Services & Technology

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Exposure to elevated levels of mold or other microbial contaminants indoors can cause a myriad of health issues. To address these concerns, HTX Consulting Services offers comprehensive mold and microbial inspections along with testing services to determine the presence and extent of any microbial proliferation within a space or building.

Sampling may involve air, dust, water, surface and/or bulk materials. These may be taken from various locations, including HVAC systems, wall cavities and other matrices. If microbial contamination is found, HTX offers remediation protocol preparation with oversight and clearance testing services to ensure the issue is handled properly to provide a healthy indoor environment for all building occupants.

HTX Consulting Services include, but are not limited to:

  • Mold Assessments
  • Mold, Moisture & Relative Humidity Inspections
  • Indoor Air Quality Testing
  • Microbial & Bacterial Testing
  • Environmental Allergen Testing
  • Sanitary Sewer Overflow and Floodwater Testing
  • Water Intrusion Inspections
  • Moisture Detection with Infrared Thermography
  • Mold Prevention Services
  • Mold Remediation Protocols
  • Mold Remediation Project Oversight
  • Post-Remediation Assessments & Testing
  • HVAC System Hygiene Evaluations
  • Construction Inspections for Microbial Issues
  • 3rd Party Laboratory Analysis and Documentation
  • Professional and Detailed Reports
  • TDLR State Mold Certificates
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HTX Consulting Services has access to the industry’s most advanced instrumentation and utilizes recognized industry testing protocols. Our expert staff performs a comprehensive site assessment using tools such as infrared cameras, moisture meters, relative humidity meters and other instruments to create a complete picture of the building, both indoors and outdoors.

When sampling is required, HTX has partnered with the industry’s most renowned third-party laboratories for all our testing needs. All samples are processed in these testing facilities to ensure accurate and timely results.

Testing Equipment and Sample Matrices include:

  • Infrared (IR) Thermography Cameras
  • Wall Inspection Cameras
  • Zefon Bio-Pumps
  • Psychrometers
  • Hygrometers
  • Moisture Meters
  • Relative Humidity Meters
  • Sample Types - Air, Swab, Tape Lift, Bulk, Water and Dust
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Air Sampling Methods

Air samples are possibly the most common type of environmental sample that investigators collect to study bioaerosols (mold, pollen, particulates). The physics of removing particles from the air and the general principles of good sample collection apply to all airborne materials, whether biological or other origin. Therefore, many of the basic principle’s investigators use to identify and quantify other airborne particulate matter can be adapted to bioaerosol sampling. Common to all aerosol samplers is consideration of collection efficiency.

Air-O-Cell Cassette

The Air-O-Cell spore trap cassette is used with a portable air pump (15 liters/minute for 1 to 10 minutes) to collect airborne aerosols including mold, pollen and other airborne particulates. Air is drawn through a small opening at the top of the cassette and spores are trapped on a sticky coated glass slide inside the cassette. These cassettes are efficient at collecting spores as small as 2.6μm.

Surface Sampling Methods

Surface sampling can be useful for differentiating between mold growth and stains of various kinds. This type of sampling is used to identify the type of mold growth that may be present and help investigate water intrusion. Surface sampling can help the interpretation of building inspections when used correctly. The following are the different types of surface samples that are commonly used to perform a direct examination of a specific location. Spore counts per area are not normally useful.

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Swab

A sterile cotton or synthetic fiber-tipped swab is used to test an area of suspected mold growth. Samples obtained using this method can be cultured for species identification or analyzed using direct microscopy for genus identification. The laboratory is usually able to determine if there is current of former mold growth or if only normally settled spores were sampled. Identified spores are generally reported as “present/absent”.

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Tape (or tape-lift)

These samples are collected using clear adhesive tape or adhesive slide for microscopic examination of suspect stains, settled dust and spores. Tape lifts are an excellent, non-destructive method of sampling. The laboratory is usually able to determine if there is current of former mold growth or if only normally settled spores were sampled.

Bulk

This is a destructive test of materials (e.g., settled dust, sections of wallboard, pieces of duct lining, carpet segments, return-air filters, etc.) to determine if they contain or show mold growth. Bulk sampling collects a portion of material small enough to be transported conveniently and handled easily in the laboratory while still representing the material being sampled. A representative sample is taken from the bulk sample and can be cultured for species identification or analyzed using direct microscopy for genus identification. The laboratory is usually able to determine if there is current of former mold growth or if only normally settled spores were sampled.

“Emphasis should be placed on preventing contamination through proper building maintenance and prompt repair of water damaged areas.” - OSHA