Category Archives: Mold & Other Biological Contaminants

Dallas Indoor Air Quality Testing 214.912.4691 – Dallas Green Building Clearance Testing 804.2, Dust & Particulate Matter, Bacterial / Mold Inspection and SARS-CoV-2 Air Testing

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DAYS / HOURS OF OPERATION  (text to with inquiries – 24 / 7 but please include physical address, square footage and email)

214.912.4691

7 Days a Week Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 8 PM                   Weekends: Noon – 6 PM

COMMERCIAL / INDUSTRIAL CLIENTS ONLY –  HOMEOWNERS & RESIDENTIAL CLIENTS CLICK HERE

City of Dallas Green Building Clearance Post Construction IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) Testing  (804.2)

Dallas Green Building Post-Construction IAQ Clearance Testing for 804.2 Certificate of Occupancy

Biomedical / Environmental Health & Safety Consulting & Field Testing With Industrial Hygiene & Microbiology expertise including Bacterial Contamination Testing

Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 / CoViD-19 Commercial / Industrial BioSafety Air & Surface Swab Testing & Consulting for Pandemic Response & Best Hygiene Practices

Based on our expertise in microbiology, disinfectant chemistry, respirators, indoor air quality testing as well as Industrial Safety, Health & Hygiene work.

Indoor Air Quality Dallas Houston Austin

P100 Respirator with 2091 Filters by 3M

214.912.4691 – Through years of performing environmental testing in the Dallas / Fort Worth – DFW Metroplex area, ScanTech has evaluated numerous risk factors that impact human health from the perspectives of both short term (acute effects) and long term (chronic health issues) impacts in the occupational health realm.

* ScanTech only performs IAQ inspections for COMMERCIAL / INDUSTRIAL CLIENTS

ScanTech can check for the following key indoor air quality level indicators (many with time-based datalogging available) and have a report for you at the time of the onsite visit:

  • Formaldehyde (HCHO)
  • VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – measurement of fresh air dilution that tracks with VOCs
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO) – a dangerous from combustion byproducts
  • Respirable Dust Particles in PM2.5 (fine) and PM10 (coarse) size regimes
  • Oxygen Levels
  • HEPA Filtration and other central air purifier efficiency (MERV Rating)
  • Pressure differentials between inside and outside (affects contamination potential)
  • Relative ventilation levels – critical to know in newer buildings that are tightly built

Specialized Optional Air Testing

  • City of Dallas Green Building Post Construction IAQ Clearance Testing 804.2  https://emfsurvey.com/dallas-green-iaq-clearance-testing-post-construction-804-2-certificate-of-occupancy/
  • Surface Swab & Air Testing for Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 which causes CoViD-19
  • Mold Testing & Inspection including air samples, tape lifts and visual inspection
  • Bacterial ATP, Microorganism, Parasite & Bio-Film issues including Legionella
  • Radon Rn-222 Levels (alpha emitter lung carcinogen found in Texas including Dallas)
  • Ozone levels testing – ozone is a oxidizing respiratory irritant
  • Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) – toxic sewer gas that has a foul odor

along with atmospheric factors such as:

  • Temperature
  • Relative Humidity
  • Absolute Humidity
  • Mixing Ratio, Vapor Pressure, Dew Point
  • Barometric Pressure (to judge whether the structure is under positive or negative pressure with respect to the outside air)
National Ambient Outdoor Air Quality Standards

National Ambient Outdoor Air Quality Standards set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

Many residents of the Dallas / Fort Worth area suffer from the following symptoms, ailments, and diseases – much of which can be traced either directly to air quality and composition or is exacerbated by poor air quality:

  • Allergies & Sinus Infections – (high particulate counts and VOCs, formaldehyde)
  • Chronic Allergic Rhinitis – (bio-aerosols)
  • Eye irritation – (formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, VOCs)
  • Congestion – (high particulate counts and VOCs, formaldehyde)
  • Inflammation – (formaldehyde, VOCs)
  • Fatigue – (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide)
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches – (carbon monoxide)
  • Dizziness – (carbon monoxide)
  • Cognitive issues including difficulty focusing
  • Nausea
  • Coughing – (high particulate counts, mold, MVOCs)
  • Asthma & other breathing difficulties – (MVOCs, high particulate counts, ozone)
  • Bronchitis – (irritation of the lung bronchi)

These issues can contribute to and/or be symptomatic of more serious ailments such as:

  • COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
  • Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
  • Carbon Monoxide / Carbon Dioxide Poisoning
  • Autoimmune Disease
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Stroke
  • Lung Cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Neurological issues due to chemical exposure and/or oxygen deprivation

In many cases, a simple series of air quality tests that detect and report important metrics such as respirable particle levels, VOCs, formaldehyde levels, radon gas, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen levels, etc. can narrow down the issue(s) responsible. Very often, mitigation is relatively inexpensive and well worth the modest investment.

While ScanTech can make suggestions on how to clean up your air, we are not an equipment vendor or installer, so there is no conflict of interest in selling you products that you don’t need. (or that may make things worse)

ScanTech Residential Service Map Dallas Fort Worth DFW

  • Nanotoxicology testing for evaluating the safety of nanomaterials which being incorporated in many modern manufactured products. We will collect and send samples to labs that are able to analyze important characteristics such as particle size, charge, solubility, geometry, aspect ratio, etc. in order to determine potential biological impact. The environmental effect of many nanoparticles are largely unknown and currently subjects of scientific research.

