Fungal Abatement & Oversight

Healthy Solutions for Indoor Environmental Quality

The indoor environment is considered a refuge, a safe haven not only from inclement weather and temperature extremes, but also from outdoor air pollutants. Recent studies have shown that we spend nearly 90% of our time indoors, despite research that shows that the indoor environment is not always safe or comfortable.

Breathing air contaminated with chemicals or microbiological agents (such as molds and mildew) can trigger allergic reactions including asthma, as well as sinus infection, headaches, coughing, nose bleeds, and eye and throat irritation. More serious complications include chronic fatigue, loss of balance and memory, irritability and difficulty speaking. Occupational Environmental Health Solutions (OEHS), an industrial hygiene firm, specializes in identifying and designing methods to eliminate the agents that cause these types of health problems.

Solving the Problem

When Occupational Environmental Health Solutions (OEHS) is called to assess indoor air quality, the first step is to collect background information about the residence or office, followed by an initial walk-through. Based on the results of these two phases, if necessary, specific samples are taken. Testing may include air monitoring for compounds such as formaldehyde and carbon dioxide; testing of dust levels; evaluation of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; and microbiological/bioaerosal sampling, among other options. Once OEHS identifies the culprit, or culprits, as is often the case the industrial hygiene team makes recommendations for correcting existing problems.

Healthy Solutions for Microbiological (Mold) Exposures

Fungi and bacteria are commonly found in indoor and outdoor air. There are approximately 80,000 to 100,000 described species of fungi. When the concentration of fungi and bacteria in buildings grows to abnormally high levels, excessive exposure of building occupants to these microorganisms may occur. This can cause building-related health complaints. These organisms produce mycotoxins and endotoxins that can cause serious health effects. OEHS industrial hygienists have a trained eye and know where to look and sample microbiological growth. When they identify it, they take air and swab samples for testing in the lab in order to determine what is present and how to eliminate the problem.

Fungal Abatement Oversight

If the building is to remain occupied during the abatement project, abatement oversight is recommended to assure the inhabitants of the building are being exposed to fungal contamination. This process entails periodic (i.e. daily, biweekly,) visual inspection of the property, evaluating the pressure zones established by the remediation firm to assure that contamination is contained on the interior of the work area, and fungal air monitoring is occupied areas of the building and adjacent to the remediation work areas. These three procedures provide the protection and peace of mind to eliminated resident concerns.

Post Abatement Services

Subsequent to the abatement contractor completing remediation OEHS can conduct post abatement testing for fungi and/or bacteria to determine if the cleanup has been successful. This testing documents success and is necessary for future real estate transactions.

Healthy Solutions for Healthy People

OEHS is committed to identifying and helping design methods to eliminate the contaminates that lessen indoor air quality. The industrial hygiene team gathers background information, collects the necessary samples, then suggests ways to increase the quality of your indoor air.

Call Occupational Environmental Health Solutions, Inc. at 217-483-9296 or toll free 877-OEHSINC for a consultation. Because health matters.