Atch-230671
10 Atch-230671
Limited Mold Assessment
8996 Olive Street, Units 1-10
Fontana, California 92335
March 06, 2023
City of Fontana, Housing Department
8353 Sierra Avenue
Fontana, California 92335
Attn: Ms. Mary Aguilar
Re: 8996 Olive Street, Units 1-10
Fontana, California 92335
Pursuant to your request, A-Tech Consulting, Inc. (A-Tech) has completed a Limited Mold Assessment in Units 1-10 at 8996 Olive Street, in Fontana, California. The following report summarizes the findings of this inspection.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This limited mold assessment was authorized by and performed at the request of Ms. Mary Aguilar with the City of Fontana, Housing Department. The limited mold assessment was conducted on February 24, 2023, by James Honer with A-Tech.
2.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF SERVICES
The purpose of this investigation was to conduct an industrial hygiene assessment to determine if fungal activity within the assessed area(s) is present. The scope of this assessment included, and is limited to, a nondestructive visual inspection of the suspect area(s), collection of air and surface fungal samples, collection of a control air sample, surface moisture measurements, collection of digital photographs, and estimation of affected area, if applicable. Upon completion of the site reconnaissance, an assessment report is prepared that includes a summary of the on-site assessment, analytical results and recommendations, if any.
Per a previous asbestos inspection conducted by A-Tech, asbestos is present in the stucco, ceramic tile grout and brown resilient flooring/resilient floor mastic plank. Refer to A-Tech Project Number Atch- 220309 Asbestos Inspection for further information. All activities impacting the hazardous material must be conducted as an abatement project by a certified abatement contractor and adhere to all Federal, State and Local regulations.
3.0 HISTORICAL DATA
Per Ms. Mary Aguilar of City of Fontana, Housing Department water intrusion has been recurring in several areas throughout the 1st through 2nd Floors. The source of moisture intrusion is suspected to be caused by on-going water leaks from the roof. The time frame and date of incident is unknown.
4.0 VISUAL INSPECTION AND SAMPLING METHODOLOGY
To identify suspected and potential water intrusion/mold growth, a visual inspection of the affected areas was conducted. The inspection was limited to area(s) where moisture and/or fungal activity is suspected to be present.
4.1 SITE/SUBJECT AREA DESCRIPTION
The subject site consists of a two-story building. In general, the building composition includes a stucco exterior and drywall interior with wood framing. Areas inspected were limited to Units 1-10.
Atch-230671
10 4.2 HOUSEKEEPING
The units are currently vacant. The affected building materials were noted to be in fair condition. No visibly decaying plant life or consumables were noted in the area inspected.
4.3 MOISTURE ASSESSMENT AND VISUAL OBSERVATIONS
On the day of the investigation, area(s) included in the scope of service were inspected visually for mold content, and probed for moisture content utilizing a GE Protimeter TM moisture meter. Moisture is considered elevated at a level above 18 percent. For ease of interpretation moisture is reported in None Detected, Low, Moderate, or High.
A FLIR TM thermal imaging camera was utilized to determine moisture path of travel and create a moisture map for the affected area(s).
The areas visually inspected were Units 1-10 of the 1st and 2nd Floors.
Moisture and/or visible suspect fungal growth was present in the following location(s):
1st Floor, Unit 1: Elevated moisture levels were detected on the West and South Walls of the Bathroom. Visible suspect fungal growth was observed on the South Wall of the Kitchen. No visible moisture staining/damage was observed.
1st Floor, Unit 2: Elevated moisture levels were detected on the South Wall of the Kitchen. Visible suspect fungal growth was observed on the South Wall/Ceiling of the Kitchen, North Wall of Bedroom 2 and North and South Walls of the Bedroom Closet. No visible moisture staining/damage was observed.
1st Floor, Unit 3: Visible suspect fungal growth was observed in the South Wall of the Kitchen, Hallway and Bedroom 1. No elevated moisture levels or moisture staining/damage was detected. 1st Floor, Unit 4: Elevated moisture levels were observed in the South Wall of the Kitchen and Bedroom 1. No visible suspect fungal growth or moisture staining/damage was observed. 1st Floor, Unit 5: Visible suspect fungal growth was observed in the West Wall of the Bedroom and all walls of the Bedroom Closet. Moisture staining/damage was detected on the West Wall of the Bathroom. No elevated moisture levels was detected.
2nd Floor, Unit 6: Elevated moisture levels were detected on the East Wall of the Bathroom. Visible suspect fungal growth and moisture staining/damage was observed on the South Wall of the Kitchen. 2nd Floor, Unit 7: Visible suspect fungal growth was observed in the South Wall and Ceiling of the Kitchen. No elevated moisture levels or moisture staining/damage was detected. 2nd Floor, Unit 8: Elevated moisture levels and moisture staining/damage was detected on the South Wall of the Kitchen. No visible suspect fungal growth.
2nd Floor, Unit 9: Visible suspect fungal growth was observed in the South Side Ceiling of the Kitchen. No elevated moisture levels or moisture staining/damage was detected. 2nd Floor, Unit 10: Elevated moisture levels were detected on the Southwest corner of the Bathroom.
Visible moisture staining/damage was observed on the South Wall of the Kitchen. No visible suspect fungal growth was observed.
Impacted areas and water restoration/mold remediation recommendations are listed in detail in Section 8.0 Recommendations, of this report. Additionally, photos of the visible moisture damage and suspect mold growth in the affected areas of the inspected locations are included in Appendix D, Digital Photographs for reference.
