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AMS has been performing
air analysis for more than a decade. We take part in the American
Industrial Hygiene Association’s EMPAT program. We can test for
bacteria, yeast, or mold. We have special testing packages for
residential mold analysis, and for
complete mold analysis of any one
sample (air, surface, or bulk).
Microbially contaminated buildings exist, most often because water
has intruded into the interior of a building. Bacterial
contamination of a building generally requires the most water. If
bacteria are in high concentrations in a building, it usually means
that water has saturated materials such as carpet, wallboard, or
other porous materials.
Can building walls and ceilings have a normal appearance and still
be contaminated? The answer is yes. Depending on the wall materials
the interior surfaces may have extensive contamination and show no
external contamination. In these cases, mold spore can escape into
the room environment from openings in the walls. Air samples from
the room can demonstrate this type of problem.
Condensation in Air ducts can also be a source of microbial
contamination. Out of control humidifiers can be the source of this
type of problem. Generally, this type of contamination is more
disseminated throughout a building than pipe leaks.
Yeast can be found in most of the same environments that bacteria
are found in. Although they may need somewhat less water, they
provide many of the same problems that bacteria do.
Molds need the least amount of water to live and grow. Although
there is no definitive moisture content necessary to cause growth,
some moisture is necessary. However, something as simple as
repetitive moisture condensation on wallboard can be enough to start
the growth process.
Microbial contamination can be from a single species to complex
consortiums or groups with many different species. They can also
have a mix of bacteria, yeast and mold. As each contamination site
is different, the assemblage of organism will also be different.
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