Building Forensics Full List of Surveys and Services Survey # Survey Price (Excluding VAT) Survey 1 Survey by Jeff Charlton principleand certified Indoor Environmental Hygienist £1,450 Survey by supervised and or trained technician collecting essential data, whichis interpreted, and report written by Jeff Charlton £995 Survey 2 Air Sampling for Mould Genus (includes 4 samples) Extra Cassette Tape Lift to identify surfacecontamination not usually required £365 £80 £80 Survey 3 ERMI Type Settled Dust for PCR- DNA of MouldSpecies 3 Day Turnaround £275 or next day £355 (plus FedX transit) Note Although we provide ERMI scorewe generally ignore USA results and base our risk assessment on over 500 UKresults we have recorded over a 15 year period. Includes free Fed X 1-3 day deliveryto USA lab for analysis Note. we include HERTSMI 2 analyses included with cost £275 Great value Survey 4 Air Sampling for Mould Species (ERMI Type forAir) Identifies what you might be breathing in specific areas. Unlike ERMIand settled dust assessment this technique shows what you’re actuallyinhaling. £335 Survey 5 Mycotoxin and Mould swab by state of art laboratory. Analysisof the 10 most toxigenic mould speciesand the 11 of most likely mycotoxins often identified in urine tests. £420 Great value Survey 6 Budget mould analysis of 10 most concerningtoxigenic species Especially useful when target areas identified insurvey 1 Free HERTSMI 2 analysis. (Risk ofre entering building for CIRS patients) £238 Great value Survey 7 Surface Swab for limited but useful assessmentsof Toxic Moulds and Bacteria DNA analysis of dust including bacteria £286 Survey 8 Endotoxin, a bacterium that can be atrigger for CIRS and immune response, usually associated with grey and blackwater events. £310 Survey 9 Actinomycetes, a gram-positive bacteria considered possibly responsible for 40% ofmould illness £295 Survey 10 Triple swab ERMI-Actinos-Endotoxins. These arethe most significant risk factors in CIRS. £495 Great value Survey 11 Human Bacteroides, usually post black water event £310 Survey 12 Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) On site(LIVE) room by room (4 max) £255 Survey 13 Specific Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs)(including active mould) Usually One suspect area only. £355 Survey 14 Surface Contamination Adenosine Tri Phosphate(ATP) (Comparison testing of cleaning) £185 Survey 15 Zoom Call - Insurance Claim Review £200 Survey 16 Zoom Call - Third Party Clearance Verification £200 Survey 17 Desk Top review of contractor’s actions and benefits £100 Survey 18 Drone Survey Subject to legal constraints andneighbours’ permission etc. Only available if taken with survey 1 £425 Survey 19 A.I. Robot data collection of all parameters ofmould and biological causation and presence. On site analysis and noadditional lab fees or waiting time. Possibly the most economic and fastmould assessment available today. Available Dec 2023 TBA Survey 20 NAHA air sampling and analysis to identify risk levels of both mould andallergens. Useful post decontamination as risk assessment only. TBA
Travel Supplement Details
Inside M25. £45 to cover parking, congestion charges, time delays.
Outer London – Distance from BR3 to property charged @ £1.70 per mile one way to cover travel and technician’s time.
NOTE:
VAT needs to be added to all costs Prices quoted above for Survey 1 are based on a standard 3/4-bedroom house. Larger houses or those with basements/attics etc may be charged extra £100 per area. You must have read and agreed to our terms and conditions as seen on web site. Times are estimated and may vary due to unforeseen circumstances and couriers . PRE VISIT
Windows and Ventilation systems should be shut down 12 hours prior to survey.
Details of Surveys & Services As you have contacted us, you probably already suspect your health issues or medical conditions are building related. Our services have been developed to assess risk and hazards from water damage, possible mould, and biological amplification and various contaminates likely to have health implications. These are increasingly due to water damage, poor construction detail to even post remediation of flood damage and building contractors’ inappropriate actions, or simple dew point condensation. We specialise in supporting those suffering health issues typically CIRS, EAI and their medical team and for those not diagnosed or sure, you can read about typical symptoms on our web site.
You will see in the sample report we review various issues in the property and provide conclusions and recommendations. You might reasonably see our offer of risk reduction and decontamination as a conflict of interest and of course we accept that. It is purely an offer and if you can find any company in the UK that can offer better services, you should consider them.
