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

A concerned resident of the city of Brookline, MA recently contacted PowerBeesIncorporated to discuss her mold issue.  A mold inspection was recommended and upon in inspection by a certified mold inspector, it was found that there is visible water staining on the pitched ceiling, from approximately half-way to the peak down to the wall and along the top of the wall. No visible mold was noticed in the living room. Moisture levels, measured using a Delmhorst Moisture Meter, were normal in the sheetrock of the living room ceiling and wall near the staining as well as in the window trim and baseboard below the staining. In the basement there is water staining on several ceiling tiles and on the sheetrock within the utility room. The most heavily water stained and water damaged tile appears to lie directly beneath the water stained wall of the living room. Other water stained tiles throughout the basement appear to have had water damage from condensation on the AC coolant tubing. There is visible Black Mold in the basement utility room behind the HVAC unit. There is Brown and Grey Mold on the door to the utility room and the electrical closet.

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.

PowerBees recently conducted mold testing at a property in Foxboro, MA.   The client is currently living in a second story apartment of a multi-family house, owned by her father.  The house was built in the early 1900’s.  The family has occupied the property for approximately five years. The Client reported the Formica-like paneling covering the bathroom wall has been increasingly deteriorating in the bathtub enclosure since they moved in.  The master bedroom has reportedly had a history of plumbing leaks in the ceiling.  The ceiling was replaced prior the family occupying the apartment.  Concern was expressed over the air quality and the possible impact on her family’s health.  She stated that she has been experiencing headaches, fatigue and respiratory discomfort.  She has a four year old son who has also reportedly has suffered from heart and upper respiratory problems.   Three non-viable air samples were taken at the property by PowerBees.  One air sample was taken in the bathroom, a second air sample was taken from the master bedroom and a third air sample was taken outside.  The results from the samples showed very high levels of airborne spores in the bathroom and moderate-high levels in the master bedroom.  Most noteworthy was the amount of airborne Stachybotrys spores in the bathroom.  Stachybotrys is quite dangerous.

PowerBees Inc. was recently called in to help with a mold problem in the attic of a single family home in Wayland, MA.  The homeowners wanted a mold inspection conducted in their attic.  Moisture readings in the attic, taken with a Delmhorst moisture meter, were slightly elevated.  The attic mold is a result of insufficient ventilation.  There was only 1 gable vent with thermostatic fan. There were no soffits. White Mold and water staining was identified on the lower 1’ of a particle board partition in the basement.  The current owner reported that the French drain had at one time failed and that the water heater had also ruptured.  Humidity in the basement was measured at 32%.  Moisture readings in the basement (foundation floors, walls and particle board partition) were within normal limits.  A bedroom where there was access to the attic space had paint peeling from the walls, possibly the result of water damage, although there was no water staining to sustain this suspicion.  There was no visible mold colonizing in this bedroom. There was visible black mold near an exhaust fan in a bathroom ceiling and also on the tile grout.  There was evidence of water damage in the bottom of the vanity but no current leaks.  A converted garage had some water staining near the skylight, but no visible mold was found.