Mold...literally, a growing concern. National media attention has alerted the public to the destructive and possibly toxic dangers of hidden mold spores that could affect their family's health and their homes. EPA studies indicate that air levels of indoor pollutants may be two to three times higher than outdoor levels.

Mold, the most dangerous offender of all, often goes undetected because of its invisibility. Most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors and are not aware of the health hazards created by this pollutant. You owe it to yourself to minimize your exposure to mold spores in the indoor environment.

With exposure, even in small amounts, mold may cause:

• Itching or irritation of the nose, eyes, throat or skin
• Mysterious skin rashes
• Sinus infections or congestion / sinusitis (runny nose)
• Respiratory problems (sneezing and coughing)
• Upper or lower respiratory infections
• Fatigue
• Frequent headaches
• Trouble concentrating, memory lapses, confusion
• Mood swings, anxiety, depression
• Chronic aches and pains
• Digestive problems

To find out if mold is a problem in your home, you MUST have a mold inspection conducted by your inspector.

A visual inspection is the initial step in identifying possible contamination problems. It will identify any visible water leaks or moisture stains on floors, ceilings, walls, or under counters. Heating and air conditioning systems, along with the attic and crawl spaces will receive a visual inspection as well.

The purpose of air sampling is to determine the type and amount of airborne contamination in a building. Air sampling may be necessary if the presence of mold, allergens or toxins is suspected (e.g.: musty odors, allergies) but cannot be identified by a visual inspection.

Tape/swab samples are usually collected from visible moldy surfaces by wiping the area with a sterile swab. This type of sampling is used to identify specific mold types.

Once the home has a visual inspection and the mold circumstance evaluated, action can be planned to clean it up and prevent future contamination. Based upon site evaluations and sampling lab analysis results, your inspector can provide a detailed written report that can be used for disclosure and references. In all situations, if mold exists, the underlying cause of the water damage must be corrected.

The most important part of the remediation (clean up process) process is the clearance testing. This final testing procedure provides confirmation that the project has been satisfactorily remediated and that the contamination has not spread to other areas.

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