Alternaria-Extremely widespread and common spore, common in soil, dead plants and foodstuff.  It is often found indoors growing on cellulosic materials and as settled dust on carpets, textiles,etc.  Potential opportunistic human pathogen.  Commonly recognized as type I(Hayfever) and type III hypersensitivity pneumontis.

Epicoccum- A common allergen found in plants, soil, grains, textiles, and paper products, secondeary invader of damaged plant tissue.   Common cause of type I allergies ( Hayfever, asthma) No cases of infection have been reported in humans or animals.

Basidiospores-  Spores from one of the major groups of fungi that include mushrooms like the shelf fungi, puffballs and common button mushrooms sold in grocery stores.  Most spores produced from this group of fungi have not been found to be allergenic  or toxic.

Penicillium/Aspergillus- This group is considered common to indoor environments, it is widesrpead in the soil and on plants and is also considered a common contaminant of food.  It has a musty odor.  It is commonly being implicated in pulmonary disease in immunocompromised hosts.  It has also been reported to cause skin infections many species produce mycotoxins, which may be associated with disease in humans and other animals.  Toxin production is dependent on the strain  or on the food source on which it grows.  some of these toxins have been found to be carcinogenic in animal species.  several toxins are considered potential human carcinogens.

Stachybotrys-  This is a slow growing, dark mold that grows well on cellulosic (paper-containging) building materials.  It can produce a number of different macrocyclic trichothecenes that have been described as being toxic to humans and animals.  Individuals with crhonic flu like symptoms, sore throats, headaches, faigue, dermatitis, itching and burning sensations of the eyes and nose and general malaise.  This mold is rearely found in ourtdoor samples and it is ususally not found in indoor air samples unless the colony is physically disturbed

Eurotium-  Rarely considered a human pathogen, rarely found in the air and is a slow growing fungus that requires low moisture availability.  Common in the natural environment.

Chaetomium-  Common everywhere growing on dung, dead leaves, wood.  Likes cellulose substrates, especially wallboard and wood.  Commonly associated with type I (hay fever and asthma) allergies, Uncommonly seen infecting humans but some cases have been reported mostly on immuno compromised persons.  Produces chaetoglobosins and rarely sterigomatocystin

Smuts-  Commonly  found everywhere especially on logs, grasses and weeds.  Smuts don’t normally grow indoors but can occasionally be found on things brought from outside and stored in the house.  Myzomycetes can occasionally grow indoors but need lots of water to be established.  Type I (Hay fever and asthma) allergies,  smuts and myzomycetes are a combined group of organisms because their spores look so similar and cannot be reliably distinquished from each other.

At Certainty Home Inspections, we are EPA mold specialists serving the Southern Indiana and Louisville area.

Book your inspection online today!

Types of Mold In Southern Indiana & Louisville area is a post from: Certainty Home Inspections

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What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, the ability to be woven, and resistance to heat and most chemicals. Because of these properties, asbestos fibers have been used in a wide range of manufactured goods, including roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and cement products, textiles, coatings, and friction products such as automobile clutch, brake and transmission parts. The current federal definition of asbestos is the asbestiform varieties of: chrysotile (serpentine); crocidolite (riebeckite); amosite (cummingtonite/grunerite); anthophyllite; tremolite; and actinolite.
What are the health effects of asbestos exposure?
Exposure to airborne friable asbestos may result in a potential health risk because persons breathing the air may breathe in asbestos fibers. Continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause serious lung diseases including: asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. Smoking increases the risk of developing illness from asbestos exposure.
Three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure include:
• Asbestosis – Asbestosis is a serious, progressive, long-term non-cancer disease of the lungs. It is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that irritate lung tissues and cause the tissues to scar. The scarring makes it hard for oxygen to get into the blood. Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath and a dry, crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling. There is no effective treatment for asbestosis.
• Lung Cancer – Lung cancer causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. People who work in the mining, milling, manufacturing of asbestos, and those who use asbestos and its products are more likely to develop lung cancer than the general population. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing and a change in breathing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia.
• Mesothelioma – Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining (membrane) of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart and almost all cases are linked to exposure to asbestos. This disease may not show up until many years after asbestos exposure. This is why great efforts are being made to prevent school children from being exposed.
Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. That risk is made worse by smoking. In general, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects. Disease symptoms may take several years to develop following exposure. If you are concerned about possible exposure, consult a physician who specializes in lung diseases (pulmonologist).
For more information on these and other health effects of asbestos exposure see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s Web site.
Where Can Asbestos be Found?
Asbestos has been commonly used as an acoustic insulator, thermal insulation, fire proofing and in other building materials. Asbestos fibers are incredibly strong and have properties that make them resistant to heat. Many products are in use today that contain asbestos. Most of these are materials used in heat and acoustic insulation, fire proofing, and roofing and flooring.

Asbestos & Its Dangers is a post from: Certainty Home Inspections

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What’s the Cause

Mold cannot exist without moisture. Therefore, any moisture whatsoever, whether it be from inadequate grading and drainage, a leaking roof, window, or door, or moisture from a faulty exhaust vent, a condensate pipe, an evaporator coil, or a component of a plumbing system should be serviced immediately, or the potential for mold contamination will remain.

