Mold in our environment

[Janice]

I feal totaly ripped off by the guys that came to my house to check for mold and air quality. I should have just given them the $485.00 dollars and told them... thank you for the screw. The 12 page report is a bunch of crap as it mostly a sales letter to buy their filters, cleaning products etc. The report has a 1 page technical letter with out any kind of legend for reference. They were realy bad about returning calls. They only tested for mold in three rooms. I do have some Aspergillus spores in two rooms, but was told they are acceptable levals. I nead to use a better air conditioner filter. Why would it just be in two rooms if it is comming through the air handler????? Would it not be through out the house. They did not check the attic what so ever. When I asked about the other rooms in my house I could here the faint sound of tap dancing. (for those of you who have seen Chicago, you know what I mean)
Janice

[cynical]

Janice,

They didn't check your attic? If any of your duct work lines are compromised they can cause issue to the rooms they go to if not properly sealed or insulated. Condensation can cause mold growth. Were they a mold remediation company? I'm sorry you feel ripped off that sucks!

[Janice]

Hi!
No, they are stricly enviromental no constuction or remediation. I thought that was the best way to go...with a totaly independent company. What I didn't realise is they have their own agenda in selling air filters, cleaners and such. I think it is like the wild west when it comes to all of these companies, any thing goes until there is more control put in place.
I am disgusted.

[cynical]

I'm sorry Janice,

Did they show air cleaners or any sign of that in their ad or was it a hidden agenda?

[cynical]

Can your husband go up in the attic and check for any loose connections or things that maybe are not sealed properly.

Kind of sounds like a project for HGTV "holmes on homes"

I know I sure could use his help!

[Janice]

No not at all. They have realy good looking vehicals, nice pamplets and tout that they are a science based company. This is what they stress" SCIENCE"
I sat on the front porch while the man did his thing with all his high tech equipment. I did not want to be in the way. I just assumed he opened the attic space. Well low and behold, nada,. It was preaty much worthless to me.

[fracty]

That sounds awful Janice!!!

I don't know if you want to try again, or if you had already ruled it out but you can buy kits to test it yourself, both on the Internet and in some stores. The one I had a long time ago had to be sent to a lab. I wonder if that is all those guys did.

[Janice]

I should have known better, as I live in south florida where stuff like this happens all the time. It is , "dazzle" them with the BS and run.
I have not ruled out mold at all, as they did find some aspergillus spores. I just nead to take a break before I attempt this again.

[fracty]

Ya, I don't blame you.

You know, the part about them saying it was "acceptable levels" really set off red flags for me. Often these guidelines are not necessarily accurate. The levels might be "acceptable" but not particularly healthy or safe.

I've said this before but I really enjoy reading Brenda Watson's books. She is an expert in a different, but related area. I get her books for free at the library. She talks about the toxic exposure we get from every day things in our house.

Maybe some time you can get one of her books at the library and then take a long relaxing toxin free bath soak while you see if she has any helpful info for you.

O, one thing.. her books have lots of great resources for testing and things related. If you ever want me to check the books I have now just let me know.

[Janice]

Thank you for your kind reply! I have a new age book store around the corner from me and I will check her out today. Yeah, I know what you mean when they say "acceptable levals" it puts fear in my heart. That is just code talk for, nobody knows, and at this point, no one has realy incorporated the spore count for compromised immune people in their averages. Just a wham, bamm, thank you mam!