different molds. The medical problems may be caused by toxic gases produced by the molds or by reactions to the mold particles themselves. Many allergies are also attributable to mold and fungi. Commonly reported symptoms include runny noses, eye irritation, congestion, aggravation of asthma, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. More severe symptoms may include reports of profusely bloody runny noses, the coughing up of blood, severe headaches, fibrous growth in the lungs and - at least in one reported instance - cognitive dysfunction and loss of memory.The problems with mold usually stem from the symptoms and health effects resulting from indoor mold exposure. There is public awareness that exposure to mold can cause adverse health effects, symptoms, and possible allergic reactions. Health professionals are often tasked with the investigation and/or assessment of these health effects on employees and/or the public. The most common form of hypersensitivity is caused by the direct exposure to inhaled mold spores or hyphal fragments which can lead to allergic asthma or allergic rhinitis. The most common effects are runny nose, watery eyes, coughing and asthma attacks. Another form of hypersensitivity is hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). This is usually the direct result of inhaled large spores or fragments in an occupational setting. About 5% of individuals are predicted to have some allergic airway symptoms from molds over their lifetime. In 1993 and 1994, a doctor from the Cleveland area attributed 37 cases of pulmonary hemorrhage and hemosiderosis in young infants to Stachybotrys. Twelve of the infants died. A recent CDC report questions the scientific validity of the doctor's conclusions and the causal linkage of the infant deaths to the toxic effects of Stachybotrys. However, the CDC does recognize that moldy homes are unhealthy for human occupancy. Other reports claim to confirm the linkage of Stachybotrys to instances of infant deaths in other locations. Some of the most extreme cases of mold-related health problems, the so-called "yellow rain" attacks in Southeast Asia during the late 1970s, and the Iraqi attacks on some Kurd villages in the 1980s and 1990s have been attributed to use of mycotoxins produced by molds. The conclusion to be reached from all of these dramatic cases is that molds are potentially dangerous and cannot be ignored. All molds should be removed. AssessmentThe first step in an assessment is to determine if mold is present. This is done by visually examining the premises. If mold is growing and visible this helps determine the level of remediation that is necessary. If mold is actively growing and is visibly confirmed the need for sampling for specific species of mold is unnecessary. Another assessment method is to determine if the premise smells of mold, often described as an earthy or musty odor. However, not all molds produce the telltale mold odors. These methods are considered to be non-intrusive and only visible and odor causing molds will be found. Sometimes more intrusive methods are needed to assess the level of mold contamination. This would include moving furniture, lifting and/or removing carpets, checking behind wallpaper or paneling, checking in ventilation duct work, opening and exposing wall cavities, etc. Careful detailed visual inspection and recognition of moldy odors should be used to find problems needing correction. Efforts should focus on areas where there are signs of liquid moisture or water vapor (humidity) or where moisture problems are suspected. The investigation goals should be to locate indoor mold growth to determine how to correct the moisture problem and remove contamination safely and effectively. The basic goals of any mold investigation are always twofold: 1) find the locations of mold growth, and 2) determine the sources of the moisture. If these can be answered by simpler or more cost-effective methods, mold testing is probably not a wise use of resources. The key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced. Mold Inspections should be performed by a party certified as a Council-certified Indoor Environmentalist or Council-certified Microbial Investigator by the American Indoor Air Quality Council. In the state of Texas there is legislation dictating who can and cannot perform investigation. There are several other organizations who claim to certify, however the IAQ Council is the CESB standard for the mold practice Sampling In general the EPA does not reccomend sampling unless an occupant of the space is symptomatic. When sampling is necessary it should be performed by a trained professional who has specific experience in designing mold-sampling protocols, sampling methods, and the interpretation of findings. Sampling should only be conducted o answer a pertinent question: examples "what is the spore concentration in the air"," or is a particular species of fungi present in the building." The additional question should be asked before sampling "what action can or should a person take upon obtaining data."The sampling and analysis should follow the recommendations of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Most importantly, when a sample is taken the proper chain of custody should be adhered to. The AIHA offers lists of accredited laboratories that submit to required quarterly proficiency testing. Three types of air sampling include but are not limited to:
When sampling is conducted, all three types is recommended by the AIHA, as each sample method alone has specific limitations. For example, air samples will not provide proof a hidden source of mold. Nor would a swab sample provide the level of contamination in the air. The goal of remediation is to remove or clean contaminated materials in a way that prevents the emission of fungi and dust contaminated with fungi from leaving a work area and entering an occupied or non-abatement area, while protecting the health of workers performing the abatement. [5] Four steps of professional mold remediation
Cleanup and removal methodsThe purpose of the clean-up process is to eliminate the mold and fungal growth and to remove contaminated materials. As a general rule, simply killing the mold with a biocide is not enough. The mold must be removed since the chemicals and proteins, which cause a reaction in humans, are still present even in dead mold. Vacuum Wet vacuum cleaners are designed to remove water from floors, carpets and other hard surfaces where water has accumulated. Wet vacuuming should only be used on wet materials, as spores may be exhausted into the indoor environment if insufficient liquid is present. After use this equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and dried as spores can adhere to the inner surfaces of the tank, hoses, and other attachments. Damp wipeDamp wipe is the removal of mold from non-porous surfaces by wiping or scrubbing with water and a detergent. Care must be exercised to make sure the material is allowed to quickly dry to discourage any further mold growth. HEPA vacuumHigh Efficiency Particulate Air filtered vacuum cleaners are used in the final cleanup of remediation areas after materials have been thoroughly dried and all contaminated materials have been removed. HEPA vacuum cleaners are recommended for the cleanup of the outside areas surrounding the remediation area. During this process the workers wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent exposure to mold and other contaminants. The collected debris and dust should be stored in impervious bags or containers in a manner to prevent any release of debris. Disposal of debris and damaged materialsBuilding materials and furnishings contaminated with mold should be placed into impervious bags or closed containers while in the remediation area. These materials can usually be discarded as regular construction waste. EquipmentSeveral types of equipment may be used in the remediation process and may include:
Protection levels During the remediation process, the level of contamination dictates the level of protection for the remediation workers. The levels of contamination are described as Levels I, II, and III. Each has specific requirements for worker safety. The levels are as follows: Level ISmall Isolated Areas (10 sq. ft or less) for example, ceiling tiles, small areas on walls.
Level IIMid-sized Isolated Areas (10-30 sq. ft) – for example, individual wallboard panels.
Level IIILarge Isolated Areas (30-100 sq. ft) – e.g., several wallboard panels
Level IVExtensive Contamination (greater than 100 contiguous sq. ft in an area).
In conclusion, after the moisture source has been eliminated and the mold growth removed, the premises should be revisited and the reevaluated to ensure the mold growth and the remediation process was successful. The premises should be free of any moldy smells or visible growth. Ancient Methods of Mold RemediationMold growth in buildings has been recognized as a health hazard since the earliest days of recorded history. The ancient Israelites, for example, had written procedures for purifying and inspecting buildings that were contaminated with mold. These procedures included removing contaminated bricks and disposing them in a dump. In extreme cases, the entire building was demolished and the refuse similarly disposed of in a dump. See Leviticus 14:33-14:53
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