Building Biology & Occupant Disease

Of course, a topic that covers such a broad category of potential subject matter could be a novel. To keep things simple, let’s focus on the fundamentals of building biology and what it means when you begin to sense something is unhealthy with the building and/or yourself. 

Often, we receive calls from clients who are experiencing ill symptoms while inside a building but not outside of it. When we get these calls, we must determine what the potential contaminant(s) may be. Which leads to my first thing to remember: 

Not everything is a result of mold – even on water damages.

It is sad say, but this is not a process commonly performed during normal disaster restoration and most assessment services. Which leads me to two more things to remember: 

Don’t assume the experience and training of your contractor – make sure it fits your needs and expectations before you hire them.

AND

Don’t delay getting a professional risk assessment performed on any property damage by a qualified risk assessor.

A lot of people do delay the risk assessment, trusting that a restoration company will be performing these types of assessments and remediating problems associated with found contamination, but this is not the case; in fact, restoration standards of care and authoritative associations and institutes of learning state that restoration companies that perform their own pre- and post- restoration assessments are operating within a conflict of interest. Be that as it may, remember this: 

There are, usually, complications with doing these assessments after restoration takes place.

Even the best indoor environmental assessor cannot see through history and restoration processes already performed. Having the indoor environmental assessor involved throughout the restorative processes allows you an expert with specific expertise to empower you. I'll give you an example of what I'm talking about:

Had the indoor environmental assessor been involved initially everyone would have known things like: 

1. Where the moisture was coming from and to what extent it was impacting the building
2. The condition of the windows, doors, roof, and other building components
3. The actual and immediate impact of the roof damage and water intrusion(s) on the indoor environment
4. Gained an independent protocol (for corrective actions) with goals and direction for restorative, remediative, and health and safety processes to secure the actions of all parties on the claim
5. Received a valuable, in-time, review of post-restoration/remediation processes and their effectiveness at meeting the protocol’s goals and procedures

There wouldn’t have been all this confusion, chaos, discomfort, disease, heartache, and expensive litigation. This leads to the next thing to consider: 

Why take chances with everyone’s health and safety during and after the building’s restoration when you can gain solutions to your actual needs, reduce risk, and provide for guidance toward a successful restorative process the first time around?

Contact Gulf Coast Center for Indoor Air Quality Services to learn more about how we can serve you when responding to a building-related disaster or suspected building related illness/symptoms.