Bacteria develop within hours of water damage and are first to establish growth over mould. The bacteria associated with water damage include gram- positive and gram- negative and their exotoxins (remnants and or fragments) are also very allergenic or toxic and can affect the immune compromised.
While mould is the usually and readily recognised contaminate in water damaged buildings, new research shows that bacteria can amplify toxic effects and may indeed be the main health hazard responsible for what is often mis-named as “mould” related illness.
Cost includes Fed X to USA and lab fees. Not to be confused with mycotoxins testing.
Survey
8 - Mycotoxin testing Variable depending on level requested
Where or if requested we can provide sampling for mycotoxins in the home. Cost is dependent on level of test and level of laboratory detail required. This should only be considered on direct request from your doctor or nutritionist.
Survey 9 – Surface
Contamination Adenosine Tri Phosphate (ATP)
ATP swab testing can be used as a indicator of surface cleanliness or biological material present, although it cannot distinguish between mould and bacteria, live or dead.
The readings are not considered as an accurate assessment of overall contamination but can be used to verify compliance to the American standard IICRC condition 2 S520 requirements and materials should have a moisture content less than 15%
A set area is swabbed and the swab is inserted into a luminometer which reads levels of the reaction luciferase which emits light in ranges according to the levels of contamination and this is reported as RLU (Relative Light Units)
ATP is an indicator which may indicate the need for further cleaning and or testing.
This provides an immediate assessment and is of particular use after contractors have stated a property is clean or decontaminated.
*Includes 4 swabs
Survey
10 – Endotoxin Lab Result
Dust is collected for endotoxin sampling. This gram- negative toxin is often present and can be synergistic with mould and gram-positive bacteria, amplifying inflammatory response.
The cost of the process will depend on the level of mycotoxins analysis required and this is usually recommended by the doctor or nutritionist.
There is a base line which should not be exceeded and therefore we can provide the basic assessment and make recommendations.
Third Party Clearance Verification Variable
You may decide to employ, or your insurers may nominate, a contractor to decontaminate your home and contents. British Standards (BS12999) which includes PAS 64, recommend third party (independent) verification of contractor decontamination results. This is verification of building surface sanitation, air cleanliness and contents decontamination and a recognised drying certificate. This standard is rarely if ever complied with and means you rely on “Trust Me” for your future health. Obvious advice is, don’t trust people but do trust scientific evidence.
We have years of auditing experience and rarely do our testing results accept contractors’ assessments or evidence and further decontamination is invariably required for “medically sound” results.
Your insurer should be requested to pay for third party verification not least when no recognised certification or evidence is provided or offered.
As a final comment I would like to advise that building related health issues can be complex, treatment elusive and often difficult and costly. I think it has now been firmly established that health improvements are only likely after remediation and decontamination is followed by specialist medical intervention. Remediation and decontamination is possible, when undertaken in a controlled and sensible manner, based on the identification of source contamination and verified evidence.
Remember, no professionally competent company can ever provide a guarantee regarding “Medically Sound Decontamination” Unfortunately the occupant trumps all scientific testing.
Our role is to assist you in identifying cause effect and risks or hazards in your building and reducing your risk.
Regards,
Jeff Charlton
Principle hygienist MCIEH, ACAC, CIEC, CR-WLS-CMH, MEPS, MISEAI, Hon Fellow BDMA
Important advice before you engage us;
Survey 1 - Building Forensics Building Survey must be undertaken prior to any other testing
Travel supplements apply outside of the M25
We operate internationally
