Expert On-Site Mold Detection, Diagnosis, and Remediation Advice For Mold Problems in Buildings
InspectAPedia^® -

Environmental services offered by Daniel Friedman - supplement to FIELD INVESTIGATION SERVICE

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.

Building air quality, toxic mold, allergen or other sick house investigations, mold lab testing services, and information on mold, mildew, moisture, pollen, dust mite, & environmental information for building owners, occupants, inspectors.

This website provides contact information for expert services and in-depth information about indoor air quality problems: causes of respiratory illness or other symptoms such as neurological or psychological problems, air quality investigation methods, and remediation procedures such as mold cleanup, handling toxic mold contamination, and building or HVAC repairs.

At MOLD INSPECTORS & MOLD TESTERS we list mold and other environmental test consultants whose work is familiar to us. For on-site building diagnostic inspections & testing also see the list of inspectors and specialists at Directory of Professionals to Inspect or Test a Building

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Mold Services: On-Site Diagnostic Inspection & Lab Testing for Mold and Other Indoor Air Quality Concerns

CONTACT INFORMATION

ONSITE INSPECTION / INVESTIGATION AVAILABILITY NOTICE: Except for special cases including our pro-bono services we no longer provide onsite building investigations.

For on-site building & home inspections the extensive list of building inspectors and specialists at
Directory of Professionals to Inspect or Test a Building

Field Investigation Service Our senior expert goes where no one else wanted to look, uses non-invasive tools and sophisticated testing equipment for mold, gases, moisture, air quality, contaminants, building problem diagnosis. Before hiring someone to investigate for mold: see When to hire a professional. For What to Do About Mold: how to inspect, test, clean-up, and prevent mold problems and critique of valid and invalid mold and IAQ tools and procedures: see Mold Information Center

Laboratory Analysis Service includes identity, photomicrographs, medical details, remediation advice. On-Site Mobile Lab Service is available for immediate on-premises particle determination.

This expert-recommended mold test kit is cheap and yet top performing *IF* you use a competent analysis laboratory! Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to a forensic or environmental test lab of your choice.

What to Do About Mold: When & How - -Mold IAQ Site Inspection & Mold Testing Lab Services(this page) - -What Mold Test Methods are Valid? - -Technical & Laboratory Procedures, Bibliography - -Other Indoor Air Concerns - -Mold and IAQ References, Bibliography - -Contact Daniel Friedman

Field Investigation Services by Daniel Friedman, American Home Service Co.

Our building investigation services include thorough on-site studies for residential and commercial buildings in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, with service available world wide on advance notice. We also provide expert 24-hour mold testing lab service for our clients and the public. The result of field and lab work is a complete field investigation report indicating our field findings, laboratory test results, and detailing just what remediation or other actions are appropriate. Basic medical information about allergenic or toxic mold or other contaminants is also included when available.

We investigate complaints of respiratory illness, asthma, allergies, neurological and other health concerns, and we identify sources of these and other hazards that may contribute to a wide range of health complaints associated with buildings. To identify and address indoor air quality problems, we identify conditions which may cause or contribute to allergy, asthma, "sick building syndrome -- SBS," other respiratory illness and distress, as well as possible neurological or other health problems which may be caused or aggravated by mold or other particles in the air.

Field investigation methods include taking site and client history, visual inspection of the property and building and its mechanical systems, bulk/surface/vacuum sampling, calibrated air sampling combined with light microscopy and laboratory analysis to identify common bioaerosols, allergens, pet dander, dust mites, fleas, mold, pollen, fibers, and other potential irritants. We also are equipped to test for specific contaminant gases such as produced by building fires or heating equipment as well as mold or other contaminants.

Our Indoor Gas Sampling Plan for Residential Buildings describes gas testing procedures, instruments, detection limits, and it lists some of the toxic (or other) indoor gases for which we can test, depending on the building complaint and building conditions.

No one needs to wield an axe to investigate a building. And no one needs to bury important findings among pages of vague language. We use special equipment such as this borescope permitting examination of hidden wall/ceiling/floor cavities using non-destructive methods. We may use other equipment to actually obtain particle samples from wall/ceiling/floor cavities by the Wall Check™ method, When conditions warrant and permission is obtained, we also are equipped to make modest test cuts or to perform other more invasive inspection methods. A variety of non-invasive infra-red and moisture measuring tools may also be employed if recent or current leaks are suspected.

