Enmedex IAQ Testing

air testing

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Air Testing – A Quick Overview

Air testing usually involves sampling a set quantity of air using some kind of air pump and capture media. The capture media may be:

>>>>> ~ A reagent tube which reacts to a specific chemical by changing colour.
>>>>> ~ An absorption tube which captures a number of chemicals for lab analysis.
>>>>> ~ An agar media designed to promote the growth of bio-aerosols (mould, bacteria).
>>>>> ~ A simple capture adhesive or filter for lab analysis (moulds, dust, pollens).

Airbourne particles and many gases, such as oxides of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen, can be measured in real-time using calibrated electronic equipment (ie carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide). Temperature and relative humidity are also monitored and data-logged to spot conditions that can promote microbial growth.

Testing can:

>>>>> ~ Determine the presence of a chemical or biological contaminant.
>>>>> ~ Determine the concentration of the contaminant in air.
>>>>> ~ Often help identify the source of the contamination (but not always).
>>>>> ~ Measure the level of success in our efforts to solve a problem.

Testing cannot:

>>>>> ~ Prove that a contaminant is NOT present (cannot prove “universal negatives”).
>>>>> ~ Always establish a direct link to symptoms or illnesses.

Note: Air testing is only a snapshot of the air quality at that place and that time. Therefore, testing must be conducted over a period of time and under a variety of common conditions to acquire a more accurate picture of the true air quality.

Contact Enmedex to determine if testing is appropriate for your unique circumstances.

Chemical and Particulate (Dust) Testing

Mould Testing

The purpose of mould testing is to identify the type of mould (genus and species) and the quantity of mould relative to the natural outdoor environment. The goal of testing is to determine if the moulds present indoors are known human pathogens (“toxic”) and if the building is actually growing moulds (called “amplification”).

Enmedex uses four primary methods to determine the type and quantity of indoor moulds:

Bulk samples – taking pieces of contaminated building materials for mould identification.

Dust samples – using samples of common dust from air filters, carpets and vacuum cleaners to produce cultured specimens for identification.

Swab or surface samples – lifting moulds from a surface using a sterile swab or adhesive tape for further examination or culturing.

Direct air sampling – using a vacuum air pump, air is drawn through a single-stage impact sampler at a set velocity. Bio-aerosols (moulds and bacteria) are captured by impacting on an agar growth media. The agar “plates” are then cultured in a controlled environment.

Direct air sampling is the most common method of sampling and produces the most meaningful results, since air is the way bio-aerosols enter our bodies. Outdoor air samples are used to establish a background level by which we can gauge the level of indoor amplification.

Another means of air sampling involves taking air samples directly from inside wall cavities. At Enmedex we use our own proprietary system to sample mould from inside finished walls with minimal or zero damage.

Enmedex is approved by the City of Nanaimo, BC for consulting and testing services related to the remediation of homes illegally converted to marijuana grow operations.

Enmedex uses a single-stage impact sampler.

Agar plates used in the sampler after 17 days.