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With over 10,000 inspections completed in 10 years.
Welcome,
My name is Scott Zaeske President of All Stucco and Mold Inspections Inc. we are a certified stucco, EIFS, Dryvit, and hard coat stucco inspection company. We are also certified to do indoor air quality, mold, radon, meth lab, and asbestos inspections.
Our reputation preceeds us in quality, courteous, and timely inspections as we are dedicated to you our customer.
At All Stucco and Mold Inspections Inc. our name preceeds us in quality, honest, timely, and courteous service as we are dedicated to you our customer.
Bartow County
Cobb County
Gwinnett County
Fulton County
Fayette County
Cherokee County
Dekalb County
Rockdale County
Forsyth County
Floyd County
Absidia (Zygomycetes)
Radon Testing
Liz Hoffman
Providing A Voice To Stop the Nation's 2nd Leading Cause of Lung Cancer
One in five people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked.
Prevention for your family starts with a simple test of your home.
My name is Elizabeth Hoffmann and I’m a survivor of radon induced lung cancer. Although, I have never smoked, my 15-year exposure to dangerous levels of radon in my home resulted in doctors having to remove the cancerous lower lobe of my left lung prior to my 38th birthday.
Lucky for me, they caught my cancer early. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and EPA blame radon for the deaths of 21,000 Americans every year. But, their deaths, like my cancer, could have been prevented. A simple radon test at the time we bought our home in 1988 would have alerted me to fix our house before we moved in. If I’d only known...
Since few oncologists provide a potential explanation for the cause, most non-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer never make a connection to radon exposure. I would remain clueless myself, if it hadn’t been for the determination of my family to find out why. My cousin mentioned radon to my father, who tested my house upon my return from the hospital.
The purpose of this website is two-fold: First, to put a face on radon, empowering sufferers of an apparent radon-induced lung cancer (and their families) with a voice. While it is obviously too late to prevent our cancer, our stories can convince others to prevent deadly radon exposure by testing and fixing. We can also shape public policy by convincing lawmakers and government agencies to treat the radon issue and lung cancer with the seriousness they deserve.
Second, to prevent LC victims from remaining clueless. If you or a family member has been recently diagnosed with lung cancer, it is imperative that you test your home for radon.
If you determine radon is the likely cause of your lung cancer, we’ll simply invite you to come forward and share your story. Together, we can make a difference for generations to come.
Doctors Warn of the Need For Prevention
People come into my office and say Doc Price I just don’t understand it. How can this happen to me? I don’t smoke. Nobody ever smokes around me. How can I have lung cancer?
While it is true that most of my lung cancer patients have had a lot of tobacco exposure, the ones that are especially sad are the people who have never smoked, have never been around secondhand smoke, who have lived “good clean lives” and lo and behold, they have a cold or bronchitis, and the chest x-ray and the cat scan show they have lung cancer.
But, it is really hard to convince the public that radon is a problem when the nation’s leading housing authority, HUD, refuses to take action to prevent radon exposure. They require a termite letter to qualify for a mortgage, yet to my knowledge a termite never killed anybody. Why are they not requiring a radon test?
We know the direct association between radon and lung cancer. But to the people at risk, it’s a totally unperceivable problem because you can’t feel it; you don’t smell it and you don’t see it.
Lung cancer kills more Americans each year (160,000) than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined. The EPA estimates 21,000 of them are the result of radon-induced lung cancer. That’s nearly 60 per day!”
Never underestimate the importance of prevention in all aspects of your life. If you’re a lung cancer victim aware of all the ways it is impacting you and your family – you’d be kicking yourself if you knew something a simple as a radon detection device would have allowed you to prevent this from occurring.
Please contact us at All Stucco and Mold Inspections today 770 590-7880 and schedule a Radon test.
Where Does Radon Come From?
Radon is a naturally occurring odorless, tasteless, colorless radioactive gas. It is produced by the natural breakdown of radium in soil, rock and water. Many homes and other buildings, such as schools and offices have high levels of radon. Because it's odorless and invisible and the lung cancer usually shows up over a long period of exposure, the danger of radon is often underestimated.
Because of the stack effect, radon can be drawn into the home from the soil below. Common entry points are cracks in concrete floors, utility access points, spaces around floor drains, sump pits, construction joints and tiny cracks in basement walls. The concentration will depend on the source strength and the rate of pressure driven entry.
How Does Radon Induce Lung Cancer?
If inhaled, airborne radon decay products become deeply lodged or trapped in the lungs, where the alphas radiate and penetrate the cells of the mucous membranes, bronchi, and other pulmonary tissues.
The ionizing radiation energy affecting the bronchial epithelial cells is believed to initiate the process of the carcinogenesis. Although, radon-related lung cancers are mainly seen in the upper airways, radon increases the incidence of all histological types of lung cancer, including small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
What is The Evidence?
More is known about the health risk of radon exposure than almost any other human carcinogen. In fact, the University of Iowa College of Public Health recently compiled a bibliography of radon epidemiology research that took 192 pages just to list!
These include extensive studies of thousands of underground miners, carried out over more than 50 years worldwide, that have consistently shown an increase in lung cancer occurrence with exposure to radon progeny.
