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WHY INSPECT OR TEST FOR MOLD?
WHY TEST FOR MOLD?
A decade ago it was asbestos. Today, mold is in the
spotlight and America is divided over whether mold
really is a legitimate concern or just another
over-rated environmental issue. What we hear about mold
is often influenced, either by what someone is trying to
sell us or what they’re don’t want us to know.
A SIGN OF THE TIMES.
Whatever we believe about mold, it is a reality that is
here to stay. Numerous alerts from the medical
profession and the skyrocketing number of
lawsuits against landlords, realtors,
employers, insurers, and even
car dealers, warn us of the seriousness of
mold. Some have even called it "The
Silent Killer".
With all the information available about mold and it's
potential for harm, there are genuine reasons for
concern. For example, we now know that some molds
produce toxins which have been linked to severe cases of
asthma, respiratory problems including bleeding lungs,
and many other very serious ailments including immune
system disorders. The medical and legal communities are
taking mold contamination very seriously. With so much
overwhelming evidence to support the dangers of exposure
to mold, we should too.
We hope you find this information helpful in making
confident and educated decisions about any mold concerns
you may have.
THERE'S TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY - THEN THERE'S THE
TRUTH
The controversy over mold and its potentially harmful
effects is driven primarily by radically opinionated
proponents on both sides of the issue who have a
personal interest in what you believe.
SIDE 1 - "MOLD IS NO BIG DEAL"
There are some who will tell you that mold is no big
deal. It's interesting to note that those who make such
irresponsible statements also disclaim everything they
say by warning you to wear a respirator and rubber
gloves when cleaning mold. Why? If mold is "no big
deal", why bother protecting your lungs and skin from
it? We recommend offering a Stachybotrys sandwich to
anyone who suggests to you that mold is no big deal.
When you do, watch their response.
SIDE 2: "MOLD WILL KILL YOU AND EAT YOUR HOUSE"
That almost sounds comical, but there are those "Chicken
Little" types out there who will tell you that mold is
the "end of the world" and try to scare you in to
spending a fortune to rebuild your home, which just
happens to be the business they are in. [see
mold scams] Because of the newness of the
industry and the lack of official standards for
investigating and reporting mold conditions, there are
some unscrupulous "opportunists" out there who seek to
capitalize on your naiveté.
THE TRUTH:
Whenever you hear statements that seem extremely biased
to one side or the other, you can be sure that statER
has something to sell the statEE. Our advice is, stay
far away from both. The truth is, under certain
conditions, mold does have the potential to destroy
property and cause health problems. Plain and simple.
But not all mold problems are catastrophic.
Does mold cause health problems with everyone? Of course
not, but if you are susceptible to mold allergies or
have other medical issues described in our
Health Effects page, there's a high
probability that you will have an adverse reaction in
moldy environments ranging from flu-like symptoms to
even death, (although mold-related deaths are extremely
rare).
As for
Property Damage, the very nature of mold is
to decompose matter. Over a period of time, mold can
destroy anything and everything it comes in contact
with, including your home and personal belongings. Does
the fact that mold is present automatically mean a
property is doomed? Of course not. But the longer it
goes un-addressed, the more damage it will cause.
The difference between a minor mold problem and a
major problem is -
a; How long before you discover it, and
b; how long you wait to do something about it.
It is possible to take mold problems with you when you
move your contaminated belongings from one house to
another. We have even seen automobiles, trailers and
motor homes become contaminated by spores in clothing,
but that too happens very rarely.
WHY TAKE CHANCES?
If you suspect your property has a mold problem, the
first responsible step is to take swift action. Having
your home or office inspected and tested will tell you
whether you have a small clean-up project or a job that
requires professional remediation. If you require
remediation, an independent inspection will assist in
determining proper abatement procedures and help keep
your remediation contract honest.
Make Sure You Are Equipped With Reliable and
Un-Biased Information.
It's important to know that your mold assessment is
accurate and unbiased in order to truly know the extent
of the problem and properly decide on a course of
action. The only way to insure the reliability of a mold
inspection is to make sure that the inspection company
has nothing to gain from the results. In other words, do
not have your property inspected for mold by a
remediation contractor who gets paid to REMOVE your
mold. In fact, do not allow anyone else to perform the
inspection who might have something to sell you, based
on the results. Furthermore, NEVER let your remediation
contractor provide his own clearance testing. An
un-biased clearance test is your only way to know if the
remediation was successful. You cannot trust that
testing to someone who is waiting to get paid for your
remediation work.
Advanced Mold Inspections is not in the mold
removal business. We are, in fact, certified mold
remediators as well as certified mold inspectors, but we
do not engage in remediation services. Our inspectors
are put though mold remediation training for the sole
purpose of knowing when remediation work is correctly
and incorrectly.
AMI is not connected with any third parties on either
side of mold issues. We do not benefit from anyone who
would attempt to sell you anything or persuade you that
mold is either no big deal, or the end of the world.
If you suspect you have a mold problem, whether mold is
visible or not, one call to Advanced Mold Inspections
is all it takes to be sure. Our only interest is in
providing our clients with accurate reporting of the
data we collect in the course of the inspection process
and reliable results of mold tests and samples.
When you hire AMI for mold inspection and mold testing
services, you can count on accurate and un-biased
information from Southern California's most trusted mold
inspection company.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
TESTING FOR MOLD AND A MOLD INSPECTION?
AMI offers two services, mold inspections and mold
testing. A mold inspection is a visual inspection of a
property for mold and conditions that cause mold. Mold
testing is the physical collection of samples for lab
analysis.
