What is Mold?
Molds are a form of fungus. There are many different molds and they can be found both indoors and outdoors. Molds spread through the production of spores, which are present in all indoor environments and can not be removed from them. Spores are capable of surviving in harsh conditions that otherwise prevent the normal mold growth.
Molds grow best in moist, warm and humid environments – easily created in the home during the winter. When mold spores land on a damp spot they can begin to grow, digesting the material they are growing on as they do so. Molds are capable of growing on a variety of different surfaces, including fabric, paper and wood.
Common indoor molds include:
- Alternaria – found in damp places indoors, such as showers or under leaky sinks
- Aspergillus – often found indoors growing on dust, powdery food items and building materials, such as drywall
- Cladosporium – capable of growing in cool areas as well as warm ones. It is typically found on fabrics and wood surfaces
- Penicillium – typically found on materials that have been damaged by water and often has a blue or green appearance.
Molds take a variety of forms and textures, they can appear as white, black, yellow, blue or green and often looking like a discoloration or stain to a surface. They can also have a velvety, fuzzy or rough appearance, depending on the type of mold and where it is growing.
As environmental specialist we are experts in mold prevention, dehumidification and moisture control. By contacting Abacus as soon as possible, we will identify the problem areas and formulate a customized plan to get your property back to it’s original condition.
When your property experiences damage from a disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, flooding or water intrusion. Protecting your home and valuables, as well as, prevent mold growth is always a homeowners top priority. Contact Abacus as soon as possible.
Legionella is a bacteria that can cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionaires’ Disease. Legionella testing is typically performed in senior living facilities and facilities with cooling towers. The required water temperature at senior care facilities is an ideal breeding ground for Legionella pneuophila.
If a facility has Legionella, that could cause someone (especially those over 50 or immune-compromised) to develop Legionnaires’ disease. The complications associated with Legionnaires is lung failure or death, and the CDC warns that 1 out of 10 people who get sick with Legionnaires will die due to complications. If you get It while in a healthcare facility that number jumps to 1 in 4 dying.
Abacus Environment can perform the testing, remediation, and the post-remediation testing.
For more information on Legionella, visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/wmp/overview/wmp-fact-sheet.html
Don’t wait another day costing the life of a loved one. Call us today.
Was your house or commercial property built before 1978?
If so, it is very likely that lead based paint was used, and could cause serious health issues. Abacus can provide you with a TDSHS Licensed Lead-Risk Assessor to test the interior and exterior of your home or business and if lead is present, will provide you with an estimate and a plan for lead-stabilization or abatement.
Clean air ducts are the foundation for good indoor air quality. Homeowners and business owners want to breathe clean indoor air for themselves, their guests, employees, and customers. Why is duct cleaning so important? Over several years, air ducts can become contaminated with mold, fungi, bacteria and dust. A routine HVAC doesn’t remove them. Abacus uses Rotobrush equipment to improve the air quality at home and in the office. Proper removal with equipment like Rotobrush’s air duct cleaning machines and systems is one way to improve indoor air quality in your home or office building.
Not sure if you need our services?
Take a look inside your system where you change your air filter. A build up of dust and debris means it is time to clean the system. According to the HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association (NADCA) a six-room house can collect as much as 40 pounds of dust, pet dander and chemicals in its air ducts each year! This dirty air is recycled over and over again throughout your hoe, five to seven times a day. Home does this affect your home? Here’s a list of common problems in homes with dirty air vents that haven’t been cleaned in five or more years:
- Aggravated allergies, asthma, or breathing problems
- Furniture that quickly accumulates dust, even right after cleaning.
- Musty or stale odor when the furnace is running
An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is a report prepared for real estate holding that identifies potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities.
The actual sampling of soil, air, groundwater and/or building materials is typically not conducted during a Phase I ESA. The Phase I ESA is generally considered the first step in the process of environmental due diligence. Standards for performing a Phase I site assessment have been promulgated by the US EPA and are based in part on ASTM in Standard E1527-13.
If a site is considered contaminated, a Phase II environmental site assessment may be conducted, ASTM test E1903, a more detailed investigation involving chemical analysis for hazardous substances and/or petroleum hydrocarbons
PHASE I will determine PHASE II
Health Effects From Exposure to Asbestos
- Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. The greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects.
- Disease symptoms may take many years to develop following exposure.
- Three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are:
- lung cancer
- mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining of the lung, chest and the abdomen and heart
- asbestosis, a serious progressive, long-term, non-cancer disease of the lungs
For more information on these and other health effects of asbestos exposure see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the National Cancer Institute.