The risk reduction measures we provide may prove invaluable for your medical team regarding treatment options. Medical treatment is unlikely to be effective if there are uncontrolled inflammatory triggers present in the home and our objective is to identify these and provide you with advice on economic solutions and practical recommendations for you to follow.
There are over 30 possible causes or triggers of building related illness but poorly remediated water damage, either current or from years ago is usually the most significant factor. Unfortunately, many of the protocols and methods used by restoration and decontamination contractors, actually amplify health risks and result in greater health risks from inflammagens, said by WHO to possibly increase health hazards by a factor of 40.
While we can test for all likely contaminates and triggers, this can be needlessly expensive, so we focus on cause and effect with mould often as the most economical marker of identifying factors and likelihood.
We specialise in identifying possible causes of building related illness and routes to remediation and resultant health improvement, with the aid of professional medical support.
Whether your being treated by a functional medicine practitioner or medical professional, they may guide you on what testing they require to assist in diagnosis or health exposure risks, but we default to the minimum surveys required which is survey 1 and 2 with possibly 3. On other doc says survey 1 minimum and 2 is recommended.
Our web site shows benefits and shortfalls of all investigation methods together with typical symptoms and health impact, so if you’re not sure, you should investigate further or just ask us. You can always check our advice for free with an email.
Examples of survey components In the following excerpts from recent reports, we show how important the overall and encompassing components of a report are so important in identifying the risks and hazards, which may be present in your home, and likely to be synergistically responsible for your symptoms.
Survey 1 – Building Survey This is the starting point of all recognised assessments. In this, we establish the basic criteria of historic or current water or moisture damage. The survey will identify most likely cause and effect or risk and point towards construction or design or defect, lifestyle or building environmental conditions. Causes may include original construction to home improvements, water damage or leaks, both current and more importantly historic. The objective is to assess potential cause and exposure routes and reservoirs of mould and bacteria.
This survey has been developed from more than 30 years’ experience of building related illness and complies to internationally recognised “Best Practice” Please note this is a focused environmental health survey and is also used to identify high risk areas for further sampling.
It is generally accepted that any form of medical treatment is unlikely to see significant health improvements where continuing exposure to toxins or inflammagens are present in the home. This survey is therefore designed to be a first step in identifying risk and presence of health risks.
The survey includes:
Discussion on health issues and reason for survey Walk through &visual inspection to assess possible building/design defect Lifestyle and possible building related health issues Ventilation and IAQ generally, air exchanges and/or air pathways Thermal imaging to assess dew point and condensation, thermal bridging and insulation to building envelope. Dust and particulate levels to assess dilution and possible source including particle size assessments Water damage both historic and current (assessments) Weight of water in the differing areas of the property to identify risk areas Moisture mapping to assess high risk issues Dew Point measurement and considerations Building and construction defect Biological risks and hazard assessments Calculate moisture levels in the air in weight g/Kg, to identify hidden moisture sources. Import of lab analysis and interpretation in relation to survey Conclusions and recommendations in an easy-to-read report. This will explain risks and hazards and provide steps to reduce or rectify the damage and potential contamination issues identified. The following information is typically identified in survey 1 and is used to assess areas of concern, risk, or presumed hazard where further investigation is warranted, including air or surface testing with analyse
Infra-red scan.
Typical findings of thermal bridging and high risk of unseen mould growth above bed and areas of concern regarding hidden mould. Later confirmed.
Particle Counts
We use these to assess airborne contamination levels around the property and may be associated with hyphal fragments
Typical findings of elevated particulate counts (size) pointing to high-risk area. Here we have particles in the high-risk range of 57,942 in the kitchen against 12,582 outside. Indicating high risk areas.
Specific humidity
We measure differing components of the air to calculate specific humidity which is measured in grams.
This may identify areas of uncontrolled evaporation and increased likelihood of mould and bio amplification.
We gather important information regarding moisture levels, Dew Point and basic trigger conditions for mould growth. Different property areas are compared against each other and ambient conditions and add to the overall sampling hypothesis.
Survey 2 – Air Sampling for Mould Genus This survey is a risk assessment to identify the level of respirable airborne spores you are exposed to. In this survey we identify target sampling areas from survey 1 and pull measured quantities of air through a collection cassette for laboratory analysis by a certified mycologist.