What’s the Concern

Mold is a microorganism that has tiny seeds, or spores, that are spread on the air, land, and feed on organic matter. It has been in existence throughout human history, and actually contributes to the life process. It takes many different forms, many of them benign, like mildew. Some characterized as allergens are relatively benign but can provoke allergic reactions among sensitive people, and others characterized as pathogens can have adverse health effects on large segments of the population, such as the very young, the elderly, and people with suppressed immune systems. However, there are less common molds that are called toxigens that represent a serious health threat.

All molds flourish in the presence of moisture, and we make a concerted effort to look for any evidence of it wherever there could be a water source, including that from condensation. Interestingly, the molds that commonly appear on ceramic tiles in bathrooms do not usually constitute a health threat, but they should be removed. However, some visibly similar molds that form on cellulose materials, such as on drywall, plaster, and wood, are potentially toxigenic.

If mold is to be found anywhere within a home, it will likely be in the area of tubs, showers, toilets, sinks, water heaters, evaporator coils, inside attics with un-vented bathroom exhaust fans, and return-air compartments that draw outside air, all of which are areas that we inspect very conscientiously. Nevertheless, mold can appear as though spontaneously at any time, so you should be prepared to monitor your home, and particularly those areas that we identified. Naturally, it is equally important to maintain clean air-supply ducts and to change filters as soon as they become soiled, because contaminated ducts are a common breeding ground for dust mites, rust, and other contaminants. Regardless, although some mold-like substances may be visually identified, the specific identification of molds can only be determined by specialists and laboratory analysis. As a prudent investment in environmental hygiene, we categorically recommend that you have your home tested for the presence of any such contaminants, and particularly if you or any member of your family suffers from allergies or asthma.

Also, you can learn more about mold from an Environmental Protection Agency document entitled “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home,” by visiting their web site at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html/, from which it can be downloaded

Mold is a post from: Certainty Home Inspections

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What’s The Concern: Mold is a microorganism that has tiny seeds, or spores,
that are spread on the air, land, and feed on organic matter.
It has been in existence throughout human history, and actually contributes
to the life process. It takes many different forms, many of them benign, like mildew.
Allergensare relatively benign but can provoke allergic reactions among sensitive people.
Pathogens adverse health effects on large segments of the population,such as the very
young, the elderly, and people with suppressed immune systems. Toxigens however, less
common represent a serious health threat.

All molds flourish in the presence of moisture,es pecially where there could be a water
source, including that from condensation. We look for any evidence of it throughout the
home inspection process. Interestingly, the molds that commonly appear on ceramic tiles
in bathrooms do not usually constitute a health threat, but they should be removed. However,
some visibly similar molds that form on cellulose materials, such as on drywall, plaster, and
wood, are potentially toxigenic. If mold is to be found anywhere within a home, it will likely be in the area of tubs, showers, toilets, sinks, water heaters, evaporator coils, inside attics with un-vented bathroom exhaust fans, and return-air compartments that draw outside air. Nevertheless, mold can appear as though spontaneously at any time, so you should be prepared to monitor your home, and particularly those areas that we have identified. Naturally, it is equally
important to maintain clean air-supply ducts and to change filters as soon as they become
soiled, because contaminated ducts are a common breeding ground for dust mites, rust,
and other contaminants.
specific identification of molds can only

be determined by specialists and laboratory analysis. We recommend that you
have your home tested for the presence of any such contaminants, and particularly if you or any member of your family suffers from allergies or asthma. Also, you can learn more
about mold from an Environmental Protection Agency document entitled “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home,” by visiting their web site at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html/, from which it can be downloaded
Certainy has certified mold inspectors serving Southern Indiana and the Louisville area.

Mold Causes is a post from: Certainty Home Inspections

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For more information on MOLD have an air quality test performed today by Certainty Home Inspections serving Southern Indiana and Louisville.

History Of Mold is a post from: Certainty Home Inspections

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For More Information on Radon Visit

positiverealestateprofessionals.com/radon/

Certainty Home Inspections does radon testing but not radon mitigation. We serve the Southern Indiana area and the Louisville area providing southern Indiana home inspections and Louisville home inspections providing affordable and thorogh home inspections

To BOOK YOUR INSPECTION call Certainty Home Inspections toll free 1-866-417-9591

Kentucky Radon Map is a post from: Certainty Home Inspections

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For More Information on Radon Gas Visit positiverealestateprofessionals.com/radon/

To book your inspection today, call Certainty Home Inspections toll free 866-417-9591

Indiana Radon Map is a post from: Certainty Home Inspections

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Many Indiana counties at the EPA highest level and all of Indiana is at risk for deadly radon gas.

All of Southern Indiana & Northern Kentucky including Louisville is in a moderate to hot zone for radon gas.

“Indoor radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country with an estimated 21,000 annual radon-related lung cancer deaths,

Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium and typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation.

Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time.

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend all homes be tested for radon.

Do not rely on radon test results taken in other homes in the neighborhood to estimate the radon level in your home. Homes which are next to each other can have different radon levels. Testing is the only way to find out what your home’s radon level is.

If Your Home Has Not Yet Been Tested for Radon… Have a test taken as soon as possible. The radon test result is important information about your home’s radon level. Some states require radon measurement testers to follow a specific testing protocol. Protect yourself by hiring a qualified individual or company to test your home today.

Radon is fixed very easily! Radon can typically be fixed in one day for a cost of $800-$1200.

Radon Gas Health Advisory is a post from: Certainty Home Inspections

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