Take dust samples for the purpose of determining the concentration of mite, cat and other allergens. Determine by microscopy, using reference materials, if mold spores or pollen are present in samples. Learn how to recognize by microscopy certain characteristic particulates, such as starch granules, carpet beetle hairs, insect wing feathers, pet dander, and others. Become familiar with remediation methods for common SH problems. Recognize the odor of certain chemicals and use a TIF 8800 to determine sources of gas leaks.
Some individuals have great difficulty seeing images in a microscope.
As we will be spending a good portion of the class time using microscopes, if you have experienced difficulty in the past, I suggest that you attempt to determine if this is still a problem prior to enrollment. You will be a more qualified home inspector, but you will not receive any medical training or any of the skills to be a mycologist, microbiologist, or industrial hygienist. Exposure guidelines do exist for many chemical contaminants in industrial settings, but in homes and offices, there are no comparable guidelines for most indoor contaminants, including bioaerosols. There are also no standards of practice or even guidelines for this aspect of home inspections. Do not expect to learn how to make quantitative determinations of any pollutants.