Monday, January 25, 2010

Newlyweds chased from their home by mold, bacteria

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/82575052.html

By Jan Hefler
Inquirer Staff Writer

After a honeymoon in Mexico, Danielle and David Beety returned to their dream home, a $407,000 yellow stucco on a cul-de-sac in Gloucester County. Their future seemed golden.

"We were on cloud nine," said Danielle Beety, a first-grade teacher who also coached high school field hockey. "Everything was going completely great," added David Beety, a mortgage loan originator.

That lasted two weeks.

Suddenly, Danielle Beety was stricken with severe throat pain and developed flulike symptoms. Her baffled doctors ordered myriad tests. Three times they admitted her to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. She required two operations to remove a 5-centimeter abscess inside her neck.

"It was like living a live episode of House," David Beety said, referring to the Fox TV show in which the eccentric Dr. House diagnoses mystery illnesses. Each time Danielle Beety returned to their home on Shira Court in Paradise Homes in West Deptford, her fever returned. Her neck would stiffen with such pain she would cry out when she moved.

Their house emerged as a suspect when they received an urgent phone call from an environmental engineer who did air and wipe testing in their leaky basement.

Michael Stocknoff, owner of A&M Engineering Services in Cherry Hill, reported that he had found elevated levels of mold and gram-negative bacteria - a resistant group of superbugs that can cause respiratory and other ailments. He said they should grab their dog and move out immediately. Doctors seconded the advice.

That was nearly a year ago. The couple moved in with Danielle Beety's parents, leaving all their belongings behind. Her health quickly improved, but now the couple struggle to pay mounting bills and to replace their possessions.

Last week, the Beetys received notice from PHH Mortgage/Charles Schwab that foreclosure on their vacant house would begin next month. David Beety said that could jeopardize his license and job, under new regulations on lenders, plunging them into deeper debt.

Paradise Realty Group L.L.C., the Lakewood, N.J., builder, disputes that the house caused the illness. The company has built seven other homes on the court and says it has received no other complaints.

Chin S. Yang, an internationally known microbiologist with Prestige EnviroMicrobiology laboratory in Voorhees, sees a link between the housing boom and an uptick in environmental-health issues similar to what the Beetys described.

Though he has not examined their house, Yang said he had been involved in numerous "sick building syndrome" and similar cases across the country in which he found toxic bacteria and mold to be a trigger of health problems, including homes contaminated as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

"When the housing market was hot, everyone was in a rush to finish a house and go on to the next," Yang said. Workmanship suffered, he said, and construction defects allowed moisture to creep inside and create a petri dish for mold and bacteria.

"By the time the homeowner finds out, the house may have been leaking for months," Yang said.

Susceptible people, including those with compromised immune systems, breathe bacteria, mold, and the endotoxins the bacteria give off and may develop flulike symptoms, infections, and other problems, he said. Other occupants may not be affected.

Yang said the Beetys' story was one of the more horrific he had heard because of the operations and was relatively rare.

The Environmental Protection Agency says indoor pollution may be as much as 100 times more contaminated than outdoor air. There is increasing awareness of the issue, the EPA says, but no federal standards have been established.

If your home, office or lodge shows signs of mold contamination, contact Turtle Clan Environment Testing. Turtle Clan follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for testing indoor environments with mold contamination.

Mold Testing Sharon, CT
Mold Testing, Sharon, Connecticut


Friday, January 15, 2010

Know Thy Mold or Pay a Hefty Price

Mold Damage Report Causes Concerns and Questions
http://www.news-gazette.com

January 15, 2010

A $24,236 study of mold and microbiological growth at the 138-room lodge wasn't submitted to state officials until Tuesday.


"We got the mold assessment report back a little later than we thought and we wanted to give people ample time to review it," said Chris McCloud, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which is maintaining the property that was closed by a court order last July.


The report estimates that it would cost $892,500 just to remove mold-damage infrastructure and contents from the resort.


Among the costs: $200,000 to remove 60 percent of the gypsum wallboard at the resort, $122,500 to tear out carpeting and padding, $100,000 to remove materials in the indoor swimming pool area and clean it, and $125,000 to clean the contents of the resort, including linens, towels, drapes and furniture.


