Our indoor air quality inspections include a complete visual inspection of the entire property including every room, cabinet, closet, HVAC system, attic, crawlspace and garage or just the areas that you are concerned with. During the visual inspection, in-depth notes are taken of everything that is observed. Pictures are also taken and you will receive a copy of those pictures, all labeled with locations, with your laboratory results and in-depth results report.
In the standard package, NAL East will include three (3) samples, two (2) of which are air samples using high volume air pumps to determine what’s present in the property and at what levels. The samples can include air samples, cultured air samples, direct examination swabs, direct examination tape lifts, bulk samples and carpet vacuum cultured dust samples. A Moisture meter can be used on the walls, ceilings and floors to determine if any moisture is hidden inside those areas. Again, pictures are taken and you will get a copy of those pictures with your microbial results report.
Our sample results will tell us if the levels detected inside the property are considered acceptable, low, slightly elevated highly elevated or extremely elevated. Our results will list each individual species that is detected and at what levels. The air samples tell us anything that we can’t see that is airborne (what you are breathing). In addition, our sample results will report the levels of Background Debris, Fibrous Particulates as well as Insect Fragment levels and Skin Cell Fragment levels.
If you are just trying to find out if there are any indoor air quality issues, an inspection by a Certified Indoor Environmentalist confirming what is present may become a vital part of solving your issues. Sampling helps determine if the indoor air quality is an issue or not and the sampling tells us everything that we can’t see during the visual inspection.
Your results report will explain, in-detail your entire inspection and laboratory results so that it is easy to understand. In addition, we do have a results interpretation department that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with understanding this results report.
Since your inspection and results report are conducted by Certified Indoor Environmentalists, Certified Mold Remediator Supervisors and Microbiologists, the certified results are acceptable by most financial and governmental agencies, if you need that.
If issues are detected, your results report will include a full scope of exactly what work needs to be conducted and exactly how to conduct it based on your results and your visual inspection.
This results report will help guide the remediators (whoever is doing the work) into conducted the proper remediation based on scientific, certified documentation (results report). If it is not in our scope, then the work is not needed. This protects you for remediation, if you need that.
If it is mold, mold can gradually destroy the things they grow on and may compromise the structural integrity of the property. Is someone sick and you’re not sure why. All molds have the potential to cause adverse health effects as exposure time increases. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
If the first step is done correctly, all of the following steps, with our guidelines can be done correctly, which should eliminate the issue, if there is one.
Within 12 to 24 hours after the inspection is completed, you will receive a comprehensive report of the Environmental Consultants’ findings during the inspection, as well as an analytical report written by the microbiology lab stating exactly what was detected and at what levels. The microbiologist will rate the levels that were detected and what was detected to tell us if there are any airborne concerns inside the property. We will compose an in-depth results report explaining your laboratory results and we will provide, if needed, based on your results and visual inspection, a scope of exactly what needs to be conducted based on EPA and Dept of Health guidelines to rectify the issues, if you have issues.
Keep in mind that every property has mold, it’s just a question of what kinds and how much.
The microbiologist will tell us if the levels found in your property are considered safe, slightly elevated highly elevated or extremely elevated. Again, pictures are taken and we will mail you a copy of the pictures with your microbial results report. Based on your visual inspection and sample results, our Certified Mold Remediator Supervisors, if needed, will list step-by-step guidelines including exactly what needs to be conducted and exactly how to conduct it using EPA and Department of Health guidelines. This full scope, including the step-by-step guidelines will be supplied for you based on the results of your samples with guidance from the microbiologist. This should address any areas that are concerning.
Additional sampling if needed, such as spore trap (air-o-cell) sampling, tape lift sampling, bulk samples, carpet vacuum cultured dust samples, culture swab samples and culturable Petri Dish cultured air samples are available at an additional charge.
We work closely with Attorneys, Banks, Builders, Contractors, Home Inspectors, Home Buyers, Home Owner, Home Sellers, Houses of Worship, Insurance Companies, Mortgage Companies, Physicians, Property Managers, Realtors, Remediation Companies, Schools and many State and Federal Agencies.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that the levels of indoor air pollutants might be of particular concern because most people spend about 90% of their time indoors. Most airborne particulates cannot be seen with the human eye. In fact, 98% of all airborne particles are less than one micron in diameter.
Visible particles start at around 30 microns; the average human hair is 60 microns in diameter. Airborne mold spores are generally between 1 & 10 microns. These invisible particles tend to remain airborne for an extended period of time.
People with a suppressed immune system or a history of allergies or respiratory ailments are especially susceptible if exposed to airborne spores and mycotoxins.
When mold grows, it’s usually behind walls, under floors and above ceiling tiles. Mold and fungal growth can cause deterioration of building materials and lead to structural compromise as well as affect your health.
You will receive your full written report and laboratory results with recommendations within 12 to 24 hours after the inspection is completed.
We get you the important information that you are looking for. We provide you with certified, scientific documentation of what’s present inside the property and we will provide you with an in-depth scope of what work needs to be conducted and exactly how it should be done based on Department of Health guidelines.
We have no conflict of interest because we only do testing. With scientific documentation in your hand, you will know exactly what you’re up against with no hidden factors. That is why banks, insurance companies, mortgage companies and many state and federal agencies accept our documentation. Our inspection will tell you exactly what is going on inside the property.
We hope the property is safe environmentally. We do the inspection with no desire to find elevated levels inside the property. But if there are, we will guide you with what needs to be done, if anything, from beginning to end. It is extremely important in knowing what’s present inside a property, your indoor air quality because most people spend most of their time indoors.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) state that when mold spores land on a damp spot, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. Since molds gradually destroy the things they grow on, you should try to prevent damage to building materials and furnishings by eliminating mold growth.
When moisture problems occur and mold growth results, building occupants may begin to report odors and a variety of health problems, such as headaches, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and aggravation of asthma symptoms; all of these symptoms could potentially be associated with mold exposure.
All molds have the potential to cause health effects. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, toxins that may cause reactions in humans.
In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.
In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mold. Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies, but more research is needed in this regard.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.
All samples are submitted to EMSL Analytical, a fully accredited nationwide Laboratory. One outdoor air sample establishes a baseline for the comparative evaluation of the indoor samples.
NAL East only uses A.I.A.Q.A. (American Indoor Air Quality Association) Council Certified Environmentalists. All inspections are strictly confidential and coded for privacy. You will be asked, if you need it, to pick a six (6) digit code so nobody will be able to access the file without that code for your privacy. Payment is due at the conclusion of the inspection.
NAL East currently follows the guidelines set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the Delaware Department of Environmental Protection (DEDEP), the Maryland Department of Health (MDDOH), the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDEP), the New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH), the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CALOSHA).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us anytime. We are opened 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
At NAL East, all American Indoor Air Quality (AIAQ) Council Certified Consultants carry at least 3 Council Certifications, Council Certified Indoor Environmentalists (CIE), Council Certified Mold Remediator Supervisor (CMRS), EPA Certified AHERA Asbestos Building Inspectors (CAI) and EPA Certified Lead Assessors (CLA).