Miner studies have produced some interesting findings. For example, at equal cumulative exposures, low exposures in the range of EPA’s 4 pCi/L Action Level over longer periods produced greater lung cancer risk that high exposures over short periods. Non-smoking miners were observed to have a significant increased risk, even after controlling for, or in the absence of other mine exposures such as asbestos, silica, diesel fumes, arsenic, chromium, nickel, and ore dust. An added synergic effect between radon exposure and cigarette smoking was also found.
The NAS has repeatedly concluded that it is reasonable to extrapolate from the miner data to a residential situation and in doing so, consider that the effective doses per unit of exposure for people in homes is approximately 30% less than for the miners.
Residential studies have yielded similar findings. The Iowa Residential Radon Study completed in May of 2000 determined that even at the EPA Action Level of 4 pCi/L, an approximate 50 percent excess lung cancer risk was found among the women in the study after correcting for the impact of smoking. A 2002 residential study conducted in northeast Spain yielded similar results. Even at concentrations far below official guideline levels, the Spanish study found that radon might lead to a 2.5-fold rise in the risk of lung cancer.
Exposures of animals further confirm that radon and its progeny cause lung cancer. Health effects observed in animals exposed to radon include lung carcinomas, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, and a shortening of life span. The incidence of respiratory tract tumors increased with an increase in cumulative exposure. Exposure to ore dust and diesel fumes simultaneously with radon did not increase the incidence of lung tumors above that produced by radon progeny exposures alone. In a study of rats exposed to radon progeny, it was observed that the risk of lung cancer was elevated at exposure levels similar to those found in homes.
Can High Radon Levels Be Reduced?
A certified or licensed contractor can easily and affordably reduce elevated radon levels. Most techniques prevent radon from entering your home by drawing the radon from below the house and venting it through a pipe to the air above the house where it quickly dilutes.
Mitigation can also decrease moisture and other soil gases entering the home, reducing mold, mildew, methane, pesticide gases and other air quality problems.
Facts About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.
Lung cancer kills more Americans each year than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined.
Lung cancer kills more women each year than breast cancer.
Lung cancer kills 85% of newly diagnosed patients within five years.
Approximately 50% of the people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked or are former smokers.
Lung cancer gets few of the research dollars because of the perception it is self-inflicted by smoking.
In 2003, approximately $1,740 was spent on research per lung cancer death, compared with: $13,649 per breast cancer death, $10,560 per prostate cancer death and $4,581 per colorectal cancer death.
A common contaminant isolated from soil, air, stored grains, foods, and the indoor environment. Reported to be allergenic and a rare cause of human infection called zygomycosis.
Acremonium (Hyphomycetes)
Naturally found in soils, decaying organic matter, and plant debris. Can be found in food and the indoor environment. Acremonium is a common allergen, can produce a trichothecene mycotoxin, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Agrocybe (Basidiomycetes)
Medium to large mushrooms growing in grassy areas, on wood mulch, and pine needles. Some species are edible.
Alternaria (Hyphomycetes)
A common saprobe found on decaying wood, decaying plants, food, soil, and outdoor air. Some species are plant pathogens. Indoors, it can be found in house dust, carpet, damp areas around showers and window frames, and anywhere condensation occurs. Because of its abundance and ubiquity, Alternaria is one of the most important fungal allergens and is recognized as the chief fungal cause of hay fever. Infection is extremely rare.
Arthrinium (Hyphomycetes)
A cosmopolitan fungus isolated from plant debris and soil. Often isolated from air near grassy places, but rarely found indoors. Not reported to cause human or animal infection.
Arnium (Ascomycetes)
Most commonly isolated from dung. Not generally associated with human disease and is most often considered benign.
Ascomycetes
Constitutes the largest class of fungi characterized by the production of sexual spores in structures called asci. This includes plant pathogens, saprobes, and decomposers. With a few exceptions, most Ascomycetes do not grow in buildings and are seldom agents of wood rot. Ascomycetes are the perfect stages of molds like Aspergillus and Penicillium. At high levels, Ascomycetes spores may cause allergies.
Since most Ascomycetes are plant pathogens, ascospores are common during the growing season of plants and rare during winter, such as those of the Ascomycetes genera: Daldinia, Hypoxylon, Paraphaeosphaeria, Phaeosphaeria, and Leptosphaeria.
Ascospores
Sexual spores produced by Ascomycetes.
Aspergillus (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Emericella (Ascomycetes), Eurotium (Ascomycetes)
Found in soil, compost piles, decaying vegetation, stored grain, and other kinds of organic matter. Can be found indoors in water-damaged buildings. A few species can cause aspergillosis in humans with compromised or defective immune systems. Most people are naturally immune to this infection of the lung. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of aspergillosis, followed by A. flavus and A. niger. Some species are able to produce mycotoxins, depending on the strain, substrate, and/or food source. Others species are used in the manufacture of food, such as A. oryzae or A. soyae for soy sauce.
Aureobasidium (Hyphomycetes)
A common saprobe frequently isolated from soil, plant surfaces, seeds, grains, fruits and other food, human skin, and nails. Common indoors in humid areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, poorly maintained HVAC systems, and window frames. Allergies to Aureobasidium are common but infections are rarely reported.
Basidiomycetes
A class of fungi characterized by spores formed on basidia. Includes the mushrooms, toadstools, boletes, wood bracket fungi, and puffballs. Some species are edible, such as Agaricus bisporus, the commercially cultivated mushroom. A few species cause wood brown rot, white rot, and dry rot in buildings.
Basidiospores
Sexual spores produced by Basidiomycetes.
Beauveria (Hyphomycetes)
Found in plant debris and soil. Some species are well known parasites of insects. It is also isolated from food materials and indoor environments.
Bipolaris (Hyphomycetes)
A common saprobe and plant pathogen frequently isolated from plant debris and soil. It is also a common cause of leaf spot on golf course turf. A few species are capable of causing disease in humans.
Botrytis (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Sclerotinia (Ascomycetes)
Most species are important plant pathogens, such as B. cinerea, which can cause gray mold disease on various plant parts. Can be found in food and indoor environment, particularly on plants, fruits, and vegetables.
Cercospora (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Mycosphaerellaceae
Widespread plant pathogens that cause leaf spot on many plants.
Chaetomium (Ascomycetes)
A common fungus in soils, dung, decaying organic matter, seeds, and wood or other cellulose-containing materials. Can be found indoors in water-damaged buildings on sheet rock, wallpaper, and other paper products. It is a common cause of food spoilage. Some species are allergenic but rarely cause human infections.
Chromelosporium
Teleomorph: Peziza (Ascomycetes)
Chrysonilia (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Neurospora (Ascomycetes)
This genus is widespread; being found in food and indoors. Chrysonilia sitophila is popularly referred to as the red bread mold that occurs on breads, baked goods, meat, and fruits.
Chrysosporium (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Various Ascomycetes
A common soil saprobe occasionally isolated from human or animal skin and nail. Chrysosporium inops is xerophilic and occurs in food.
Cladosporium (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Mycosphaerella (Ascomycetes)
Widely distributed as plant pathogens and saprobes. It is the most frequently found fungus in outdoor air. Indoors, it usually occurs at low concentrations in damp or humid areas, but may be found in high concentrations in water-damaged building materials. Its ability to sporulate heavily and to get airborne makes it an important fungal allergen. Frequently isolated as a contaminant in foods. Only occasionally associated with disease in humans; one species can cause chronic subcutaneous infection.
Coelomycetes
An artificial class of fungi characterized by asexual spores that are produced within a cavity lined by fungal tissue or fungal and host tissues. Most are saprobes or pathogens on plants, fungi, and lichens.
Coprinus (Basidiomycetes)
These mushrooms are popularly referred to as the inky caps because their gills dissolve into a black inky fluid at maturity. Found on wood, dung, humus, and soil. Some species are edible.
Curvularia (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Cochliobolus (Ascomycetes)
A common saprobe found in soil, plants, cereals, and cellulosic materials such as paper and archives. Some species are plant pathogens but can also occur indoors. It is allergenic and may cause infections in immunocompromised people.
Dicyma (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Ascotricha (Ascomycetes)
Doratomyces
A saprobe commonly found on decaying plant materials, straw, dung, wood, and in soil. It produces dark, sooty colonies. It has the ability to penetrate cellophane and to decompose cellulose. Doratomyces stemonitis is suspected to be the causal agent of "speck rot" on potatoes.
Dreschlera (Hyphomycetes)
Mostly plant pathogens that cause leaf spot, seedling blight, leaf stripe, or net blotch.
Emericella (Ascomycetes)
Anamorph: Aspergillus (Hyphomycetes)
Usually found in soil, potatoes, grain, citrus, and stored seeds. Can be found in food and the indoor environment. Emericella nidulans can produce a sterigmatocystin mycotoxin and can be pathogenic to man and animals.
Epicoccum (Hyphomycetes)
A cosmopolitan saprobe isolated from air, soil, grain, seeds, textiles, paper products, and food materials. Can be a plant pathogen, and is a common cause of leaf spots of various plants. Can be found in indoor environments, where it can grow under conditions of low humidity. It is a known allergen, and is occasionally isolated from human skin and sputum.
Eurotium (Ascomycetes)
Anamorph: Aspergillus (Hyphomycetes)
Can be found in stored food, fruit juices, grains, nuts, milled rice, spices, meat products, and peas. Also commonly occurs in indoor environments. Eurotium herbariorum may cause keratitis and indigestion in man.
Exophiala (Hyphomycetes)
Widely distributed as a saprobe in soil, water, on plants and decaying wood. It is an occasional contaminant of feet and nails. Exophiala infections have also been reported in animals, including fish.
