Any time you've got a source of moisture and you've got temperature differences, you've got the potential for condensation which will allow mold growth. Todd Lowenthal, IAQ product manager, says that contractors are often able to perform the recommendations that AQS suggests, unless it requires more-specific expertise, such as microbial remediation. Another benefit of calling a company like AQS is when a contractor recognizes the likelihood of an IAQ problem but may need third-party validation. AQS says it has all the tests and methodologies at its disposal to point out exactly what the problem might be. These test kits are helpful when building owners aren't prepared to hire a consultant, but they'd like some idea as to what's going on.
Contractors can also use the kits to help diagnose problems in customers' buildings.
I get a lot of calls from maintenance people who say they want to order the test kit. Each building contains a motor control center, computer rack room, and control room that are maintained at a positive pressure to ensure that no outside contaminants and humidity enter. While all petrochemical plants emit hazardous gas contaminants, it's the combination of these gases with the corrosive salty air at the Formosa plant which can increase the potential spread of corrosion throughout the facility's control equipment and electronic circuitry. Left untreated, this combination can lead to serious malfunctions and plant shutdowns, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue.