Asbestos continues to be a highly regulated hazardous material due to its widespread use within industrial facilities for so many years. EPA, OSHA, and DOT all have important regulations with which facilities must comply. And, while removal and/or encapsulation activities receive the primary attention from facilities where asbestos materials remain in use, often overlooked is the requirement for a site-specific Asbestos Management Plan and employee awareness level training. Compliance Technologies has personnel trained under the requirements of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) and certified by the State of Ohio, Department of Health in order to provide expert asbestos-related (not abatement) services needed by our industrial clients in Cleveland, Ohio.

Asbestos Services Provided by CTI:

• Facility surveys and inspections
• Asbestos sampling and analysis Project planning for removal / encapsulation
• Project oversight for removal / encapsulation
• Air sampling for removal project clearance purposes
• Asbestos Management Plan preparation and revision
• Employee Awareness Level Training
• Asbestos Waste Management

Mold Services

“Black Mold” (Stachybotrys chartarum) is a greenish-black mold. It can grow on material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust, and lint. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding. Constant moisture is required for its growth. It is not necessary, however, to determine what type of mold you may have. All molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal.

Mold spores occur in the indoor and outdoor environments. Mold spores may enter your house from the outside through open doorways, windows, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems with outdoor air intakes. Spores in the air outside also attach themselves to people and animals, making clothing, shoes, bags, and pets convenient vehicles for carrying mold indoors.

When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth. Large mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled.

Mold growing in homes and buildings, whether it is Stachybotrys chartarum or other molds, indicates that there is a problem with water or moisture. This is the first problem that needs to be addressed. Mold in or under carpets typically requires that the carpets be removed. Once mold starts to grow in insulation or wallboard, the only way to deal with the problem is by removal and replacement.

The Centers for Disease Control states: Black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum), (also known by its synonym Stachybotrys atra) and other molds may cause health symptoms that are nonspecific. At present there is no test that proves an association between Stachybotrys chartarum and particular health symptoms. Individuals with persistent symptoms should see their physician. However, if Stachybotrys chartarum or other molds are found in a building, prudent practice recommends that they be removed.

A common-sense approach should be used for any mold contamination existing inside buildings and homes. The common health concerns from molds include hay fever-like allergic symptoms. Certain individuals with chronic respiratory disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, asthma) may experience difficulty breathing.

In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.

Current evidence indicates that allergies are the type of diseases most often associated with molds. If you are susceptible to mold and mold is seen or smelled, there is a potential health risk; therefore, no matter what type of mold is present, you should arrange for its removal.

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CTI’s experienced scientists and engineers are prepared to provide solutions to your environmental, health, and safety needs. In order to detail your company’s requirements, please fill out the Contact Form.