Indoor Air Quality Testing and Mold Remediation Services in the Boston Metropolitan Area

Mold and poor air quality can put anyone’s health at risk. Put your family’s or employees’ well-being first by counting on us to provide you with the best indoor air quality and mold remediation services in the Boston Metropolitan Area.

Ten Things You Should Know About Mold

  • Allergic responses, asthma, and other respiratory issues are some of the potential health impacts and symptoms connected with mold exposure.
  • There is no practical way to eradicate all mold and its spores from the indoor environment; controlling moisture is the best method of managing indoor mold growth.
  • If mold is an issue in your house or school, you must clean up and remove moisture sources.
  • To prevent mold growth, fix the cause of the water problem or leak.
  • Lower indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to minimize mold growth by:
  • Venting Dryers, Bathrooms, and Other Moisture-Generating Sources to the Outside
  • Using Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers
  • Increasing Ventilation
  • Using Exhaust Fans Whenever Cooking, Dishwashing, and Cleaning
  • To avoid mold formation, clean and dry any damp building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours.
  • Using water and detergent, remove mold from hard surfaces and allow them to dry fully. Moldy ceiling tiles and other absorbent materials may need to be replaced.
  • Prevent condensation: Adding insulation to cold surfaces (i.e., windows, plumbing, outside walls, roof, or floors) reduces the likelihood of condensation.
  • Do not install carpeting in areas with a constant moisture problem (i.e., drinking fountains, classroom sinks, or concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
  • Molds can be found almost anywhere, and they can grow on almost any object as long as there is moisture present. Some molds can develop on wood, paper, carpet, and food.

Mold and Fungal Infections

Mold Allergy and Respiratory Problems
Mold is rarely a problem indoors unless mold spores land on a damp surface and begin to spread. Molds can potentially cause health problems. They produce allergens (substances causing allergic responses), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Touching or inhaling mold or its spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). These allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. An asthmatic person may experience asthma episodes due to mold exposure. Additionally, mold exposure can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs in both mold-allergic and non-allergic individuals. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported from inhaling mold. “Research on mold and health effects is ongoing," advises the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In March 2001, the U.S. EPA said that all molds could be hazardous to human health, as they release allergens that trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in persons allergic to mold. Others are known to produce toxins or irritants in large quantities. Potential health concerns are an important reason. The EPA also says that while most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can harm their health, they may be unaware that indoor air pollution can also have serious consequences. According to EPA studies of human exposure to air pollutants, indoor air levels of contaminants can be 2-5 times greater than outdoor levels and sometimes even more than 100 times higher. Because most individuals spend up to 90% of their time indoors, these levels of indoor air pollution are of particular concern. In recent years, the EPA and its Science Advisory Board (SAB) performed comparative risk studies that have consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top 5 environmental risks to public health. According to the American Medical Association, 94% of all respiratory ailments are caused by polluted air, and one-third of the USA’s national health bill is for causes directly related to indoor air pollution.
The findings of a recent Finnish health study add to the growing body of evidence linking indoor mold exposure at work and the development of asthma in adults. The study suggests that indoor mold problems create an important occupational health risk (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, in Environmental Health Perspectives, May 2002). According to the research, the percentage of adult-onset asthma attributed to industrial mold exposure was assessed to be 35.1%. “We were able to find sufficient evidence that certain respiratory problems, including symptoms in asthmatics who are sensitive to mold, are associated with exposure to mold and damp conditions.” The committee noted that excessive dampness influences whether mold, bacteria, dust mites, and other agents are present and thrive indoors. Additionally, moisture may discharge chemicals and particles from building materials.
A rare ailment, also known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, is also associated with indoor mold exposure in susceptible people, as reported in the almost 300-page report by the Institute of Medicine (Division of the U.S. Government's National Academy of Sciences). A few hours of unprotected exposure to high amounts of airborne mold spores can cause mold to grow within a person's body, necessitating medical intervention to clear the body of the mold.
An association between working and residing in damp buildings and respiratory health has been reported in several studies. Long-term exposure to dampness in the building may increase the risk of upper airway hyperreactivity. According to the study conclusion of Stig Rudblad of the famous Karolinska Medical Institute of Stockholm, Sweden, this acquired hyperreactivity may last for years and decrease only slowly, even after the indoor climate has been properly improved. This conclusion can be found in the medical research study “Nasal Mucosal Reactivity After Longtime Exposure to Building Dampness,” published on October 15, 2004. The human subjects in the investigation were teachers and students in school buildings with known moisture problems compared to a control group of teachers and students in buildings with no known dampness problems.
Mold exposure as an infant or while in the uterus causes lifelong asthma. Recent research has verified what experts have suspected for years: asthma is an immune system reaction to pollution, dust, and other allergens (e.g., airborne mold spores) in the environment that trigger spasms and tightening of the airways in patients who also have a genetic predisposition. Now they're zeroing in on genetic vulnerability. The new conclusion is that asthma isn't simply a matter of having the wrong genes. Instead, at some point in early childhood, or possibly in the womb, an event turns a person into a lifetime asthmatic. Scientists believe that the infant or fetus is somehow exposed to a critical dose of pollutants, causing the immune system to overreact, permanently narrowing the airways and making them more sensitive to irritants. It may be possible to immunize young children against asthma before it develops, effectively preventing the disease. This information came from NEWSWEEK’s "Waiting to Inhale," published on March 14, 2005.
There is a fungal disease caused by the Mucor mold species, a prevalent mold species that readily grows in water-damaged buildings globally and is commonly found in the soil and decaying vegetation. Mucormycosis affects the sinuses, lungs, skin, brain, and kidneys. People with immune disorders are more vulnerable to infection.

