L&S Announce Steps to Protect Against Asbestos & MesotheliomaWritten by Rich McIver
Lewis and Sholnick have announced publication of some simple precautionary steps can be taken to avoid high risk situations in regards to asbestos and mesothelioma.Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It refers specifically to a cancerous tumor which involves mesothelial cells of an organ, usually lungs or abdomen. Despite being classified under rather broad category of cancer, however, Mesothelioma is unique for a number of reasons. First is immense devastation of disease, and inability for modern medical techniques to significantly slow its onset or offer a cure. Approximately 75% of patients die within 18 months of first signs of disease. Second, is long latency period between exposure to cause of disease, asbestos, and its onset. Latency runs gamut from 15 to 50 years, meaning that a person may have been exposed to asbestos more than a half century before first serious signs of disease manifest themselves. The average reported latency, however, is approximately 35-40 years. Precautionary Steps Because of devastating nature of disease and because we are able to point to a single root source, asbestos exposure, there is significant reason for all individuals to take necessary precautions to avoid contraction of disease. While certainly no steps taken can fully eliminate all risk of asbestos exposure, some simple precautionary steps can be taken to avoid high risk situations.
| | How to Collect Physical Mold Growth Samples for Low-Cost Mold Laboratory Identification of Mold SpeciesWritten by Phillip Fry
How to Collect Physical Mold Growth Samples for Low-Cost Mold Laboratory Identification of Mold SpeciesVANCOUVER, CANADA. Many property owners, apartment landlords, renters, employers, and employees want to know, and need to know, precise identities of various mold species infesting their moldy house, rental unit, or place of employment, according to Phillip Fry, Certified Mold Inspector and author of book Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, & Remediation. The accurate identification of mold species requires two steps: (1) physical collection of mold samples from moldy building; and (2) mold laboratory analysis of collected mold samples. The least costly way to collect mold samples is do-it-yourself approach carried out by gathering actual samples of mold growth to submit for mold laboratory analysis ($20.00 or more fee per sample analyzed). Bulk Physical Mold Sampling If a property owner or occupant sees mold growing on a wall, ceiling, floor, heating or cooling duct register, or any other surface, he can scrape mold particles off mold growth area into a small ziplock bag. Collecting such a physical sample is “bulk mold sampling” or “physical mold sampling.” During such scraping of mold growth, tester needs to wear rubber gloves and a full-face respirator mask with organic vapor filters (such as 3M brand from a large hardware, home improvement, or safety store). To do scraping, use a new or thoroughly disinfected (with ethyl or rubbing alcohol) paint scraper. Disinfect scraper after each individual sampling to remove any possible mold contaminants, and thus avoid mold cross-contamination in sampling process from one source or location to another. Print clearly and neatly on a large pressure sensitive label property owner’s name, property address, precise test location at that address, testing date, and type of sampling method (“bulk sample”), along with tester’s name and contact information. The label should also include each individual test number, as listed on mold chain of custody form, available free from mold laboratory. Attach label to ziplock bag containing that respective, numbered mold sample. Alternatively, tester can scrape mold particles directly into a mold test kit (Petri dish) to start growing (“culturing”) of mold sample. This “viable testing” growth process takes 5 to 7 days for accuracy in mold species identification. The tester can then either watch test kits for mold growth, or send mold test kit to mold lab immediately, or after self-observation growth period. Another bulk physical sampling technique is to cut out a small section (no larger than 2 inches by 2 inches) of a building material or home furnishing that contains significant mold growth. Then, put that cut piece into a small ziplock bag, or press firmly moldy side down into a mold test kit. Follow same labeling instructions explained above. Examples of moldy materials from which bulk samples can be cut for mold lab analysis are wood timbers, drywall, plasterboard, wallpaper, ceiling tile, carpeting, padding, heating/cooling system filters, clothing, furniture upholstery, and any other favorite mold food.
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