MOLD SCREENING KIT

This Reference Sheet has been produced by www.EnviroScreening.com for the purpose of providing analytical information regarding your mold screening kit results. Specific questions should be directed to tech@enviroscreening.com

Should I be concerned about the level of contamination I've found in my report?
Maybe. This screening kit provides an inexpensive alternative to other types of air sampling. It is, by all standards, extremely accurate in determining the viability of mold spores in our indoor environments. By testing settled-out spores using this methodology, you will have an accurate representation of what is going on throughout the environment. However, your level of concern should be based on your sensitivity to the types of mold(s) found in your specific environment rather than the amount of contamination. Some people are extremely sensitive to mold and even the lowest level found (Expected/Normal) might prove to be an allergen for that person. At the other extreme, some people have virtually no sensitivity to mold(s) and, for them, mold at higher levels is not a serious concern. In my book, Mold-Free Construction™, I discuss the importance of testing for all types of mold and I talk about methods by which you can have a mold-free, allergy-free environment. When you work with a Certified IAQ Specialist, you can be sure that the suggestions made for your specific environment will provide for you and your family a mold-free environment for years to come. When you've adopted those recommendations, you need not be concerned!

D. Douglas Hoffman
National Marketing Director

1. It should be noted that mold and bacteria is found throughout our environment and identifying mold in your environment does not necessarily mean that you have a mold problem.
2. Currently there are no Federal or State recognized standards, critical or threshold exposure limits to aeroallergens.
3. Because everyone's immune system is unique, individual exposure response to aeroallergens will vary. The purpose of these guidelines is to help the user determine the need and value of advise received from a Certified IAQ Specialist.
4. These guidelines are unique only to these test methodologies and have been determined to be reasonable by the manufacturer of the test kits (EnviroScreening.com) in conjunction with NIAQI (National Indoor Air Quality Institute) Counts on the report are estimates based on the density of growth.
5. Test results only apply to the area from which the sample was taken, and the description of the ranges only signify the increasing amount of germs present.
6. This methodology should only be considered a screening, and more detailed analysis may be necessary. For more information, discuss additional testing options with your Certified IAQ Specialist.

¹REFERENCE COMMENT SHEET—There are many different types of bacteria that can be found throughout our living environment. These may inhabit dust particulate, soil and non-treated water. Examples: species of Bacillus, actinomycete and nonfermentative gram-negative rods. Infections from most of these isolates are not common, however, occurrence of infection will vary based on species isolated.

Acremonium sp. is another common fungus that is found in our environment, which has been reported to cause such ailments as mycetomas (swelling of tissues), keratitis (cornea), and other mycoses.
Alternaria sp. is commonly found in our environment to include such places as soil, plants and decaying vegetation. Has been reported to cause keratitis (cornea), skin and nasal infections.
Aspergillus is found throughout our environment and disease caused by this fungus is relatively uncommon. However, there are species of this genus that can cause both invasive and non-invasive diseases, most notably with immunosuppressed hosts. Allergic response to inhalation of the aspergilli has also been known to occur.
Bipolaris sp. is commonly isolated in the laboratory from environmental samples, it has been reported to cause sinusitis and allergies in some cases.
Chaetomium sp. is a common laboratory "contaminant" naturally found in the soil, plants, or decaying vegetation. Infection is not common.
Chrysosporium is a fungus that rarely causes disease. However, cases of endocarditis and osteomyelitis has been reported. Several species are keratinophilic and can cause nail infections.
Cladosporium is another common mold isolated in the laboratory. It is naturally found in soil and in association with plant material. Infection is also uncommon; however, infections of the sinuses, endocarditis, keratomycosis (cornea) and subcutaneous lesions have been noted.
Curvularia is a commonly isolated environmental mold and some species has been noted to cause disease in man.
Epicoccum is commonly isolated in the laboratory based on geographic location and has been associated with allergies.
Fusarium sp. is a common laboratory saprophyte commonly found in soil and decaying vegetation. Fusarium has been reported to cause keratitis (cornea).
Geotrichum sp. is another filamentous fungi that is considered a common laboratory contaminant, infections due to this organism is rare in man.
Monilia sp. is a common laboratory filamentous fungi that can be found in samples containing soil. This organism is a common laboratory contaminant and infection is not common.
Paecilomyces sp. is a fast growing, common environmental fungus. Some species have been noted in cases of endocarditis, sinusitis, nephritis and infections in dogs.
Penicillium is a fungus that is abundant in man's environment and is a common laboratory contaminant. Penicillium has also been known to cause a number human infections such as keratitis (eye / cornea), penicilliosis, otomycosis (ear), and rarely, deep infections.
Rhizopus sp. is a common laboratory contaminant. Infection is not common, however, cases of mucormycosis (various types of fungal infections) has been noted.
Scopulariopsis sp. is similar in structure to Penicillium sp. and has been identified in cases of onychomycosis (nails).
Stachybotrys chartarum has been well publicized for being a potential agent in causing severe respiratory problems in young children and persons with immun-osuppressed conditions. It is commonly referred to as "toxic mold" & "black mold".
Syncephalastrum sp. is a common environmental mold which is fast spreading in culture, nonseptate and could be mistaken for Aspergillus niger. A case of cutaneous infection has been reported.
Yeast are seen in nature from sources like soil, fruits, milk, plants, and feces of normal humans. Infections vary based on the species and sources identified.