Fusarium (Hyphomycetes)
Soil-borne fungi containing many plant pathogens that cause root rot, stem rot, fruit rot, and vascular wilt. Common on commodities, such as rice, bean, soybean, and other crops. Some species are important mycotoxin producers, and others notably F. oxysporum, F. solani and F. moniliforme, are recognized as opportunistic pathogens of man and animals. The species that can produce three of the five internationally regulated mycotoxins are:
Fusarium sp
Habitat
Trichothecenes
Zearalenone
Fumonisins
F. acuminatum
Food
Can produce
-
-
F. crookwellense
Food
Can produce
Can produce
-
F. culmorum
Food, Indoor
Can produce
Can produce
-
F. equiseti
Food
Can produce
Can produce
-
F. graminearum
Food
Can produce
Can produce
-
F. poae
Food
Can produce
-
-
F. proliferatum
Food
-
-
Can produce
F. sambucinum
Food
Can produce
-
-
F. semitectum
Food
-
Can produce
-
F. sporotrichioides
Food, Indoor
Can produce
-
-
F. verticillioides
Food
-
-
Can produce
Ganoderma (Basidiomycetes)
Large, very hard, woody bracket fungi that grow on living and dead trees. Some species are common on oaks, chestnuts, and conifers such as hemlock, spruce, and pine. Many species are being investigated for possible medicinal uses.
Geotrichum (Ascomycetes Yeast)
Teleomorph Dipodascus, Galactomyces (Ascomycetes)
Commonly found in soil, water, air, decaying leaves, rotting paper, and textiles. Involved in spoilage of food like bakery products, dairy products, juices, fruits, and vegetables. Can be found in indoor environments with some species producing strong odors.
Hyphomycetes
A group of fungi in which asexual spores called conidia are produced from special conidiogenous cells.
Helvella (Ascomycetes)
A saddle-shaped fruiting body of a fungus found on soil, or sometimes on rotting wood.
Occasionally found growing on soil under houses.
Memnoniella (Hyphomycetes)
Mainly isolated from soils and dead plant material in tropical countries but has also been isolated from indoor sources such as paper, wallpaper, and textiles. Exposure to this genus should be avoided as they can produce griseofulvins, a potentially toxic metabolite. Emerging research has proposed that Memnoniella species actually belong to Stachybotrys.
Monodictys (Hyphomycetes)
Found on dead wood, stem, tree bark, damp linoleum, and paper. Isolated from soil and air.
Myxomycetes
Popularly called slime molds. These are not true fungi taxonomically. Some species are found in the soil, in decaying wood, or other organic matter, where they produce structures full of powdery resting spores.
Mucor (Zygomycetes)
Often found in soil, plants, hay, stored seeds, and manure. They can be found indoors in house dust, HVAC system dust, and poorly maintained carpets. They are rapid growers and can contaminate many kinds of stored food, including fruits and vegetables. A few species have been recovered from well-documented cases of zygomycosis. In general, infections due to members of this genus are rare.
Nigrospora (Hyphomycetes)
Some species are common on plants, particularly in the tropics. Occasionally isolated from soil, air, and foodstuffs.
Paecilomyces (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Byssochlamys (Ascomycetes)
A common saprobe found on dead plants and compost. Some species are insect parasites while others cause food spoilage. It is rarely a human pathogen but can cause infection in animals. However, some species, such as P. variotii, P. marquandii and P. lilacinus are emerging as causative agents of disease in immunocompromised individuals.
Penicillium (Hyphomycetes)
Many species are common contaminants on a variety of substrates. May be found indoors in air samples, carpet dust, or on wallpaper. Some species are able to produce mycotoxins, as summarized below. Human pathogenic species are rare, only limited to P. marneffei, which causes disease in immunocompromised individuals. Some species are used for commercial production, such as P. chrysogenum for the antibiotic penicillin, P. griseofulvum for the antibiotic griseofulvin, and P. roquefortii for blue cheese.
Penicillium
Habitat
Toxic Metabolite
P. aurantiogriseum
Food, Indoor
Can produce
P. brevicompactum
Food, Indoor
-
P. chrysogenum
Food, Indoor
-
P. citrinum
Food, (Indoor)
Can produce
P. commune
Food, Indoor
Can produce
P. corylophilum
Food, Indoor
-
P. crustosum
Food
Can produce
P. digitatum
Food
-
P. expansum
Food
Can produce
P. funiculosum
Food, Indoor
-
P. griseofulvum
Food
-
P. olsonii
Food, Indoor
-
P. oxalicum
Food
Can produce
P. polonicum
Food, Indoor
Can produce
P. roqueforti
Food
-
P. rugulosum
Food, Indoor
-
P. variabile
Food, Indoor
-
P. verrucosum
Food
Can produce
P. viridicatum
Food
Can produce
Periconia (Hyphomycetes)
A widespread fungus commonly found on various substrates, including stalks of grasses, herbaceous stems, dead leaves, or leaf spots. The spores of Periconia species are often indistinguishable from the spores of smut fungi like Ustilago species, when collected on air cassettes. Both genera can have spores that are brown, verruculose, or echinulate, ranging from 10-16 microns in diameter.
Peziza (Ascomycetes)
Anamorph: Chromelosporium
Popularly referred to as cup fungi. They vary in size and color, but are mostly shades of ocher or brown to gray-violet. Most species are commonly found on old straw, compost, peat, leaf litter, rotting wood, damp soil, and other moist substrates. Can be found indoors in wet basements and wet carpets.
Phialophora (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Ascomycetes
Occurs in nature as a soft rot fungus on wood often causing a distinct blue stain. Can cause diseases in immunocompromised individuals.
