Inlab profits from mold

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http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2002/08/05/daily64.html

Inlab profits from mold

Dicus

There's no business like mold business.

Business is up 35 percent at Kaimuki-based Inalab Inc. because of mold.

" We do tests here in Hawaii rather than sending them to the mainland, so we

have a two-day turnaround on samples, " said company president Mark Hagadone.

" We've done a lot of tests. "

Office building managers and individual homeowners have contacted Inalab and

other firms since the Hilton Hawaiian Village closed more than 400 guest

rooms because of mold. They figure they'd better see if they have it.

" Sometimes we find a hazard but not a risk, " Hagadone said. " If mold is

hidden behind dry wall and isn't getting out, the risk is very, very low.

We've given some people some very good news. "

Mold is in the air. It can even grow in air-conditioning ducts if there is

moisture in them. But it can work the other way, too.

" Sometimes the air indoors is actually cleaner because it's filtered, "

Hagadone said.

Inalab -- short for Industrial Analytical Laboratories -- charges $65 plus

tax for a simple mold analysis.

More business for Hagadone means more for Ellen , owner of Pacific

Enterprises Inc. and the mycologist (fungus expert) who does his mold

testing.

" Everyone gets frightened because of what happened at the Hilton, "

said. " It's bad to be frightened. But it's good to have heightened

awareness. We have a lot of molds here that exacerbate allergies. "

has been putting in 11-hour days including weekends, but still finds

the surge in mold testing interesting rather than enervating. It is, after

all, her specialty.

" I actually like to spend a Saturday night listening to Garrison Keillor

while enjoying the fungus under the microscope, " she said.

Copyright 2002 American City Business Journals Inc.