Boston Environmental: Mold and Mildew Testing & Removal

Boston Environmental & Engineering Associates, Inc. located in Waltham, Massachusetts (just outside Boston) is trained and equipped to handle all levels of testing for mold, mildew and fungi in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings for the testing and presence of mold and/or mildew; as well as successfully remove these contaminants. As a full service environmental engineering company, Boston Environmental can determine if mold or other indoor air quality contaminants may be present in the air on surfaces or hidden behind walls, between ceilings and floors or in crawl spaces. We will perform a detailed inspectional survey and if necessary test for mold in your home, apartment, workplace, or commercial property Although Boston Environmental no longer conducts mold remediation, because we feel it is a conflict of interest if testing  for the presence of mold, mildew, or other contaminants prove positive Boston Environmental will recommend competent mold remediation companies or act as the client’s agent to hire and oversee the mold remediation when requested by the client.

From mold and mildew testing we can determine what genera (families), species and quantities of mold may be present, if there may be a health risk to the occupants and provide you with a plan for removal of the mold and/or mildew problem. Our experienced degreed engineers inspect your premises and determine what testing may be necessary to evaluate your indoor air quality.

Boston Environmental has the extensive resources for testing and remediation of your mold and/or mildew your problem. Our associates include:

Chemists
Construction Technicians
HVAC Technicians
Plumbing & Piping Technicians
Registered Professional Chemical Engineers
Registered Professional Structural Engineers

What is Mold? Molds are microscopic organisms found both indoors and outdoors. Mold spores are tiny and lightweight and easily detached by airflow, vacuuming, walking on a carpet or sitting on a couch. In indoor environments, mold grows in air-conditioning ducts, on carpets, pots of household plants, upholstered furniture, leather goods, gypsum wall board, wood paneling, structural wood members etc. Mold produces and release millions of spores, which are small enough to stay airborne threatening to invade the human respiratory system.

Every time we open a door to the outside or come in from the outside we allow mold carried on air currents, on our clothing, our shoes etc. to be carried into our indoor environment. However, in order for mold to grow, it needs food sources (such as the carpets, gypsum wall board or other organic materials in our home), and a source of water. Thus water is the catalyst that enables mold to propagate in our indoor environment. Without water from leaky basements, plumbing leaks, condensation from humidifiers, window and roof leaks mold does not cause problems.

Mold and/or mildew can cause illness in several ways:

Allergy: Allergic reactions to mold and/or mildew include hay fever or asthma symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, chest tightness, cough and wheezing.

Irritation: Exposure to mold can irritate the eyes, nose, and upper breathing passages. Burning eyes, nasal congestion, coughing, and post-nasal drip are all irritation typical of mold and/or mildew symptoms.

Infection: Some molds can cause chronic sinus infections. Individuals with weakened immune systems are at high risk to mold induces infections; these include those with HIV infection, those receiving chemotherapy, and the elderly. Children and pregnant women may also be at increased risk.

Toxins: Some molds produce toxins that can have effects on the skin, the respiratory system, the immune system, and the nervous system.

Other Signs of Mold and /or mildew contamination in your office, apartment, or home may include:

Balance Loss
Bloody Noses
Chronic Colds
Chronic Headaches
Coughing
Flu-like Symptoms
Irritation of Eyes, Nose, & Throat
Nausea
Skin problems
Skin Rashes
Sinus Congestion
Upper Respiratory Distress

What is the Process for Mold & Mildew Detection?
Mold testing begins with a physical inspection conducted by a Boston Environmental engineer who visits the site and conducts a comprehensive physical inspection of the premises for mold or mildew. Upon completion of the inspection, Boston Environmental’s engineer  explains to the client what he/she has found and where it will be necessary to collect test specimens (and the reasons for collecting samples at the proposed location with the structure).

What is the Process for Mold & Mildew Removal?
If mold contamination is found within your residence or work space, the areas to be treated must be isolated from the clean areas with polyfilm barriers and placed under negative pressure with HEPA blowers (to prevent the spread of mold to unaffected areas). The mold contaminated surfaces (walls, ceilings etc.) must then be treated with a mold treatment reagent, if the surfaces are accessible, or removed and disposed of if parts are inaccessible (if mold is between a wall, for example, one wall must be removed to allow treatment of the other wall). The entire contaminated area is HEPA vacuumed (High Efficiency Particle Air filter) including floors, walls, ceilings and room contents, and treated with a mold cleaning reagent like the ANABEC System.

After treatment of all surfaces, the air in the contaminated area is fogged with the Anabec Cleaner to eliminate any live spores floating in the air. A HEPA blower (used to create negative air pressure in the treatment area by drawing air into the contaminated area from clean part of the structure and discharging it to the outside) is then operated to purge any remaining mold spores from the air in the treated area after which all surfaces are treated with a biosealant, like Anashield (used for finished surfaces) or Anabec X-70 (used for rough surfaces). After treatment, Boston Environmental conducts Phase 4 clearance tests to assure the remediation has successfully reduced mold to safe levels.

If you suspect that you may have mold or mildew in your residential, commercial, or industrial building, please contact Boston Environmental & Engineering and we can send a consultant to test and survey your building and assist you removing any contamination that may pose a thereat to the health of occupants.

Boston Environmental & Engineering
184 Riverview Avenue
Waltham, Massachusetts 02453
T: 781-891-0801
E: interest@BostonEnvironmental.com