What you need to know about mold.

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What you need to know about mold.
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What is mold and where is it found?

• Mold are microscopic organisms that produce
  spores and are found virtually everywhere,
  indoors and outdoors. Mold can be found on
  plants, foods, leaves, and other organic
  materials. Also susceptible to mold growth are
  cellulose materials, such as, cardboard, paper,
  ceiling tiles, and sheetrock.

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How can mold affect your health?

• When inhaled, even in small amounts, mold can
  cause a wide range of health problems including
  respiratory problems (wheezing), nasal and sinus
  congestion, watery and red eyes, nose and throat
  irritation, skin irritation, aches and pains,
  fevers, asthma, emphysema and in some cases even
  death.

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How can you be exposed to mold?

• When moldy materials become damaged or disturbed,
  spores can be released into the air.

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The black mold Stacybotrys Chartarum (atra).

• Stachybotrys Chartarum (atra) is a greenish-black
  toxic mold with 15 different species and
  typically grows in areas where the relative
  humidity is above 55.

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Black mold symptoms.

• Respiratory problems
• Nasal/sinus congestion
• Dry hacking cough
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic fatigue
• Skin irritation

• Central nervous system problems
• Aches and pains
• Possible fever
• Diarrhea
• Hemosiderosis
• Immune suppression

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How is mold testing done?
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How is mold testing done?

• There are two kinds of tests we perform during
  our mold inspections. Cartridge sampling and swab
  tests.
• Cartridge tests test the air by pulling air into
  the cartridge where a sticky substance that traps
  the spores. Interior and exterior cartridge
  samples are taken, then sent to the laboratory
  where they compare indoor to outdoor levels and
  determine what spores are present.
• The swab test is used when there is suspicious
  staining on a surface. With this method, the
  inspector uses a special type of swab and
  container, or sampling tape, to take a sample
  from the surface of concern. The swab(s) are then
  sent to the laboratory for analysis.

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Mold test results.

• After our mold inspection, the mold laboratory
  typically returns a report within 3 business
  days. The report shows the type of mold
  discovered, if any, and the level of concern
  based on the levels present and spore types
  found. The report also contains information
  regarding the health risks and typical dangers. 

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What do I do if mold is found?

• If mold issues are found, we recommend that you
  hire a professional remediation company to
  determine what actions should be taken to
  properly address the issues.

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Do you suspect you have mold? Schedule a mold
inspection with AHI.
Schedule Mold Inspection