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Mould Assessment
The assessment of mould in buildings involves:
1. Examination of contaminated areas, including:
- review of the building history including renovations
- complaints from residents
- previous sampling results
- potential water sources and evidence of water damage
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- potential risks posed by adjacent activities
- examination of interior and exterior structures
- examination of heating and cooling systems
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2. Collection of bulk samples for mould identification, if necessary
It is important to realize that moulds visible on the surface of construction materials may only be the tip of the iceberg. It is quite common to find a strip of mould on the back of a drywall surface across on entire wall even though only a small section was showing on the front side.
If there is a question about potential human exposure from air contamination, then air-sampling techniques can also be employed. Currently, there are no regulated standards for mould concentrations in air. The latter strategy is mostly used to confirm or negate the fact that spores are migrating from contaminated surfaces, and to what degree.
Sampling techniques are important when trying to assess the presence of particular moulds, and a reliable laboratory should be consulted.
| McGowan not only has professional expertise on staff to conduct assessments, but also only employs laboratories accredited in microbiology for evaluating samples. |
Indoor air quality encompasses many different issues. Bacteria, viruses and parasites may also contribute to poor indoor air quality or "sick buildings". Hospitals, chronic health care facilities and other institutions involving clinical care may have sources of bacteria and viral agents which would be important to assess and control.
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