"Why Just treat the symptoms, when we need to eliminate the sources."

By choosing SEECC, LLC to perform a mold inspection and testing is one of the best decisions you can make. If there are issues SEECC, LLC can handle the situation or recommend a protocol of procedures to be preformed. 

The owner of SEECC LLC believed for 20 years that there has to be a way these issues can be avoided from reoccurring. SEECC LLC found it and understood the proper installation procedures. SEECC understands that the areas must be cleaned to avoid any off gases that my occur due to myotoxins

 Symptoms of Mold Exposure

The most common symptoms of mold exposure are runny nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, and aggravation of asthma. Individuals with persistent health problems that appear to be related to mold or other types of air quality contaminant exposure should see their physicians for a referral to specialists who are trained in occupational/environmental medicine or related specialties and are knowledgeable about these types of exposures. Decisions about removing individuals from an affected area must be based on the results of such medical evaluation. Mold is naturally present in outdoor environments and we share the same air between the indoor and outdoor, it is impossible to eliminate all mold spores indoors.





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Certified and Insured



I. Complete Visual Mold Inspection

II. Bulk/Surface Sampling

III. Remediation

Whole house and Attic

 



Mold Sampling Methods

The goal of sampling is to learn about the levels of mold growth and amplification in buildings. There are no EPA or OSHA standards for levels of fungi and mold in indoor environments. There are also no standard collection methods. However, several generally accepted collection methods are available to inspectors to study mold (and bacteria) in indoor environments. Comparison with reference samples can be a useful approach. Reference samples are usually taken outdoors and sometimes samples can be taken from “non-complaint” areas. In general, indoor fungal concentrations should be similar to or lower than outdoor levels. High levels of mold only found inside buildings often suggest indoor amplification of the fungi. Furthermore, the detection of water-indicating fungi, even at low levels, may require further evaluation. There are several types of testing methods that can detect the presence of mold. They can be used to find mold spores that are suspended in air, in settled dust, or mold growing on surfaces of building materials and furnishings. There are different methods that can identify types of live mold and dead mold in a sampled environment. Mold spores can be allergenic and toxic even when dead. All sampled material obtained in the laboratory is analyzed using modern microscopic methods, standard and innovative mycological techniques, analyzed at 630 – 1,000 times magnification. Testing for mold with an accredited laboratory is the best way to determine if you have mold and what type of mold it is.

Surface Sampling Methods

Surface sampling can be useful for differentiating between mold growth and stains of various kinds. This type of sampling is used to identify the type of mold growth that may be present and help investigate water intrusion. Surface sampling can help the interpretation of building inspections when used correctly. The following are the different types of surface samples that are commonly used to perform a direct examination of a specific location. Spore counts per area are not normally useful.

Tape (or tape-lift)

These samples are collected using clear adhesive tape or adhesive slide for microscopic examination of suspect stains, settled dust and spores. Tape lifts are an excellent, non-destructive method of sampling. The laboratory is usually able to determine if the there is current of former mold growth or if only normally settled spores were sampled.

Bulk

This is a destructive test of materials (e.g., settled dust, sections of wallboard, pieces of duct lining, carpet segments, return-air filters, etc.) to determine if they contain or show mold growth. Bulk sampling collects a portion of material small enough to be transported conveniently and handled easily in the laboratory while still representing the material being sampled. A representative sample is taken from the bulk sample and can be cultured for species identification or analyzed using direct microscopy for genus identification. The laboratory is usually able to determine if the there is current of former mold growth or if only normally settled spores were sampled.

Swab/Tape

A sterile cotton or synthetic fiber-tipped swab is used to test an area of suspected mold growth. Samples obtained using this method can be cultured for species identification or analyzed using direct microscopy for genus identification. The laboratory is usually able to determine if there is current of former mold growth or if only normally settled spores were sampled. Identified spores are generally reported as “present/absent”.

 Air Sampling Methods

Air samples are possibly the most common type of environmental sample that investigators collect to study bioaerosols (mold, pollen, particulates). The physics of removing particles from the air and the general principles of good sample collection apply to all airborne materials, whether biological or other origin. Therefore, many of the basic principles investigators use to identify and quantify other airborne particulate matter can be adapted to bioaerosol sampling.

 Air-O-Cell Cassette The Air-O-Cell spore trap cassette is used with a portable air pump (15 liters/minute for 1 to 10 minutes) to collect airborne aerosols including mold, pollen and other airborne particulates. Air is drawn through a small opening at the top of the cassette and spores are trapped on a sticky coated glass slide inside the cassette. These cassettes are efficient at collecting spores as small as 2.6μm. “Viable Methods” (The Laboratory results are reported in “colony forming units per cubic meter (CFU/m3) Agar Impaction Plates The agar impaction plates are used with a portable air pump (28.3 liters/minute for 3 minutes) to collect airborne mold. This is called “viable sampling” because it only grows what is alive at the time of testing. Air is drawn through a 200-400 holes at the top of the impactor and spores are trapped in the agar media. The agar plate should be shipped to the laboratory immediately or kept cool until it can be shipped. These cassettes are 90% efficient at collecting spores as small as 0.7μm. The laboratory results are reported in “colony forming units per cubic meter (CFU/m3)”.

Remediation of Mold

Prevention of mold growth indoors is only possible if the factors that allow it to grow are identified and controlled. When prevention has failed and visible growth has occurred in a home or building, remediation and/or restoration may be required. The extent of the mold growth will determine the scope of the remediation required. The goal of remediation is to remove or clean mold-damaged material using work practices that protect occupants by controlling the dispersion of mold from the work area and protect the workers from exposure to mold. You should consult a professional when contemplating fixing a large area of mold growth. Generally, remediation requires (a) removal of porous materials showing extensive microbial growth, (b) physical removal of surface microbial growth on non-porous materials to typical background levels, and (c) reduction of moisture to levels that do not support microbial growth. Identification of the conditions that contributed to microbial proliferation in a home or building is the most important step in remediation. No effective control strategy can be implemented without a clear understanding of the events or building dynamics responsible for microbial growth. Following the completion of the remediation process, mold testing should be performed to obtain clearance.