Re: Re: Who is liable for this mess! I don't want to leave my home!

[Guest guest]

Find out the basis for the protocol: EPA, NYC Guidelines, S520. It

should reference something other than their personal preference.

Interpretation of the lab data is essential. HOW it will be

interpreted should be disclosed and discussed prior to sampling.

Otherwise each side can provide their own interpretation instead

of relying on objective data.

If the hygenist is not trained in health and risk assessment then

she is correct in not providing an opinion of whether you should

move out or stay. However, if she defers to your preference then

she should support your decision and not side with the builder by

saying it is unnecessary. She already told you she couldn't advise

you, so she should not advise the builder.

I don't know of any definition of habitability other than if you stay it

is habitable, if you leave it may not be habitable. Go to

www.epa.gov/iaq/molds and download the free " Mold

Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. " Then go to

page 26 item 5.

You don't have to accept the builder's methods. You can conduct

your own assessment with your own people. Yes, that will cost

you money but if you don't then you have no way to dispute the

builder's claims.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

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> The builder hired a hygenist who came to my home last Thursday, she

> was from a different town so I'm hoping she isn't biased ot the

> builder. I videoed the whole thing. She is making a protocol for

> how to clean up the mess. Surprisingly she did not wear any

> protection, use any fans in my house before sampling, or wear any

> kind of shoe covers after stepping in the mold and then tracking it

> through the rest of my home. They all act like I am freiking out

> about nothing! We will have the results from the air sampling on

> Monday, she told us that its a personal decision, whether or not to

> stay in the home when there is mold and that she couldn't advise us

> one way or the other about it.

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[Guest guest]

,

Your bulk sampling did the same thing - it identified the suspect

substance as mold and what genera of mold. It could also be

swabbed. Air sampling would probably be of little use here.

The differences between bulk, swab and tape have mainly to do

with whether or not they can be cultured. Bulk and swab can be

analysed with both microscopy or culturing. Tape only by

microscopy.

For tape lifts, any clear tape will work, but Scotch tape (not the

Magic Transparant) is thinner than packing tape. This makes it

easier for the lab to analyze and it reduces identification error.

The tape is pressed against the mold so the spores and hyphae

stick to it. Then the tape can be stuck to a microscope slide or

the inside of a clear baggie.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

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> Carl, regarding tape sampling: I did bulk sampling years ago in one

> moldy place so I know how to do that. I wanted to know how you do the

> tape sampling. I suppose you stick the sticky side of the tape on the

> mold or water damage spot. What do you do with the tape just put it is

> plastic bag? Thanks,

>

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