Mold Skin Diseases

Coccidioides immitis mold is the cause of widespread "Valley Fever" in the Southwestern USA desert cities. It is on the U.S. Dept. of Human Service list of biological agents and toxins that can pose a severe threat to public health and safety, and terrorists can potentially utilize that to infect and kill Americans

Moldy Food

The mold fungus spores are very small in size. They can easily enter the human body by breathing, eating food with mold spores (often contained in food and from landing on food), or drinking mold-infested water. It can also enter the body through eyes, open skin cuts and sores, and sometimes skin absorption through pores. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), "Most moldy foods should be thrown out. But you might be able to save molding hard cheeses, salami, and firm fruits and vegetables if you cut out not only the mold but a large area around it. Cutting the larger area around the mold is important because much of the mold growth is below the surface of the food.”

The "Sick Building Syndrome"

Molds and fungi growing inside buildings or poor air quality could be the root of "sick building syndrome." The syndrome has been blamed on various causes, from particleboard partitions and paint emissions to carpets and cleaning supplies. Georgia Tech research has found that metabolic gases emitted from molds and fungi may be a significant source of airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause problems with indoor air quality. The new research suggests that control measures prescribed for sick buildings may need to be altered to address microbial issues and building materials.

Individual Characteristics of Common Mold

Cladosporium
Cladosporium is a prevalent mold found in temperate climates. The spores quickly become airborne and travel great distances. The high season for Cladosporium is typically late summer and autumn, while the low season is usually winter and early spring. Cladosporium has been isolated from various soil and plant litter, and the mold's enzymes break down cellulose, pectin, and lignin, which are all important components of leaf litter.
You can find Cladosporium in dirty refrigerators, condensation reservoirs, moist window frames, and any moist, porous surface inside. Cladosporium often causes discoloration in interior paint paper or textiles stored in humid environments.
Cladosporium is a common airway allergen associated with asthma and hay fever due to its capacity to sporulate fast and densely. Cladosporium can cause more severe infections in people who have a weakened immune system.
Penicillium sp.
The Penicillium spores contain mycotoxins responsible for causing various allergy symptoms and illnesses. Mycotoxins are chemicals produced by fungi most concentrated in the spores but are also resent in actively growing mold filaments. Under normal circumstances, the indoor concentration of spores is generally low enough not to provoke an immune response except in those sensitive to the specific mycotoxins or have compromised immune systems. Mycotoxins can cause several short- and long-term health problems. Symptoms due to mycotoxin exposure include altered immune function, which may lead to opportunistic infections.
Stachybotrys Atra
Stachybotrys is described as an indicator mold and, when identified in either air or bulk sampling, "may signal moisture presence or a potential for health problems" (Macher et al., 1999). Stachybotrys can be found on materials with a high cellulose content (such as wallboard and ceiling tiles) that have been exposed to excessive relative humidity, pipe or roof leaks, condensation, or flooding and have become chronically damp or water-damaged. Stachybotrys produces several toxins and is known to be toxic to individuals exposed to significant quantities. There is a risk of allergy, respiratory, or immunological symptoms developing or worsening if Stachybotrys spores are released into the air. These conditions include asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, sinusitis, and conjunctivitis (New York City Department of Health, 1993).
Alternaria sp.
Alternaria is a common fungal saprophyte found on decaying wood, composts, plants, food, and soil types. Its distribution is worldwide and is frequently found in outdoor air, where in temperate climates, the conidia (spore) levels reach their peak in late summer. It can be found in dust and carpets, on moist spots around showers and window frames indoors, and in any area where condensation exists virtually.
