Blog
Coronavirus Testing: New Environmental Testing Options
A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about coronavirus testing in the indoor environment. At that time we did not have laboratory testing for the virus itself, so we had to use other types of testing as surrogate indicators of the biological cleanliness of the surface such...
Past Water Damage? Need a Mold Inspection?
We often get calls from clients with concerns about moisture problems that happened in the past. They are concerned that a past leak or other water-related problem in their property caused mold growth that is not readily visible. If you’ve had past water damage, should you get your property inspected for mold?
Carbon Monoxide Stories
When it comes to carbon monoxide and the severe sickness and death that can occur, I take it very personally. One winter, many years ago, I borrowed my brother’s carbon monoxide detector to see if anything would happen if I let my furnace continually run. ...
Transite and Other Non-Friable Materials High in Asbestos Content
Did you know that some non-friable materials can have high asbestos content? Often when thinking of high asbestos concentration in materials we assume these to be friable materials. While friable materials such as thermal system insulations are typically higher than...
How does mold affect health?
In previous blog posts, we highlighted the positive ways mold has benefited society. It is not a secret, however, that mold can also have a negative impact on human health, which this blog will discuss. Please keep in mind that we are not healthcare professionals, and any information posted in this blog is based on literature research. Please follow your doctor’s recommendations and advice.
Indoor Air Quality Stories – Part I
During my years working as an indoor air quality consultant, I have seen a number of wild things. I have performed mold testing in eighteen-wheeler trucks and yachts on Lake Michigan. I have worked on sets for movies and TV shows. I have worked in the...
“Can you test my home for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
UPDATE: Please see our updated blog post on the available testing options for coronavirus in the environment. Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the past few months has heard about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. As the virus has spread around the world,...
How can I prevent IAQ problems before they happen?
Every week we perform indoor air quality assessments for all different types of properties – residential, commercial, governmental, and industrial. By the time we are on-site, the occupant typically has some concerns that they believe are related to indoor air quality. Sometimes the occupant has a general sense of what the issue could be and other times the cause is less apparent. This blog post will cover common IAQ problems that may be occurring in your property and how you can prevent them from happening in the first place.
Wildfires & Air Quality
In recent weeks, headlines have been dominated with news of wildfires, specifically in Australia. Wildfires can create a range of air quality contaminants such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbon...
Can Indoor Air Quality Affect Productivity?
Does indoor air quality increase productivity in the workplace and reduce absenteeism in schools? Employers and administrators are constantly looking to improve productivity and test scores. We often get calls from office managers about IAQ issues, but there is...