Our Service Philosophy
The nature and purpose of an IAQ or Mold
assessment is usually site specific, as no standard, "off the
shelf" inspection procedure for investigating these problems
exists. While our services are tailored to the client's needs,
Indoor Air Quality Services strives to adhere to the protocols
and concepts of the National Center for Healthy Housing, a leading
nonprofit organization solely dedicated to establishing healthy,
green, and safe homes for families across all income levels.
Our Mission Statement: "To Provide Our Clients With Safer,
Healthier, More Comfortable Indoor Environments"
Guiding Principles for a Healthy Home and
Building
Dry: Damp houses and buildings provide a
nurturing environment for mites, roaches, rodents, and molds, all
of which are associated with asthma and other respiratory
symptoms.
Clean: Clean homes and buildings help reduce
pest infestations and exposure to contaminants.
Pest-Free: Recent studies show a causal
relationship between exposure to mice and cockroaches and asthma
episodes in children; yet inappropriate treatment for pest
infestations can exacerbate health problems, since pesticide
residues in homes pose risks for neurological damage and
cancer.
Safe: The majority of injuries among children
occur in the home. Falls are the most frequent cause of residential
injuries to children, followed by injuries from objects in the
home, burns, and poisonings.
Contaminant-Free: Chemical exposures include lead,
radon, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and environmental
tobacco smoke. Exposures to asbestos particles, radon gas, carbon
monoxide, and second-hand tobacco smoke are far higher indoors than
outside.
Ventilated: Studies show that increasing the fresh
air supply in a home improves respiratory health.
Maintained: Poorly-maintained homes and
buildings are at risk for moisture and pest problems.
Deteriorated lead-based paint in older housing is the primary cause
of lead poisoning, which affects some 240,000 U.S. children.
High Risk Groups and Facilities
Indoor Air Quality Services provides
specialized risk assessments for high risk populations, such as
those with compromised immune systems, chemotherapy patients, HIV,
severe asthma, post-surgical home recovery,
etc. Our assessments are also
uniquely valuable to healthcare, ambulatory care, and surgical
facilities. Childcare centers are also an area of
increasing concern, as our young children are often our most
sensitie and susceptible.
Our risk assessment evaluates potential disease
causing environments and conditions within the person's home,
healthcare, or childcare center, and provides a
risk-management plan to reduce the risk of infections, and other
indoor environmental health concerns.
Real Estate Owners, Property Managers, and
Buyers
Many factors combine to create the indoor air quality of a
building. Some of these factors can include water damage, mold
growth, wall and floor coverings which emit VOC's (volatile organic
compounds), the condition of the ventilation system, air
pressurization, high or low humidity levels, age of the building,
its maintenance and cleanliness, etc.
As a
property owner, manager or buyer, you need to be aware of the
potential affects on both the health of the occupants and the
structural damage that can be caused by poor indoor air quality and
water damage.
To
facilitate our clients' objectives we have created a Real Estate
Owners, Managers, and Buyers IAQAssessment Program. Our trained staff,
experienced in many facets of indoor environmental quality, perform
the assessments. Based upon our findings, the property owner,
manager or buyer will be provided with a written evaluation to
assist them in their decisions related to the Indoor Air Quality of
the home or building.
The
basic real estate assessment program generally consists of the
following:
1) A visual assessment of all accessible areas of the
property.
2) A visual assessment of the HVAC
system's hygiene.
3) Moisture evaluations of suspect areas and building
materials.
4) Measurements of Relative Humidity, Temperature, Carbon Dioxide,
and Carbon Monoxide.
5) A written report of our findings and recommendations, including
pictorial documentation.
The
basic assessment is performed to determine the probability of
existing or potential indoor air quality problems associated within
the home or building. If the findings support the possibility of
anIAQ problem, then the owner, manager or
buyer may elect further investigation that may include the
collection of air or surface samples for laboratory analysis to
ascertain potential microbial concerns, such as mold or bacteria,
VOC (volatile organic compound) analysis,
airborne particulate levels, and infrared building evaluations.
Mold and Water Damage
Mold and Water Damage have been at the forefront of our clients'
interests. While the exact cause and effect link between mold
exposure and physical symptoms has not yet been established,
according to the National Institute of Health there is a strong
association between exposure to mold and other biological organisms
and physical health. Our goal is to provide our clients with a
real-world solutions to their concerns. Our procedures
include:
1) Obtaining a history of the client's home or building, including
physical symptoms of the occupants.
2) Developing an assessment plan.
3) Conducting the assessment.
4) Evaluation of the data collected.
5) Written recommendations and solutions.
If
remediation is required, Indoor Air Quality Services can recommend
qualified contractors, assist with contractor selection, and
provide project oversight to make certain that the remediation
meets the project's technical specifications. When remediation is
properly conducted and verified, there can be peace of mind that
the mold problems are gone. In certain situations, we can provide
remediation to you, directly.
Infrared Inspections
We are certified, Level I Thermographers with advanced training in
building science evaluations.
Infrared building science is the application of infrared (IR)
thermographic inspection techniques. In the hands of a trained
technician, IR technology is a powerful and noninvasive means of
evaluating and diagnosing the condition of homes and buildings. IR
assessment techniques can provide documentation of pre- and
post-restoration conditions, water damage, roof defects, plumbing
and building envelope leaks, post-flood and fire damaged material
assessment, insulation efficiency, etc.
Consulting
Indoor Air Quality Services can provide a wide range of consulting
services for lawyers, insurance adjusters, claims representatives,
and the home or building owner. Our services may include estimates
of loss due to water damage, storms, or other catastrophes, review
of previous IAQreports, etc. Indoor Air
Quality Services has provided consulting services to many
remediation contractors, providing project review and guidance.
Education and Training
Indoor Air Quality Services provides private training and
education. Many of our clients include realtors, contractors,
insurance adjusters, private and public organizations. Our
presentations are often tailored to the client's specific
educational or training needs.
Our
president, Eric Shapiro, instructs the ACAC's study review courses
for the following certifications: CMRS,
CMC/CMI, CIAQP.
These courses are conducted at the National Asbestos and
Environmental Training Institute (NAETI)
in Ocean, NJ. Please contact NAETI for
the most current course offerings.