When to Sample or Not [was Tools of the Trade]

[Guest guest]

When to Sample or Not(1) Microbial

sampling shall be conducted for the purpose of testing a hypothesis,

e.g. there is some hidden mold growth beside the suspected mold growth

that has been visually identified. (2) If more cost-effective means (e.g. instrument reading, visual inspection, etc.) can be used to confidently prove the hypothesis (or disprove the null hypothesis), sampling may not be necessary. (3)

The confidence level to prove the hypothesis (or disprove the null

hypothesis) shall be communicated and agreed by all involved parties,

e.g. 95% confident, 75% confident, 50% confident, etc.(4) Other

factors may also play a role in determining the necessity of sampling.

For example, involvement of litigation, determination of liability on

different parties, multiple consultants performing investigation,

psychology of involved individuals, urgency of immediate actions,

budget, etc.Wei Tang, Ph.D. Lab Director QLab5 DriveCherry Hill, NJ 08003Tel/Fax: 888-QLab-Wei ()Local: www.QLabUSA.com This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended reader and have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone.Subject: Re: Tools of the TradeTo: iequality Date: Monday, May 4, 2009, 11:50 AM

That is very true but doesn't insight the discussion that I was hoping for.

I was looking for the go to tools you use most often to help diagnose an IAQ mold problem as an IEP.

We all know that one of the most common issues is whether or not you should take viable samples, non-viable samples, or even sample at all.

Another issue that is growing among Home Inspectors HI's but not so much with IEP's is the use of thermal cameras, or the use of a handheld particulate counter by the IEP but not the Inspector.

The question was really "What is it that separates the IEP from the Home Inspector when it comes to the IAQ Mold Assessment?"

I have my opinions as I seem to run into many lab reports that double as the Home Inspectors report.

This is easily the most important distinction between the IEP and the HI. The HI has been taught how to sample and look for elevated moisture content but not how to interpret the lab report or truly asses the property based on anything other than an air sample.

Then there is the separation between the HI and the IEP based solely on their "Tools of the Trade". The HI will always have his sampling pump the moisture meter and possibly a thermal camera.

I will always have my camera; flashlight, handheld laser particle counter, and my TSI IAQ Calc. that will allow me to prepare a report that interpret the specific findings of the property assessment and or the laboratory findings.

I have many other tools but those are the tools I am most likely to pull as I enter a property to conduct a visual assessment and may want to take some initial readings. This is when I also decide if sampling will be necessary. If I decide that testing will be necessary I establish a sampling plan that answers: where do I test, why am I testing, and what questions will testing answer that couldn't otherwise be answered. I would then decide what additional tools to utilize based on the project specific needs of the assessment and the sampling plan.

Now, this should make for some great discussion.

P. Lapotaire, CIEC

Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant

AmIAQC CIEC #0711048

MicroShield Environmental Services, LLC

JLapotaire@Microshi eld-ES.com

www.microshield- es.com

>

> ,

> I find it is project specific.

> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

>

> Tools of the Trade

>

>

> I am always curious as to how different IEP's conduct an Air Quality Mold Assessments and what "Tools of the Trade" are used?

>

> We use always start with visual, then a particulate scan with temperature and humidity, that may or may not lead to moisture scan. Finally we might test, might.

>

> You may notice that I don't pull out the Thermal Camera even though I am a Level I Thermographer. I also prefer not to test as often as some.

>

> This should make for some great discussion.

>

> P. Lapotaire, CIEC

> Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant

> AmIAQC CIEC #0711048

> MicroShield Environmental Services, LLC

> Phone Fax

> JLapotaire@. ..

> www.microshield- es.com

>