Our mold and air quality investigation report includes field observations, laboratory test results, medical information regarding toxic or allergenic mold or other contaminants identified, and remediation advice including both mold cleanup and building repairs which are necessary to help avoid future problems. Technical documentation is accompanied by photo documentation of field and lab findings. A simple report summary provides a "guide to action" for each property we inspect.

Our laboratory procedures are described below at Laboratory Services. More information about our indoor air mold testing and field and laboratory investigation methodologies and a description of some of our equipment is at Investigation methodology.

Principal investigator & website author: Daniel Friedman, Member: American Industrial Hygienists Assoc. AIHA#149892, American Society of Home Inspectors ASHI#00577, BOCA, IAEI, ICBO, NPCA Mr. Friedman offers sick building, air quality, and mold investigations and home inspections and for problem diagnosis, research, expert witness, legal documentation, & failure claims assistance.

Schedule an appointment for a mold or indoor air investigation or see a published fee schedule (Inspection fees and fees for other services will be reviewed with you and committed before any work is performed. The fees in this table are subject to change without notice.)

Laboratory Analysis Services by Daniel Friedman, American Home Service Co.

Our laboratory service includes analysis of our own expert-prepared field samples as well as processing of consumer-prepared bulk-tape mail-in samples of mold or other particles. Our mold testing lab provides identification services for bioaerosols such as mold, mildew, dust mites, pollen, and other allergens. We have considerable experience examining samples collected on tape, Zefon cassettes, MCE filter cassettes, slides, impaction air samplers, carpet, furniture, and other soft-goods vacuum samples, and in bulk material. Mold culture and bacterial surface contamination evaluation is available, and we also offer testing for carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and other gases.

Our laboratory education and experience include fungal spore, organic, and inorganic particle and fiber identification, mold culture methods and culture speciation. Our equipment education and experience include biological microscopy, forensic microscopy, particle identification using microscopic particle manipulation, microchemistry, transmitted light microscopy, polarized light microscopy, dispersion staining, determination of refractive index, interference patterns, phase-contrast, darkfield, focal screening, and other advanced techniques.

In the lab we make use of a variety of microscopes: low-power stereoscopic examination of samples for characterization and high-power microscopic examination (up to 1920x) for particle identification using both transmitted and polarized light for identification of biological particles such as mold spores, pollen grains, animal allergens, and non-biological particles in house dust and debris. These methods help assure that the lab report accurately represents the character of the samples which were submitted.

Mobile Microscopy Lab: For immediate on-site particle determination where emergency response or remediation/salvage operation evaluation is necessary we offer mobile field microscopy lab service including field preparation of test samples and light microscopic examination for particle identification.

Field samples are used to prepare slides for examination by light microscope. Our own field work collects mold or biological particle samples using a variety of methods. From the public our lab also accepts mold surface samples using clear tape. Chemical treatment and mounting media are selected based on the sample type, often including potassium hydroxide, acid or basic fuchsin, Calberla's solution, lacto phenol cotton blue, or other preparations. When lab work is in support of legal proceedings or if otherwise appropriate we prepare permanent-mount slides using glycerine jelly or other media. Slides are examined at magnifications of 10x, 100x, 400x, and 1000x using tungsten and polarized light, darkfield, etc. as appropriate.

Identification of toxic mold species:
Genera/species identifications are made based on experience, education, reference texts, comparison with known samples, and when appropriate, consultation with fellow mycologists and other experts. There are more than 70,000 mold species which have been identified and an estimated 1 million remaining to be identified, so it is common to encounter unidentified spores. However fortunately, in most areas there common protagonists which have been studied and which can be identified to genera and often to species. Because mold toxicity varies widely within a particular genera, speciation is an important step, omitted by some high-volume labs.

A detailed written mold test laboratory report of laboratory finding, medical information, and recommendations is provided.

The lab report describes:

Significant/dominant particles in each sample examined: likely to be most important in the building
Other spores/particles present in each sample at notable but not dominant frequency, possibly important
Incidental spores or particles detected

which in special cases may still be diagnostic.

Using clear, specific definitions of "mold levels"

Quantitative analysis such as fungal spore or particle counts per cubic meter of air sampled are also available when such measures are appropriate.
Significant microscopic observations are documented in our reports using microphotography ™These are our tips for taking digital photographs through the microscope ™ photomicrographs, or microphotographs if you prefer.
Photographic documentation of site conditions and laboratory observations are included with our site and lab reports.
Lab reports also include a summary of contemporary medical information about particles identified.

Independent inspectors as well as many building owners or occupants may also use our mold testing laboratory service. If you do not want to bring a professional investigator to your property, here are instructions explaining how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab for identification, analysis, and advice.

If you wish to send samples collected by means other than described in our guidelines, please call first for special instructions and fees. If you have questions about our instructions for mailing a mold sample to the lab or if you need to request special field or lab services, contact our lab to request services.

In-depth advice about recognizing and cleaning up mold can be read at InspectAPedia.com/sickhouse.htm.

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...

Recommend / Share this Article

...

Technical Reviewers & References

InspectAPedia.com^® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY

ACCEPTABLE MOLD LEVEL
ACCURACY OF VARIOUS MOLD TEST METHODS
ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
ACTIVITY of MOLD in BUILDINGS
AGE of MOLD - Old is the Mold?
AIR CLEANER PURIFIER TYPES
AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
AIR POLLUTANTS, COMMON INDOOR
AIR TEST FOR MOLD: ACCURACY
AIR TEST SAMPLING CASSETTE STUDY
AIRBORNE MOLD SPORE COUNT ACCURACY
AIRBORNE PARTICLE ANALYSIS METHODS
ALLERGEN TESTS for BUILDINGS
ALLERGENS in BUILDINGS, RECOGNIZING
ALLERGY & MOLD IAQ PRODUCTS
ALLERGY TESTS for PEOPLE
ALLERGY TEST ACCURACY
ATTORNEYS and EXPERT WITNESSES
ATTIC MOLD

BASEMENT MOLD
BASEMENT MOLD WATER IMPACT
BATHROOM MOLD

BIBLIOGAPHY for ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, MOLD, IAQ

BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS
BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION FLAMES
BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE

CACTUS FUNGI / MOLD
Cadmium in the home
CAR MOLD CONTAMINATION
CARBON DIOXIDE - CO2
CARBON MONOXIDE - CO
Carbon Nanotube Hazards
CARPET DUST IDENTIFICATION
CARPET MOLD CONTAMINATION
CARPET PADDING ASBESTOS, MOLD, ODORS
CARPET FUNGICIDAL SPRAY
CARPET STAIN DIAGNOSIS
CARPET & other STAIN TESTS
CARPET TEST PROCEDURE
CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY
CARPETING, SELECTION & INSTALLATION
CAT DANDER in buildings
Cell phone Radiation Hazards
CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS
CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS in WATER
CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER
CHLORINE in WATER, HOW TO TEST FOR
CHLORINE IN SEPTIC WASTEWATER
COALSTOVE SAFETY
COMBUSTION GASES & PARTICLE HAZARDS
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS & IAQ
CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS
CPSC Indoor Air Pollution Book Online Copy

DIRECTORY of MOLD / ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS
DIRT FLOOR MOLD CONTAMINATION
Disinfectants
Disinfecting Buildings with Bleach
DRYWALL MOLD
DRAFT HOODS - gas fired
DRAFT MEASUREMENT, CHIMNEYS & FLUES
DRAFT REGULATORS, DAMPERS, BOOSTERS
DRINKING WATER
Diethylstilbestrol - DES
DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS
DUST ANALYSIS for FIBERGLASS
DUST CONTAMINATION FROM HVAC?
DUST SAMPLING PROCEDURE

EMERGENCY RESPONSE, IAQ, GAS, MOLD
EMF MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES
ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS
ENVIRO-SCARE - PUBLIC FEAR CYCLES
EXTERIORS of BUILDINGS

FEAR of MOLD - MYCOPHOBIA
Fiberboard Insulation Sheathing Mold
Fiberglass Enviro-Scare
FIBERGLASS HAZARDS
FIBERGLASS INSULATION
FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD
FIBERGLASS PARTICLE CONTAMINATION TEST
FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD
FIBERGLASS PARTICLE CONTAMINATION TEST
FIRE DAMAGE vs MOLD DAMAGE
Fireplace Inserts
Fireplaces & Woodstove Contaminants
FLAME COLOR, BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-mold
FLOOR DAMAGE DIAGNOSIS
FLOOR & SUBFLOOR MOLD, HIDDEN
FLOOR TILE ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION
FLOOR TILE HISTORY & INGREDIENTS
FORMALDEHYDE HAZARDS
FORMALDEHYDE HAZARDS
FUNGICIDAL SPRAY & SEALANT USE GUIDE

