MOLD - WATER DAMAGE - ASBESTOS - LEAD PAINT - INDOOR AIR QUALITY - LEED IAQ TESTING......
AETHER provides testing, assessments, and consulting for a wide range of issues including:
Mold and Water Damage Assessments
Mold is everywhere. In your home, on your clothes, in your car - everywhere! However, given the right conditions it can quickly turn into an issue that needs to be properly addressed to minimize further building material degradation and potential occupant exposure. AETHER has extensive experience assisting clients of all types assess and make sensible recommendations to correct this concern. Contact us to do discuss your needs. Whether it is just a visual assessment or some combination of surface (tape-lift, swab, bulk) and air sampling (culturable, spore-trap) or Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) sampling, AETHER can tailor an assessment to meet your needs. 
Indoor Air Quality
It is estimated that we spend more than 90% of our time indoors. Numerous potential contaminant sources can negatively impact your health, productivity and overall quality of life. Finding a definitive source of your specific concern can sometimes be a daunting task and even if identifying the particular contaminant proves too expensive or elusive, there are often a whole host of deficiencies that, when corrected, can eliminate or improve your situation. AETHER has the experience to address these concerns within structures ranging from residences to lodging facilities to large commercial structures. 
LEED IAQ Testing
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a key component of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. LEED IEQc3.2 verifies acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) by either flushing the building with outdoor air or conducting baseline IAQ testing after construction and prior to occupancy. Many project teams elect IAQ testing (which can often be performed within one day) because building flush-out has to be performed for several weeks after construction but prior to occupancy, a time period that is simply not feasible for tight construction schedules. Meeting LEED IEQc3.2 using the IAQ testing option is not as simple as collecting a few samples. Often the biggest challenge is conducting the sampling during the brief window of time between construction completion and occupancy. Also, the IAQ testing strategy and methodology must meet the rigorous requirements of the credit. AETHER's LEED IAQ Testing services can include:
Thermal Imaging Assessments
Thermal imaging is very useful in identifying thermal anomalies consistent with water intrusion and can be used under the proper conditions indoors as well as on certain roof systems to help locate leaks. In addition, thermal imaging can be used for energy assessments, evaluation of equipment and many other purposes. 
Asbestos-Containing Materials
Do you own an older home or commercial structure? Are you planning renovations? Given the widespread use of asbestos in many building products, chances are you could impact asbestos and render it airborne. There are numerous regulations that govern the handling and disturbance of asbestos - too many to summarize here! However, one that we have found is often overlooked is that, with few exceptions, an asbestos inspection is required by NESHAP on all demolitions and renovations to determine if and how much asbestos is present at the site - no matter how old the building is. Contact AETHER prior to renovations for a survey by a licensed asbestos inspector and so that we can help you wade through the numerous regulatory requirements. 
Radon
COMING SOON!!!! 
Lead-Based Paint
According to the EPA, lead-based paint is the most significant source of lead exposure in the U.S. today. Most homes and buildings built before 1960 contain heavily leaded paint and some homes built as recently as 1978 (or newer) may also contain lead paint. Lead affects practically all systems within the body and at high levels it can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Lower levels of lead can adversely affect the brain, central nervous system, blood cells, and kidneys, with children being the most susceptible. Just as with asbestos, there are numerous regulations that deal with lead-based paint and AETHER can help. 
Education
Although we do not provide accredited training programs, sometimes that isn't needed. Sometimes you just need someone to come and speak to your employees about a specific concern to help alleviate their concerns or so they are just better informed. Eric has conducted numerous educational meetings on topics ranging from 2-hour asbestos awareness training, to IAQ impacts during construction to mold awareness. Unless requested, or the format demands it, I prefer to just sit down and talk rather than try to dazzle people with a presentation and a fancy laser pointer while rambling on and on. Sitting together in an informal setting and discussing specific concerns and experiences is often far more engaging and informative. 
And so much more.....
Not all issues fit neatly into a category or may not be extremely common. However, Eric Mercer of AETHER has the experience, education and common sense to help with issues that may be uncommon or "outside the box", such as:
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Did you know?
Aether does not provide remediation or abatement services. Although we have working relationships with qualified contractors, by not providing these services in-house we have removed a potential conflict of interest. Our purpose is to help you identify and resolve your concern and we do not have a financial interest in making your project 'larger' than need be. Case in Point An abatement contractor had completed an asbestos inspection on a property and provided a very competitive unit rate price on the removal of almost 600 linear feet of pipe insulation they identified. The building owner felt something was wrong and called for a second opinion. Our assessment showed there was only 100 linear feet of pipe insulation! No matter what unit rates the contractor was using, they were obviously trying to get more money out of the building owner and we were able to save him thousands. This is why we do not recommend that you allow the contractor to do the initial survey. A contractor may do the survey cheaper, but there is always the chance that they will more than 'make up for it' in the end! |