Call Us: (800) 419-4923
 Call Us: +44 (0)20 3865 7701
 Call Us: (787) 822-8377
 Call Us: (437) 855-4925
Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
You are here: Home » Services » Environmental Health & Safety » Industrial Hygiene » Mold & Microbial Assessment

Mold & Microbial Assessment

Guidelines for Mold Testing and Assessments

Partner provides Mold and Microbial Assessments nationwide on emergency and standard turnaround times to help owners protect their properties and ensure the health and safety of their occupants. We hold mold assessor licenses in all regulated states and regularly provide assessments and remediation oversight and/or clearance in all building types including schools, government buildings, transportation centers, commercial and industrial spaces, etc.

Common biological dust components such as mold and pollen, have no mandated permissible exposure limits (PEL) or threshold limit values by which to unilaterally determine the habitability of any indoor environment. Further, all individuals react differently to exposure to indoor molds, which makes establishing such limits applicable to all individuals virtually impossible. When assessing the indoor air quality of an environment, one must take into consideration the occupants or proposed occupants and their individual sensitivity with respect to indoor environmental contaminants. However, in the absence of state and federal exposure limits for mold in indoor environments, several current industry guidelines exist that we believe accurately address the air quality of an indoor environment.

During all mold assessments, Partner adheres to the promulgated guidelines and recommendations including the following, but not limited to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), American Indoor Air Quality Council (ACAC), and any local state authority, such as California Department of Health Services (DHS), Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), and the New York Guidelines for Assessment of Fungi in Indoor Environments.

Dig deeper into our Mold services below or contact Partner directly to learn more about how we can help.

Related Insights

Frequently Asked Questions

Molds are microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold will grow and multiply under the right conditions, needing only sufficient moisture (e.g.in the form of very high humidity, condensation, or water from a leaking pipe, etc.) and organic material specifically cellulose (e.g., ceiling tile, drywall, paper, or natural fiber carpet padding). Mold growth often appear as discoloration, staining, or fuzzy growth on building materials or furnishings and are varied colors of white, gray, brow, black, yellow, and green. In large quantities, molds can cause allergic symptoms when inhaled or through the toxins the molds emit.

The most common indoor molds include but are not limited to the following:  Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and millions of other species.

People react differently to exposure to indoor molds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common health effects and symptoms include:

  • Asthma
  • Allergic reactions
  • Other respiratory complaints
  • Nasal stuffness
  • Eye irritation
  • Wheezing
  • Skin irritation

Digging Deeper

Tips for Building Owners and Facility Managers

Mold growth can be controlled by regulating moisture indoors. The key to mold management is to remove the source of moisture.

  • Reduce indoor air humidity by venting bathrooms and dryers; using dehumidifiers; increasing ventilators; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning.
  • Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours.
  • Prevent condensation by providing insulation on cold surfaces such as windows, piping, floors, exterior walls, or roof.
  • Add mold inhibitors to paints before application.
  • Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water.
  • Contact Partner or another trained/qualified inspector to first determine if mold is present and provide recommendations for next steps.

Mold & Microbial Services

Mold & Microbial Survey

The purpose of a mold and microbial survey is to assess the presence of moisture and mold damage on interior building materials.  A mold and microbial survey typically entail:

  • Partner investigates the potential source of water intrusion. Intrusive testing, involving coring holes in drywall with indications of water damage, can be conducted at the request of the client.  However, the survey can be limited to visual non-intrusive inspections.
  • Partner utilizes direct read moisture meters and/or infra-red cameras to identify moisture content of walls, ceiling materials and flooring materials.
  • Any on-site personnel with knowledge of the building history relevant to leaks/flooding/repairs is interviewed for pertinent information.
  • Evidence of water or moisture staining, suspect microbial growth, and other indications of water intrusion/mold growth are recorded and documented in the report.
  • Photographic documentation is utilized in areas of water intrusion and/ or evidence of suspect microbial growth and provided in a report.
Mold Remediation Protocol

If mold is identified, a mold remediation protocol may be warranted.  A mold remediation protocol is a written procedure for the mold remediation. The mold remediation protocol entails:

  • The protocol will reference Partner’s Microbial / Moisture Investigation.  The identified mold growth would be included in the protocol, which will specify the estimated quantities and locations of materials to be remediated.  The protocol also references applicable regulatory requirements regarding the abatement of mold by the local regulating entity (if any).
  • The proposed remediation methods include a written procedure for the mold remediation specifications, and the protocol includes procedures for cleaning and removal of impacted materials.
  • A mold remediation protocol would establish clearance criteria for each type of remediation.
Post Remediation Clearance Mold & Microbial Survey

Following completion of mold remediation (by a third-party), Partner can conduct a post remediation clearance mold survey.

  • Once remediation actions are completed (removal of materials with suspect visible mold growth (SVMG), removal and/or drying of wet building materials) and prior to final cleaning, Partner conducts an inspection to confirm that the remaining building materials are dry and there are no additional areas that require remediation. Confirmation of dry materials is conducted utilizing pin and pin-less moisture meters.  Upon approval of the remediation actions, Partner releases the contractor to conduct their final cleaning.
  • Once the final cleaning has been completed, Partner collects sampling to confirm that mold impact has been removed. Sampling is based on clearance criteria established in the mold remediation protocol. Typical post remediation clearance testing includes air sampling, as well as surface sampling.
  • Following review of third-party laboratory results, Partner determines if the clearance criteria has been met. If not met, recommendations for additional remediation/cleaning will be made, followed by additional post-remediation testing. If criteria are met, a final clearance report will be prepared.

Meet the Experts

Let us be your Partner

Learn how we can support your next project or share insights via our newsletter.
crossmenuchevron-uparrow-uparrow-rightchevron-right-circle linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram