The Growing Need for Small Particle Remediation:
Toxic small particles and Ultrafine particles (UFPs) have grown to be a larger concern in recent years. Likely, with the sudden global knowledge of viruses and their tiny particle sizes has developed our comprehension as the general public.
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Whatever the cause, the growing concern for addressing small particles of air in homes and businesses has brought more attention to UFPs and the impact on health. These UPF concerns bring up the topics of toxic air, the rising need for Indoor Environmental Professionals (IEPs), and professional air testing.
Let’s discuss Small Particle Remediation and Ultrafine Particle Decontamination!
With more concern, naturally the increasing demand for advanced remediation techniques has been met with the need for more professional collaboration, and more experts involved in verification roles. For example, medically sound remediation projects will include a referring physician, an indoor environmental professional, a 3rd party testing lab for initial testing and post remediation verification (PRV) testing, and a medically sound remediation team.
Importance of Medically Sound Remediators with Multiple Trade Skills
Medically sound remediators should have vast experience and ability to handle the full scope of work with in-house professionals on the team. If a medically sound remediation team does not have in-house electricians, plumbers, reconstruction experts on staff, then 3rd party trade professionals might be needed.
In the case that a third party enters a worksite and contaminates or breaks containment on a negative air pressure zone, this could cause timely setbacks and need for retesting. Make sure these professionals understand the sensitive nature of the ultrafine particle decontamination and the jobsite remediation containment areas.
History with Small Particle Remediation and Ultrafine Particle Decontamination
Our expertise in Small Particle Remediation and Ultrafine Particle Decontamination comes after 20 years of traditional remediation services. Before moving forward for certification, our team was already doing extensive research into innovative protocols to aid in our remediation efforts. In addition, we have studied the protocols by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, the founder of medically sound remediation protocols.
In addition, Orange Restoration’s experts have always been trained to listen to homeowners about their specific health symptoms, specific concerns, and strived to be the best mold remediation services for sensitive individuals. Learning about the symptoms and concerns is part of the pathway to victory against mold. Medical professionals are evolving to appeal to alternative medicine in the same way we have worked to be more comprehensive with a more empathetic and holistic approach.
Here is a quote about Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker’s work:
“By embracing integrative medicine, Dr. Shoemaker recognizes the importance of a multidimensional approach to treatment. This may include therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, mind-body techniques, and nutritional counseling. The goal is to create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the individual’s unique needs and promotes healing on all levels.” – Michael Rothman MD
Healing is also part of the goal! Our team is very empathetic to the trials of our medically sound remediation clients. In fact, when clients specify they are having health concerns and need the medically sound remediation, our team considers it an emergency and will move your remediation job to the front of our schedule and come out ASAP to begin remediation work.
What Are Ultrafine Particles and Why Do UFPs Matter?
We have discussed ultrafine particles (UFPs) and their size classification in other articles:
What are Ultrafine Particles in Indoor Air?
“As seen in the chart above, ultrafine particles are the smallest particles on the right side. The larger particles, for example asbestos is between 2.5μm and 10μm, which are very dangerous to our health, while other ultra fine particles can be more troublesome as the smaller the particulate, the more easily it is to travel within the body. Some 2.5μm are known to cause more pulmonary inflammation and are stuck in the lung tissue for longer than the smaller particles. PM is known to enter the body through breathing, so it all starts in the lungs.” – Microbial Growth & Ultrafine Particulate Matter Removal
Why Do UFPs Matter?
As you can see from simply the sheer tiny size of some of these UFPs, the accumulation of them in your body is impossible to stop via lungs, blood, and skin exposure. The deep penetration of these UFPs particles is precisely why having experts involved and using several testing methods is required for truly remediating a structure. A minor contamination exposure can impact someone’s health drastically, so using proper safety gear is important. It is easy to disrupt particles of UFPs and make them airborne which can instantly access your lungs when breathing if unprotected.
How do you Know if you Have Disrupted UFPs?
Knowing you have disrupted resting ultrafine particles may not be easy to notice, these particles are unseen to the eye. Often however, UFPs are often accompanied by other larger particles that can cause a visible haze in the air. If you see a dust cloud or detect odors like a musty or chemical smell, get out of the space.
If exposed to these UFPs, you will notice symptoms of shortness or breath, allergic reactions like sneezing, coughing, mucus development, wheezing and also your eyes, nose and throat will begin to irritate.
Sources of Ultrafine Particles in Indoor Environments
In pursuit to be the best mold remediation services for sensitive individuals, we are trained to find ALL the sources of mold and to keep following the science to detect mold particles, fragments, and even dead mold particles. Ultrafine particle contamination requires science, so we use professional testing partners to keep in communications to show progress as we work. Sometimes, a home will have multiple sources of contamination, so we need to work like detectives to pursue these sources.
Here are some possible UFP sources:
- Microbial growth: Mold, fungal or bacterial growths often can create toxic air with their mycotoxins they release into the air. Here is a full article focusing on Microbial growths and UFP.
- Household sources: Some common UFP sources can be found in cooking methods, cleaning products, and HVAC systems. Discovering you have UFP exposure from these resources is essential, simple changes can drastically improve your health and reduce potential exposure to UFPs.
- Outdoor pollutants entering homes is a possibility, even having a fire nearby can permanently impact the odor and overall air quality of your home. Many other outdoor pollutants can impact your home, this is why professional testing can uncover factors that might escape the average inspector’s attention.
How Small Particle Remediation Works
We cannot fully explain the step-by-step remediation process. The remediation process including testing and all the many details of the process is a lot to cover! We have done this before, you can read more about what to expect in the remediation process in our past blog, also read on Mold Removal to Improve Air Quality in Homes to understand impact of improvements over long-term home health.
The major difference between traditional remediation and small particle remediation is that standard remediation focuses on visible contaminants and basic safety. Small particle remediation emphasizes microscopic contamination and ensures a higher level of health-focused cleaning and decontamination.
Small particle remediation or the medically sound remediation both ensure a higher level of air purity and surface decontamination, often used in homes with compromised occupants or healthcare facilities. Usually, Medically Sound Remediation is used when no compromises can be permitted. Medically Sound Remediation goes beyond particle removal to address specific health needs, often for individuals with conditions such as CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome), asthma, or severe mold sensitivity.
Premium Professional Grade Remediation
Other remediation companies will show you the equipment they bought, our equipment is custom ordered, or has been built from our in-house innovative team.
Some remediation companies follow standard protocols for remediation, our team follows protocols developed by recognized medical specialists who are on the cutting edge of mold remediation. For example, protocols by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, who is the recognized leader and pioneer of the field of biotoxin related illness.
We are working to do things other remediation companies can only copy with years of experience and training, plus innovation lead from in field experience and testing. This is why we have adopted the slogan “The Medically Sound Remediators” as this is not just our focus, but our plane of existence. Our team strives to be the best mold remediation services for sensitive individuals, so we always take our work seriously.
The Medically Sound Remediators
Our team’s collaboration with Indoor Environmental Professionals (IEPs), our use of Dr. Ritchie’s Protocols, innovative equipment, and use of advanced testing methods like MSQPCR and ERMI makes our team an asset to the community. Like a hospital serving the community for those with emergencies, our Medically Sound Remediation team sits ready to activate 24 hours a day to jump on projects ASAP. If your health is compromised by the conditions of your home in San Diego County, we are like Ghost Busters, we are who you are gonna need to call, (619) 376-6838.
The Health Impacts of Ultrafine Particles
Once homeowners speak to their physicians and IEP professionals can confirm it with testing, the connection of the presence of ultrafine particles with their respiratory issues, inflammation, or long-term organ damage, it becomes a serious case for medically sound remediation. Ultrafine particles are hard to pinpoint until you bring in professional testing and proper assessment.
In the battle for health, awareness of the problem areas is a huge portion of the problem that is being neglected. Education of UFPs, symptoms of exposure, and understanding those who might have sensitivities is essentially early detection, rather than a burden.
Mold Sensitivity = Early Detection for Your Family
Those who have asthma or mold sensitivity are just assets for early detection, because any toxic UFP exposure is unhealthy for all, it is only a matter of time before they start to show signs of deterioration of health. The fact of the matter is no one is educating the public of these health issues and that CIRS-WDB diagnosis occurrences are happening more and more.
Surviving Mold is a Battle, We are the Team to Help You Win!
The battle against mold is one where survival is planned. One where preventative measures are essential, maintenance is a regular part of living, and where the occurrences of it are met with remediation efforts. If you need professional support in your survival of the battle against mold, we are here to serve you!