The mold assessment, performed by D.A.S. Consulting Services of Springfield, a certified industrial hygienist, also concluded there could be more damage at the resort.


"It should be noted that since water intrusion issues have not been addressed and repairs have not been conducted, the amplification of microbiological growth will continue," said the report. "Therefore, removal of additional building materials will probably be necessary."


Further, no cost estimate was offered for new construction and replacement of furnishings in the 23-year-old resort.


The new delay makes it virtually certain that reopening the resort this year – which IDNR officials had publicly hoped for last summer – won't occur.


"We hoped the process would allow for that but this isn't something that we do all the time," McCloud said. "We had to go through a process and there were some things that we needed to make sure that we addressed, things that were expressed to us. Our goal is to have (Eagle Creek) open. We know that's important. But we have to give the person or persons who would run it as much information as they need."


McCloud said the mold assessment was done because "people have expressed concern that in order to lay money on the line or get a loan from banks, they needed detailed information about exactly what kind of mold issue there was."


One potential bidder for Eagle Creek, Dennis Fayhee, owner of the Sullivan Marina and Campground, said he fears the new report could damage any hope of rehabilitating the resort, once considered a vacation gem in central Illinois.


"They've basically, maybe not intentionally, put a bulls-eye on that thing, by having that study done the way it was," Fayhee said.


"To me, anyone who stays there now and who gets sick, they're going to sue you," I don't think anyone's going to be able to get loans on it now, the way that report is written."


He said he believes cost estimates for the mold remediation are "exaggerated," and that conditions at the facility "aren't as bad as this indicates. I'm more concerned now about the public's reaction to this."


But state Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, whose district includes Eagle Creek, said it was important for the state to be honest and transparent with potential bidders."


"The truth is, there's mold," he said. "I don't think anyone would want us to hide the fact that there's mold there. How many people would be upset if it looked like we were trying to cover it up?


"I'd rather extend the (bid) deadline and do this the right way."


Fayhee said he believes some Eagle Creek bidders may only propose to operate its 18-hole golf course and possibly a marina.


"If you just bid on the golf course and maybe the marina, who has the liability for the buildings?" Fayhee said. "Who will tear it down and do whatever they have to do with it?"


He said the state would be better off taking legal action against Barry Shiffman and Edwin Edelberg, the former owners of Eagle Creek.


"I just don't understand why they don't try to recover the money," Fayhee said.



If your home,office or lodge shows signs of mold contamination, contact Turtle Clan Environment Testing. Turtle Clan follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for testing indoor environments with mold contamination.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Mold Testing...Testimonials

If you have a Mold Problem you need to company that:

A. Cares
B. Has Been in Your Shoes
C. Is Honest
D. Has No Strings Attached (i.e. $$$) to the Mold Remediation Job

Turtle Clan saved me thousands and kept me from getting ripped off!!!By BillSchallmo - October 25, 2009

My house looked like something out of New Orleans! Mold Everywhere!! That's why I didn't blink an eye when a remediator ran out of my house throwing himself on my lawn telling me to run for the hills that I was in danger and could die....and that it was going to be $150,000 thank you very much and he proceeded to praise Jesus!!!!

I didn't know you need to test your mold BEFORE you clean it so you can know where and how to clean it...duh! It never occurred to me a lot of mold is invisible, so how would a cleanup crew know how to clean what they couldn't see??

Anyway, so I don't go on and on, I got my test results back from Turtle Clan who was also recommended to me by a friend who used them. Turns our my mold was non-toxic, smelly and easy to clean myself for around a hundred bucks! Turtle Clan Helped me from getting ripped off!


Turtle Clan is simply the BEST MOLD TESTING COMPANY!!! By Jongustin - October 9, 2009

I had a serious mold issue in my attic; the smell from my attic was horrendous. I searched online for a mold removal company and found out mold had to be tested first before it could be cleaned. After calling around I found Turtle Clan and was really pleased by how knowledgeable they were. They gave me information I needed that kept me from hiring a remediation company that was going to charge me $35,000 before they even looked at my house! I never knew you had to test mold first!!

I scheduled an appointment with them and Matt came out and yes he is a big Gentle Giant!! Love you Matt! He used infrared cameras and other moisture meters to find there was a leak in my roof which was the cause for the mold. They also showed me the extent of the mold that had already grown in my house.

