According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Report on the Environment, we are spending the vast majority of our time inside. In fact, the EPA’s report includes a section on Indoor Air Quality that states, “Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors.” The experts at AirMD can help you ensure that the air you are breathing while you’re spend all that time inside is safe. Our services include testing for formaldehyde and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) as well as asbestos and mold inspections.

Why you should be concerned

The EPA says that the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher inside than they are in the great outdoors. The report also says that, “Indoor concentrations of some pollutants have increased in recent decades due to such factors as energy-efficient building construction (when it lacks sufficient mechanical ventilation to ensure adequate air exchange) and increased use of synthetic building materials, furnishings, personal care products, pesticides, and household cleaners.”

The EPA’s list of typical pollutants of concern includes:

• Combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and environmental tobacco smoke.
• Substances of natural origin such as radon, pet dander, and mold.
• Biological agents such as molds.
• Pesticides, lead, and asbestos.
• Ozone (from some air cleaners).
• Various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a variety of products and materials.

Unfortunately, as the EPA reports, “People who are often most susceptible to the adverse effects of pollution (e.g., the very young, older adults, people with cardiovascular or respiratory disease) tend to spend even more time indoors.”

If you have concerns about the quality of the air in your home or office, AirMD offers an extensive range of professional, science-based Residential Services, including:

• Allergy Testing
• Mold Testing
• Asbestos Testing and Asbestos Surveys
• Volatile Organic Compound Testing (VOCs)
• Water Testing
• Wellness Testing
• Bacteria Testing

• Heavy Metals Testing
• Lead Testing
• Pesticide Testing

Commercial Services include:

• Asbestos Testing And Surveys
• Lead Testing
• LEED Certification
• Mold Assessments
• Onsite Post Remediation Testing
• Pesticide Testing
• Restoration Project Management
• Protocol Development
• Volatile Organic Compound Testing VOCs
• Water Loss Assessment
• Building Science

The post EPA’s Report on the Environment highlights the need for mold, asbestos and VOC testing appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

The majority of the molds that grow on damp building materials are found in the soil and are adapted to grow on a wide variety of materials. Different mold species are adapted to different moisture conditions ranging from very wet to just damp.

Mold primarily needs two important factors for growth, moisture and a food source. Building materials with a carbon base offer the food source, mold can grow on virtually any organic substance. Multiple sources of moisture exist indoors including water intrusion from outdoors, leaks and condensation on surfaces.

Elevated humidity (water vapor) in the air can supply enough moisture for mold growth.  Indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept below 60 percent — ideally between 30 percent and 50 percent, if possible. Other factors for growth include substrate pH as well as micro and macro nutrients. Molds generally prefer a slightly acidic environment. Each mold species has a particular pH at which it grows best.

Mycologists (fungi scientists) refer to “water activity” when describing the required conditions for mold growth. The various species of mold have different water activity requirements. A material’s “water activity” is equivalent to the relative humidity of the air that would be in equilibrium with the material at that material moisture content. The vast majority of mold species require “water activity” levels that are equivalent to material equilibrium moisture contents corresponding to relative humidity’s of at least 70%.

Fungal spores behave differently in the air, some spores are smaller and lighter which get and remain airborne easily (Aspergillus/Penicillium sp.) while other spores are larger and heavier that do not remain airborne easily (Chaetomium sp. and Stachybotrys sp.). The fungal spore’s behavior can have an impact on how to remove fungal spores from the air. Understanding the behavior can increase the efficiency of passing post remediation clearance testing.

The post What is Mold appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.