Mold

[Lo Down]

TFP Admin said Stickied. Good suggestion. I hope to make an article out of the completed work, with Tandy's permission. That'll give it a page of its own. Jim

Thanks, Jim. I just think it would make some of these more worthy issues easier to find, use, and digest without surfing through all of our comments or doing a forum search.

[cproader]

Lo Down said and without all the comments. :

...........

[Tandy Reeves]

"T" go for it any time you wish.

[TFP Admin]

Soon as you're done with the Mold posts, Tandy, just let me know.

Jim

[Tandy Reeves]

Will do.

[Tandy Reeves]

BIO AEROSOL AIR SAMPLING

The first part of air sampling is to look for signs of a problem, i.e., chemicals, moisture, foods, paints. Always look for dust buildup as you make your inspection of an area. If there is slight to zero build up, then run the test for 5 minutes. If the dust build up is light to moderate, then 4 minutes is a sufficient amount of running time for the test. However, if there is a heavy build up of dust, the test should be run from 2 to 3 minutes. You may have to run a second test for a shorter time if the slide looks overloaded. We will get into testing equipment, slides, regulators, and vacuum pumps later. All of the information here is based on using a impact sampler.

NEVER REDUCE THE VACUUM AMOUNT

Be alert to the total environment around you. Be sure to stay alert to first odors when you enter an area. Often times what one smells quickly adapts,and when this happens the clue from that odor is lost.

Always check sink drains. If a pea trap is dry, a bad odor can emit and lead you all over the place hunting it. By the way dry pea traps are a plumbing problem. I had a consumer that could not find where paint odors were coming from. Pulled the pea trap and sure enough it was dry and smelled like paint. At some time the painters had used that sink to clean their equipment and the last thing through the pipe was paint thus the paint odor. Plumber fixed the trap and paint odor went away.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR AN ALERT NOSE AND EYES

Sampling locations should be determined by the individuals concerns. If your client were concerned because he/she has difficulty breathing or has allergy problems only when they sleep, then the obvious starting point would be in the bedroom. Always be sure to run several tests even though you have no idea where the contaminants are originating. Always do one test at the main source of concern. If there is a basement located under the home, be sure to do at least one test there. Many homes have forced air heating systems and central air that could be circulating aeroallergens throughout the house by way of the heating and air ducts.

[Tandy Reeves]

BIO AEROSOL AIR SAMPLING

The locations of the testing are a judgment call. One must use logic and observation to make this determination. Example: If you see mold growing in an area, the test should be conducted in that area. You would not want to test where there is continuous foot traffic because you will be gathering material carried on clothing from outside and other areas.

The patting of the carpet or upholstery would generally be considered an aggressive form of sampling. If it is important to dislodge contaminates for identification purposes, great care should be taken not to cause any further air contamination. As a result of patting the carpet, there would be no way to quantify the amount of aero allergens on the sample because it was aggressive testing. Therefore, the test results would not be the most credible.

Do not comment to on lookers about what you see or that the area looks like a problem. Remember people hear what they want to hear and you have no idea what is on the slide.

The request for analysis is also known as the chain of custody. This portion may be one of the most important segments of testing. It is important to be able to show where the samples were taken, and that they be labeled accordingly. Also, the length of the test and the liters per minute must be shown on each test. Finally, the chain of custody needs to be signed by the person that is mailing the samples and also by the person that receives the samples at the laboratory.

[Tandy Reeves]

As you can see this is a commercial investigation, but the same type investigation must be done on a residence.

You can download the form in PDF format from the FITS Certified website: Air Quality Investigation Form

It is my opinion, that the air quality investigation should never be done by anyone that does remediation. To do so is like the fox guarding the hen house.

[Nick Arrera]

Good stuff Tandy .

[Lo Down]

I see a new TV show in the works.
Tandy CSI
Wow, I had no idea that the testing was so structured.

[mcbrides]

Tandy CSI indeed. Really interesting and relevant reading. Thanks and keep it coming. And yes, T, please move this information into Lo's library format once Tandy is finished.

Designated smoking rooms? You guys still have those? Nobody can smoke indoors here, it's against the law. The bars took a big hit on that one. They are also proposing legislation prohibiting smoking in cars while children are present. Excellent idea.

D&D

[Tandy Reeves]

Some pictures of equipment, and slides. I use the Bio-Sis impact sampler and all the pictures and instructions will relate to it. There are other impact samplers and you should be able to find them on the internet. Be sure to click each picture to see it full-size.

First two pictures are of the BIO SIS impact sampler. On the side shot the black rubber compression ring. This must be sealed properly with the top portion in order to have proper vacuum.


This is the material used to make the slide capable of holding the air particulates that are pulled into the sampler.


These are the slides for taking samples.


The alcohol swabs that is used each time a new slide is made to prevent false readings and cross contamination.


This is the rotometer that sets the amount of vacuum allowed to conduct the proper test.


This is the vacuum pump.


This slide number 1, was made at 15 liters per minute for 5 minutes. Notice the nice clear line made and remember it is made from material in the air and each particulant is a micron in size. Slide number 2 was made at 15 liters per minute, for 5 minutes where I was patting on chair upholstery two times while the test was running. Notice how over and splattered the line is.


This is a diagram of the BIO SIS showing air flow direction and impact zone.


This is the form used to record the test information and send in with sample slides. It is called the chain of custody.


Be sure to click each picture to see it full-size.

[TFP Admin]

I have edited the Air Quality Investigation form post here: Air Quality Investigation and included a downloadable file in PDF format for anyone to use. Please review the information in it once again.

Thanks, Tandy!

Jim

[Tandy Reeves]

Jim thanks for fixing the form it looks good.

[TFP Admin]

Tandy Reeves said Jim thanks for fixing the form it looks good.

My pleasure, Tandy. I also edited your pictures post and added the picture descriptions: Mold Testing Equipment Pictures - scroll up to see it again, or click <-- that link.

Jim