Typically, we will compare outside air against the sampled areas and look for differing quantities, types, and percentage of spores, and other contaminates.
The result is an indicator of your potential exposure often in areas where visible risks are not present. This protocol identifies genus but not species and is therefore a risk assessment only. With many mould reservoirs hidden behind wallpaper and in cavities this is the most effective and economic method to identify contamination presence.
The cost includes 4 samples with analysis, Fed X to USA and includes lab fees and reporting. Extra samples are available for larger properties at £80 each.
The following table shows typical benefits of this type of sampling. Our client fell ill within days of moving into a newly decorated flat which had no visible mould. These samples showed 49,080 spores per cubic meter of Aspergillus /Penicillium in the bedroom but only 93 spores in outside air and significantly 25,200 toxigenic Chaetomium which was below detection limits in outside air. This confirmed extremely high hazard and health risk from historic now camouflaged water damage in the bedroom.
Please note: If you are experiencing health issues, we recommend as a minimum, you add Air Sampling for Mould Genus (survey 2) to the above to identify any airborne mould spores.
Survey 3 – ERMI Type Settled Dust for DNA of Moulds In this procedure we collect samples from settled dust for QPCR-DNA analysis. The identification of species is possibly the most important risk and hazard tool in identifying building related illness. With only 5mg of dust being analysed it is important to take the sample from the high-risk areas identified in survey 1 otherwise the sample could be diluted with common house dust, influenced by air pathways thereby producing a false negative or low result.
The lab analysis identifies species of mould associated with building related illness from both current and historic water damage and possibly sources of mycotoxins and/ or inflammatory response. We interpret the lab analysis and provide information and advice on the results, including HERTSMI 2, which is a risk/hazard evaluation for CIRS patients undertaking treatment. A high HERTSMI 2 score means medical treatment may not be as effective as possible.
The lab analysis will also provide an ERMI score although following international guidance including its inventor (EPA) we don’t advise using the score for health risk assessment purposes. Building Forensics does however, have records of over 500 reports specifically from UK taken over the last 10 years and can identify averages and more importantly specific toxigenic risk factors.
This is different from survey 2 as this identifies species that can produce toxins and is therefore a hazard assessment and the dust is a marker of historic exposure which may become aerosolised.
In the following table of lab analysis, we see differing toxigenic moulds at ranges from 10 to1000 times higher than normally present Aspergillus fumigatus presence is a major concern as this can cause incurable lung disease in susceptible people The left-hand column of the following table and those identified with red tick are considered toxigenic The HERTSMI 2 score of 28 is well above the usual upper limit of 15 which assesses the property is unsafe to enter for people whose health is known to be affected by mould
The following HERTSMI 2 table shows that treatment may not be successful and even that it may be inadvisable to re enter the building. We provide all HERTSMI calculations free of charge
Survey 4 – Air Sampling for Mould Species (ERMI type for air) The highest exposure health risk of mould and associated inflammatory response is from inhalation of toxigenic spores, fragments and basically toxigenic or inflammatory dust.
In this survey we identify from survey 1, the most likely contaminated area to take a sample. Air is pulled into a sealed cassette and collected dust is analysed using DNA-PCR for the same 26 potentially toxigenic species as survey 3. The inhalation risk is a very serious concern as these micro fragments bypass all human defences and move directly into blood stream via lungs and alveoli in the lower respiratory system, which according to WHO increases the inflammatory response severity by 40 times.
The significance of survey 3 from settled dust is an obvious concern, but now consider the risk and hazard if the toxigenic species identified in settled dust was airborne.
There is an element of caution here as airborne sampling is very unlikely to identify the same quantity or range of the species identified from 5mg of dust in an air. However, analysis can provide very useful risk and hazard information in relevant circumstances subject to budget and seriousness of health issues.
Additional sampling and surveys available but not essential The following additional sampling surveys are available, but we only advise them on the recommendation of your medical practitioner and the forgoing are usually enough to provide a route to reducing building exposure and health risks.
Survey 5 – Real Time Mycotoxins with 10 Toxic Moulds This test has been developed for us by leading labs in USA.
Doctors and Nutritionists often analyse urine or blood for mycotoxins.
