One of our favorite types of projects here at AirMD, a highly respected science-backed environmental testing agency, is conducting the various indoor air quality tests required for a building to gain LEED certification, including things like formaldehyde testing and testing for volatile organic compounds.

What Is LEED Certification?

LEED is an acronym that stands for:

• Leadership in
• Energy and
• Environmental
• Design

And, as the U.S. Green Building Council explains, “LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.”

To earn LEED certification, a new building must be able to demonstrate that the way it is constructed will help the environment, enhance energy efficiency and improve indoor environmental quality. Each building is rated is six different categories.

Why Would You Want LEED Certification?

There are definite advantages to having LEED certification, including:

• Economic benefits and the competitive edge gained by a variety of things such as an enhanced ability to attract tenants
• Meet ESG goals and maximize efficiency while decreasing operational costs and increasing the value of your property
• Health benefits from the improved indoor environmental quality and reduction in pollution and toxins in the air.

LEED certification tells the world that you believe that buildings can create a healthier, more sustainable future. It tells people that you believe that green building practices are things that are worth investing in. And, whether you are talking about new residential or commercial construction or upgrades or add-ons to existing structures, LEED certification means that the conditions in that building will be healthier and more sustainable.

“Green buildings are the foundation of something bigger: helping people, and the communities and cities they reside in—safely, healthily, and sustainably thrive,” the folks at the U.S. Green Building Council say.

If you would like more information about LEED Certification or about the indoor air quality testing required to earn certification, please call us at 1-888-GO-AIRMD (1-888-462-4763).

The post Will Your New Building be LEED Certified? appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

Like many businesses, our indoor environmental testing company was forced to stop operations when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the country into lockdown. We were able to weather the storm and are proud to report that we are back at work and busier than ever, performing indoor air quality tests and water quality testing in a wide range of locations across the country.

We have been testing for mold and volatile organic compounds and performing a variety of other indoor air quality tests. We have been testing water quality to protect against exposure to lead and other harmful toxins. And there are thousands more tests waiting to be conducted.

In other words, we are fortunate to be in an industry that is ripe with opportunity. By introducing our “Employ America” Affiliate Program we are hoping to share those opportunities.

No Fee Affiliate Program

Unlike franchise models, our Affiliate Program does not require any fees or royalties. The model is based on our core environmental testing business, which began operations in Boca Raton, Florida, in 2007.

“At this critical time, we wanted to give people the opportunity to start a business without the typical costs,” says Simon Hahessy, AirMD’s founder. “Our Affiliate model can’t be compared to any franchise. The accreditation, the tools and classroom training, the reputation are all there for an affiliate to succeed. AirMD is truly a partner with the Affiliate. We only profit when Affiliates profit, which is what makes our NO FEE structure so unique.”

Are you one of the millions of Americans who made a career pivot during the pandemic? Or maybe you’ve been thinking about starting a new chapter to provide better financial stability for your family. There are also lots of folks who have realized that they really enjoy working more independently and are considering striking out on their own in lieu of returning to an overly structure workplace. Are you one of them?

The pandemic has been so hard on so many. But now that there is light at the end of the this long, dismal tunnel thanks to the increasing availability of Covid-19 vaccines, it might be the right time to start thinking about what comes next.

If you would like more information about our Affiliate program, please contact our Business Development Manager at franchise@airmd.com or call 602-718-3269.

The post AirMD’s Environmental Affiliate Program appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

It is frightening to think that you and your family might have been drinking tainted water. That’s what residents in Delray Beach are facing as questions regarding the maintenance of water storage tanks in the city emerge. Some residents are considering having independent water quality testing done to ensure the safety of their loved ones. 

City officials in Delray are offering reassurances but have not managed to quell fears. Perhaps because their reassurances are not backed up by scientific evidence. Part of the problem, according to a number of reports, might be what appears to be a toxic atmosphere at City Hall. (But even our most advanced indoor air quality tests, wouldn’t do much good with that kind of toxic air!)

More Trouble in Paradise

If you read our previous post, you will know that life in South Florida can be pretty hard to beat, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have clouds darken our skies and our prospects from time to time. 

According to recent reports, the discolored water that many residents experienced earlier this year was a result of sediment that had accumulated in one of the city’s water storage tanks. An investigation revealed that the tank in question, which was supposed to be cleaned every five years, had not, in fact, been cleaned for more than 30 years. 

