Contrary to recent popular opinion, not all complaints are equal to mold. And not all allergy complaints are equal to mold. Furthermore, not all complaints are equal, nor necessarily associated with, the same cause(s). Omega Southwest Consulting identifies and isolates the cause of building-related health complaints in a focused, cost effective manner. The principal has published several books regarding indoor air quality.
Assessment Methods
Documents review
- Blueprints (AutoCAD expertise able to work off as-built drawings supplied by building management
- Written building complaints
- MSDS sheets on potentially suspect product
- Records on recent furniture and equipment purchases
Building walk-through
- Occupied areas
- Air handling system(s)
- Bathroom air exhaust(s)
- Occupant activities
Interviews with facility personnel
- Maintenance
- Custodial
Observations of areas and activities exterior to the building (e.g., relative location of sources of chemicals, microbes, pollinating trees, outdoor air contaminants, moisture on building materials)
Assessment of occupant complaints
- Interviews
- Short easy-to-complete questionnaires
Develop a theory as to the cause of the health complaints
Test the theory
Sample for Suspect Air and/or Surface Contaminants
- Forensic dust sampling–where allergens are suspect, this technique is inexpensive and highly effective
- Carbon dioxide– determine adequacy of fresh air, sometimes used during the preliminary building survey
- Carbon monoxide–gas fired furnaces and water heaters)
- Formaldehyde (e.g., off-gassing from particleboard)
- Volatile organic compounds (e.g., paint solvents)
- Allergens–molds, fungi, bacteria, insect parts-and-pieces, and dust mites
- Endotoxins
- Toxigenic and pathogenic molds
- Bacteria (toxic and commensal)
- 4-Phylcyclohexene (carpet component)
- Insecticides and pesticides