Sometimes it may be beneficial to assess if exposure is in the home and this test typically looks at identifying the main mycotoxins as identified in “Real Time” and “Great Plains” laboratory results. The ten species of mould included in the test are also analysed for presence and these are often recognised as the source of these mycotoxins.
Survey 6 Ten Toxigenic moulds This is an economical method of simply identifying the presence of the ten most significant toxigenic species of mould in settled dust
Survey 7 – Surface Swab for Toxic Moulds and Bacteria This is a very simple swab test and can be undertaken as DIY or when were on site. The swab of settled dust is analysed for 20 of the most likely, toxic moulds present from water damage. It also assesses bacteria and pollen.
This is a very broad but basic protocol but extremely useful where there are budget constraints.
Survey 8 – Endotoxin Endotoxins are gram negative bacteria usually associated with black water or sewage type water damage.
This gram- negative toxin is often present and can be synergistic with mould and grampositive bacteria, amplifying inflammatory response. There is a base line which should not be exceeded and therefore we can provide the basic assessment and make recommendations regarding risk and hazard. Especially useful following black water flood events.
Survey 9 – Actinomycetes Actinos are always present to some extent but this analysis provides a detailed analysis of differing types of gram positive bacteria. Research suggests these bacteria multiply the effects of mould and may indeed be responsible for 40% of symptoms
Survey 10 Triple swab This triple analysis of a single swab analyses for Actionos, ERMI and Endotoxins. This really is great value as it offers major discount against the separate standalone tests all of which may be important to assess.
Survey 11 – Human Bacteroides These are usually assessed following a grey or black water escape or flood. Usually associated with sewage
Survey 12 – Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC’s) This test is to identify elevated Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which are chemical gases often associated with water damage, poor ventilation, building materials or off gassing from furniture and building material. VOCs are invisible, sometimes odourless gases which can affect occupant’s health even at low levels of parts per million and even parts per billion.
They may originate from cleaning chemicals, fire retardants in furniture building materials, traffic pollution and water damage can often be responsible, but lifestyle can also see elevated levels. Mould can also release VOCs and again elevated levels may point to sources of biological amplification.
Typical effects of VOC exposure are irritation to eyes, throat, nose headaches, nausea, and nervous system effects. Those suffering from respiratory illness such as asthma or bronchitis and/or allergies, the elderly, young and pregnant are likely to be more susceptible. TVOCs are measured on site with a Graywolf PID sensor. This test includes the measurements of Sulphur Dioxide, Ammonia, Nitrogen Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulphide, Carbon Dioxide, Formaldehyde, Carbon Monoxide and Ozone. Total VOCs, apart from those mentioned above, are not individually identified and the total may reflect any of over 200 gases. Temperature and relative humidity The results are available on site and can assist in the location of further testing for specific chemicals and source Survey 13 – Specific Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC’s) The objective of this survey is to identify different specific chemicals and their quantities measured in either ppm or parts per billion. In this survey we set up a small air pump and pull air through a collection tube for two hours. The tube is filled with different adsorbents which are analysed in a lab through infra-red gas chromatography. The results will show the presence and levels of normally expected VOCs such as those from cleaning materials, cosmetics, and general household presence. However, its main objective is to identify those chemicals which should not be present in elevated levels. Depending on the chemicals detected we can identify health hazards and risks some of which may be life threatening.
Survey 14 – Surface Contamination Adenosine Tri Phosphate (ATP) ATP swab testing can be used as an 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 more importantly can provide comparison before and after cleaning.
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 18 - Drone Survey The survey by licensed CAA licensed drone technician, provides both normal and thermal imaging photos and video The objective is to identify heat loss, insulation issues and roof defect/damage which is usually impossible without scaffolding access. This survey is very helpful with finding roof insulation and defect issues.
*Subject to neighbours’ permission if within 50 meters and legal requirements/site survey.
Survey 19 AI robot risk assessment This state of art robot is placed in each area and using a simple probe to record environmental data and send to the cloud for analysis. The equipment is possibly the greatest breakthrough in building risk, condition and mould assessment. The following data is recorded, and risk assessed in each area. The result is an overall risk assessment of high and low levels of contamination, high environmental risk areas and compared to recorded data files and comparison areas of same property.
Temp and humidity Particle counts VOCs Mould presence and levels Bacteria and virus levels Available from December 2023