Recently,  PowerBees was contacted to perform a Mold testing analysis of a property in Stow.  The customer and his family have been living in this single family house (built in 1947) for the last fifteen years. The customer reported a musty odor on the first level of his home in an entry off the kitchen and in the office area within the kitchen.  The odor appeared to be coming from two adjacent crawlspaces below.  The customer indicated that he the odor was noticeable in the basement as well. The customer stated that although the partially finished basement does not have a history of significant flooding, approximately one month ago after returning from being away for several days, the humidity was noticeably higher in the basement and the pungency of the musty odor had increased. The dehumidifier was reportedly shut off during the family’s absence.  In an effort to reduce the odor, the customer sprayed a commercially available “mister” in the crawlspaces.  However, the misting was not a functional solution. Concern was expressed over the air quality and the possible impact on his family’s health, although there had been no reported health issues at the time.

Three non-viable air samples were taken at the property.  One air sample was taken in main crawlspace, a second air sample was taken from the kitchen/office and a third air sample was taken outside.  The results from the samples showed high levels of airborne Penicillium / Aspergillus spores in the main crawlspace and slightly elevated Penicillium / Aspergillus levels in the kitchen/office. Stachybotrys was also found in the basement, although only 1 raw count or 53 counts/m³ was identified on the slide.

A minor mold problem was detected and PowerBees contacted in early July in the town of Foxboro, MA.  The homeowners and their small children are currently living in the colonial style home build approximately 85 years ago.  The clients have occupied the property since 1997.  One of the residents became concerned after noticing an odor on the first level kitchen.  The odor was intermittent during the summer but reportedly worsened in the last few weeks.  There was no reported history of significant flooding.  They recently converted from oil to gas heat and had both the chimney and old furnace removed.  The partially finished basement consists of old plywood paneling and new sheetrock in a recently partitioned office.   They expressed concern about possible microbial growth in the basement and requested that mold testing be conducted.  The results from the samples showed high levels of airborne Penicillium/Aspergillus spores in the basement.

After a mold problem was discovered, the residents of a property in Medfield, MA, a PowerBees inspector was deployed to perform mold testing.  The owner reported a musty odor in a rear hallway and reported allergy symptoms commonly associated with exposure to mold spores, e.g., congestion and sinus issues.  Concern was expressed about the possibly colonization of mold in the back hallway and a bedroom closet located in the basement.  This five story town house experienced water intrusion into the first and second levels during the March rains.  The water came in mostly through the window casings and framing, mostly in the 2^nd level living room a second level bathroom. Water also came in through the window casings in the kitchen, where defective flashing is likely responsible. Additionally, there was a report of water intrusion into a basement bedroom closet.  Eight non-viable air samples were taken at the property.  The first air sample was taken in a rear entrance hall. There were high Penicillium / Aspergillus counts in this area. A second air sample was taken in a closet, where the Penicillium / Aspergillus levels were slightly elevated. The third air sample was taken in the Front hallway near the stairway – and the spore counts were normal. A fourth air sample was taken in the kitchen where the Cladosporium counts were high.  A fifth air sample was taken in the office, where the Cladosporium count was slightly elevated. A sixth air sample was taken in the living room, and the counts came back as normal. A seventh air sample was taken in the master bedroom. Again, the Cladosporium counts were slightly elevated.  An eighth air sample was taken outside. There was a preponderance of Penicillium / Aspergillus in the lower part of the house (rear entrance hall and basement area) while there was higher levels of Cladosporium in kitchen, bedroom and office.  Both spore groups are commonly associated with indoor water damage, and the elevated counts in the office may be a result of the higher counts in the kitchen, which is in close proximity.

A mold inspection took place in Southborough, Mass recently.  Upon inspection of the attic, visible mold was not identified on the plywood sheathing, rafters or floor joists.  However, the bathroom exhaust fan from the level below was not properly attached to its duct venting outside.  That might be easily reattached to the roof vent. Water Damage was not found by the PowerBees inspector.  Visible mold was not identified on the first level, although there was evidence of water staining in the daughter’s bedroom on the ceiling close to an exterior wall.   The source of the water staining was unknown and could not be identified, although ice dams and or deteriorated shingles are suspected as the cause.  There are no current leaks.  There was no visible mold in the basement, although water staining and evidence of leaking from an upstairs laundry area was observed in the lower level bathroom.   The basement bathroom fan was vented only into the drop ceiling.  This bathroom is used frequently and should be repaired soon, otherwise there will be microbial growth.  Upon inspection of the ceiling tiles in the drop ceiling, no evidence of microbial growth was noted.

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.