Phoma (Coelomycete)
Found in soil and plant materials as saprobes. Will grow on a variety of materials such as butter, paint, cement, and rubber. Occasionally pathogenic to plants and humans, but infection from this fungus is extremely rare.
Pithomyces (Hyphomycetes)
This genus is common in soil and on dead or decaying plant materials. Requires high moisture level for spore germination. Can potentially produce cyclodepsipeptides, sporidesmolides, and sporidesmin.
Rhinocladiella (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Capronia (Ascomycetes)
Rhizopus (Zygomycete)
Frequently isolated from soil and agricultural products, such as cereals and vegetables. Can cause infection in immunocompromised, malnourished or severely burned people.
Rhodotorula (Yeast)
A reddish yeast frequently isolated from air, soil, water, fruit juice, dairy products, and other substrates. Typically found as a saprobe in moist environments indoor such as carpeting, cooling coils, water tanks, humidifiers, and drain pans. Reported to be allergenic. Has been found to colonize terminally ill patients.
Rusts
Obligate parasitic fungi, which belong to Teliomycetes – Uredinales that cause plant diseases.
Scopulariopsis (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Microascus (Ascomycetes)
Mainly soil-borne, but also frequently isolated from wood, grain, fruit, paper, and food such as meat and dairy products. Also isolated from indoor environments. Most species can liberate arsenic gaseous compounds that can lead to arsenic poisoning. Has recently been associated with invasive human infections.
Scytalidium (Hyphomycetes)
Isolated from wood and soil.
Serpula (Basidiomycete)
Wood-attacking fungi. Serpula lacrymans is popularly referred to as the dry rot fungus or house fungus.
Smuts (Teliomycetes)
Obligate parasites and pathogens of plants that cause smut on various plant parts such as Silene anthers, corn kernels, onion bulbs, and rice grains.
Sordaria (Ascomycetes)
Common on dung. One species, S. fimicola is fairly common and is found on other substrates besides dung.
Sporobolomyces (Yeast)
Can be commonly detected in air samples. Frequently encountered indoors in water tanks, humidifiers, drain pans, etc.
Sporoschisma (Hyphomycetes)
Found on rotten wood and dead stems.
Sporothrix (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Ophiostoma (Ascomycetes)
Isolated from soil, live or dead plants, and peat moss. S. schenckii is an agent of human sporotrichosis, cutaneous infection, and ocular mycosis, usually in immunocompromised people.
Sporotrichum (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Phanerochaete (Basidiomycetes)
Can get airborne and be inhaled where it can form giant cells in the lungs.
Stachybotrys (Hyphomycetes)
A common saprophyte found on many substrates like grains, decaying plant materials, textiles, and tobacco. Grows indoors on water-damaged cellulose rich materials, such as sheet rock, paper, ceiling tiles, insulation backing, gypsum board, and wallpaper. The presence of this fungus can be significant due to its ability to produce mycotoxins under certain environmental conditions. Exposure to the toxins can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin exposure.
It is possible that Stachybotrys may play a role in the development of sick building syndrome, but probably only in conjunction with other factors. Until more information is available on the health risks of environmental exposure to Stachybotrys, caution should be taken when dealing with this fungus.
Stemphylium (Hyphomycetes)
A common saprobe typically is found on dead plants and wood. It has been also isolated from air, paper, and cellulosic materials.
Syncephalastrum (Zygomycete)
Often isolated from soil and dung in tropical and subtropical regions. Can also be a persistent laboratory contaminant.
Taeniolella (Hyphomycetes)
Common on dead branches, wood, and senescent leaves. Was isolated from human cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions.
Tetraploa (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Massarina (Ascomycetes)
Found on stems and leaf bases of many plants. Tetraploa aristata has been reported to cause keratitis.
Thermomyces (Hyphomycetes)
A thermophilic fungus that grows rapidly at 40° C.
Torula (Hyphomycetes)
Cosmopolitan fungi commonly found on wood, leaves, plant roots, and plant litter. Has also been isolated from air and soil. Some species cause stains in hardwoods.
Trichoderma (Hyphomycetes)
Very common especially in soil and decaying wood, dead leaves, fallen timber, compost heaps, and activated sludge. Can be found indoors in water-damaged buildings. Has occasionally been associated with disease in immunocompromised individuals.
Trichophyton (Hyphomycetes)
Some species are dermatophytes (growing on the skin) of humans or animals.
Tritirachium (Hyphomycetes)
A saprobe commonly isolated from decaying plant materials. Easily gets airborne. Can cause corneal ulcers.
Ulocladium (Hyphomycetes)
Found as a saprobe in soil, plant materials, rotten wood, paper, textiles and cellulose materials. Frequently collected in air and dust samples. Can grow indoors on water-damaged building materials. Has not been associated with disease in humans but can be very allergenic.
Verticillium (Hyphomycetes)
Mostly soilborne, root-inhabiting fungi that cause vascular wilt and other diseases on plants. Some species also infect mushrooms, rusts, and other fungi, as well as nematodes, ticks, mites and other insects. Other species can attack wool and textiles, or can decompose paper.
