When to Get a Mold Inspection
Learn when professional assessment may be useful after water damage, musty odors, visible concerns, real-estate questions, HVAC complaints or previous remediation.
Read mold inspection articleEnvironmental Testing Articles and Industrial Hygiene Resources
Environmental Testing Blog & Resource Center
Practical articles about mold, moisture, indoor air quality, formaldehyde, VOCs, mercury vapor, lead dust, respirable crystalline silica, construction dust, smoke residue, HVAC contamination, water quality, Legionella, radiofrequency exposure and other building-related concerns.
- Articles written for property decisions
- Independent environmental perspective
- Links to detailed testing services
- Official technical resources
Environmental information organized by concern
Articles That Connect Building Conditions With Testing Options
The Angstrom Testing Services resource center provides practical information for homeowners, tenants, property managers, building owners, attorneys, contractors, schools, health care facilities and commercial property professionals.
The articles explain common warning signs, likely contaminant sources, inspection considerations, sampling methods, analytical limitations and situations where professional environmental testing may be useful.
For site-specific assistance, use the linked service pages or provide details about the property and environmental concern in the project request form.
Browse the environmental resource library
Explore Articles by Topic
Select a category to review articles related to that environmental testing concern.
01
Mold, Moisture, Mycotoxins & HVAC
Mold inspections, environmental mycotoxin testing, hidden mold, water damage, remediation clearance and HVAC contamination.
Browse mold and mycotoxin articles 02Indoor Air Quality & Allergens
Ventilation, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particles, dust, allergens, combustion sources and sick-building complaints.
Browse IAQ articles 03Chemicals, Odors, Smoke & RF
Formaldehyde, VOCs, mercury vapor, cabinetry, thirdhand smoke, nicotine residue, chemical odors and radiofrequency exposure.
Browse chemical articles 04Lead Paint, Dust & Renovation
Lead dust wipes, XRF testing, deteriorated paint, older buildings, renovation work and the EPA RRP Rule.
Browse lead articles 05Silica & Construction Dust
Respirable crystalline silica, personal exposure monitoring, area air sampling, settled dust and construction-dust migration.
Browse silica articles 06Water, Bacteria & Legionella
Potable-water sampling, total coliform, E. coli, environmental bacteria, building water systems, Legionella and result interpretation.
Browse water and bacteria articlesRecommended starting points
Featured Environmental Testing Articles
These articles address some of the most common questions involving mold inspection, post-remediation verification and indoor chemical sources.
Formaldehyde From Cabinets, MDF & Engineered Wood
Learn how cabinets, MDF, particleboard, plywood, furniture and other engineered wood products may release formaldehyde into indoor air.
Read formaldehyde guide
Mold Clearance & Post-Remediation Verification
Review independent post-remediation inspection, moisture, cleanliness, project-specific criteria and targeted sampling when appropriate.
Read clearance article01
Mold inspections, mycotoxins, hidden conditions and water damage
Mold, Moisture, Mycotoxin and HVAC Articles
Articles about environmental mycotoxin testing, mold inspection, damp materials, hidden growth, basement conditions, remediation verification and HVAC dust.
Environmental Mycotoxin Testing: What Dust and Material Results Can—and Cannot—Tell You
How dust, surface and building-material mycotoxin results should be interpreted with mold, moisture, sample location and historical dust conditions.
Read mycotoxin articleMold Clearance & Post-Remediation Verification
Independent post-remediation inspection, moisture review, cleanliness, project-specific criteria and targeted sampling when appropriate.
Read articleWhen to Get a Mold Inspection
When professional assessment may help after water damage, musty odors, visible concerns, real-estate questions, HVAC complaints or remediation.
Read articleInsulating Cold Water Pipes
How pipe condensation can contribute to damp cabinets, wall cavities, ceilings, basements and mold growth.
Read articleBasement Air Quality
Basement moisture, musty odors, mold potential, humidity, ventilation, dust and below-grade air movement.
Read articleHidden Mold: Signs, Common Locations & How It Is Investigated
Concealed mold behind walls, under flooring, above ceilings, behind cabinets and in other building assemblies affected by moisture.
Read articleAir Duct Cleaning and Indoor Air Quality
When duct dust, visible contamination, mold-like growth, odors and debris in HVAC equipment may warrant further evaluation.
Read articleNeed a Mold or HVAC Assessment?
Review Angstrom’s mold inspection, moisture assessment and HVAC contamination services.
02
Ventilation, combustion, dust and building-related complaints
Indoor Air Quality and Allergen Articles
Articles about carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, fine particles, ventilation, dust reservoirs, pest allergens and recurring building-related complaints.
Carbon Dioxide and Cognitive Reasoning
How carbon dioxide can be used as an occupancy and ventilation indicator in offices, schools and occupied indoor environments.
Read articleDust Allergens in Mattresses, Pillows and Carpeting
Dust mites, pet dander, pollen, fungal particles and other allergens that may collect in soft furnishings and settled dust.
Read articleCockroach Allergens and Indoor Air Quality
How pest debris, droppings and body fragments may become part of settled dust in apartments, schools, offices and homes.
Read articleEPA Air Standards, Carbon Monoxide and PM2.5
How outdoor air standards may provide context for indoor carbon monoxide, smoke, combustion and fine-particle investigations.
Read articleSick Building Syndrome
Ventilation, moisture, chemical emissions, particles, odors and HVAC conditions that may contribute to recurring occupant complaints.
Read articleAir Duct Cleaning and HVAC Dust
Dust, allergens, microbial debris, visible contamination and odor concerns associated with ducts and air-handling equipment.
Read articleNeed an Indoor Air Quality Assessment?
Review air sampling, odor investigation, ventilation evaluation and environmental dust-testing services.
03
Formaldehyde, VOCs, mercury vapor, chemical odors, smoke residue and RF exposure
Chemical, VOC, Mercury Vapor, Smoke and RF Articles
Articles about formaldehyde from engineered wood, EPA TO-15 VOC canister sampling, GC/MS, mercury spills and vapor testing, tentatively identified compounds, smoke residue and radiofrequency exposure.
Mercury Vapor Testing After a Spill: NIOSH 6009, Direct-Reading Surveys and Post-Cleanup Verification
How direct-reading mercury vapor surveys, NIOSH Method 6009 air sampling, room conditions and post-cleanup testing are used after an elemental mercury spill.
Read mercury vapor articleEPA TO-15 VOC Air Testing: Canister Sampling, GC/MS and TIC Analysis
How whole-air canister sampling, GC/MS target-compound analysis and optional tentatively identified compound review are used in VOC and chemical-odor investigations.
Read articleFormaldehyde From Cabinets, MDF & Engineered Wood
How cabinets, MDF, particleboard, plywood, furniture and other engineered wood products may contribute formaldehyde to indoor air.
Read formaldehyde guideThirdhand Smoke and Nicotine Residue Testing
How tobacco-smoke residue may remain on walls, floors, furniture, dust, HVAC surfaces and other indoor materials.
Read articleCell Tower Radiation and Exposure Testing
What radiofrequency measurements can document and how results may be compared with applicable exposure criteria.
Read articleNeed Chemical, Mercury Vapor, Smoke or RF Testing?
Review formaldehyde, VOC, mercury-vapor, smoke-residue and radiofrequency-testing services.
04
Older paint, settled dust and renovation work
Lead Paint, Lead Dust and Renovation Articles
Articles about lead dust wipe sampling, painted surfaces, older housing and lead-safe renovation practices.
Lead Dust Testing and Dust Wipe Sampling
Why lead dust may collect on floors, window sills, window wells, stairs and renovation areas even when surfaces appear clean.
Read articleTesting Painted Surfaces for Lead
Lead paint concerns involving walls, windows, doors, trim, stairs, railings and other painted building components.
Read articleEPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule
Lead-safe work practices, certified firms, renovation dust and testing considerations for work involving older painted surfaces.
Read articleNeed Lead Paint or Lead Dust Testing?
Review XRF inspections, dust wipe sampling, clearance testing and lead-risk-assessment services.
05
Worker exposure, area monitoring and deposited construction dust
Respirable Crystalline Silica and Construction-Dust Articles
Articles about personal breathing-zone monitoring, fixed-location air sampling, settled silica dust, construction-dust migration, NIOSH Method 7500 and interpretation of occupational versus building-dust measurements.
Respirable Crystalline Silica Testing: Personal Air Monitoring vs. Area Air and Settled Dust
Learn how personal breathing-zone samples, area air samples and settled-dust testing answer different questions in occupational exposure and construction-dust investigations.
Read silica testing articleNeed Silica Air Monitoring or Construction-Dust Testing?
Review personal exposure monitoring, area and perimeter air sampling, baseline monitoring, settled-dust testing and construction-dust migration assessment services.
06
Potable water, environmental bacteria and building water systems
Water Quality, Bacteria and Legionella Articles
Articles about total coliform, E. coli, environmental bacteria sampling, potable-water testing, building hot- and cold-water systems, Legionella, representative sample locations and interpretation of laboratory results.
Bacteria Testing in Water and Buildings: Coliform, E. coli, Surface Sampling and Result Interpretation
Learn how water, surface and air bacteria samples answer different questions, what total coliform and E. coli results mean, and why environmental microbiology testing should be targeted to a defined objective.
Read bacteria testing articlePotable Water Legionella Testing: Where to Sample and What Results Mean
How representative sample locations, hot- and cold-water systems, recirculation, distal outlets, temperature, stagnation, biofilm and collection conditions affect Legionella testing and interpretation.
