CALL USMold Testing, Investigations & ERMI Testing
Showalter Property Consultants offers Mold Testing and Investigations throughout most of the Maryland, Eastern Shore, DC and Baltimore areas. We offer Mold Air and Surface Sampling as well as ERMI, Mold DNA testing. We will perform a site assessment and investigation of the building and based on the findings we can perform various types of testing or sampling as well as offer recommendations and solutions for remediation.We utilize the state of the art in testing and investigation equipment such as thermal imaging and moisture detectors. With our equipment and knowledge of construction and the understanding of areas at risk for mold and moisture intrusion we can help to identify mold problems in your home or workplace.
Stephen Showalter is a co-founder of IESO (Indoor Environmental Standards Organization) for mold testing. We offer several testing methods for mold including the following, each is a valuable tool to help to determine if mold if present.
Mold Investigation and Sampling Levels
Level 1: Mold Inspection (Air and Surface Sampling)
Option 1. We will perform an FAI (Fungal to Allergen Index) air sampling utilizing the Mycometer system based on an Enzyme-Targeted Fluorogenic Detection (ETFD) technology. This will help locate and identify areas at risk for mold and activity with rapid results and be highly accurate for quantifying fungi and allergens.
Option 2. We also offer conventional spore traps to identify the type of mold present in the air. We take one sample outside and one sample indoors to compare against the outside reference.
Option 3. We can take random surface samples with the Mycometer swab to help identify mold growth and determine whether mold is present in the dust sample.
Option 4. We can take air or surface samples to test for the presence of mycotoxins.
Level 2 Mold Inspection (Combined Sampling)
With a level 2 mold investigation, we combined the Mycometer FAI air sampling with a conventional spore trap to obtain optimum sampling results by comparing both sample data.
Level 3: Mold Inspection (Visual)
Our inspector will perform a limited visual inspection evaluation of the building to identify areas of visible suspected mold (fungi) and to try to identify the cause. This will help offer recommendations for the homeowner or mold abatement company on a course of action for mold abatement. Our inspector will use thermal imaging and infrared scanners to locate of high humidity and areas at risk for condensation and moisture meters and identify areas of suspected moisture intrusion, leakage, or other sources that could promote mold growth. The inspector will then issue a narrative computer-generated report with photos so the client can clearly understand the scope of the concern for moisture and mold risks. The client should prepare the house with access to all walls, mechanical systems, and the attic, and all windows and doors closed for 24 hours before the inspection.
Level 4 Mold Inspection (Invasive Inspection)
A level 4 inspection or investigation determines the source of the moisture. It may include an invasive investigation, opening the wall surface, and closing off another surface to locate the extent of activity or damage that may not be visible during other mold testing protocols and procedures.
Types Of Mold Sampling
Air Sampling for Mold
Air sampling consists of drawing a known amount of air over a cassette with a slide inside. The slide is sent off to an accredited lab for evaluation. Air testing consists of a minimum of two samples; one inside and one outside. The more air samples we take the more information as to all areas throughout the house. A single test will only tell you about the mold spores in the immediate vicinity of the air test.
Mycometer, Fungi Testing, Bacteria and Allergens (more information)
We are an approved testing company trained by Mycometer that provides Rapid and Accurate Quantification of Fungi or Bacteria. The technology is Enzyme Targeted Fluorogenic Detection (ETFD). It is about identifying naturally occurring enzyme activities that are present only in the taxonomic group of interest e.g. bacteria or fungi. The enzyme activity is determined using highly sensitive fluorescence detection. ETFD is very rapid compared to the classical microbiological cultivation giving results in minutes to hours compared to after several days of incubation with cultivation. The ability of ETFD to target different taxonomical groups makes it possible to measure bacteria or to measure fungi with only minor interferences as compared to an older rapid technology known as the ATP test. This test measures ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) which is present in all living cells, and exudates. The ATP is therefore, more like a general measure of the biological load and cannot be used as a specific measure of bacteria or fungi.
Mycotoxin Sampling for Mold
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by various mold species. They can serve as a defense mechanism against other molds or bacteria. Some mycotoxins are carcinogenic, can cause liver and kidney toxicity, and may lead to neurological damage in humans.
LC/MS, which stands for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, is an analytical technique used to separate, identify, and quantify compounds and chemical properties of different molecules.
LC/MS is preferred over ELISA because it offers greater sensitivity and increased selectivity in compound identification. Mass spectrometry is considered the gold standard in forensic toxicology and other applications. Unlike ELISA, which detects mycotoxins by groups, LC/MS identifies specific compounds based on their mass-to-charge ratio.
ERMI Testing
The ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) test is a DNA-based mold identification tool developed by scientists at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We extract a sampling from the carpet to obtain what is in your carpet and that you an your children are potentially breathing.
Wall Cavity Sampling for Mold
An air sample with a small access hole through the surface of a wall. A small volume of air is drawn to help determine if there are any mold spores in any given wall cavity.
Surface Sampling for Mold
Surface sampling is fairly straight forward where we utilize swab, tape lifts or bulk samples of suspect areas which are then sent off to an accredited lab.
Viable Sampling for Mold
An air sample is taken over a specific agar or culture and sent of the lab for culture and Speciation of the mold sample.
MVOCs, Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds Sampling
Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) may cause a hard-to-detect mold odor or feel to some. We utilize a "whole home" air sample along with a viable sample to help to determine if MVOCs are present in the air.
These are not detected by typical mold in air sampling. Some molds may produce MVOCs depending on conditions, such as if they are viable. MVOCs can cause symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, memory issues, brain fog, and fatigue and may be implicated in some neurological problems. MVOCs may also irritate the eyes and the mucus membranes of the nose and throat. Often these molds go undetected because it's a presence behind drywall or underneath the flooring.
There are certain limitations to mold sampling and testing so please consult with us before deciding. Mold are a moisture indicating organism that needs moisture (or humidity), food and air. Molds pose a concern for health related issues and wood destroying fungus.
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