Forensic Taxonomy of Molds

    If you have a mold problem with your health or in your home, office, etc. and you need help, contact a qualified and an educated mold professional.

How do you know if they are qualified and an educated mold professional?

Here is a great question to ask a potential Mold Inspector/Industrial Hygienist prior to hiring him/her;  Can you identify molds (at the job site), to a genus?

If the answer is NO, I would not hire him/her.  However, you have a choice...find someone else or go with your own judgment and hire whom you wish. 

So why is the question relevant?  Because a person who can not identify molds does not have a mycology background!  Mycology is the study of fungi.  I believe to be called an expert on molds, you must be able to identify molds.  If a Mold Inspector can not identify molds, he must rely upon someone else—this will cost you more $'s—for inexperience!

Most Mold Inspectors, Hygienists, or building inspectors typically charge $100 to $250 just to come to your home.  For that fee you better get the biggest bang for your buck.

If your "professional" mold inspector cannot do the following, he is NOT the best qualified person to work on your mold problem.  He probably won't hurt you or your home, but he will be very expensive, and may not thoroughly solve your mold problems.

21 Qualifications of an experienced Mold Inspector;

1. Has taken and passed an exam for Home Inspections and is a Member of a recognized high quality IAQ Organization such as the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI)

2. Provide "Quality Services" and show knowledge and a true passion in their work

3. Follow and abide by published "Code of Ethics" as a Service Provider

4. Perform Mold Assessments

5. Be able to find sources of moisture and find the root cause(s) of mold infestations

6. Consult a client on indoor molds and answer all their questions

7. Have Mechanical and Electrical backgrounds

8. Are Certified and Registered as a Mold Inspector with a national education organization such as the Environmental Education Associates (EEA)

9. Possess all the equipment to perform the job upon arrival at the job site

10. Be able to test the IAQ for mold spore density and analyze the test results

11. Be able to collect spores, culture them, and identify the fungal CFUs

12. Be able to direct sample and identify the fungal mold infestations

13. Provide solutions to prevent future moisture problems and mold infestations

14. Generate Mold Remediation Protocol Plans

15. Recommend qualified Mold Remediators

16. Recommend "GREEN" Products

17. Clearance test mold jobs to prove that the remediation worked

18. Provide Reports that are clear and understandable, including photos

19. Recommend a Health Provider that can help improve health, with respect to allergies and hypersensitivities to molds

20. Provide References and examples of their work

21. Carry Liability Insurance

All pictures in the web site are Copyrighted by Richard F. Progovitz.  To use them, just ask!

Fungi by Progy, is a sole proprietorship small business located in in the Town of Fenton, NY

( South Central NYS, Northeast Broome County)

This page was last updated on 08/21/07.

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