Thank you for inquiring about NAL East (National Analytical Laboratories East) for your indoor air quality evaluation. This package includes a complete visual inspection of your entire space or just the areas that you are concerned with. A moisture meter can be used on the floors, ceilings and walls to determine if any moisture is hidden in those areas. NAL East will include three (3) samples, two (2) of which are air samples using high volume air pumps to determine the quality of the air you are breathing. An outdoor air sample establishes a baseline for comparative evaluation of the indoor samples.
If you are looking to just make sure that the property has no indoor air quality issues, possibly going through insurance, trying to get out of your lease due to environmental issues or are preparing documentation for a possible court case, an inspection by a Certified Indoor Environmentalist confirming the presence of something may become a vital part of your claim.
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 what kinds of mold were detected and at what levels. The microbiology lab will tell us if the levels and kinds of molds detected in your property are considered safe, slightly elevated and extremely elevated as well as what medical conditions any elevated levels could possibly cause or hinder.
Also included, if needed are guidelines for the remediation of the mold. This step will guide the landlord on what they need to remediate, if remediation is needed. If the levels are elevated, the contents may be contaminated as well, therefore they shouldn’t be taken to another site until you know what is present because you could contaminate the new site you are moving to.
Picture are taken and you will receive copies of the pictures with your microbial results report. Additional testing if needed, such as air-o-cell sampling, tape lift sampling, bulk samples, carpet vacuum dust samples, culture swab samples and culturable Petri dish air samples are available at an additional charge (Specially priced packages are available).
Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can damage their health but many do not know that indoor air pollution can also have significant health effects.
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.
NAL East’s Indoor Air Quality Experts have the ability to investigate Indoor Air Quality problems. If building occupants are complaining of poor air quality or increased illnesses as colds, flu, asthma, weakness, burning eyes, itching skin, rashes, sore throats, allergies, lethargy, or headaches, then there is a possibility this could be Building Related Disease or Sick Building Syndrome. Our objective is to identify the problem and give specific actions needed to correct the situation.
Know your rights to work in a habitable rental work space — and don’t give them up. Landlords are required to offer their tenants workable premises including adequate weatherproofing; heat, water and electricity; and clean, sanitary and structurally safe premises. Is anyone in your office space sick and you’re not sure why? Why should they suffer because of the quality of air inside your property. Protect yourself and your workers.
You should be the one to test first! Because most landlords refuse to pay for mold inspections, mold testing, and mold remediation, the burden of proof is first upon you to document that you are living in mold contamination.
We can help you with your mold problem especially if you are renting a space. We get you scientific documentation of what’s present in the property, we can tell you if the air inside the property is unhealthy and we will make recommendations of what needs to be done to alleviate the mold problem. With mold test results in your hand, (visual and/or mold laboratory analysis); you can make strong complaints to the property owner because you’ll have what you need.
Landlords [with mold-infested rental properties] may have potential and substantial legal liability to tenants for such items as: mold damage to tenants’ health, medical bills for medical mold diagnostic and treatment procedures, loss of earnings because of mold problems, mold damage to tenants’ clothing and personal possessions, moving expenses, higher rent differential if the tenants need to move to a mold-safe place, and for any tenant-paid expenses for mold inspection, testing, and remediation of the rental unit.
People with a suppressed immune system or a history of allergies or respiratory ailments are especially susceptible if exposed to airborne spores and mycotoxins that can be produced by these molds.
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 occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. 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.
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 (WHO) 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.
NAL East only uses American Indoor Air Quality Council (AIAQC) certified consultants. Our certified consultants go through constant schooling and certification updating throughout the year.
NAL currently follows the guidelines set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), the New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH) and the California Occupational Safety & Health Administration (Cal-OSHA). All inspections are strictly confidential and coded to ensure the privacy of your results. Payment is due at the conclusion of the inspection. WE WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS.