Environmental testing

[Guest guest]

There has been much discussion lately concerning what testing is

appropriate and what isn't within our living or working environment.

There are many POSITIVES and it seems at times, just as many

negatives. Is this the consumer's fault? In my opinion, no. What

needs to take place, as much as I hate to say it, are stricker

regulations. Especially for those that are unaware of the tests that

are available to all of us.

I know Carl has commented on this many times, and at times it does

get confusing, the type of testing that needs to be performed, the

way it is performed, the reasoning behind it, what would you like to

accomplish by doing so and the results that may come of it.

One of the main faults I see within the environmental industry (I am

not bashing anyone, so please don't take it that way) is there is a

lack of unity on how these tests are performed, meaning: opinions,

equipment,labs and most importantly, interpretation. If the

professional does not know how to interpret the results, yes they

are basically worthless (the tests) to you and I.

To say testing is worthless and not needed is way out of line. For

me and many others our lives may have depended on these, because we

were unaware on what could be triggering our condition.

From personal experience and I'm speaking only of my situation. My

wife became sick, severe headpain, pneumonia, strokelike episodes

and on and on, that was taking place in the beginnng and boy was I

racking my brain trying to determine are these natural causes, or is

there other causes or a triggering mechanism. Mind you, this

investigation was drawn out over a five yr period. You know playing

the elimination game, seeing many physicians, having no idea what is

causing this if any. Many hours searching on the web (years to be

specific) and speaking to many that are in the medical field.

Looking for possibilities, trying to evaluate every situation,

looking for those answers. And of course, many of those answers

didn't even come close.

So what choice did I have at the time? The only thing that didn't

come to mind until much later, was her working environment and

sickbuilding syndrome. Now what do I do? Who do I call? What am I

looking for? Are there any possibilities? What the heck is

sickbuilding syndrome? Alot of unanswered questions. Now of course

I know the answers.

Started contacting environmentalist just listening to what they had

to say and 95% of the time it was way above my head. Again, I didn't

know what questions to ask. So what I had done is found a couple of

professionals and playing the elimination game, trying to focus on

some of the best ones who have dealt with many situations of all

kinds. Last but not least, litigation was the last thing on my mind.

I just wanted to know the truth and the cause. So I could begin with

a proper diagnosis and treatment, so I could get my wife back. Boy,

what had I gotten myself into, I had no idea. And I can't remember

how many times I have heard, " it can't be, it's not possible " and

because of this two surgeries were almost performed on her that were

not necessary.

In my mind the environmental tests that were performed were

conclusive. Done properly and interpreted properly. These tests were

performed by Dr. Lipsey and I had to put all my trust in him

of what the test results showed. P & K is the lab that he used.And

from what I know now of P & K and Dr. Chin Yang, I'm glad he

did.And there are several other good labs available. No intended

slight. The results showed a multitude of different fungi/mold and

extremely high levels of gram negative bacteria. Now I had concrete

evidence what building was making her sick.(and it wasn't our home.)

So you see, if the tests are performed properly they can be very

valuable and in my case a life saver. Without these tests I wouldn't

have even known today what has caused my wife so much pain and this

family, like many of you.

You just have to be very careful who you choose and that they have

the credentials, knowledge and professionalism to give you a proper

end results. All I have ever looked for is the truth, whether it

went against me or not. It was only for one reason, so that we could

seek proper medical treatment. There was nothing else more important

to me than this and I was much more determined to find a cause, if

there was one, than my wife. Not that she didn't want to, she was

unable to.

So really, as difficult as it may be, it is up to the consumer to

protect yourself and that you hire legitimate, experienced

professionals. Not the fly by nighters that have a different

interest and biased opinion, that either scare the hell out of you

or sugarcoat the results of the evaulation of your indoor

environment. Just like you search for physicians.

I thought this would get easier over time rehashing what had taken

place in the beginning. It really hasn't.......

KC

[Guest guest]

Thanks KC. That is very helpful. I may be more

like Sharon was right now, since I'm not feeling

well. I'm looking for the broad generalities,

just to know what and where to clean. Also since

my family has owned this property since 1946, I

won't be sueing anyone. It is clear to me it is

my own house house that has made me sick, since

long before I knew about Sick Building Syndrome I

had recognised I felt worse when I was at home.

I thought I had become allergic to my cat and cat

was at home and that was all it was, as it

started with sinus allergies.

Also, for me since I want to take a temporary

apartment some place to stay while work is being

done my own home, I'm looking for a test to do on

apartment that is reasonable to do while house

hunting. I did the culture plate at Candlewood

Suites. I did it for half an hour and they were

also anxious to see what results were so they

were friendly about it and asked me to call them

with results. I won't have anything but a count

though as I will not send it off to be analyized

as I have lost interest in the Candlewood place.

I can't afford to do elaborate testing everywhere

I look. However it is number one thing I am

looking for. Studio, one bedroom, don't care;

near work or far; don't care; number one thing is

cleanest apt I can find, and afford; so I have to

do a test that is reasonable cost at first

anyway. For ten dollars I can at least see how

many mold spores were there and if I'm interested

I can do better test before I decide to move in.

I'm not buying, just renting temporarily.

I always get plenty mold when I do culture plates

but not high enough to indicate a mold problem

according to those who have read. However I DO

know people who have gotten zero results with

mold plates. I'd like to be living in a place

like that while I work on my house, I'm so sick

right now and cost of having a second home...is

alot for someone only able to work parttime for a

couple of years now so it's important that is it

worth the cost of a second home.

I was talking to a remediator, not a mold testor,

who was surprised I had gotten results from Home

Depot plates because he used one in his home one

time and got nothing to grow. He said he figured

they were no good. They grow mold every time I

put one out so I figure he has a home in good

condition, or he knew what to look for when he

bought his home, and he knows how to keep it

maintained and that's why he got no mold growth.

He must have had some mold in his house. It's

impossible not to have some but he had so little,

he didn't get any growth when putting it out for

an hour. Mold and other particles spread out

fairly evenly when suspended in air or water, so

what is caught in one location, is " about " what

would be caught some place else. It's not like

in one spot there would be alot of mold and in

another there would be none. My central air fan

here is always circulating air and so air tests

come out about the same from one place to

another.

Anyway, it has been of help to me so far. I

always used to throw open the double doors from

my porch on nice day to get fresh air without

insects because of all the screened in windows,

but mold plates said porch mold conditions were

not within normal limits. Prof testors backed

that up. So I don't use porch now, or open doors

to porch, and know there is 'a' problem in attic

also. Although testing did not show anything

astonomical up there. I think wall around

chimney in upstairs needs to be opened up and

looked at since there was leak around chimney for

a long time where I could hear rain leaking down

into chimney but didn't have the time to

investigage or repair, since I was so busy taking

care of relative who lived here. I had to put her

first and my job and house came last and was

already out of repairs when I came here to take

care of her. Now I am catching up but...can I do

it all without getting more sick is the question

right now. Or should I sell it for a song and

move on. Most all my money is tied up in house.

Outside of value of house, I don't have much, so

it's a tough call to make. It's hard to take

care of one's health if you are impoverished.

I'm fearful of counting on disability although I

think I could get it.

--- tigerpaw2c <tigerpaw2c@...> wrote:

> There has been much discussion lately

> concerning what testing is

> appropriate and what isn't within our living or

> working environment.

>