Cities for commercial indoor air quality (IAQ) inspection services include: Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Plano, Highland Park, University Park, Park Cities, Arlington, Grapevine, Frisco, Denton, McKinney, Allen, Lewisville, Irving, Mesquite, Bedford, Euless, Richardson, Coppell, Grand Prairie, Garland, Addison, Farmers Branch, Rockwall, Carrollton, Parker, Rowlett, Lucas, Fairview, Park Cities, Keller, Roanoke, The Colony, Highland Village, Lake Dallas, Corinth, Prosper, Duncanville, Lancaster, Rowlett, Royse City, Trophy Club, Southlake and Hurst. Counties served include Dallas, Collin, Denton, Tarrant and Rockwall County.

Biological Contaminants in Indoor Air Quality: Allergens, Bacteria, Mites, Viruses

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Bioaerosol Organic Dust from Mold Bacteria Pollen in Indoor Air Quality

Organic Dust in Indoor Air Quality

There is growing evidence that a large proportion of environmentally related or contributed illness is correlated with particulate phase (solid) and (to a lesser extent) gas phase exposures to contaminants produced by biological organisms such as mold, bacteria, dust mites, etc. And it is not just live organisms which are at issue, but even the RESIDUAL BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL of dead or non-viable fungus, molds, viruses, bacterial species and pets which can trigger symptoms and contribute or cause certain diseases.

VOCs Particulates Dust Bioaerosols Chart Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality Contaminant Composition by %  – VOCs Particulates Bioaerosols Chart

These contaminants from both live and dead biological organisms include antigens, endotoxins, glucans, mycotoxins, microbial volatile organic compounds, (MVOCs) and immunologically active particles produced by insects, arachnids, (mites / spiders) and common pets such as cats and dogs.

These contaminants are known as “bioaerosols” or “organic dust” and vary in size from less than 1 micron to over 100 microns in diameter. Note that the smaller the particle, the more likely it is to remain suspended in the air (for days or longer) and penetrate the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract to enter the bloodstream directly.

Bioaerosol Size Ranges in Indoor Air Quality

Bioaerosol Size Ranges in Indoor Air Quality Organic Particles & Contaminants

Live species of microbiological origin may cause infectious disease by airborne transmission which again stresses the importance of indoor air quality. With a heavy enough load, infection through contact and / or ingestion of heavily contaminated surfaces (not necessarily inhaled) could result. Exposures to mold spores / fragments and allergens produced by insects, pet danders may cause immunological reactions such as chronic allergic rhinitis and asthma which has a high prevalence rate in developed countries and resembles symptoms of gas phase irritants. Exposures to HIGH concentrations of small fungal spores and the spores of higher bacteria may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Exposures to fungal glycans, bacterial endotoxins (such as found in Gram negative bacteria) or MVOCs may also cause inflammatory responses in the respiratory system. Mycotoxin exposure may directly poison the human organ systems.

Bacteria: Different Size Shape Arrangement of Bacterial Cells

Bacteria: Different Size Shape Arrangement of Bacterial Cells

Different Size, Shape and Arrangement of Bacterial Cells

 

Diseases and Illnesses Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality

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A number of diseases and illnesses can be traced to environmental factors related to poor indoor air quality.

Common allergies (which are medically referred to as Chronic Allergic Rhinitis) are caused by exposures to materials that have allergenic / antigenic properties. If an individual becomes sensitized, then inhalation or mucous membrane / skin contact exposures may result in inflammatory responses in the nose, throat, sinuses, eyes and upper airways. Typical symptoms are increased mucus / phlegm production, runny eyes and nose, as well as sneezing and coughing as the body attempts to expectorate these irritants.

Allergies related to inhaled substances are generally caused by immunological sensitization to dust mite antigens, mold spores, hyphal fragments, (which are bits of fungal biological material) pet danders and plant pollen. Certain antigens produced by insects such as cockroaches, birds, rats, mice and other rodents may also trigger histamine reactions.

These symptoms arise as a part of the bodily defense against foreign materials which can provoke inflammation by immunological sensitization and cumulative exposures through up to four different mechanisms – the most prominent of which is the production of IgE antibodies in response to exposures to an antigenic substance which can cause a detectable immune reaction. Antigens that provoke an IgE response are characterized as allergens.

Antigens and allergens are relatively large molecules and typically proteins. However, there are certain highly reactive compounds such as formaldehyde, (HCHO)  toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and trimellitic anhydride (TMA) which can complex with proteins to produce hapten antigens which in turn induce allergic responses.

Allergy Reaction Chain IgE Antigens from Allergens found in Indoor Air

Allergy Reaction Chain IgE Antigens

These factors can be synergistically amplified if the indoor air also has poor ventilation and a lack of fresh air exchange.

A little known fact is that elevated carbon dioxide levels from tightly built buildings and homes INCREASES respiration rate, and therefore the intake of allergens and other bioaerosols that cause respiratory irritation and inflammation.