Wallemia (Hyphomycetes)
A very xerophilic fungus that has been isolated from soil, air, hay, textiles, and food such as jam, salted fish, and milk products. Can cause allergies.
Yeast
A growth form exhibited by some fungi in which the fungus exists as single budding cells.
Zygomycetes
A class of fungi where the asexual spores are mostly formed endogenously in sporangia. The majority of the species are saprobes.
Definitions
Allergen/allergenic
An allergen is an antigen, principally a protein, which can elicit symptoms of allergic disease in a previously sensitized individual. This antigen is specifically recognized by the individual’s immune system, with subsequent development of specific antibody and/or cell mediated immunity. Fungi can elicit an allergic reaction ranging from mild to severe, anywhere from a stuffy nose, through hay fever and asthma to pneumonitis. In most cases, the physical condition of the host, the amount of allergen the host is exposed to (spores, fungal hyphae, dust, pollen, etc.) and the degree of sensitization of the individual determines the severity of the reaction. In general, common environmental or indoor air contaminating fungi most often affect humans as irritants that elicit an immune response that we generally associate with allergies (hypersensitivity).
Anamorph
The imperfect stage or asexual state of the fungus produced by mitosis.
Colony
An individual fungal growth on an agar culture plate or natural/manufactured substrate, when the fungus has grown sufficiently to be readily seen with a hand lens or low-power microscope.
Conidia (conidium, singular)
Asexual non-motile spores.
Conidiophore
The specialized hypha or cell on which conidia are produced.
Hyphae (singular hypha)
The individual filament or thread that make up a fungus.
Hyphal Fragment
A portion of the fungal mycelium that does not have any spores or other diagnostic fungal structures, and therefore, could not be identified.
Immunocompromised
Incapable of developing a normal immune response, usually as a result of disease (lupus, HIV), malnutrition, or immunosuppressive therapy (chemotherapy, corticosteroids).
Mycotoxin
Secondary metabolites produced by fungi, which are toxic to human and animals in small quantities. Production of a specific mycotoxin tends to be genus-, species-, or even strain-specific.
No Mold Detected
This result indicates that spores, hyphae, or any fungal structures were not observed from the sample.
Parasite
An organism that requires a living host to survive. It lives in or on the host and derives nutrients or other substances from the host. It is generally not able to live saprophytically, and it may often cause extensive damage to the host.
Pathogen
An organism that can cause a disease on another living organism.
Saprobe
A fungus that feeds by external digestion of dead organic matter, and usually has the ability to adapt rapidly on the substrate.
Spore
An individual reproductive body or propagule of fungi, similar to a seed of plant.
Spore-producing structures
Fungal parts involved in spore production such as hyphae, conidiophores, phialides, and fruiting bodies, among others.
Teleomorph
The perfect stage or sexual state of the fungus involved in producing meiotic or sexual spores.
Xerophilic
Able to grow under dry conditions.
Industrial Hygienist Atlanta
We also do methamphetamine testing and inspections...
Methamphetamine use today is becoming an epidemic with labs discovered in such structures as single family dwellings, mobile homes, vehicles, hotels, open air structures; in both urban, suburban and rural areas.
Clandestine labs have become prevalent across America. They are used for the illicit production of illegal drugs, mostly methamphetamine, PCP, GHB, or MDA (Ecstasy). Some labs have even been found with the raw materials used to concoct homemade bombs. Law enforcement departments have seen a significant rise in occurrences over the last ten years. The hazardous materials found on these premises have to be properly inspected, tested, and cleaned up. In a three year span between 2000-2002 there were over 7500 removal jobs totally over 150,000 kg of hazardous materials. A thorough understanding of the many challenges involved in working at these sites and properly abating the hazards is crucial.
Types of hazards associated with clandestine labs Individuals usually operate these makeshift labs with little to no training in chemistry. They employ crude homemade equipment to accomplish complex and dangerous chemical reactions. Due to the nature of the chemicals involved there is significant risk of explosion, fire and exposure. Clandestine lab operators have also been known to carry firearms and use booby traps; due to the paranoid delusions associated with meth usage.
The chemical agents used in the production of illegal drugs can include common household products such as methanol, ether, benzene, methylene chloride, trichloroethane, toluene, muriatic acid, sodium hydroxide, table salt, and ammonia. Some of the uncommon household items used include anhydrous ammonia, red phosphorus, iodine, and reactive metals. The poor handling, disposal, and mixing of incompatible chemicals leads to significant hazardous conditions. Once these chemicals are mixed and used in the making or `cooking` process, the production of other potentially harmful chemicals ensue.
Oftentimes, abatement workers focus strictly on the chemical hazards. However, there may be drug addicts and other visitors coming to the lab expecting it to still be operational. Wandering meth users tend to be dillusional, paranoid and desperate. Your personal protection can be at stake.
Health effects related to exposure
Working in clandestine drug labs poses significant dangers that one must be aware of or serious health effects could develop including the most extreme case of death. Knowledge of basic toxicology is crucial. The effect of a chemical can differ significantly depending on how it enters the body. Entry routes include inhalation, dermal absorption, and ingestion. Inhalation is the most common route of entry since we are continuously breathing. Noxious chemicals that are breathed in can rapidly enter the circulatory system (blood) and get transported throughout the body. Since we are performing manual labor during abatement of the lab our respiratory rate is higher leading to greater exposure. Inhalation exposure also depends on the size of the inhaled particles and the properties of the exposed chemical. Chemicals with higher solubilities tend to get absorbed into the blood system faster. Toxins can also be absorbed through the skin. Although one may not feel pain or discomfort when the chemical contacts the skin, once it is absorbed it can travel throughout the body in the blood. Ingestion is the least likely exposure method but workers should be wary of eating and drinking within the confines of the lab.
Solvents such as acetone, ether, freon, hexane, methanol, and toluene target the eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, liver, and kidneys causing such symptoms as irritation to skin, eyes, nose and throat; headache; dizziness; central nervous system depressant/depression; nausea; vomiting; and visual disturbance. Corrosive chemicals such as anhydrous ammonia, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide (lye), sodium thiosulfate, sulfuric acid (drain cleaner) target the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract causing symptoms such as irritation to upper respiratory tract; cough; eye and skin irritation, inflammation and burns; gastrointestinal disturbances; thirst; chest tightness; dyspnea; muscle pain; syncope; and convulsions. Metals such as iodine, lithium metal, red phosphorus, yellow phosphorus, sodium metal used in the process can target the eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, liver, kidneys, blood, cardiovascular system causing irritation to eyes, skin, nose and respiratory tract; lacrimation; headache; chest tightness; cutaneous hypersensitivity; abdominal pain; and jaundice.
Sampling and laboratory analysis (basic, short and sweet)
Many States have specific guidelines for clearance testing associated with clandestine laboratories. For clandestine methamphetamine operations, the clearance contractor is usually required to wipe surfaces and send the samples to an accredited laboratory. NIOSH and OSHA have not published validated methods for the analysis of methamphetamine in air. OSHA has published a CSI (Chemical Sampling Information) procedure that utilizes gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID). However, most states require gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Detection limit requirements are sub microgram methamphetamine per wipe.
Samples can be taken from kitchen areas of the home where cooking activities are intensified. The clearance contractor should take samples from the refrigerator (inside and out), the stove/oven, and the gap between the counter and the stove where those nasty little toast crumbs build up.
Testing should also be performed where a wall or floor meets a cold/warmer exterior. The meth will tend to crystallize out at these temperature transition interfaces. HVAC ductwork should be inspected as well for settled residue. The vehicles used in transportation, if clearance is required, may need wipe testing. Dashboards and seats can be wiped and submitted for testing.
When searching for testing services, it is important to make sure your laboratory is aware of the clearance testing requirements for your State´s program. Also, make sure that the required instrumentation is available for use. Lastly, make sure the detection limits will meet your clearance needs.
Other types of laboratory testing may also be required that are related to the chemicals used in the manufacture of the illegal drug. The alchemist cooker may have used a variety of solvents and reactive metals to produce his/her illicit powders. Be sure to consult RCRA and State regulations regarding the testing and disposal of drummed wastes, building materials, carpet, wallboard, ceiling tiles, furniture, and appliances.
There may be toxic materials buried or dumped in the surrounding grounds. A thorough investigation of the entire property is required.
Abatement & Hazardous Materials Handling Guidelines
Only trained personnel should be handling any chemicals. These individuals must be able to recognize chemical names and understand the effect of chemical combinations. Separating any incompatible chemicals can reduce the risk of explosion. Ventilate all confined spaces thereby limiting the concentration of explosive fumes and turn off any heat sources. Make sure all the lab equipment is turned off and no longer heating the
chemicals.
Household materials, including carpets, sheetrock, ceiling tiles, upholstery, and draperies, may become contaminated with chemicals requiring abatement. During cleanup and removal of contaminated materials, workers should have personal protection equipment. This includes eye, hand, and foot coverings. Disposable gloves and a Tyvek jumpsuit are good precautions for direct contact exposure but if toxic fumes are suspected then a suitable breathing apparatus is needed. More often then not, abatement includes removal of contaminated materials, and scrubbing and painting solid surfaces. Depending on the site and extent of contamination, soil and groundwater may need extensive cleanup.
Meth Lab Assessment Service
At All Stucco and Mold Inspections Inc. our name preceeds us in quality, honest, timely, and courteous service as we are dedicated to you our customer.
Our mission at All Stucco Inspections Inc. is working for you as a independent third party stucco or EIFS home inspection company.
We have no vested interest in repairs but we can give you a list of contractors if needed and we will protect you from companies in Atlanta doing stucco inspections and repairs. If you do not hire us be sure you hire a company like us as an independent thrd party.
We can save you money and answer your questions about stucco, eifs, synthetic stucco,hardcoat, water damage, termite infestation, elastomeric coatings, Dow Corning caulking, moisture free warranty, and stucco bond.
Many home inspection companies are new to stucco or eifs which could hurt in the sale of a home or cost homeowners a lot of money in repair costs.
We have inspected over 10,000 stucco homes in the city of Atlanta and suburbs.
Our experience in eifs and stucco home inspections, chemistry, litigation, manufacturing, technical specifications, research, and development in this industry is unsurpassed.