The ubiquitous Alternaria is an important fungal allergen. Allergies to Alternaria will most often cause an immediate mediated allergic response. However, there have been documented cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis to airborne exposure to Alternaria spores. Serious infection associated with Alternaria is rare. Although they are produced, Alternaria mycotoxins have not been the subject of much investigation.
Aspergillus sp.
There are about 160 Aspergillus species, 16 of which have been identified as etiologic agents of human disease. They are one of the most common fungal species found in the environment. Many species are isolated from various substrates, including grains, nuts, cotton, organic debris, and water-damaged, organic building materials. The most frequently encountered opportunistic Aspergillus pathogen is fumigatus and is seen most abundantly in decomposing organic materials. Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger have been identified as the more harmful species of the Aspergillus group.
Aspergillus is considered a common environmental mold that can pose health risks when it is present at elevated levels. Health problems due to Aspergillus exposure may include headaches, eye, and skin irritation, asthma aggravation of existing respiratory conditions, other typical allergic symptoms, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Hypersensitivity and allergic responses can be triggered by minimal exposure, especially in people who have an existing sensitivity to mold allergens and toxins or who have compromised or suppressed immune function. Aspergillus can proliferate successfully indoors when conditions become favorable, and this results in an increase of spores and, therefore, mycotoxin concentrations that can be harmful.

Mold in Attics or Rooflines

Mold in the attic or roofline can occur due to multiple problems in the building: faulty roof ventilation, leaks, excessive humidity, past and present renovations, building wall construction, mechanical system failures, negative ventilation occurring in the home, amount of people living/working in the building, mechanical systems in the attic, etc.
Many calls about attic and roofline mold center upon immediately removing the offending odor or unsightly mold (fungus), which is accumulating on the roofline areas and in the attic space. The conventional thought is, “I see mold, and I must get rid of it as soon as possible.” It is important to understand that immediately removing mold in the attic space without performing an environmental (mold) test to determine the problem is akin to throwing money out your windows. Sure, your attic will look good for about six months to a year, but once the mold fighting ability of the anti-fungal chemicals has aged to the point where they no longer work, the mold will come back more virulent than ever and, more likely than not, will have transferred to another part of your home.
ENVIROTEST MOLD ASBESTOS INSPECTION started its mold testing 24 years ago by diagnosing the effects of the building environment on the roofline and determining the cause of the problem to prevent future mold issues from occurring. We have more experience in roofline/attic mold and have performed more mold tests in attics and on rooflines than any firm in New England, if not the country. We can and will solve your roofline/attic mold issues.
Once the causative problems have been solved, the mold can be successfully removed and will not occur again or cause further damage to your attic, roofline, building, or health. We are familiar with all methods of repairing and remediating mold in attics. Our company will recommend the quickest, most cost-effective, and cutting-edge methods of remediating the mold in your attic. We can also assist you and be your liaison during the entire remediation process to ensure that all recommendations are followed correctly.
The tests we perform are non-invasive, quick, precise, and cost-effective. Please call us to schedule an appointment to diagnose your building’s mold problems as soon as possible.
We get many calls that start with, "I don't want to do any testing, just get it out of my attic." If you fall into this category, our business has partnered up with a company that can assist you in this procedure. Please click here to find out how to remove the mold in your attic quickly, safely, effectively, and permanently.

