Microbial Consulting Report.pdf

#22046263

Analysis Report prepared for

Mastertech Environmental

808 Warsaw Avenue Blackwood, NJ 08012

Phone: (856) 261-4395

13 Creek Rd Fort Square, NJ

Collected: November 10, 2022 Received: November 16, 2022 Reported: November 16, 2022

We would like to thank you for trusting Hayes Microbial for your analytical needs!

We received 4 samples by FedEx in good condition for this project on November 16th, 2022.

The results in this analysis pertain only to this job, collected on the stated date, and should not be used in the interpretation of any other job. This report may not be duplicated, except in full, without the written consent of Hayes Microbial Consulting, LLC..

This laboratory bears no responsibility for sample collection activities, analytical method limitations, or your use of the test results. Interpretation and use of test results are your responsibility. Any reference to health effects or interpretation of mold levels is strictly the opinion of Hayes Microbial. In no event, shall Hayes Microbial or any of its employees be liable for lost profits or any special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of these test results.

Steve Hayes, BSMT(ASCP) Laboratory Director Hayes Microbial Consulting, LLC.

EPA Laboratory ID: VA01419

Lab ID: #188863

DPH License: #PH-0198

Hayes Microbial Consulting, LLC. 3005 East Boundary Terrace, Suite F. Midlothian, VA. 23112 (804) 562-3435 contact@hayesmicrobial.com Page: 1 of 7

Sample Number Sample Name

Sample Volume Reporting Limit

Background Fragments

Organism

Alternaria Ascospores

Aspergillus|Penicillium Basidiospores

Bipolaris|Drechslera Chaetomium

Cladosporium Curvularia

Epicoccum Fusarium

Memnoniella Myxomycetes

Pithomyces Stachybotrys Stemphylium

Torula Ulocladium

Total

1 4663137 Outside

150.00 liter 7 spores/m³

ND

Raw Count Count / m3 % of Total

1 7 2.6% 21 140 55.3%

3 20 7.9% 5 33 13.2%

7 47 18.4%

1 7 2.6%

38 254 100%

2 4663143 HVAC Area

150.00 liter 7 spores/m³

13/m³

Raw Count Count / m3 % of Total

4 27 2.5% 9 60 5.7%

86 573 54.1% 27 180 17.0%

33 220 20.8%

159 1060 100%

3 4663164 Bedroom Hall Area

150.00 liter 7 spores/m³

7/m³

Raw Count Count / m3 % of Total

6 40 33.3% 3 20 16.7%

3 20 16.7% 5 33 27.8%

1 7 5.6%

18 120 100%

Tom Duff Mastertech Environmental 808 Warsaw Avenue Blackwood, NJ 08012

(856) 261-4395

13 Creek Rd Fort Square, NJ

#22046263

Spore Trap

SOP - HMC#101

Water Damage Indicator Common Allergen Slightly Higher than Baseline Significantly Higher than Baseline Ratio Abnormality

Project Analyst:

Steve Hayes, BSMT

Date:

11 - 16 - 2022 Reviewed By:

Ramesh Poluri, PhD

Collected:Nov 10, 2022 Received: Nov 16, 2022 Reported: Nov 16, 2022

3005 East Boundary Terrace, Suite F. Midlothian, VA. 23112 (804) 562-3435 contact@hayesmicrobial.com Page: 2 of 7

#4 Bio-Tape (1.00 cm2)

11409439 - Subfloor HVAC Area

Organism Spore Estimate Mycelial Estimate

Cladosporium Very Heavy Many

Stachybotrys Moderate Trace

Tom Duff Mastertech Environmental 808 Warsaw Avenue Blackwood, NJ 08012

(856) 261-4395

13 Creek Rd Fort Square, NJ

#22046263

Direct Analysis

SOP - HMC#102

Project Analyst:

Steve Hayes, BSMT

Reviewed By:

Ramesh Poluri, PhD

Collected:Nov 10, 2022 Received: Nov 16, 2022 Reported: Nov 16, 2022

3005 East Boundary Terrace, Suite F. Midlothian, VA. 23112 (804) 562-3435 contact@hayesmicrobial.com Page: 3 of 7

Reporting Limit The Reporting Limit is the lowest number of spores that can be detected based on the total volume of the sample collected and the percentage of the slide that is counted. At Hayes Microbial, 100% of the slide is read so the LOD is based solely on the total volume. Raw spore counts that exceed 500 spores will be estimated.

Blanks Results have not been corrected for field or laboratory blanks.

Background The Background is the amount of debris that is present in the sample. This debris consists of skin cells, dirt, dust, pollen, drywall dust and other organic and non-organic matter. As the background density increases, the likelihood of spores, especially small spores such as those of Aspergillus and Penicillium may be obscured. The background is rated on a scale of 1 to 5 and each level is determined as follows:

NBD: No background detected due to possible pump or cassette malfunction. Recollect sample. (Field Blanks will display NBD) 1 : <5% of field occluded. No spores will be uncountable.

2 : 5-25% of field occluded.

3 : 25-75% of field occluded.

4 : 75-90% of field occluded.

5 : >90% of field occluded. Suggested recollection of sample.

Fragments Fragments are small pieces of fungal mycelium or spores. They are not identifiable as to type and when present in very large numbers, may indicate the presence of mold amplification.

Control Comparisons There are no national standards for the numbers of fungal spores that may be present in the indoor environment. As a general rule and guideline that is widely accepted in the indoor air quality field, the numbers and types of spores that are present in the indoor environment should not exceed those that are present outdoors at any given time. There will always be some mold spores present in "normal" indoor environments. The purpose of sampling and counting spores is to help determine whether an abnormal condition exists within the indoor environment and if it does, to help pinpoint the area of contamination.