NOTE: There is scientific evidence showing that persons with immunosuppressed conditions run the highest risk of infection due to environmental factors such as bacteria and fungal elements.

Many pages have been written regarding mold, mildew and the deliterious effects these have or may have on construction materials and our health. For more information, please review our website at www.EnviroScreening.com and read the book entitled Mold-Free Construction™ which is available at www.MoldFreeConstruction.com.

In an effort to help you sort through the information, we are providing this reference sheet along with information regarding ranges and the potential contamination that certain ranges may represent. Please read all the footnotes so you will have a clear understanding of what this screening test does and does not represent. Drawing conclusions from information that a screening test provides is best done by a certified IAQ Specialist.

In most cases, and certainly where extreme remediation measures are considered, this screening test should be understood as simply being a "snap-shot" of what MAY be going on in other areas of your indoor environment. Settled-out spores can often be representative of sampling a larger area but the correlation is still unclear between what you find in a square inch sampling and what you might find in other areas of the environment.

The material found in this brochure has been reviewed by the NIAQI (National Indoor Air Quality Institute) and is provided in agreement with their standards. Any specific questions may be directed to: info@enviroscreening.com

REFERENCES/DISCLAIMERS

¹This information is contained in medical mycology and microbiology textbooks such as: Medical Mycology by K.J. Kwon-Chung & John E. Bennett, Diagnostic Microbiology by Koneman, Bailey & Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology by Ellen Jo Baron, Lancer R. Peterson & Sydney M. Finegold and Medical Mycology by Martha E. Kern & Kathleen S. Blevins. More information: www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/mold/stachy.htm

• This information should only be used as general information for identification purposes only and not for diagnostic purposes.
• It should be noted that mold & bacteria are found throughout our environment and identifying mold in your environment does not necessarily mean that you have a mold problem.
• Cultures submitted may have colony counts estimated based on the density of growth in the culture.
• Because acceptable counts may vary from laboratory to laboratory and are not well established, it is important to take cultures before treatment of facility and again after treatment of facility in order to ensure adequate reduction of colony forming units. Additionally, collection techniques should be performed the same way each time a sample is taken
• This methodology should be considered a screening technique only. A more extensive analysis may be necessary. Please ask you IAQ Specialist for interpretation of these results.

Recommendation: Air purification and mold remediation companies can help reduce the amount of particulate matter in the air, including the mold spore counts. (See your local Certified IAQ Specialist for more information and recommendations regarding air purification equipment and remediation options)