MOLD INFORMATION CENTER

ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS - MOLD CLEANUP

DUST ANALYSIS for FIBERGLASS
DUST SAMPLING PROCEDURE

ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS

FUNGICIDAL SPRAY & SEALANT USE GUIDE

GAS EXPOSURE EFFECTS, TOXIC
GAS DETECTION & MEASUREMENT

HOUSE DUST ANALYSIS
HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
HIDDEN MOLD, HOW TO FIND
HUMIDITY CONTROL & TARGETS INDOORS

INDOOR AIR HAZARDS TABLE
INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INDOOR AIR QUALITY METHODS COMPARED

LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE
LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION
LEED Building Designation & IAQ

MEDIA BLASTING for MOLD REMOVAL
METHANE GAS SOURCES
MICROSCOPE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
MILDEW in BUILDINGS ?
MILDEW ERRORS - MOLD PHOTOS
MILDEW REMOVAL & PREVENTION
MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS

MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MOLD
MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD
MOLD ACTIVITY in BUILDINGS
MOLD AGE - Old is the Mold?

MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD
MOLD ATLAS & PARTICLES INDEX
MOLD CLEANERS - WHAT TO USE
MOLD CLEANUP COMPANIES
MOLD CLEANUP, DO IT YOURSELF
MOLD CLEANUP GUIDE- HOW TO GET RID OF MOLD
MOLD CLEANUP by MEDIA BLASTING
MOLD CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS
MOLD CLINICAL REFERENCE TEXTS
MOLD CONSULTANTS/INSPECTORS
MOLD CONTAMINATION LEVELS
MOLD CULTURE PHOTOS
MOLD CULTURE TEST KIT VALIDITY
MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION GUIDE
MOLD or INDOOR AIR EMERGENCY RESPONSE
MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE
MOLD INSPECTORS & MOLD TESTERS
MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE

MOLD RELATED ILLNESS GUIDE
MOLD RELATED ILLNESS SYMPTOMS

MOLD TEST KITS
Nanomaterials Hazards
NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE
ODORS, Smells, Gases in Buildings-Diagnosis & Cure

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
Environmental Health & Investigation Bibliography - our technical library on indoor air quality inspection, testing, laboratory procedures, forensic microscopy, etc.
Adkins and Adkins Dictionary of Roman Religion discusses Robigus, the Roman god of crop protection and the legendary progenitor of wheat rust fungus.
Kansas State University, department of plant pathology, extension plant pathology web page on wheat rust fungus: see http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/path-ext/factSheets/Wheat/Wheat%20Leaf%20Rust.asp
"A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency US EPA - includes basic advice for building owners, occupants, and mold cleanup operations. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.htm
US EPA - Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building [Copy on file at /sickhouse/EPA_Mold_Remediation_in_Schools.pdf ] - US EPA
US EPA - Una Breva Guia a Moho - Hongo [Copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Moho_Guia_sp.pdf - en Espanol