Mold and Indoor Air Quality

Mold is a fungus that is an often fuzzy-looking growth appearing on the surface of organic materials in damp conditions, both outdoors and indoors. Molds feed off the moist organic material, similar to how plants feed on the ground. They have a variety of colors: gray, green, yellow, orange, black, etc., and may have a velvety or wooly texture.
Molds multiply by releasing small spores into the air, allowing them to spread to new locations. The mold spores continuously waft through the air, both indoors and outdoors. Because these spores are so small, they can stay airborne for up to two weeks in a space with no air movement before settling. Once they settle, they will wait for a moisture episode (flood, leak, etc.) to occur. When a moisture episode occurs, or if the mold spores land on a damp spot, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they have landed on to survive. Molds can grow on wood, paper, fabrics, carpet, foods, and other organic materials indoors.
Mold is a natural part of the environment, but it can be harmful to human health if people are exposed to significant levels of it, especially indoors. It is harmless and, at worst, a nuisance to most people. However, inhaling excessive quantities of airborne mold particles or spores may lead to allergic illness, trigger asthma, cause respiratory infections, or bring toxic effects from certain chemicals in the mold cells.
Certain molds have even been found to have a positive (antibiotic) effect (e.g., Penicillin). However, some people can become sensitive (allergic) to specific molds or classes of fungi. Clearly, the most common type of exposure concern is for and among people who are asthmatic, allergic, or prone to hypersensitivity pneumonitis since these individuals may react regardless of the amount of mold present.
When excessive moisture, vapor, or humidity accumulates indoors, mold growth will often follow, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or is not remediated promptly. There is no practical way to remove all mold and mold spores indoors. However, indoor mold growth can be (for the most part) prevented by controlling moisture.
Most Homes Have a Mold Problem
Even if your house appears to be clean, there's a significant possibility it has mold, which can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. This news comes courtesy of a new university research study, which also discovered that mold might be found in places most people don't expect, such as windowsills. After surveying 160 homes in 7 U.S. cities, Kelly A. Reynolds of the University of Arizona, Tucson, found that 100% of the homes tested positive for mold on some inside surface. The discovered molds were all highly allergenic.
"Up to one-third of [non-residential] buildings in industrialized countries are sick," according to the World Health Organization (1995). The Ottawa, Canada-based Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) warns in a pamphlet published on its website that "if you live in a damp house, or have ever experienced flooding, your house may be breeding an often invisible and always unwelcome intruder—mold." Ken Ruest, a Senior Researcher with the CMHC, points out that "many people are unaware there's a toxic mold problem until their house is so badly affected they can't live in it anymore."
Mold fungi grow well in homes, condominiums, apartments, offices, workplaces, and buildings. This growth happens because most property owners and managers do NOT properly maintain building roofs, exterior siding, windows, heating, ventilating, air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and ducts, and plumbing fixtures, water lines, and sewer lines to prevent water intrusion. It can also happen if they fail to detect quickly and repair mold water plumbing problems such as water leaks, water, and sewer breaks, broken water and sewer lines, dripping water, running water, flooding, flood damage, and other water, moisture, humidity, sewer, mold damage problems, black mold infestation, and toxic mold contamination.