After the inspection about 3 days later I received a report with pictures and a process to remove the mold without any deconstruction. I scheduled a removal the next week with a company they recommended who was not affiliated with them since that's where all the conflicts of interest lie. I left my house for the weekend so I can get away from the mess and when I came home and went into the attic the terrible smell was gone.

I scheduled a roofer to fix the breach. It's been a year since and I still haven't had an issue with the attic again. These guys know what they are doing, and I recommend them to anyone who has any sort of mold issue.


Turtle Clan are Mold experts!‎ And Nice People!
By Jessesgirl - September 27, 2009

There was a serious mold issue in my basement; there was a terrible smell of sewage coming from around the basement sewage drain. I called five companies before I chose TC. Leslie was the reason. She spent a lot of time with me, and I can see from the other reviews, this seems to be pretty consistent. She made me a mold expert'with all the info she sunk into me so I felt I really got the bigger picture of what was going on.

I definitely didn't feel like I was going to get taken advantage of anymore! I got an appointment in a day and Matt came out, he's Dr. Snows son.

Really big bearded guy, a little intimidating at first, but such a nice fellow! Extremely professional, knowledgeable. Really nice folks over there. Got my samples back in 24 hours, but paid a little more for a rush which was ok since I was pretty concerned. I feel like I was in extremely good hands and trust them and recommend them.


Turtle Clan solved my allergy issues‎
By JoanneK - April 18, 2009

I recently began sneezing and coughing constantly. And I never got sick. I went to an allergist who said I needed to get my home tested, like a lot of the other people I see in these reviews. I called about 4 companies until I landed on Turtle Clan who were simply enchanting! So knowledgeable, so patient. I was able to get an appointment on the day I requested and opened the door to find a lovely gentleman by the name of Dr. Albert Snow on my doorstep who looked like a professor I had in college. Turns out he is a professor at McGuill University in Montreal! Anyway, he took some samples and got the results back to me in 3 days and told me there was nothing toxic in the house, but that the non-toxic species that was found can indeed result in allergic symptom I was suffering from. I had my home cleaned the way they told me to and I've been fine ever since! They are truly a wonderful company that seems to really care about their clients! I would definitely recommend them and am happy to give them my 5 star rating!


Professional Service‎By JaneD - Jan 24, 2009

I just bought a new condo in the Financial District of Manhattan. I was suspicious of some water issues so the association called a mold company to have it checked out who said it was fine. But something inside me said it wasn't right, the condo is expensive and I've heard nightmare stories about mold. So I hit the internet and decided to call Turtle Clan for a second opinion upon recommendation of the CEO of my company. They did some clean testing for him about a year ago so I felt good and in trusted hands. I am GLAD that I did because they confirmed what others could not. Dr Snow found high levels of Aspergillus/Penicillum in the air in my soon to be bedroom and kitchen! He assured me it was not the end of the world and could be cleaned easily and recommended some other clean-up companies to check out.

Like others have said before me, make sure you don't use a company that tests for mold AND cleans it up!!! I never knew this! I got a bid for the clean up and took it to the negotiating table. Thank goodness I listened to my little voice and called Turtle Clan.


Allergy Specialist‎
By Dwight1956 - Apr 4, 2008

I had allergies was really sick, my doctor said I might have a mold problem I called these guys they came down right away to do a test and had the lab results back in 2 days, went over everything with me line by line since I'm pretty dim when it comes to science and told me I only had low numbers of a non toxic kind of mold that didn't need to be professionally cleaned. That was good news. These are good guys.


I recommend Turtle Clan!! 5 Stars!!!‎
by katylady - Jan 7, 2008

I just bought a home in Greenwich, CT. When we moved in after about a week my family started complaining about respiratory problems, headaches etc.... When my children went to school the symptoms seemed to stop, when they'd come home, it would start all over again! So far that I've know my children had no allergies. Our family doctor recommended that I have our home tested.

I did a Google search and was really impressed by what I found at Turtle Clan. They spent 45 minutes on the phone with me and answered all of my thousands of questions very patiently, I believe the woman's name was Lisa it might have been Leslie, it started with an L, but who ever she was, she was great! Really calmed me down and informed me!

Dr. Snow came over the same day I called and was like a father figure, very extremely knowledgeable. I felt like I got a microbiology lesson!