Allergies, Allergens, Allergy Testing in Buildings - References & Products

Air Conditioning System Blower Fans & Filters Cascading for Optimum Indoor Air Quality
Allergen Tests in Buildings advice about how to test, what to look for, in evaluating the level of dog, cat, or other animal allergens in a building
"IgG Food Allergy Testing by ELISA/EIA, What do they really tell us?" Sheryl B. Miller, MT (ASCP), PhD, Clinical Laboratory Director, Bastyr University Natural Health Clinic - ELISA testing accuracy: Here is an example of Miller's critique of ELISA http://www.betterhealthusa.com/public/282.cfm - Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients
The critique included in that article raises compelling questions about IgG testing assays, which prompts our interest in actually screening for the presence of high levels of particles that could carry allergens - dog dander or cat dander in the case at hand.
http://www.tldp.com/issue/174/IgG%20Food%20Allergy.html contains similar criticism in another venue but interestingly by the same author, Sheryl Miller. Sheryl Miller, MT (ASCP), PhD, is an Immunologist and Associate Professor of Basic and Medical Sciences at Bastyr University in Bothell, Washington. She is also the Laboratory Director of the Bastyr Natural Health Clinic Laboratory.
Allergens: Testing for the level of exposure to animal allergens is discussed at http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/animalallergy/diagnosis.shtml (lab animal exposure study is interesting because it involves a higher exposure level in some cases
Allergens: WebMD discusses allergy tests for humans at webmd.com/allergies/allergy-tests
Animal Allergens: Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Cleanup & Prevention Information for Asthmatics and regarding Indoor Air Quality.
Atlas of Mold Related Illness Symptoms & Complaints - long list of both documented, studied mold related illness, and complaints ascribed to mold contamination or allergens in buildings
Cat Dander: how to inspect and test a building for past or current presence of cats, cat hair, cat dander, and cat allergens
Clinical Atlas of Mold Toxicity - An Online Description of Toxic, Pathogenic, Allergenic Fungi, Fungal Diseases
Fiberglass Insulation Contains Mold© 2005 comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation
Humidity: What indoor humidity should we maintain in order to avoid a mold problem?
Mold Action Guide detailed guide on finding, removing, and preventing indoor mold contamination
Odors, Odor Detection, Smells, & Gases how to find and identify sources of noxious or toxic odors and gases
Other environmental risks, Our much longer list: Asbestos, carbon monoxide, electromagnetic fields, etc.
Ozone: The Use of Ozone Indoors for Control of Odors and Mold Removal in Buildings: A Summary of Hazards and False Claims.
Pollen Allergens: identification, plant pollen and indoor air quality
Products to Reduce Mold & Allergy Problems to reduce indoor mold or allergen levels: air cleaners, air purifiers, dust mite covers, vacuum cleaners, crawl space vents
Recognizing Allergens: What various indoor allergens look like - identification photos to help identify pollen, dust mites, animal dander, toxic or allergenic mold - Common Mold and other Allergens, Irritants, Remedies & Advice
Rodent control issues, including dander, fecal, and urine contamination of Buildings and Building insulation are discussed at our
Sewage and Septic backup contamination in Buildings: inspection, testing, remediation, & references to expert sources
Action Guide: What to do about mold, mildew, and other indoor allergens
...

Mold Contamination Testing, Cleanup, Prevention: references & products

The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
Aerobiology, Building Science, Microscopy, & Laboratory References, an extensive technical bibliography
Allergens: what they look like in buildings
Associations: Sick House, Sick Building, SBS - Air Quality, Government, Private Associations and Information Resources
Atlas of Clinical Fungi, 2nd Ed., GS deHoog, J Guarro, J Gene, & MJ Figueras, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, 2000, ISBN 90-70351-43-9 (you can buy this book at Amazon) - The Atlas of Clinical Fungi is also available on CD ROM
Atlas of Mold Related Illness: Index of Symptoms and health, physical, neurological, psychological, and other complaint which people suspect may be mold or building-related.
Atlas of Indoor Mold, Online Clinical Mold Atlas, Toxins, Pathogens, Allergens and Other Indoor Particles - Medical Health Effects of Mold (separate online document)
Black Mold that is Harmless Photos of recognizable, usually harmless black mold on wood, bluestain, ceratocystis, ophistoma
Building Floods: quick steps after a building flood or plumbing leak can prevent costly mold contamination
Classes of Mold: what types of cosmetic, allergenic, or toxic mold are a problem? Can mold be cleaned-up successfully?
Clinical Mold References - Detailed bibliography of mold reference texts
"A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency US EPA - includes basic advice for building owners, occupants, and mold cleanup operations. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.htm
"Disease Prevention Program for Certain Vegetable Crops," David B. Langston, Jr., Extension Plant Pathologist - Vegetables, University of Georgia (PDF document) original source: www.reeis.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/209797.html
"Disease Prevention in Home Vegetable Gardens," Patricia Donald, Department of Plant Microbiology and Pathology, Lewis Jett
Department of Horticulture, University of Missouri Extension - extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6202
"Management of Powdery Mildew, Leveillula taurica, in Greenhouse Peppers," Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, British Columbia - Original source: www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/peppermildew.htm
Environmental Health & Investigation Bibliography - our own technical library on indoor air quality inspection, testing, laboratory procedures, forensic microscopy, etc.
Fiberglass: Mold in Fiberglass Insulation© 2005 comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation - DJF
Fifth Kingdom, Bryce Kendrick, ISBN13: 9781585100224, is available from the InspectAPedia online bookstore - we recommend the CD-ROM version of this book. This 3rd/edition is a compact but comprehensive encyclopedia of all things mycological. Every aspect of the fungi, from aflatoxin to zppspores, with an accessible blend of verve and wit. The 24 chapters are filled with up-to-date information of classification, yeast, lichens, spore dispersal, allergies, ecology, genetics, plant pathology, predatory fungi, biological control, mutualistic symbioses with animals and plants, fungi as food, food spoilage and mycotoxins.
Fungi, Identifying Filamentous, A Clinical Laboratory Handbook, Guy St-Germain, Richard Summerbell, Star Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0-89863-177-7 (English) (buy at Amazon)
Looking for Mold Procedure: what mold is often found where in buildings - simple technical presentation
Meruliporia: the house eating fungus or "poria"
Mold Action Guide: Step-by-Step Instructions, What to do about mold, mildew, and other indoor allergens
MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE Photos of what mold looks like in buildings
MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD Photos of NOT-mold material that is sometimes mistaken for mold
MOLD ATLAS & PARTICLES INDEX, Pathogens, Allergens and Other Indoor Particles - Medical Health Effects of Mold (separate online document)
MOLD BY MICROSCOPE Mold under the microscope - photo identification of the most common indoor molds found in buildings
Mold FAQs Answers to Most Questions about Indoor Mold, Mold Related Illness, Mold Cleanup, Mold Prevention
US EPA: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building [Copy on file at /sickhouse/EPA_Mold_Remediation_in_Schools.pdf ] - US EPA
Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens
Mold Test Kits - How to Collect and Send Your Own Mold Sample to our mold testing lab or to any mold lab you wish
Most Common Indoor Molds Found in Buildings, A Table of
Mycology, Fundamentals of Diagnostic, Fran Fisher, Norma B. Cook, W.B. Saunders Co. 1998, ISBN 0-7216-5006-6 (buy this book at Amazon)
Ozone Warnings - Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
Rot concerns in buildings-some building mold such as Meruliporia incrassata "Poria" risks serious rot and hidden structural damage
US EPA: Una Breva Guia a Moho - Hongo [Copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Moho_Guia_sp.pdf - en Espanol

