Environmental Assessments and Tools

Comprehensive Environmental Assessment and Consulting

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Environmental Assessment

The Path to a Kester Clear Home or Business

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Services Offered

  • Kester Clear Pre-Assessment Sample Collection – ERMI or Mycotoxin
  • Kester Clear Full Assessment
  • Kester Clear Post Remediation Verification
  • Remediation Consultation
  • Health Care Practitioner Partnership

Kester Clear Pre-Assessment Sample Collection – ERMI or Mycotoxin

The Kester Clear Pre-Assessment Sample Collection is designed to offer the home/building owner or occupant an affordable way to determine the presence of mold or mycotoxins in their building.

  1. Review any existing tests on the building and occupants
  2. Consult with customer about the process and lab testing options
  3. Collect sample(s) for mycotoxin (RealTime Laboratories) or mold DNA ERMI (Mycometrics)
  4. Prepare and send samples to appropriate labs
  5. Interpret and forward lab results to customer
  6. One half hour phone consult with customer to review lab results and make recommendations for next step
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A magnifying glass is over the top of a house.

Kester Clear Full Assessment

The Kester Clear Full Assessment is designed to offer the home/building owner or occupant a comprehensive assessment of microbial growth, water damage, and threats to the overall health of the building. The assessment includes a thorough investigation, written report, and multiple phone consultations.

  1. Review any existing tests on the building and occupants
  2. Consult with customer about the process and lab testing options
  3. Perform a thorough investigation of building exterior: Expert visual and photographic (standard, infrared, and borescope as needed) documentation of any possible points of entry for moisture or threats to the overall health of the building
  4. Perform a thorough investigation of attic, basement, and/or crawlspace: Expert visual, photographic (standard, infrared, and borescope as needed), document moisture readings and make recommendations for sample options for lab tests (as needed)
  5. Perform a basic investigation of HVAC system and ducts: Expert visual, photographic (standard, infrared, and borescope), document findings and make recommendations for sample options for lab tests (as needed)
  1. Perform a thorough investigation of building interior: Expert visual, photographic (standard, infrared, and borescope), document moisture readings and make recommendations for sample options for lab tests (as needed) of all walls, cabinets, kitchen, bathrooms, laundry rooms, ceilings and floors of the entire building
  2. Prepare and submit all lab samples
  3. Kester Clear assessment report: Upon receipt of all lab test results, a comprehensive report is provided to the customer. The Kester Clear report includes a thorough written documentation of all findings and photographs. The report also includes repair and remediation recommendations.
  4. One half hour consultation with customer to review findings and discuss recommendations.
  5. One half hour consultation with remediation company (if requested) to review findings and discuss recommendations
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Kester Clear Post Remediation Verification

The Kester Clear Post Remediation Verification (PRV) is designed to offer the home/building owner or occupant an affordable way to ensure a home is free of hazardous mold and/or mycotoxins post-remediation.

  1. Review any existing tests on the building and occupants
  2. Consult with customer about the process and lab testing options
  3. Perform an expert assessment of the home’s remediated areas with a moisture meter, infrared, and visual assessment (as needed) to determine any high risks areas
  4. Collect sample(s) for mold spore, mycotoxin, or mold DNA (ERMI or HERTSMI-2) as required by the remediation contractor or as determined by KCES at the time of the PRV
  5. Prepare and send samples to appropriate labs
  6. Interpret and forward lab results to customer
  7. One half hour phone consult with customer to review lab results and make recommendation for next step

Remediation Consultation

KCES is available to work with remediation professionals before, during, and after the remediation process. As professionally trained mold experts, we can provide non-biased support and insight on the removal, repair, and prevention of mold and water damage.

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A doctor is holding a stethoscope and an image of the heart.

Health Care Practitioner Partnership

KCES is available to consult with your health care practitioner about your building assessment report, lab test results, and discuss potential health risks. Health care practitioners have benefited from KCES’s reports to refine protocols and guide treatment for illnesses that may be influenced by mold and toxin exposure.

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Environmental Tools

Committed to Excellence

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RealTime Laboratories, Inc. (RTL)

RTL is a molecular and microbiology laboratory specializing in the detection of mycotoxins in human and environmental samples. At the forefront of the war on exposure to environmental toxins, RTL uses patented ELISA testing to help patients and their physicians determine the cause of illnesses related to the harmful toxins produced by molds.

Mycotoxin Panel
  1. Quad panel mycotoxin – includes 15 mycotoxins
  2. KCES performs strategic dust or material collection to ensure you the lab is getting the best sample from your property and to ensure the least probability of a false negative test result.
  3. Single or composite dust samples
  4. Drywall, wood, fiber, or fabric samples
  5. Inner mattress, furniture, or carpet pad dust samples
E.M.M.A. – Environmental Mold and Mycotoxin Assessment
  1. Quad panel mycotoxin plus 10 mold DNA PCR
  2. KCES performs strategic dust or material collection to ensure you the lab is getting the best sample from your property and to ensure the least probability of a false-negative test result.
  3. Single or composite dust samples
  4. Drywall, wood, fiber, or fabric samples
  5. Inner mattress, furniture, or carpet pad dust samples
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Mycometrics

Mycometrics is a microbiology services laboratory specialized in the identification of fungi (molds), bacteria, and viruses from the environment, food, pharmaceutical, or biological products. They were established to provide unique services, combining the use of both conventional and emerging technologies, and employing the highest standards available.

E.R.M.I.: Environmental Relative Moldiness Index
  1. 36 panel PCR test to determine the presence of specific species of mold within the sample location
  2. KCES performs strategic dust or material collection to ensure you the lab is getting the best sample from your property and to ensure the least probability of a false negative test result.
  3. Single or composite dust samples
  4. Drywall, wood, fiber, or fabric samples
  5. Inner mattress, furniture, or carpet pad dust samples
H.E.R.T.S.M.I.-2: Health Effects Roster of Type Specific formers of Mycotoxins and Inflammagens
  1. 10 panel PCR test to determine the presence of specific species of mold within the sample location – typically used for PRV
  2. KCES performs strategic dust or material collection to ensure you the lab is getting the best sample from your property and to ensure the least probability of a false negative test result.
  3. Single or composite dust samples
  4. Drywall, wood, fiber, or fabric samples
  5. Inner mattress, furniture, or carpet pad dust samples
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Hayes Microbial Consulting "HMC"

HMC is known as the industry leader in testing for mold and other environmental toxins. When a house is positive for mycotoxins, KCES will often use an HMC test to determine the exact location of a mold colony. HMC tests, along with modern inspection tools can detect mold particles and spores from the inside of walls, or surfaces around suspect or compromised areas.

Hayes Microbial Consulting "HMC"
  • Mold Spore testing
  • Tape samples
  • Inner wall air sampling
  • Swab tests
  • Air samples

*Air samples are not a standard testing protocol at KCES. Stagnant air samples have proven to have a high probability of a false negative. KCES can/will collect air samples when the circumstances are conducive for reliable sample results.

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Moisture Meter

This device gives a moisture level reading for building materials. KCES staff has been trained extensively on this device to assess high-risk areas in your building.

Thermal Camera

KCES staff have been trained on the many benefits of an thermal camera. With this device, KCES is able to detect temperature variances that should or should not be present. Thermal photos are included in the Kester Clear report (when applicable) with a detailed explanation of findings. This is crucial, innovative technology within the mold inspection industry.

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