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WHAT WE DO
AQE is unique from all other mold assessing companies. We dedicate our time to ensure that our clients receive the best evaluation of their home!
HVAC UNIT ASSESSMENT
The source of all air movement within the environment can reveal a tremendous amount about the overall air quality.
COMPROMISE SEARCH
A very focused and intensive search is strategically conducted in the environment to find any possible issues.
AIR DUCT ASSESSMENT
Ductwork is the pathway for all air flow from the HVAC Unit to its destination. Contaminants can settle in the crevasses.
THERMAL IMAGING
Our assessors are guided using FLIR technologies. These cameras map the temperatures for a deeper look into the space.
AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT
Air is sampled using Zefon technologies and analyzed by AEML Labratory.
DOCUMENTATION
As professionals, we provide our clients with a legal reports that can be submitted to the insurance company and other legal processes.
Our Mission: Empower Occupants
We have seen too many homeowners, tenants, employees, employers, and many other building occupants suffer from a wide variety of symptoms due to air quality contaminants including mold spores, VOCs, and bacterias. Some experiencing allergy-like symptoms, fatigue, headaches, and others much worse. These symptoms may prevent focus amongst children studying at home to inhibit performance amongst employees in the workplace. The environment we surround ourselves with establishes the foundation for our health and success and we want to help create the healthiest environment for all. We are determined to provide this service by delivering state-licensed assessors that are highly knowledgable and trained. Every one of AQE's assessors has completed the 180-Day AQE Mold Assessment Training Program. AQE's intensive training program requires our assessors to analyze, think critically, and constantly adjust for the everlasting challenges our communities face on a day-to-day basis. At AQE, we believe that the more knowledgable the assessor, the healthier the client.
Our Specialty: The Full-Property Mold Assessment or The All-Inclusive Assessment
Full-Property Mold Assessment includes:
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Full-Property Compromise Search
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Infrared Evaluation
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Moisture Mapping
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HVAC Unit Assessment
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Air Duct Assessment
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Easy-to-Read Report
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Universal Mold-Remediation Protocol
Mold Sampling includes:
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Outdoor Air Sampling (Control Group)
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Indoor Air Sampling
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Surface Sampling
This mold assessment is recommended for peace of mind. The Full-Property Mold Assessment is very popular amongst many of our clients as it serves as a check-up on the health of a property. It is our all-inclusive assessment that provides a comprehensive evaluation of the property. Our experts search the entire property for any compromises to the indoor air quality. We use FLIR Infrared Technology to guide us through the property. We assess air pathways and HVAC equipment issues. This assessment includes all of the mold sampling necessary to complete the evaluation. Mold sampling involves a taking air samples and surface samples. The air samples are taken using a pump that drafts air through a mold-spore trap cassette. The surface sampling media includes a swab or a tape-lift. The samples are analyzed for 20+ different spore species including Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, Cladosporium and other harmful molds spores by AEML Laboratories and results are delivered within 1 business day. The Full-Property Mold Assessment report includes a universal mold remediation protocol. This means that any remediation team of choice will be able to use our protocol and remove the mold properly. Pricing is based on the size of the property.
The Partial-Property Mold Assessment
Partial-Property Mold Assessment includes:
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Compromise Search Limited to Specified Areas
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Infrared Evaluation
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Moisture Mapping
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Easy-to-Read Report
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Universal Mold-Remediation Protocol
Mold Sampling includes:
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Outdoor Mold Air Sampling (Control Group)
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Indoor Mold Air Sampling
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Mold Surface Sampling
This mold assessment is recommended for insurance claims or for those who prefer to test a partial area of the property. The Partial-Property Mold Assessment is unique because of the fact that it can be billed to an insurance company in accordance with an open claim or it can be paid directly out of pocket. It provides a comprehensive evaluation of the damaged area. We search the specific areas for any compromises to the indoor air quality. We use FLIR Infrared Technology to guide us. This assessment includes all of the mold sampling necessary to complete the evaluation. Mold sampling involves a taking air samples and surface samples. The air samples are taken using a pump that drafts air through a mold-spore trap cassette. The surface sampling media includes a swab or a tape-lift. The samples are analyzed for 20+ different spore species including Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, Cladosporium and other harmful molds spores by AEML Laboratories and results are delivered within 1 business day. The Partial-Property Mold Assessment report includes a universal mold remediation protocol. This means that any remediation team of choice will be able to use our protocol and remove the mold properly. Pricing is based on the number of rooms or areas requested to be assessed.
The Post-Remediation Mold Assessment
Post-Remediation Mold Assessment includes:
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Post-Remediation Visual Assessment
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Verification Certificate
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White Glove Test
Mold Sampling includes:
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Outdoor Mold Air Sampling (Control Group)
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Indoor Mold Air Sampling
This mold assessment is recommended after any mold removal or mold remediation work is completed. The Post-Remediation Mold Assessment, or PRA, can also be billed to an insurance company in accordance with an open claim or it can be paid directly out of pocket. It provides verification following the mold removal being completed through mold spore air sampling and the white glove test. No matter the size of the project, we always recommend a PRA to ensure that the air quality is within the acceptable range and that the property or the specified areas has been fully redacted of mold. When wall material is removed or when any kind of disturbance takes place, mold spores will easily become airborne. We have failed many PRAs to prove our clients and their health are top-priority. Whether we've found surface mold present after the mold-remediation was thought to be complete or the mold spore-trap air sample results showed a high air-borne spore elevation our client is always top-priority. Our purpose is to return the cleanest and healthiest properties back over to our clients after mold-removal work is completed. This assessment includes all of the mold sampling necessary to complete the evaluation. Mold sampling involves taking air samples. The air samples are taken using a pump that drafts air through a mold-spore trap cassette. The samples are analyzed for 20+ different spore species including Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, Cladosporium and other harmful molds spores by AEML Laboratories and results are delivered within 1 business day. The white glove test verifies the cleanliness of the surfaces in the containment areas. The Post-Remediation Mold Assessment report includes a verification certification if all mold-removal work is completed as expected. This means that all protocols were followed and the air sample results show acceptable ranges. The property can now be rebuilt, remodeled, and belongings can be put back in place. Pricing is based on the number of rooms or areas requested to be assessed.