Atch-230671
10 4.4 NON-VIABLE MOLD AIR SAMPLING
Non-Viable air sampling was collected to characterize airborne mold content, if any. Air sampling was conducted utilizing a bio-air pump calibrated at fifteen liters per minute. A mold air cassette is attached to the pump and air is filtered through the cassette where an adhesive filter collects organic and non-organic particulates. The openings of the cassette are then sealed and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Control air sample(s) is/are obtained for a benchmark comparison to the inspected/tested area(s).
4.5 NON-VIABLE MOLD SURFACE SAMPLING (Tape Lift)
Non-Viable surface samples of the suspected areas were collected to characterize mold content, if any.
Tape-Lift surface sampling was conducted by pressing a Bio-Tape slide to the subject area surface and then attached to a microscopy slide and sealed in a transportation case for transport and analysis.
4.6 LABORATORY AND ANALYTICAL INFORMATION
All collected samples were sealed in the provided transportation case and submitted using chain-of- custody procedures to Eurofins EPK Built Environment Testing, LLC located at 2841 Dow Avenue, Suite 300, Tustin, California 92780 (866) 888-6653 for analysis of microbial content. Eurofins EPK Built Environment Testing, LLC participates in the Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing (EMPAT) program administered by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Direct microscopy is utilized to analyze the viable and non-viable spores to determine the individual genre and total spore counts.
Non-Viable analysis was utilized for this assessment. Non-Viable data allows for rapid turnaround of laboratory analysis for the purpose of determining general contaminants, thus expediting moisture and mold mitigation activities and post remediation verification, if required. Non-Viable sample analysis is useful when genus or species identification is not pertinent to the purpose of the assessment.
5.0 ANALYTICAL RESULTS
The following is a summary of all analytical results for this investigation.
5.1 NON-VIABLE MOLD AIR SAMPLING
Results for fungal air sampling are reported individual count per cubic meter (cts/m 3) per industrial genre is identified and totaled into total count per cubic meter (cts/m 3). To determine if a microbial proliferation is suspect, total individual genres counts, total counts per sample location and counts versus comparison control sample(s) (exterior) are all taken into account. A total of eleven (11) mold air samples were obtained during this assessment. It was determined that ten (10) samples had elevated levels of fungal growth. Spore counts presented in blue were spores found in the subject location but were not present in the control sample. Spore counts presented in red are considered elevated levels for the area tested.
Results for the direct microscopic examination of the air samples obtained are outlined as follows:
Sample
Number
Sample
Location Temp./Humidity
Prominent Mold - Genre Level
(spores/m3)
Total Mold
Spores
(spores/m3)
230671-MA-
0001 Exterior 72.7 °F / 51.0%
Ascospores - 210
Basidiospores - 270
Chaetomium - 13
Cladosporium - 160
650*
230671-MA-
0002
Unit 1, Kitchen,
Center 53.7 °F / 49.1%
Chaetomium - 13,000
Other Brown - 40
Penicillium/Aspergillus - 16,000
Stachybotrys - 13
Ulocladium - 13
29,000
Atch-230671
10 Sample
Number
Sample
Location Temp./Humidity
Prominent Mold - Genre Level
(spores/m3)
Total Mold
Spores
(spores/m3)
230671-MA-
0003
Unit 2, Kitchen,
Center 53.7 °F / 49.1%
Chaetomium - 1,600
Cladosporium - 160
Penicillium/Aspergillus - 4,900
Stachybotrys - 730
Ulocladium - 27
7,400
230671-MA-
0004
Unit 3, Bedroom
1, Center 53.7 °F / 49.1%
Chaetomium - 520
Cladosporium - 110
Other Brown - 27
Penicillium/Aspergillus - 1,900
Ulocladium - 93
2700
230671-MA-
0005
Unit 4, Kitchen,
Center 53.7 °F / 49.1%
Chaetomium - 350
Cladosporium - 160
Penicillium/Aspergillus - 910
Stachybotrys - 160
Ulocladium - 13
1,600
230671-MA-
0006
Unit 5,
Bedroom/Closet,
South Side
53.7 °F / 49.1%
Basidiospores - 110
Chaetomium - 13,000
Cladosporium - 270
Penicillium/Aspergillus - 270
Penicillium/Aspergillus - 270
Stachybotrys - 810
Ulocladium - 27
14,000
230671-MA-
0007
Unit 6, Kitchen,
Center 53.7 °F / 49.1%
Chaetomium - 1,600
Other Brown - 13
Cladosporium - 270
Penicillium/Aspergillus - 690
Stachybotrys - 1,400
Ulocladium - 93
4,100
230671-MA-
0008
Unit 7, Kitchen,
Center 53.7 °F / 49.1%
Ascospores - 110
Basidiospores - 110
Chaetomium - 210
Penicillium/Aspergillus - 270
Stachybotrys - 53
Ulocladium - 27
770
230671-MA-
0009
Unit 8, Kitchen,
Center 53.7 °F / 49.1%
Chaetomium - 27
Cladosporium - 160
Nigrospora - 13
Penicillium/Aspergillus - 640
Ulocladium - 67
910
230671-MA-
0010
Unit 9, Kitchen,
Center 53.7 °F / 49.1%
Chaetomium - 40
Penicillium/Aspergillus - 800
Ulocladium - 13
850
230671-MA-
0011
Unit 10,
Kitchen, Center 53.7 °F / 49.1%
Chaetomium - 80
Cladosporium - 110
Other Brown - 13
Penicillium/Aspergillus - 210
Ulocladium - 13
430
*Note: Total mold spore count reflects all genres detected in the exterior sample, including the genres not detected in the interior sample(s) obtained.
These results indicate that a microbial hazard exists in the areas tested that contain elevated fungal counts. Please refer to Appendix A, Mold Air Sample Summary for detailed information on the sample results.