Choosing Right Surveyor Unpleasant facts about Mould survey & decontamination companies
Recently, I had the opportunity to work with a family of nine children, all but one of whom ; were severely ill due to living in a toxic environment. The conditions in their home were alarming, with a variety of debilitating illnesses affecting the entire family. A national contractor was hired to assess and decontaminate their home, but instead of resolving the issue, the contractor's protocol actually increased the hazards and risks.
Shockingly, the contractor even provided a verified decontamination certificate, claiming the job was complete. However, when I conducted a thorough survey, it became evident that the property was still a "toxic soup," far from safe for habitation. The family had no choice but to move out immediately.
The photos below show the remarkable improvement in the children's health just four weeks after leaving the contaminated home. This situation highlights a critical lesson: when engaging a contractor for decontamination or any specialized work, prioritize their qualifications and experience over cost. A lower price may seem attractive, but the long-term consequences of inadequate work can be devastating. While incompetence is commonplace today the health of the children in this case drove me to requesting City & Guilds, the accreditation body for Dewpoint professional training revoke and remove their accreditation of course content which they now state is introductory for beginners. See letter from City and Guilds .
This is the little lady on my first visit. Just 4 weeks after living in a non toxic home.
This is the little lady on my first visit Just 4 weeks after living in a non toxic home
10 of the 11 family members were receiving healthcare for serious issues living in the contaminated home. The home was verified as safe by a national contractor advertising their two days training as a Dewpoint professional accredited by City & Guilds.(since revoked )
The failure in mould surveyors qualification.
When you chose a company to undertake a mould or environmental survey you may be guided on cost and shiny web sites or even Google reviews.
Here is some unpalatable guidance.
Mould bandits
Most mould surveyors have been attracted by financial opportunities created since mould has become headline news. You should perhaps review their company at Companies House which may reveal they are a start up https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/ . (Check a company) They have little or no experience and rely on the fact you have none.
Qualifications
This is likely the only accreditation you would have seen being held by a Mould expert in the adverts on Google for Mould experts and professional surveys. Unfortunately this 2 day course costing just £400 didn’t have City & Guilds accreditation. On notification C&G have demanded immediate removal of their accreditation and added the course cannot be described as anything other than introductory. See letter from City and Guilds demanding immediate removal of their accreditation in July 2024
The British Damage Management Association.
The only recognisable training organisation in the UK and I was the founding chairman of this organization 25 years ago. While they offer some good training and certification they do not provide training for mould. You might think mould would be a major issue in fire and flood events but with insurers pulling the strings they might harm relationships if they acknowledged mould was a health risk and hazard. I initially wrote the BDMA mission statement and examination certification question and in 2000 I was asked to write the BDMA standard on remediation. Of course I included Mould remediation, but was asked to remove it as they didn’t want to know about mould. Of course I refused and didn’t get paid for 3 months work.
Photo Jeff Charlton seen on far right as founding chairman and only sponsor of BDMA 1999 Don't be fooled by impressive looking accreditations ? All can be achieved through an agent for £1000
All very nice badges but all are purchased and agents can do all the form filling to ensure your paperwork is correct and you gain accreditation. To hold the certificate does not make anyone qualified in anything. Its just a membership.
IICRC standards
Another gimmick is contractors often quote they comply with IICRCS520 but again this is a often a false claim as IICRC S520 specifically states contractors should engage the services of a professional IEP. The IICRC AMRT is an intensive 4 day courses which ends by advising the use of an IEP to support remediation protocols and verification of clearance evidence.
Jeff Charlton far left at initial writing of IICRC S520 Mould standard in USA 2001
What is an IEP
Indoor Environmental Hygienist who has shown by training, experience and certification that they have the knowledge to undertake the required objectives. This takes years and years of training and experience. See our training and CV bio https://www.buildingforensics.co.uk/our-certificates.html (see here ) (IEP explanation )
CIRS and Mould illness
Having spent more than 30 years in investigation and remediating contaminated buildings, it wasn't until Dr Shoemaker spent the time and effort educating us all on the significant areas of inflammatory response that the importance of data was recognised. In 2019 I too was diagnosed with CIRS and suffered chronic fatigue, brain fog, couldn't walk and couldn't talk properly. Only data and avoiding exposure triggers resolved the issue. See my brain swollen from mould exposure.(download ).
Dr Ritchie Shoemaker and Jeff Charlton enjoying a beer. Buy GOOGLE Reviews
Google is unable to detect fake reviews because they are indistinguishable from genuine comments. Companies get friends to leave reviews or buy then see advert for GOOGLE reviews https://www.times-standard.com/2023/09/18/buy-google-reviews/ (see here) We have a negative GOOGLE review from a fool who’s hobby is false reviews and who wasn’t even a client
WHICH reviews
Their like dragging a bone from a dog when you ask a client for one, but we have a few over 10 years. (more info)
Guarantees
Almost all are simply not worth the paper their written on.
The list of caveats in most guarantees means if you have to keep the environmental conditions below the trigger point of mould. 70% Rh and 25c. Although the guarantee can specifically state “Environmental conditions must be kept below the point where mould grows”. Obviously once its growing the warrantee is cancelled. Considering mould grows in refrigerators and on glass conditions can vary and few if any guarantees identify this.
Mould killer Guarantee.
The worst of all statements. First of all no chemical you could buy and use in a home will kill mould. Gamma radiation can’t, immersion in bleach for an hour can’t (ref Wilson test) Even if you could kill mould only a fool would use it as a sales benefit as World Health Organisation states, “ dead mould is 40 fold more hazardous
De Nature mould service
Some companies provide a decontamination based on what they call de naturing. This is a recognised term usually applied to breaking protein bonds. The amount of denaturing will depend on dwell or contact time and a fog is unlikely to have any effect whatsoever. Remembering dead spores are more harmful than viable spores you should challenge any proposal to kill or denature a life form.
Non-Toxic natural mould decontamination
The first question should be how can it be nontoxic if it kills mould? Cyanide and arsenic are natural but not harmless.
Its amazing how even Tea tree oil is promoted and natural and good but it is a very strong chemical which if you swallowed you might suffer confusion, inability to walk rash and coma. This might alert some to the fact because its natural doesn’t mean its safe. It is used to kill toe nail fungus, one of the most difficult to cure fungal infections. Bottom line natural doesn’t mean safe or effective. Arsenic , Cyanide & fire are all natural!
There are many more warnings and this short list identifies some of the more likely you might come across. You might think from the forgoing its all hot air but I recommend you look at our accreditations and compare to the average UK professional. (see Building Forensics accreditations )
Hope it helps
Jeff Charlton
