Thank you for choosing NAL East (National Analytical Laboratories East) for your indoor air quality evaluation for your condo. This inspection includes a complete visual inspection of the entire property or just the areas of concern. Pictures are taken of all areas of concern and you will receive a copy of those pictures with your microbial results report.
NAL East will conduct 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. Once the sampling is completed, they are sealed, labeled put in a Ziploc bag and made ready for laboratory pickup.
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 kind of molds were present and at what levels. The microbiology lab will tell us if the levels detected in your property are considered safe, slightly elevated and extremely elevated as well as what medical conditions any elevated levels can possibly cause or hinder.
Also included are guidelines for remediation of the mold. Pictures are taken and kept on file. Copies of the pictures will be mailed to you. 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).
Since your inspection and results report are conducted and written by Certified Indoor Environmentalists, Certified Mold Remediator Supervisors and Microbiologists, the certified results are acceptable by most county, state and federal agencies. This inspection by a Certified Indoor Environmentalist confirming what is present may become a vital part of your claim or to just get the management company to do the right things based on what is detected and/or seen.
If issues are detected, your results report will help guide the remediators (whoever is doing the work) into conducted the proper remediation based on scientific, certified documentation (results report) as well as it will provide the property management company into following those guidelines provided.
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 live in a habitable condo unit — and don’t give them up. The management company is required to offer their tenants livable premises including adequate weatherproofing; heat, water and electricity; and clean, sanitary and structurally safe premises. Is anyone in your family sick and your not sure why? Why should they suffer because of the quality of air inside your property. Protect yourself.
You should be the one to test first! Because most condo associations 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 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 condo association and/or insurance company because you’ll have what you need.
Condo management [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.
NAL East only does the testing. We have no conflict of interest. That is why banks, insurance companies, mortgage companies and many state and federal agencies accept our documentation.
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.
NAL East only uses American Indoor Air Quality Council (AIAQC) Certified Consultants. Our 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 Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), 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.
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).