Stucco homeowners or buyers rest assured that if these products are installed and maintained properly they will last as long if not longer than brick, wood, vinyl, or any siding system.
All Stucco Inspections Inc. does the following:
*Full moisture testing and inspection.
*Photographs of any needed upgrades.
*Written report documenting observations.
*Stucco report is ready the very same day as inspection.
*List of independant certified contractors.
*Follow-up inspection after any upgrades are completed at 1/2 the price of the original inspection cost.
Compare our services to any other stucco inspection company in Atlanta and find out that All Stucco Inspections does the most for your dollar and no other company has as much experience as we do.
-----------------STUCCO INSPECTION COST---Atlanta--------Chicago
*-One sided hardcoat stucco or EIFS home.... $250.00.........$295.00
*-Two sided hardcoat stucco or EIFS home.... $295.00.........$395.00
*-Three sided hardcoat stucco or EIFS home.. $350.00.........$495.00
*-Four sided hardcoat stucco or EIFS home... $395.00..........$595.00
-Stucco Protect program EIFS/stucco homes.. $200.00
(Includes yearly inspection)
*Prices based on homes up to 3500 sq. ft. with upcharge for larger homes.
Click here for Chicago stucco, EIFS, Dryvit, indoor air quality, and mold inspections.
We also offer a follow-up inspection at half the original price of the initial inspection. Meaning if you did have work done on your home we will come back to make sure the stucco contractor did it right.
We also inspect commercial buildings including shopping centers, malls, hotels, motels, hospitals, industrial buildings, and high rises.
We are also certified to do mold inspections of black mold, stachybotrys mold, and toxic mold along with indoor air quality and sick house syndrome testing.
-Mold inspections begin are $300.00
Click here for mold inspections.
Click on our link below for more information on black toxic stachybotrys mold inspections.770.590.7880 or 1-800-MOLD-LAB
We bring peace of mind to our clients in offering services no other Atlanta stucco home inspection company can offer.
EIFS means Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems
you will see EFIS, EEFS, IFIS, or FEIS.
Hardcoat stucco means cement, lime, and sand
you will see stuco, stuko, stucko, or stucc-o.
Please note:Testing equipment is 50% of the stucco inspection the other 50% is our experience.
Can you trust your lifetime investment with novice home inspectors or repair companies?
"We know stucco..."
Please click on the helpful stucco and EIFS links below and check out the test equipment used and much more...
HOT LINKS
Non-intrusive moisture scanning equipment we use.
Here are intrusive moisture probes used.
Termite companies cutting hardcoat stucco.
Dow Corning silicone caulking for EIFS and hardcoat stucco.
Stucco repair contractors and mold remediation contractor.
Stucco information and help from All Stucco Inspections.
Elastomeric painting video please wait to fully load and then click play.
What is EIFS, Dryvit, or synthetic stucco?.
Atlanta Better Businessmens Association.
Drainable EIFS Synthetic Stucco specification.
The Sentricon termite baiting system.
Click here for Indoor Air Quality IAQ Inspections or Mold Inspections.
Hardcoat stucco installations and inspections.
My little sisters wedding music site in Houston TX.
Beware of stucco repair companies doing stucco inspections which is a conflict of interest costing Atlanta area homeowners on average between $5000.00 and $7000.00 of unneeded repairs.
Be sure to call us first or as a second opinion to these stucco companies.
If you do not use All Stucco Inspections be sure who you hire is a totally independant third party inspection which our company always has been and always will be. We have no vested interest in repairs and high repair bills as we work for you to save money.770.590.7880
Fact: Infrared testing has been found inconclusive. Stucco litigation and class action does not recognize infrared moisture testing and neither should you.
We offer follow-up inspection at 1/2 the price of the original inspection charge.
We have inspected many stucco and eifs products:
Dryvit
Drivit
Thorowall
Finestone
Sto
Stow
Stowe
Senergy
Acrocrete
Premix Marbletite
Parex
Shield Industries
Shields
SIR Stucco
Bonsal
Fuller
Eurocoat
Best
Colormatch
Color Guard
Masterwall
R Wall
USG
Celotex Quick R
Stucco Sir
Densglass Gold
Durock
Drivet
Pro Stucco
Drivett
Drivette
Dryvet
Dryvette
Termite Inspectors
Termite Bond
Termite cutting of stucco
and many more...
No matter how you spell it...
We know "stucco". 1-800-665-3522
Serving all of Chicago land area including:
Elgin
East Dundee
West Dundee
Sleepy Hollow
Cook County
Algonquin
Batavia
McHenry
St. Charles
Geneva
Bartlett
Hanover Park
Bloomingdale
Aurora
Kane County
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Schaumburg
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Carpentersville
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Chicago
Warrenville
West Chicago
Roselle
Kane County
Cook County
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Roselle
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Wayne
Naperville
Palatine
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McHenry County
Lake Geneva Wisconsin
Barrington
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Sugar Grove
Wheaton
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Glendale Heights
Carol Stream
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Fox River Grove
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Lake in the hills
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South Elgin
All Stucco and Mold Inspections Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia
770 590-7880
Mold inspection homepage.
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