When To Test

Navigating the challenges of managing allergens in the San Francisco Bay Area can be a complex task, especially with the prevalence of dust exposure. Construction sites abound, releasing dust laden with molds into the air. Add to that, the possibility of pet dander from your neighbor’s dog or cat seeping through the non-airtight walls, and you’ve got a recipe for allergic reactions. Even old windows can be a gateway for pollens to infiltrate your living space.

If you’re struggling to manage your allergies, you’re not alone. Many residents in the San Francisco Bay Area experience allergies triggered by common household elements such as pollens, plants, animal dander, and insect parts.

After any appropriate abatement has been performed, we can return to perform post abatement validation testing to prove that levels have decreased.

How We Test

That’s where our specialized allergy testing services come in. Our team comes to your home, office, or car and tests the dust. We recommend you thoroughly clean the area and schedule testing approximately two weeks later. Doing this insures we are testing “new” dust. Controlling “new” dust and you control your allergies. Your allergists can identify your specific allergens. If you confidentially share those records with us we can provide a tailored sampling strategy to measure their levels in your home, office, or vehicle.

We provide two types of dust testing: MARIA and ERMI. MARIA testing focuses on common allergens like dog and cat dander, as well as rat and mouse urine and feces. On the other hand, ERMI testing is designed to identify mold spores in your environment.

Before proceeding, we recommend consulting with your medical team to ensure that these tests are both appropriate and beneficial for your specific needs.

If you or your medical team is concerned about Dog Dander, Cat Dander, Rodent Feces and Urine, and Dust Mites. M.A.R.I.A. testing is the preferred method. This sample is taken with a vacuumed in specific areas or rooms to determine the levels of those contaminants in the dust. This can show the if any of these animals are or were present in the areas tested. This dust can be found in high concentrations in carpeting and upholstered furniture.

Cleanup Action

If an elevation of a specific contaminant is found through this testing, then an abatement protocol can be developed. The abatement action may be as simple as removing the source (i.e. pest control expert removing mice/rats) or can be more in-depth if professional cleaning of all contents and surfaces as well as the HVAC system if applicable.