Read Legionella articleNeed Water, Bacteria or Legionella Testing?
Review Angstrom’s environmental bacteria, drinking-water and potable-water Legionella testing services.
From general information to property-specific testing
Environmental Testing Service Pages
Select the relevant service when you need a site inspection, environmental samples, laboratory analysis or written documentation.
IAQ
Indoor Air Quality Testing
Odors, particles, dust, smoke, ventilation, chemical vapors and HVAC-related complaints.
View air quality testing MMold Testing and Inspection
Moisture assessment, mold air sampling, surfaces, dust, hidden mold and remediation clearance.
View mold testing ACMAsbestos Testing
Licensed inspections, bulk materials, air testing, dust testing and renovation surveys.
View asbestos testing PbLead Paint and Lead Dust Testing
XRF inspections, dust wipes, risk assessments, clearance and renovation investigations.
View lead testing VOCFormaldehyde and VOC Testing
Cabinets, furnishings, flooring, renovation materials and chemical odor investigations.
View chemical testing H₂OWater Quality Testing
Lead, bacteria, metals, PFAS, VOCs, private wells and drinking-water complaints.
View water testing LEGLegionella Testing
Potable hot- and cold-water systems, showers, sinks, storage tanks, recirculation and post-corrective-action testing.
View Legionella testing MYCEnvironmental Mycotoxin Testing
Dust, surfaces, water-damaged materials and mold-related building investigations.
View mycotoxin testingOfficial technical and regulatory resources
Public Environmental Guidance
Access federal and New York resources related to indoor air quality, mold, occupational sampling, lead-safe renovation, laboratories and radiofrequency exposure.
EPA
Indoor Air Quality
Federal resources concerning indoor pollutant sources, ventilation, source control, particles, filtration and building air quality.
Open EPA resource EPAMold and Moisture
Guidance about moisture control, mold growth, damp materials, cleanup and prevention.
Open EPA resource NIOSHManual of Analytical Methods
Sampling and analytical methods used for occupational and industrial-hygiene exposure assessment.
Open NIOSH resource EPALead RRP Program
Federal requirements and resources for renovation, repair and painting involving older painted surfaces.
Open EPA resource NYSDOHELAP Laboratory Search
Search New York environmental laboratories and their approved analytical fields.
Search laboratories FCCRadiofrequency Safety
Federal information concerning radiofrequency exposure, communications facilities and applicable exposure criteria.
Open FCC resourceRegional environmental testing
Serving NYC, Long Island and Westchester
Angstrom provides environmental testing and industrial hygiene consulting throughout the New York metropolitan region and selected nearby areas of New Jersey and Connecticut.
Rockville Centre, New York
30 Hempstead AvenueSuite S4
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Serving Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens and nearby Long Island communities.
View Rockville Centre locationPark Avenue, Manhattan
1120 Park AvenueSuite 102
New York, NY 10128
Serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and properties throughout New York City.
View Manhattan locationWhite Plains, New York
200 Mamaroneck AvenueSuite 236
White Plains, NY 10601
Serving White Plains, Westchester County and nearby areas of southern Connecticut.
View White Plains locationUsing the Angstrom environmental resource center
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics are covered in the Angstrom blog?
Topics include mold, moisture, HVAC systems, indoor air quality, formaldehyde, VOCs, lead dust, renovation, smoke residue, allergens, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water quality, Legionella and radiofrequency exposure.
Can an article tell me whether my property is safe?
An article provides general information. A property-specific conclusion requires evaluation of the actual conditions, building history, accessible areas, suspected sources and any samples or measurements included in the project.
How do I choose the right environmental test?
Start with the complaint or decision that must be addressed. Testing methods should be selected for the suspected contaminant, source, environmental medium, reporting limit and intended use of the findings.
Does Angstrom perform cleanup or remediation?
No. Angstrom provides independent environmental inspection, testing, sampling, laboratory coordination, consulting and written reporting.
Where can I find short visual environmental guides?
Angstrom’s Web Stories and Field Guides page provides visual summaries of common building and environmental testing topics.
How do I request an inspection or testing proposal?
Provide the property address, property type, affected areas, complaint history, visible conditions, odors, moisture, renovation work, previous testing and the documentation you need.
Request independent environmental testing
Need More Than General Information?
Tell us about the property, environmental concern, affected rooms, odors, water damage, renovation work, suspected source, previous testing and the type of documentation you need.
Information That Helps Us Review Your Request
- Property address and property type
- Affected rooms or building areas
- Odor, mold, dust, water or material concern
- Water-damage and renovation history
- HVAC or ventilation concerns
- Previous reports or laboratory results
- Legal, agency or property documentation needs
- Requested inspection or reporting date