Assessment

All that is needed for microbial growth to occur is a substrate, nutrients, warmth, and moisture. Wood, paper, some carpets and carpet backings, wallboard, and other building materials and furnishings act as both substrate and nutrient. Substrates are surfaces that trap nutrients such as dead skin cells, food crumbs, dust, dust mites, animal dander, dead insect parts, and soil. This "dirt" can also contain the spores and "seeds" for common microbiological contaminants like molds, fungi, mildews, and bacteria. Sufficient moisture and adequate time for growth are often the final ingredients. Light is not always necessary, and only moderate warmth (temperatures slightly above freezing) is required. Fungi have been around for a long time and have adapted to all environments and conditions.
After performing thousands of mold inspections, our company has concluded that sampling indoor airborne mold using Anderson plate methods is the best technique.
  • ENVIROTEST MOLD ASBESTOS INSPECTION’s microbiological air monitoring reports results appear as many Colony-Forming Units (CFUs). CFUs are the number of live or growing colonies. Some sensitive individuals will react to the protein-containing residue of mold and other biologicals that lie in the dust.
  • There are no standards against which sample results can be interpreted. However, this website's mold testing section includes a list of the most commonly found molds and their exposure symptoms.
  • While many sampling protocols and methods are available to test for microbiology, we depend on the Anderson sampling method, on-site visual assessments, bulk samples, and wipe samples. Environmental molds do not lend themselves to the more familiar "medical type" testing since it depends upon culturing with standard methods and conditions. It must be known that the environment and the available food can change both the color and shape of the colonies. These are key to the identification of the mold. The same factors can also produce sterile or non-reproducing colonies. These also may be missed in testing that focuses upon "live spores" or "colony forming units."
  • As with all plants, the life cycle of molds varies with the season. It is not uncommon to have high CFUs reported both indoors and outside during the growing season. The reproductivity of molds also varies from day to night.

Recommendations

ENVIROTEST MOLD ASBESTOS INSPECTION strongly recommends that mold removal be performed by a trained professional to decrease the chance of individual exposure and building contamination.
It is with all of the above in mind that we offer the following recommendations:
  • Carpets, when present, should be subject to regular (daily) cleaning using one of the relatively new high-efficiency (HEPA) vacuum cleaners. During this daily cleaning, look for water damage. The carpet should also be cleaned professionally on a periodic schedule (only between November and February) or whenever excessively soiled. Carpets must be thoroughly dried whenever professional cleaning is done. We do not recommend basement sub-floors as a base for carpeting due to the inherent buildup of moisture that it can cause and the subsequent mold that can develop. ENVIROTEST MOLD ASBESTOS INSPECTION suggests a preference for solid surface materials or vinyl tile when replacing a carpet.
  • In an attempt to identify areas of concern by visual inspection, additional information can be gathered by professionally sampling the area(s) for the characteristic odors associated with mold. The ventilation system should also be examined similarly.
  • Eliminate all sources of water and have all leaks fixed. Excessive humidity can often be removed or controlled with dehumidifiers.
  • Where mold contamination is suspected, many experts feel it is simple and thorough enough to say, "if you can see mold or smell mold, clean and decontaminate it." Cleaning or decontamination of surfaces can include the following:
  • Wash solid surfaces and launder all fabric-based materials which may have been exposed with bleach (if possible), hot water, and detergent.
  • Dry immediately and completely (exposure to strong sunlight is helpful during this process).
  • Decontamination of white clothes is best done using a bleach solution.
  • Materials that cannot successfully survive the above cleaning and decontamination should be replaced. However, the areas left behind should be decontaminated before installing replacement materials. Areas of replacement that need painting can best be painted with paints that have mold inhibitors included. This information is usually included on the label.
  • Any water-damaged porous materials (e.g., ceiling tiles, carpet, and wallboard) that cannot be dried out and cleaned within 48-72 hours should be removed and replaced. Bacteria and mold can begin to grow within this period.
  • Should there be further problems, consult ENVIROTEST MOLD ASBESTOS INSPECTION to perform sampling to determine exact mold types and air quality problems.