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. This approach aids in minimizing expensive air sampling and analysis. In some cases, given a logical conclusion to obvious discrepancies, air sampling may be avoided entirely.
Assessment Methods
Documents review
- Blueprints (AutoCAD expertise able to work off as-built drawings supplied by building management)
- Product MSDS sheet on all supplies (if available)
- Written complaints
- Specification of recent furniture and equipment
Building walk-through
- Occupied areas
- Air handling system(s)
- Bathroom air exhaust(s)
- Occupant activities
Interviews with facility personnel in industrial and commercial properties
- Maintenance
- Custodial
Observations
- 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)
- HVAC system including the air handling unit, ducting, air return plenum, and air supply vents
- Septic fields in rural environments.
- Vegetation in and around the building
Assessment of occupant complaints
- Interviews
- Short easy-to-complete questionnaires
Develop a theory as to the cause of the health complaints
Test the theory by sampling and/or other means of testing (e.g., smoke testing the plumbing lines or thermal imaging)
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