PowerBees was recently contacted to perform mold testing in a home in Brookline.  The client and her children have been sick recently with headaches and nausea.  There had apparently been carbon monoxide in the house.  The children’s physician suggested that mold spores may be playing a factor in their degraded health as well.  The homeowner reported a history of plumbing leaks at the property and possible leaks around the chimney, which were noticed during recent repairs to the chimney. One of the plumbing leaks had been from an upstairs laundry room into a lower level bathroom. The homeowner also stated that she uses air purification systems to filter out contaminants.  Two non-viable air samples were taken at the property.  One air sample was taken in the basement family room, a second air sample was taken from the 1^st level hallway.  The results from the samples showed normal levels of airborne spores in the lower level family room and 1^st level hallway.

A residential, split level property in Cumberland, Rhode Island was recently tested for mold by PowerBees, Inc.  Two non-viable air samples were taken at the property.  One air sample was taken in bedroom and a second air sample was taken from the outside.  The results from the samples showed extremely high levels of airborne spores in the bedroom.  The Penicillium / Aspergillus spore count is quite high and may pose significant health risks.  A count of 2000 is considered a threshold level by the EPA. Based on these results, the visible mold in the bedroom, visible mold in the upstairs bathroom and visible mold in the basement, PowerBees recommended additional mold testing on the 2^nd level and a remediation process.

PowerBees was contacted by a South End resident recently.  The customer has been living in this single family house (built approximately 38 years ago) for the last 25 years.  A second level was added to the original one story ranch 23 years ago.  A new roof was added 6 years ago.  The homeowner noticed discoloration in the attic several years ago didn’t realize that it might be microbial growth.  Recently, an energy audit inspector reported that the discoloration could be mold growth.  The homeowner contacted PowerBees so that mold testing could be conducted.  The property does not have a history of major flooding.  The only possible point of moisture intrusion is a skylight in the master bedroom which has leaked intermittently over the last few years.  The leak caused water staining around the skylight on the ceiling.  Additionally, the homeowner noticed discoloration along the upper section of an exterior wall which appears to follow the outline of the location of studs and an attic gable vent.  Ice damming was reported to have occurred on the front of the house this past winter.  However, moisture intrusion from the ice damming was not reported.

A large quantity of mold was suspected at a property in Newton, Mass.  They requested mold testing be conducted by PowerBees to ascertain the extent of airborne spores in the property. The client is currently living in a single family house with her mother who is assisted by a medical aide during the day.  Concern was expressed about an odor in the house and possible mold in her finished basement after the health aide brought it to the client’s attention.   Concern was subsequently expressed over the air quality and the possible impact on her family’s health.  There was reportedly basement flooding in the past and the gutters were subsequently repaired. The carpeting was also removed.  There was no remediation at that time. Three non-viable air samples were taken by PowerBees.  One air sample was taken in basement, a second air sample was taken from the 1^st level Family Room and a third air sample was taken outside.  The results from the samples showed very high levels of airborne spores in the basement and Stachybotrys on both levels.  The Penicillium / Aspergillus spore count is quite high and may pose significant health risks.  A count of 2000 is considered a threshold level by the EPA. Stachybotrys was also found both in the basement and on the first level.  Stachybotrys isn’t safe at any level.  Based on these results and the visible mold in the Basement, PowerBees recommends a remediation process to eliminate visible mold

After the request of a property management company in Lexington, MA, PowerBees conducted emergency mold testing at a property.  the Four non-viable air samples were taken at the property. All three indoor air samples were taken from the basement.  One air sample was taken in the basement living room/kitchen, a second air sample was taken from a basement bedroom, a third air sample was taken from the storage room and a fourth air sample was taken outside.  The results from the samples showed elevated levels of airborne spores in the basement storage room and bedroom.   The airborne spores in the living room / kitchen were just below what is considered an acceptable count.  For fungi to grow, there must be adequate and constant moisture present, a food source (organic material), and the proper temperature.  In homes and structures, nearly all building materials and furnishings can serve as a food source.  The temperature, which is comfortable for occupants, is also conducive to fungal growth, typically between 65 and 85 degrees.  Growing fungi can release spores into the air resulting in health problems.