When the results came back, it was found to be a non toxic mold and was very easy to clean ourselves. I had a remediation company over who told me it would be $6.500 to clean it, I cleaned it for $100! Proof that testing mold first is the only way to go! 5 stars for Turtle Clan!


I suffered from Mold Sickness‎
By KathleenHoward - Nov 24, 2007

I was breaking out with rashes and went to the hospital where the doctor told me it could be mold related, so I went online and found the Turtle clan. Dr. Snow came out and inspected my home and discovered that the air conditioning units were wet and filled with something he sampled that later turned out to be Stachybotris(?). I was freaked out but they managed to calm me down and referred me to a Dr. Santilli in B-Port who was able to help. I got the ducts cleaned by Duct Doctors who were also really good. Lot's of doctors! But I don't have any rashes any more!! YAY!


Turtle Clan is Excellent
By sarahD - Oct 25, 2007

I noticed my child was breaking out with rashes, had problems breathing and there was strange smell throughout my house. I was scared for my child and went to the hospital. The doctor told me it could be mold related, so did some research online. I stumbled upon the Turtle Clan site and saw their information about symptoms and saw that I had a lot of them in my house.

I called them for an inspection and they were able to came the next day. They discovered that there was mold issues due to a broken pipe inside my water closet I never knew about. They used some kind of moisture meters and saw water all over the house!!! I then asked them if they could remove it by the end of the week. They told me it would be a huge conflict of interest if they cleaned it after they tested it and to look to the IICRC for contractors instead.

I thought it was going to cost and arm and a leg, but the test actually helped me save money since the remediators had to use it as a guide of where to clean and didn't just come in and take me down to studs. They came back to test after it was cleaned and everything was fine! Since then my child has been fine! Thanks Turtle Clan.‎‎


Turtle Clan had great customer service and patience
By Michelle - Oct 2, 2006

I was extremely concerned with the mold problems in growing in my home. I screamed and yelled at the poor hygienist who only tried to help me. They discovered the source of mold problem and provided several remediation companies separate from them for me to choose from. I think I was a real pain, but they were really patient with me and held my hand through the entire ordeal. Leslie and Matt were the best! I can truly say That Turtle Clan does a great job and give them 5 stars.


Turtle Clan Environment Testing inspected my home.‎
By Lguinn - Aug 22, 2006

Shortly after I moved into my apartment I was having many health problems from a huge on going mold issue. I was ready to move out until I called Turtle Clan.

Matt came out and inspected my apt and figured out the source in less than an hour and directed me in how to get it cleaned by a different company than theirs since it would be a conflict of interest to use the same company that tested, to clean it. I did not know this!!

They were honest,excellent with being discreet and patient with all my questions. Now I am feeling so much better and the problem is gone. Since then I have not had any health problems and my home feels safe secure clean and healthy again.‎‎


Turtle Clan saved my life!
By Patricia.Nelson - Dec 29, 2009

I have lived in my house for about four years now. Shortly after I moved in, I noticed what appeared to be mold growth in my basement that expanded to the walls of my kitchen on the main floor of my house. I didn't think much about it, cleaned it and went on with my life. Except that I started not feeling well. Everyone thought I was losing my mind, but I knew my headaches and coughing were the real deal.

A friend actually recommended Turtle Clan saying how wonderful they were. I am writing this to tell you that they are THE BEST!! I feel like they saved my life!!! They found high counts of Aspergillus Penicillium all through my house that my home inspector seemed to 'miss'...I went to an allergist who found the same mold in my blood. I was scared to death!!! But after getting it all cleaned up and following Dr's orders, I am fine and healthy again, and I owe it all to Turtle Clan!‎‎


Mold Testers with no conflicts of interest
By James.Bachman - Dec 12, 2009

As a property manager, I have seen first hand the damage cause by water and all the mold that goes along with it. I have experienced many water damages in my apartment over the last couple of years and was struggling with the owners to do repairs. Finally I got the go ahead and called Turtle Clan who I had heard about through other property managers. I was told that Turtle Clan comes in and are 3rd party testers which is apparently important in that they have no vested interest in your mold. They don't perform remediation, so there's no conflict of interest. The results are unbiased, so it helps you feel like your in competent hands. The hygienist that came out was extremely knowledgeable and professional, prompt, stuff that matters to me. I was able to get a detailed report that gave me instructions on next steps. They were there for me from the beginning . Great work ethic. Highly recommend. Thanks Turtle Clan!‎‎


