Mold

CAL-IN’s approach to mold investigations, data analyses and preparation of detailed mitigation plans uses elements adopted from governmental / professional organizations such as EPA, ACGIH and AIHA. Our typical mold projects include one or more of the following steps:

Assessment 

Visual / olfactory assessment

• Surface samples of visual mold growth
• Air sampling to assess exposure and content cleaning requirements
• Destructive testing to determine extent of mold growth concealed in building cavities

Mitigation

• Primary and secondary engineering controls
• Mechanical removal of mold growth (zero or minimal use of biocides)
• Cleaning of particulates from indoor air and surfaces

Clearance

• Visual inspection -Air sampling

The key element to preventing mold growth is to control moisture accumulation in building materials. Moisture accumulation can result from condensation of water vapor on cold surfaces as well as liquid and capillary flow of water. CAL-IN’s moisture assessments may include the following:

• Infrared thermography
• Building material moisture content measurements
• Concrete water vapor emissions measurements
•  Indoor and outdoor air temperature, relative humidity and dew-point data-logging
• Building material surface temperature and dew-point analysis
  

  
Bacteria 

Using a similar approach to that used in our mold assessments, CAL-IN performs investigations of indoor environments for bacterial contamination. Indoor concentrations of gram negative bacteria become elevated in buildings that have chronic moisture problems. Abnormal indoor bacteria flora, such as fecal coliform gram negative bacteria (e.g., E. coli) may be elevated in the air or on surfaces of buildings that have had sewer line backups or toilet overflows.

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