System and methods for detecting and remediating mold

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to systems for detecting, treating, comparing and testing for mold, mold spores and mold fragments physically present or in the air of an environment. Methods for remediating the effects of mold are also described herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for remediating the effect of mold in an environment, comprising:
 detecting the physical presence of mold, mold spores and mold fragments;   sampling for airborne mold, mold spores and mold fragments;   categorizing each mold detected based on its type and location in the environment, establishing an airborne mold baseline for the environment;   applying a first solution to address the physical presence of mold detected in the environment;   applying a second solution to the air in the environment;   ventilating the environment, for a predetermined length of time;   testing for molds remaining in the environment; and   comparing the test results to the airborne mold baseline.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first solution comprises at least sodium hypochlorite 12.5% and a surfactant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethoxylates. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second solution comprises a fog-based, submicron electrolyzed salt water solution. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the categorizing comprises photographing and labeling each mold, mold spore or mold fragment detected. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the baseline comprises a first baseline relating to an outdoor environment and a second baseline relating to an indoor environment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the baseline comprises a physical mold baseline and an airborne mold baseline. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of ventilating occurs at a rate of about 1 to 3 exchanges per hour. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sampling step comprises the use of adhesive tape for physical surfaces located in the environment, and air sampling cassettes, impact samplers, and Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensors for airborne molds. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of interpreting the comparison of the test results to the baseline. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps are repeated until the test results are substantially the same as or improved in comparison to the baseline. 
     
     
         12 . A method for remediating the effect of mold in an environment, comprising:
 establishing a baseline for the type of environment;   sampling the environment for the presence of one or more molds;   applying a first solution to physical molds detected in the environment;   applying a second solution to the airborne molds in the environment;   ventilating the environment for a predetermined length of time;   comparing the test results to the established baseline;   repeating the second through sixth steps until the test results are improved, in comparison to the baseline, by a predetermined value.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of establishing a baseline comprises establishing a first baseline relating to an indoor environment and establishing a second baseline relating to an outdoor environment. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of establishing a baseline comprises establishing a physical mold baseline and establishing an airborne mold baseline. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first solution comprises sodium hypochlorite 12.5% in combination with at least one surfactant. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second solution comprises submicron electrolyzed salt water. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the use of a micro aerosol generator to distribute one or more disinfectants throughout the environment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more disinfectants comprises NebuPure.