SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Air Testing and Monitoring
According to the EPA Environmental Protection Agency, “Evidence now confirms that this virus can remain airborne for longer times and further distances than originally thought.”
IAQ Environmental is leading the way with indoor air quality testing. We are on the cutting edge and have new technology for indoor air testing for:
- COVID-19
- Corona Virus
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- SARS-CoV-2
- 2019 Novel Virus
Also, we offer weekly or monthly monitoring programs available for:
- Office
- Retail Store
- Quarantine Homes
- Hospital
- Retirement Homes
- Nursing Homes
- Workplace
Perfect for employees returning back to work or a patient recovered from the virus. Have assurance there is no trace of the virus!
COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 by qPCR Test Information
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) by qPCR
IAQ Environmental is now sampling Indoor Air, Swab, and Wastewater samples to confirm the existence or absence of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus by utilizing a quantitative RT-PCR technology.
Indoor Air Samples
The (CDC)U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that COVID-19 is mainly transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets. The virus
When someone infected with COVID-19:
- Coughs
- Sneezes
- Speaks
When these droplets are released. The infectious droplets:
- Inhaled
- Land in the noses
- Mouths
The CDC also states that respiratory droplets:
- Land on hands
- Surfaces
- Objects (e.g., desks, chairs, furniture)
- When a person speaks or coughs.
*We are not medical doctors; therefore, we do not test people.
Environmental Swab Samples
Present-day research suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may persist viable and unproductive on surfaces for hours to days, depending on the surface’s make-up type
- Upholstery
- Floor
- Metal
Thorough cleaning and disinfection of mainly touched surfaces are recommended by the CDC and believed to prevent the spread of infection. The existence or absence of the viral genetic material on environmental surfaces can now be directly tested with our new SARS-CoV-2 molecular-based test and used to demonstrate the effectiveness of cleaning protocols.
Wastewater Samples
Recent wastewater studies indicate that testing untreated wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 is an important epidemiological tool. IAQ Environmental offers the IDEXX Water SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Test for wastewater samples.
The IDEXX method is a susceptible RT-qPCR test designed to detect the 2019-nCoV_N1 and 2019-nCoV_N2 zones of the virus, the same virus regions targeted during the analysis of environmental swab and indoor air samples.
The wastewater SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test protocol is validated by IDEXX and features comprehensive quality control procedures to ensure consistent results.
Sample Analysis
The Laboratory employs an RT-qPCR test that targets the SARS-CoV-2-nucleocapsid N gene.
The CDC specified the method and authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical COVID-19 diagnostics.
*Since a person’s RNAse P gene is not analyzed in the test, the RT-qPCR test can only be used for environmental testing on surfaces, not processing a patient’s SARS-CoV-2 specimens.
Moreover, since environmental samples frequently contain RT-qPCR inhibiting substances, for example.
- Dirt
- Soil
- Dust
That affects the qPCR reaction performance.
The Laboratory applies a proprietary nucleic acid (NA) extraction method to every sample. Ensured the removal of any RT-qPCR inhibitors and confirmed the accuracy of detection of the target viral RNA.
IAQ Environmental
IAQ Environmental is committed to giving our clients the best service possible. Rely on us for your environmental needs. Give us a call for a free consultation (713) 931-8378. We service the Houston, and surrounding suburb local service areas. s
Can black mold cause covid?
The answer is no. Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum like other types of mold, is a fungus. For black mold to grow, it needs food and water. Unfortunately, the food is the common organic building materials in your home, such as drywall, wallpaper, carpet, carpet padding, and wood. You rarely see Stachybotrys grow outdoors because outdoor mold tends to decay dead things such as leaves, wet soil, dead trees, or even dead animals. Stachybotrys is mainly an indoor mold caused by flooding.
Mold needs water or moisture to grow. Mold is everywhere outdoors, and indoors. Mold travels by way of spores or seeds. The naked eye cannot see mold in its spore state because it’s microscopic. The Spores attach themselves to wet, moist, and damp objects and feast on them. The longer the materials stay wet, the more colonies grow bigger.
So if a home is taking on moisture by these common issues:
- Leaking Roof
- Plumbing Leak
- Flood Event
- Contaminated Air Condition
- Condensation
- High Humidity
- Leaking Air Condition Pan
If wet materials stay wet for longer than 48 hours, visual mold growth will begin.
Black mold gives off-gases of mycotoxins or mVOCs. It has a distinct odor of urine-like smell.
The mVOCs from black mold causes some people to trigger asthma, allergies, headaches, sore throats, respiratory issues, and severe issues for individuals with compromised immune systems. Black Mold usually grows in a flooding situation. Some mold gives off endotoxins, which are bacteria that make people sick as well. There are over 250,000 known mold species in the mold kingdom, and some that are still not identified.
COVID-19 Virus
Covid-19 or Coronavirus is a virus. A virus is a microscopic parasite. Just like mold, it is tiny, can only be seen through a microscope. The virus material is a lipid (fat) molecule, which gives more reason for washing hands thoroughly. Viruses need a live body as a host to thrive and reproduce.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 transfers from person to person (a live body). Viruses and mold spores share only one thing. They are both parts of the microbe family. A virus needs a living host to reproduce, and mold does not. Once the host dies, so does the virus. Mold, on the other hand dead, still causes reactions in some people.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 transfers from person to person.The distribution starts from droplets or aerosol (tiny microns from a sneeze, cough, or even talking). A virus hijacks a living body and reproduces billions of viruses. All it takes is just one to wreak havoc, especially with immune-compromised people.
A virus is a ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid present in all living cells. Its principal role is to act as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins.
However, in some viruses, RNA rather than DNA has the genetic information. A virus is so tiny it the tip of a pin could contain billions. Compared to mold, spores are quite large, up to 20 microns.
Summary: Mold travels in spores or seeds and needs dead wet organic material to thrive, and reproduce and a virus needs a live body to thrive and multiply.
My name is Jack Mat. I am the indoor air quality inspector for IAQ Environmental. We can now measure buildings for airborne RNA from Coronavirus and other RNA viruses with complete laboratory analysis. We have the new technology ready for testing.