The city manager who is largely responsible for bringing the problem to the public’s eye – after the mayor and city council members failed to act when he brought the situation to their attention – has been fired. 

If you live in Delray and would like to test the water quality in your home or business, please contact us. If you want help cleaning up the toxic environment at City Hall, however, registering to vote is probably your best option.

The post Water Quality Questions Emerge in Delray Beach appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

When our science-backed professionals conduct indoor air quality tests, they are testing for VOCs, formaldehyde and other potentially harmful particles that could be contaminating the air. Right now, though, it could be scams that are polluting the air.

The Federal Communications Commission has issued warnings about a number of Covid-19 text message scams you should be on the lookout for, including:

• If you receive a text promoting a cure for Covid-19, do NOT click on the links in the message. Scammers are trying to lure you in with the false promise of a cure that does not exist.
• Some scammers are sending out text messages with an offer for Covid-19 testing. Again, do NOT click on any links in the message. If you are interested in being tested for the novel coronavirus or for antibodies, check with your doctor or your local public health agency.
• The FCC reports that some people have received texts claiming to be from the “FCC Financial Care Center,” which are offering $30,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. You should be aware that there is no FCC program that provides relief funds to consumers. These texts are what are often referred to as phishing scams, which are intended to get you to give up personal information like your bank or credit account numbers.
• The Better Business Bureau is warning of another text message scam impersonating a government agency. This time, it’s the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If you receive a text claiming to be from the Department of Health and Human Services that says you have to take a “mandatory online COVID-19 test,” do NOT click on the link provided in the text.
• And that’s still not all when it comes to scams claiming to come from an official government source. If you receive a text that begins with “IRS COVID-19 News” beware! Do NOT click on the link, which the text says will help you “register/update your information in order to receive the economic impact payment regardless of your status.” These scammers really put some effort in – they even created a website intended to look like an official IRS site. And it’s ‘s all designed to get your personal, including your date of birth and social security number as well as a debit or credit card number.

Fortunately, you don’t need the kind of high-tech equipment we use when we are conducting an air quality assessment in West Palm Beach, a mold inspection in Miami or a water quality test in Boca Raton to screen for the kind of text message scams that are stinking up the environment during these difficult times. Just use your common sense and a healthy dose of caution.

The post Scams Are Polluting the Air appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.

Kids aren’t the only ones who will be enjoying Halloween celebrations this month. Over the years, the holiday has increasingly tempted adults to get into the spirit. We now spend more on Halloween than any other holiday, except Christmas. Here at AirMD, our indoor air quality tests, mold inspections and our allergy testing – from Austin to West Palm Beach – are firmly rooted in science, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun with Halloween with its myths and superstitions.

If you’re among the many who will be decorating your home or office for Halloween, there’s a good chance that the image of a black cat might pop up somewhere. According to the Billings Animal Family Hospital, “In the Middle Ages, it was a commonly held belief that witches could disguise themselves as black cats and these dark felines became associated with witchcraft.”

Black Cats Are Nothing to Sneeze At

The truth is that you don’t need to be afraid of black cats – unless you’re allergic to cats. And if that’s the case, it doesn’t matter if they’re black, orange or polka dotted, you should avoid our furry feline friends. According to WebMD, “About 10% of the U.S. population has pet allergies and cats are among the most common culprits. Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies.”

Cat Allergy Symptoms

The health experts at WebMD report that the symptoms of cat allergies can include:

• coughing and wheezing
• hives or a rash on the chest and face
• red, itchy eyes
• redness of the skin where a cat has scratched, bitten, or licked you
• runny, itchy, stuffy nose
• sneezing

If your home is feline-free but you or a member of your family is still bothered by these symptoms on a frequent basis, there may be some other allergy involved. Pollen, dust mites and mold are the most common allergy triggers. But having allergies doesn’t mean you are cursed to suffer forever. Call the allergy-busters at AirMD! Our pros can perform home allergen tests that can help you get to the bottom of any mysteries. We are also experts in residential mold inspections and mold removal.

The post Black Cats Can Be Scary – but only if you have allergies! appeared first on Air Quality Testing by AirMD Since 2007.