Thank god for Turtle Clan Environment Testing!
By NancyRN - Dec 1, 2009

I had a serious case of mold in my home. I was so scared to see this huge patch of mold behind my dryer. I went online and called the first company I saw, which was a huge mistake! They tested And cleaned and were talking about charging me thousands before they even stepped into my house! I called around a little more and when I reached Turtle Clan, I knew I had the right company. I'm a huge stickler for customer service and they were hands down the best of the group. I was able to get an appointment when I wanted one and was impressed with how knowledgeable the hygienist was since I have a medical background. I got my samples back in a couple days and found that it was non toxic and that I could clean it myself with some Murphy's soap! If I hadn't found Turtle Clan, I can only imagine how much money I would be out by all the rip offs out there! Thank God for Turtle Clan!


My home smelled HORRIBLE and I was getting sick!!!‎
By motherof3 - Nov 11, 2009

I had a bad mold and mildew problem in my attic and basement both from leakage and from water damage due to having an old house that needed many repairs .I didn't know what to do! The mold was apparently starting to spread more and more and making my home smell terrible. I also have children that were feeIing symptoms that were related and had me worried about their well being and health.So I asked around did research and found Turtle Clan Environment Testing. After speaking to a bunch of mold testing companies that only seemed to care about money, Leslie from Turtle Clan treated me like in the old days when companies really cared about you. Dr. snow came to my home to test the air for mold and actually taught me what was going on and showed me what to do and fix so it wouldn't come back. Fortunately for me I made the right choice by calling them because I no longer have any problems in my home. I would recommend this company to anyone with a mold problem.


My home was infested with mold...‎By Jongustin - Nov 1, 2009

Turtle Clan mold specialist was so patient and serviced me with professionalism and quality work. They answered all my questions and resolved the problem very quickly. I was almost thinking about moving out of my home the issue was so bad .But now I no longer have a problem thanks.‎

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Proof Covering up Mold is Harmful

Former Employee:"In the summertime, the improper ventilation system allows the walls inside to become so saturated that after a few short weeks, thick black mold begins to grow in the vent ducts and over doorways. Many days we’d all go home with pounding headaches from using bleach all day to cover up this toxic situation. But we always felt it was better to do than allow the mold to get worse…of course you can only clean so much but there’s the stuff you don’t see further into the ducts that would surely cause respiratory issues in both humans and animals."

OSHA Inspection Obstructed By Connecticut Humane Society President, Workers Claim
By George Gombossy | Jan 10, 2010
Copyright © 2010, CtWatchdog.com

Sept. 11, 2009 is a date remembered by many workers at the Connecticut Humane Society (CHS).

It was also the date the two inspectors from the the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration came to the Newington headquarters to check out the facilities after a worker suffered breathing problems from inhaling harsh chemicals. One worker said staff was required to use full strength bleach to scrub floors without proper safety equipment and without additional ventilation.

Former Employee:
"I would just like to mention not only were the employees affected by these harsh chemicals, but the animals are often left in these areas when the cleaning is going on, sitting in enclosed cages for hours breathing these toxic fumes. Many of the cats would have cronic respritory problems while at the shelter but more often than not once they got adopted and were in a new enviorment they would recover."

A manager and an assistant, the workers said, intercepted the inspectors and delayed and sidetracked them while Johnston and others rushed around covering up potential OSHA violations.

Labels were put on unlabeled bottles, gloves and and goggles suddenly appeared in storage areas, the workers told me as well as officials of the machinists union. The union is organizing the staff at the multi-million-dollar-a-year agency.

The state Attorney General’s office – which began an investigation after I forwarded signed complaints from fired workers – is also being apprised of the OSHA cover-up.

Johnston and another manager – according to one worker – hid bottles of unmarked bleach under their clothing and moved them to a closet in a garage. Johnston even barged into the women’s locker room, without checking to see if anyone was inside, a worker told me, so he could search if anything OSHA might be interested in was in the room.