Efficient and Cost-Effective: Traditional Mold Sampling and Testing
With every single one of our assessments packages we include a certain number of mold samples with an analysis from an accredited environmental laboratory. What many would consider to be the traditional mold sampling and testing method, we consider to be highly efficient and cost-effective. It involves taking air samples with mold-spore trap cassettes and surface samples sterile surface swab. Our air samples are collected with an IAQ pump that is calibrated prior to every assessment to assure the steady air flow of 15 Liters/Min. Once calibrated and the pump is ready to collect samples, a mold-spore trap cassette is used to trap spores that get suctioned through the cassette and onto a glass slide that will be sent to an environmental laboratory for analysis. The surface samples are taken from surfaces that may be suspect to mold growth or contain mold spores. The surface samples are taken on centimeter squared surface and analyzed by an environmental lab. These samples are inexpensive compared to other testing options that we offer like ERMI, HERTSMI, Mycotoxin, etc. They are also very effective due to the fact that with it allows us to sample more and provide a clear overall analysis of the property. Depending on the situation of the property, we believe that air and surface sampling is a great place to start on the journey of working towards a healthier home and better air quality.
The Perfect Supplement: ERMI and HERTSMI Testing
All mold assessments include the basic necessities to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the property or the specified areas. The traditional method of mold testing provides a high-level analysis of what mold spores are present within the property on specific surfaces and airborne. Diving deeper and in-depth testing is always beneficial to further understand the exposure of the property's occupants. There are times that our client's properties do not show any signs of water damage, issues with the air pathways or HVAC equipment and still show symptoms of exposure to mold spores. We offer ERMI and HERTSMI testing. These two tests are the perfect supplements to any of our assessments. The ERMI, or the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index, was developed by the EPA's researchers to quantify mold contamination in US homes. The ERMI test has gained popularity and is being used widely as a tool for assessors like us to help determine the condition of the air quality within a property. We collect dust using a Swiffer cloth or vacuum through various parts of the property. This will provide detail on the 'not-so-obvious' exposure the occupant is receiving. The laboratory analyzes the dust sample for 36 different mold spore species to evaluate the 'indoor moldiness' of the property. The HERTSMI test, or the HERTSMI-2, is similar to the ERMI test that it is sampled using a Swiffer cloth or vacuum to collect dust, but the process differs when it comes to the analysis and pricing. The HERTSMI is analyzed for the Big 5 mold spores including Aspergillus Penicilloides, Aspergillus Versicolor, Chaetomium Globosum, Stachybotrys Chartarum, and Wallemia Sebi. Although the HERTSMI identifies much less spore types, they are the Big 5 mold spore types that are most commonly found in US properties. It is a great sample to begin with due to its cost being less than the ERMI test. The turnaround time for the ERMI and the HERTSMI tests is 7 business days.
Targeting Symptoms: Mycotoxin Testing
To get even further into mold spore presence and exposure in an occupant's indoor environment, we now offer mycotoxin testing. Certain mold spores that generate symptoms amongst humanity generally release mycotoxins that are not detectable by our traditional mold sampling methods, ERMI test, or HERTSMI test. Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals that can be broken into smaller fragments and are released by certain spores into the air and dust. This test is sampled using a Swiffer cloth or vacuum to collect dust much like the ERMI and HERTSMI test. It is analyzed by the laboratory using high sensitivity ion-trap technology to quantify the number of mycotoxins and fragments. This will help pinpoint a determination of why symptoms are being generated. Mycotoxin testing is recommended if the ERMI or HERTSMI test is inconclusive and the occupant is experiencing mold-exposure symptoms. The turnaround time for Mycotoxin testing is 23 business days.
Additional Air Quality Contaminant Testing: VOCs, Endotoxins, Actinomycetes, Streptomycetes, and Dust Allergens
Mold-exposure might not be the only reason occupants are experiencing symptoms in a building. There are other indoor air quality contaminants that are very commonly found within properties and can generate allergy-like symptoms, fatigue, headaches, and much worse for some individuals. Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that 'off-gas' or release from man-made products that come from factories. Construction and building materials, furniture, paints, gasoline, personal-care products, alcohol products, medicinal and many more products that we come face-to-face with on a daily basis can be generating certain symptoms amongst occupants. The EPA has identified some VOCs as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) or Toxic Air Pollutants or Air Toxics are pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer, or other serious health effects such as birth defects. Other indoor air contaminants include Endotoxins, Actinomycetes, and Streptomycetes are toxins that are released from bacteria found commonly in water damaged buildings or almost everywhere in nature. Whether the bacteria is dead or alive, viable or non-viable, it continuously releases these toxins. The samples for these tests are taken the same way the ERMI, HERTSMI, and Mycotoxin test are taken via a Swiffer cloth or vacuum to collect dust. The turnaround time for Endotoxin and Streptomycetes results are 7 business days. The turnaround time for the Actinomycetes results are 9 business days. We also offer Dust Allergen testing which tests for very common allergens in our dusts including dust mite, cat, dog, and cockroach allergens. The turnaround time for the Dust Allergen test is 9 business days.
VOCs
Our Mission
Our Assessments
ERMI
Mold Testing
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