The purpose of a MOLD INSPECTION is to:
a) Locate mold infestations;
b) Determine the cause; and
c) Help facilitate an effective remediation (removal)
plan.
Almost all of us already have two effective mold
detectors: our eyes and our noses. If black or green
discoloration is noticed in a location that is damp or
had been damp, it is almost certainly mold. If a
building smells musty, there probably is mold somewhere.
But sometimes mold is not so easy to locate. And once
mold is located, it's not always easy to tell what
caused it in the first place, or the proper way to get
rid of it. AMI Certified Mold Inspectors can help with
the unknown.
The purpose for TESTING MOLD (extracting samples for
lab analysis) is to:
a) Identify what types of molds are present, both on
surfaces and in the air; and
b) Determine how much of each mold type is present.
It is estimated there is over 200,000 different types of
mold. Some molds produce toxins. Toxins are poison. A
little bit of toxic mold might not harm you, but a lot
can make you very sick. Once mold is located it is
helpful to know exactly what kind of mold it is and how
much of it is there, especially when you attempt to
remove it. When disturbed, mold can send millions of
tiny little toxic spores into the air, and into you!
Understanding what you are dealing with will help
facilitate a proper plan to remove mold without causing
harm to you and others who occupy the property. Sampling
is not always necessary, however, based on overwhelming
scientific evidence, we believe that accurate
assessments of surface mold and airborne mold spores are
only possible when microscopic sampling is analyzed.
It is important to prevent indoor mold growth and to
quickly clean up any growth that does occur.
Unfortunately, mold can hide inside walls, behind
wallpaper, under carpet, and in other hidden locations.
Although it is not seen, this mold can still release
spores that may affect people’s health and comfort. Air
conditioning systems can carry the spores throughout the
house, contaminating other rooms. Eventually, these
spores will settle out of the air onto flat surfaces
such as the floor. Air sampling captures these spores so
that they can be tested by a qualified laboratory.
When is a good time to test for mold?
A good time to test for mold is:
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When you want to determine if mold
is growing in you home.
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After any
flooding or water damage event.
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Whenever you
find a leak that has been present for more than 24
hours.
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Whenever you
smell a moldy odor.
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Residents of
your home experience a long-term medical condition
without a known cause.
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Unusual stains
appear on furniture or building material.
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You suspect
mold but do not see any visible mold growth.
TO SCHEDULE A MOLD INSPECTION CALL
1-800-369-8532
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT AMI
INSPECTIONS & TESTING:
Q: Do I have to have both the inspection and the testing
or can I do one without the other?
A: Mold inspections and mold testing services can be
purchased separately, however, one typically raises
questions that can only be answered by the other. For
example; if an air test indicates an elevated mold
condition exists, something in the inspection will
explain why. On the other hand, if mold is discovered in
the inspection, sampling will determining the type(s)
and severity.
Q: How long does it take?
A: Scheduling an appointment usually requires a day or
two notice. The length of the investigation varies upon
the size of the property. Lab results usually take 2 to
3 business days (24 hour service is available).
Q: Does AMI bill Escrow?
A: No. Services must be paid for at the time of the
appointment or pre-paid with a credit card on our web
site.
Q: Are AMI Mold Inspectors Certified?
A: Yes. AMI Inspectors hold certifications under
PRO-LAB, one of the top AIHA accredited environmental
microbiology laboratories in the United States. AMI is a
member of Pro-Lab's Professional Partners Program for
continued education and current updates on industry
affairs.
Q: Does AMI Perform Mold Remediation Work?
A: No. AMI Inspectors are Certified Mold Remediators,
however, we do not engage in any remediation work. The
only reason we require our inspectors to be certified in
remediation is because AMI is frequently called on to
perform post-remediation clearance testing. Remediation
certification provides the knowledge to identify when
remediation work is done correctly and incorrectly.
Q: Are AMI Mold Inspectors Industrial Hygienists?
A: No. Industrial Hygienists are often over-qualified
for residential mold inspections, and often times cost
prohibitive.
Q: What Is An Industrial Hygienist?
A: Industrial hygiene is the science of keeping people
safe at work and in their communities. Industrial
hygienists (IHs) are professionals dedicated to the
health and well-being of workers. Originally industrial
hygienists worked primarily in factories and other
industrial settings but as our society has changed, so
has the definition of industrial hygiene. Today, IHs can
be found in almost every type of work setting.
Industrial hygienists also use the term OEHS or
occupational and environmental health and safety to
refer to the work that they do.
Q: What Does an Industrial Hygienist Do?
A: IHs still work to prevent illness or injury from
hazards in industrial settings. They may also be found
working to prevent ergonomic injuries in the office;
measuring noise levels at an airport; supervising the
safe removal of lead, mold or asbestos; and in thousands
of other settings. Industrial hygienists may sample air,
soil or water to determine if there are harmful
substances present. They may fit test a respirator to
ensure that a worker is breathing cleaner air.
Q: What Is the Benefit of OEHS?
A: Workplace safety and health programs make a
difference in preventing occupational fatalities,
injuries, and illnesses. Since the Occupational Safety
and Health Act was passed in 1970, workplace injuries
and illnesses declined significantly. The Bureau of
Labor Statistics reports that in 2001 there were 5,900
workplace related fatalities and 5.2 million nonfatal
injuries and illnesses reported. That is a rate of 5.7
injuries per 100 workers, less than half of the 1973
number of 11 injuries or illnesses for each 100 workers.
Industrial hygiene saves lives, improves quality of
life, and increases productivity. Safe, healthy workers
are more efficient. Injuries can mean many days or weeks
out of work, or even permanent disability, causing
serious economic hardship to a worker and his or her
family.
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