The Humane Society had no response to the allegations of obstructing the OSHA investigation. It has blamed allegations of wrongdoing provided to me as simply the fallout from the union organizing effort. It threatened libel actions.


--------------------------------------

If your office shows signs of mold contamination, contact Turtle Clan Environment Testing. Turtle Clan follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for testing indoor environments with mold contamination.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Mold Inspection Testimonial

January 11, 2010

Turtle Clan Environmental
611-B Cherokee Lane
Stratford, CT 06614

Dear Folks,

It is with pleasure that I am writing this letter recommending Turtle Clan. I have been a full-time Realtor for the past 10 years and have had very little experience with mold. So, when a recent inspector raised the mold question I did not have a clue where to turn. My client found a remediator on line and we had them come out. They were quick to say we had a mold problem and quote us a price for remediation before we even had test results back. This didn’t sound right to me so I spent some time researching companies and found Turtle Clan. Leslie’s knowledge and information was a wonderful resource and she was advised that all mold can be remediated and that this was not a major problem.

Matt came out and made an assessment of the home, took some swabs and in the process gave my client and I a quick course in mold and quickly put us at ease that we were in honest and capable hands.

We were able to get test results back from the lab (in fact, they arrived back quicker than the results of the first folks!); they were helpful in interpreting the lab results, including the tests from the previous folks. And best of all, since they are not remediators, they were not quick to quote us on a remediation before knowing what we were dealing with (like the first people did!).

I feel these folks are honest and knowledgeable. I cannot imagine what more I could ask for?

Sincerely,
S. J. G.
President’s Circle – Top 3% Nationally

If your home, condo or apartment shows signs of mold contamination, contact Turtle Clan Environment Testing. Turtle Clan follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for testing indoor environments with mold contamination.

Mold Remediation Costs force California Tax Collection Agency from Building

Irony in play???

California is the first state to enact toxic mold legislation. California’s Toxic Mold Protection Act of 2001 (TMPA), codified at Cal. Health & Safety Code § 26100- 26156 and Cal. Civ.Code § 1102.6 (real property disclosure provision), went into effect Jan. 1, 2002.

The law requires any person who sells or transfers real property to likewise disclose the presence of mold to prospective purchasers. Landlords and sellers are not required to conduct testing to ascertain whether the PELs have been met. However, there is an exemption on the disclosure requirement once remediation pursuant to the guidelines promulgated by the California Department of Health Services under Section 26130 is achieved.

Recent News:

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—California officials want to move state workers out of a moldy building in Sacramento.

Ramon Hirsig, executive director of the Board of Equalization, has persuaded lawmakers to draft a bill that would authorize his tax-collecting agency to find a new home.

Right now the agency is housed in a 24-story building in the capital's downtown. It has been plagued by leaks, falling windows and mold.

The state was supposed to have spent $15 million on mold remediation and repairs but that tab as grown to $68 million. ($68 million??!!!)

The bill is being carried by Democratic Assemblyman Dave Jones and Republican Sen. George Runner. It would authorize the agency to move out and sell or lease the building.

Information from: The Sacramento Bee, http://www.sacbee.com


If your building shows signs of mold contamination, contact Turtle Clan Environment Testing. Turtle Clan follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for testing indoor environments with mold contamination.

Their Level I Environment Site Investigation provides standardized procedures to be used in the evaluation and characterization of suspected mold colonization.

These activities include:

-Non-invasive preliminary site investigation
-Temperature and humidity analysis
-Identify visible and accessible conditions
-Recommendations for further evaluation/action

Level II Environment Site Analysis involves Level I investigation plus a visual, non-invasive inspection of the residential structure with sample collection and data interpretation to rule out sources of moisture and/or mold contamination.

These activities include:

-Sampling suspected areas of mold colonization
-Interpretation of the laboratory analysis
-Present reports supported by analytical data
-Mold assessment for real estate transactions and insurance investigations

This tells you how much mold have and what kind it is. We take samples either by swabs, tape, or bulk to identify surface mold and air samples. How much is in the air? Are you breathing it? Since mold is naturally occurring everywhere in nature, all homes and businesses have some mold. An outside air sample is used as a base for comparison.


For comprehensive, cost-effective answers contact us today at 914-361-9703 or turtleclanmold@aol.com.


Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Museums and Mold

Houses aren't the only buildings that are in danger of Mold Contamination.


A Scientific Mystery Stalks Stockholm's Ailing Modern Museum
New York Times - Dec 10, 2001
A mysterious mold has attacked Stockholm's new Moderna Museet, which was designed by architect Rafael Moneo and inaugurated only three years ago. The building was recently closed after a number of museum staff members came down with illnesses linked to the mold. The cause of the problem is unknown. The New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York dealt with a similar situation in 1994.

Lodi science museum struggles with launch
Sacramento Bee - Jan 13, 2009
The museum will expand to 12000 square feet once a mold problem in another building is corrected...

Mold closes part of library's collection
The Gazette - NewsBank - Sep 4, 1990
"People don't think of mold as being that serious a problem...

Mold Attacking Ancient Terra Cotta Army
Chicago Tribune - ProQuest Archiver - Sep 19, 2000
The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum signed an agreement last week with Belgium-based Janssen Pharmaceutical NV to combat the mold...

Mold problem could damage books Library volumes stored in basement
Republican-American - NewsBank - Sep 28, 2005
Extended exposure to even low concentrations of certain mold spores on library collections can cause respiratory problems, infections and skin and eye...

Hundreds of Art Works Damaged By Mildew in Museum Warehouse
New York Times - Jul 10, 1988
Museum conservators said that the seriousness of the mold could be determined ... ''This board is living with problems that built up for years that we never addressed.'

If your museum building shows signs of mold contamination, contact Turtle Clan Environment Testing. Turtle Clan follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for testing indoor environments with mold contamination.

Their Level I Environment Site Investigation provides standardized procedures to be used in the evaluation and characterization of suspected mold colonization.

These activities include:

-Non-invasive preliminary site investigation
-Temperature and humidity analysis
-Identify visible and accessible conditions
-Recommendations for further evaluation/action

Level II Environment Site Analysis involves Level I investigation plus a visual, non-invasive inspection of the residential structure with sample collection and data interpretation to rule out sources of moisture and/or mold contamination.

These activities include:

-Sampling suspected areas of mold colonization
-Interpretation of the laboratory analysis
-Present reports supported by analytical data
-Mold assessment for real estate transactions and insurance investigations

This tells you how much mold have and what kind it is. We take samples either by swabs, tape, or bulk to identify surface mold and air samples. How much is in the air? Are you breathing it? Since mold is naturally occurring everywhere in nature, all homes and businesses have some mold. An outside air sample is used as a base for comparison.


For comprehensive, cost-effective answers contact us today at 914-361-9703 or turtleclanmold@aol.com.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

For Renters- Mold Testing is Essential

As the story below shows, it is important to get a professional Mold Assessment, especially if you are a renter. This renter did not and paid a heavy price- eviction and two children sick from toxic mold exposure.

If she had spent a little money and got a professional Mold Assessment on her apartment she most certainly would have had a much stronger case against the apartment owner.

Dispute emerges over mold concerns

By Cheryl Mercedes

GONZALES, LA (WAFB) - People living in The Palms apartment complex recently found mold growing in and outside their living quarters, but according to the owner, tenants might be partially to blame for the problem.

Mold has taken over the walls, ceiling and even some of the furniture in Nordeya Lawson's apartment. She said she first found it when she started moving her furniture this week. She is moving out of the complex. According to Lawson, she reported the moldy mess to Tonya Hurt, the property manager of the complex.

Lawson admitted apartment workers responded to a work order, but with what she called a quick sweep of the place and some of the mold still remains. According to Hurt, she just recently learned of the problem and has seen photos of the mold. She also agrees there is a mess and the complex wants to fix it.

John Sanford, the property owner, claimed Lawson is moving because she was evicted. He said her apartment was cleaned and inspected before she moved in and the same will happen once she moves out. Sanford noted residents should take some responsibility by doing things like wiping windows after they shower to prevent mold growth.

Two of Lawson's three children were sick recently. She said they suffered symptoms of blurred vision, dizziness, memory loss and bad headaches. She ended up taking at least one of the children to the hospital. She believes the crud that covered her apartment made her daughters sick.

"I called the doctor and asked and they told me it was probably the cause of them being sick because mold is very toxic," she said.

Copyright 2009 WAFB. All rights reserved.

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