Spore counts should not be used as the sole determining factor of mold contamination. There are many factors that can cause anomalies in the comparison of indoor and outdoor samples due to the dynamic nature of both of those environments.

Water Damage Indicator

Common Allergen

Slightly Higher than Baseline

Significantly Higher than Baseline

Ratio Abnormality

Blue: These molds are commonly seen in conditions of prolonged water intrusion and usually indicate a problem.

Green: Although all molds are potential allergens, these are the most common allergens that may be found indoors.

Orange: The spore count is slightly higher than the outside count and may or may not indicate a source of contamination.

Red: The spore count is significantly higher than the baseline count and probably indicates a source of contamination.

Violet: The types of spores found indoors should be similar to the ones that were identified in the baseline sample. Significant increases (more than 25%) in the ratio of a particular spore type may indicate the presence of abnormal levels of mold, even if the total number of spores of that type is lower in the indoor environment than it was outdoors.

Color Coding Fungi that are present in indoor samples at levels lower than 200 per cubic meter are not color coded on the report, unless they are one of the water damage indicators.

Tom Duff Mastertech Environmental 808 Warsaw Avenue Blackwood, NJ 08012

(856) 261-4395

13 Creek Rd Fort Square, NJ

#22046263

Spore Trap Information

3005 East Boundary Terrace, Suite F. Midlothian, VA. 23112 (804) 562-3435 contact@hayesmicrobial.com Page: 4 of 7

Spore Estimate Percentages

ND None Detected 0%

Rare Less than 10 spores < 1%

Light 10 - 99 spores 1-10%

Moderate 100 - 999 spores 11-25%

Heavy 1000 - 9999 spores 26-50%

Very Heavy 10000 or greater spores 51-100%

Mycelial Estimate

ND None Detected No active growth at site.

Trace Very small amount of Mycelium Probably no active growth at site.

Few Some Mycelium Possible active growth at site.

Many Large amount of Mycelium Probable active growth at site.

Tom Duff Mastertech Environmental 808 Warsaw Avenue Blackwood, NJ 08012

(856) 261-4395

13 Creek Rd Fort Square, NJ

#22046263

Direct Analysis Information

3005 East Boundary Terrace, Suite F. Midlothian, VA. 23112 (804) 562-3435 contact@hayesmicrobial.com Page: 5 of 7

Alternaria

Habitat: Commonly found outdoors in soil and decaying plants. Indoors, it is commonly found on window sills and other horizontal surfaces.

Effects: A common allergen and has been associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Alternaria is capable of producing toxic metabolites which may be associated with disease in humans or animals. Occasionally an agent of onychomycosis, ulcerated cutaneous infection and chronic sinusitis, principally in the immunocompromised patient.

Ascospores

Habitat: A large group consisting of more than 3000 species of fungi. Common plant pathogens and outdoor numbers become very high following rain. Most of the genera are indistinguishable by spore trap analysis and are combined on the report.

Effects: Health affects are poorly studied, but many are likely to be allergenic.

Aspergillus|Penicillium

Habitat: The most common fungi isolated from the environment. Very common in soil and on decaying plant material. Are able to grow well indoors on a wide variety of substrates.

Effects: This group contains common allergens and many can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis. They may cause extrinsic asthma, and many are opportunistic pathogens. Many species produce mycotoxins which may be associated with disease in humans and other animals. Toxin production is dependent on the species, the food source, competition with other organisms, and other environmental conditions.

Basidiospores

Habitat: A common group of Fungi that includes the mushrooms and bracket fungi. They are saprophytes and plant pathogens. In wet conditions they can cause structural damage to buildings.

Effects: Common allergens and are also associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Chaetomium

Habitat: Ascomycete fungus, commonly isolated from soil and decaying plant materials. It is cellulolytic and grows well indoors on damp sheetrock and other paper substrates. It is often found growing with Stachybotrys.

Effects: It is reported to be allergenic and may produce toxins.

Cladosporium

Habitat: One of the most common genera worldwide. Found in soil and plant debris and on the leaf surfaces of living plants. The outdoor numbers are lower in the winter and often relatively high in the summer, especially in high humidity. The outdoor numbers often spike in the late afternoon and evening. Indoors, it can be found growing on textiles, wood, sheetrock, moist window sills and in HVAC supply ducts.

Effects: A common allergen, producing more than 10 allergenic antigens and a common cause of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Tom Duff Mastertech Environmental 808 Warsaw Avenue Blackwood, NJ 08012

(856) 261-4395

13 Creek Rd Fort Square, NJ

#22046263

Organism Descriptions

3005 East Boundary Terrace, Suite F. Midlothian, VA. 23112 (804) 562-3435 contact@hayesmicrobial.com Page: 6 of 7

Myxomycetes

Habitat: Found on decaying plant material and as a plant pathogen.

Effects: Some allergenic properties reported, but generally pose no health concerns to humans.

Stachybotrys

Habitat: Commonly found in soil and on decaying plant material. It is cellulolytic, and can be found indoors on wet materials containing cellulose, such as wallboard, ceiling tile, and other paper-based materials. It is found outdoors on decaying plant material although it is rarely detected on outdoor air samples.

Effects: Allergenic properties are poorly studied and no cases of infection have been reported in humans. They do however produce potent tricothecene mycotoxins. The toxins produced by this fungus can suppress the immune system affecting the lymphoid tissue and the bone marrow. The mycotoxin is also reported to be a liver and kidney carcinogen.

Tom Duff Mastertech Environmental 808 Warsaw Avenue Blackwood, NJ 08012

(856) 261-4395

13 Creek Rd Fort Square, NJ

#22046263

Organism Descriptions

3005 East Boundary Terrace, Suite F. Midlothian, VA. 23112 (804) 562-3435 contact@hayesmicrobial.com Page: 7 of 7