OTHER IAQ ISSUES: How To Find and Address Other Indoor Air or Indoor Environment Contaminants Besides Mold

Mold or allergens may not be the only or even the main indoor environmental contaminant. Don't let media attention to mold cause so much enviro-scare fear that other, possibly more urgent hazards go un-addressed.

Fiberglass building insulation and HVAC duct work insulation hazards
Sewage and Septic backup contamination in buildings: inspection, testing, remediation, & references to expert sources
Other environmental risks: Asbestos, carbon monoxide, electromagnetic fields, environmental illness, fiberglass, MCS - multiple chemical sensitivity, toxic gases, etc
Indoor Gas Sampling Plan for Residential Buildings lists a number of toxic indoor gases which we test for, depending on the building complaint and building conditions
Ozone Warnings - Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
Pet control - if you can't say goodbye to your bird, cat, dog, guinea pig, hamster, tropical fish, then limit the areas they occupy and limit the airflow from that area to sleeping or other areas of the building, use allergenic bedding, eliminate wall-to-wall carpeting, improve housecleaning including use of a HEPA-rated vacuum cleaner. For more details see our article Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Information for Asthmatics and Indoor Air Quality
Rodents, Mice, Squirrel Control - I find high levels of mouse and rodent dander, fecal dust, and urine-contaminated dust in some buildings, and high levels of these materials in building insulation in those locations. If you have a mouse problem, particularly if mice and their waste (fecals or urine) are contaminating the building HVAC or building insulation, may need both steps to clean up or remove infected materials and steps to stop an ongoing rodent problem. If squirrels are a problem, the cleanup needs to include closing off entry openings into the building. Get some help from a licensed pest control expert.

Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

Mold Services: On-Site Diagnostic Inspection & Lab Testing for Mold and Other Indoor Air Quality Concerns

Field Investigation Services by Daniel Friedman, American Home Service Co.

Laboratory Analysis Services by Daniel Friedman, American Home Service Co.

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

Technical Reviewers & References

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Allergies, Allergens, Allergy Testing in Buildings - References & Products

Mold Contamination Testing, Cleanup, Prevention: references & products

OTHER IAQ ISSUES: How To Find and Address Other Indoor Air or Indoor Environment Contaminants Besides Mold