Project: Mold & VOC Assessment for Hotel with Indoor Air Quality Concerns

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Client: Hotel Owner

Location: Coronado, CA

Service Provided: Mold Inspection & VOC Assessment (USEPA TO-15 Method)

Project Type: Commercial Indoor Air Quality Investigation

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Project Overview

 

A hotel owner in Coronado, California reached out to Air Check Solutions after multiple employees reported experiencing health symptoms—such as headaches, irritation, and discomfort—when entering a specific guest room during their work shifts. Concerned about potential environmental factors affecting indoor air quality and employee safety, the client requested a comprehensive investigation to identify the root cause.

 

Client Challenge

 

The client needed to determine whether mold, chemical contaminants, or other indoor pollutants were present in the affected room. Prompt action was essential not only to safeguard staff health but also to maintain the hotel’s high standards of cleanliness, safety, and guest experience.

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Our Response

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Air Check Solutions conducted a two-part environmental assessment tailored to the situation:

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1. Mold Inspection

• Visual Inspection of the room to identify any signs of water damage or microbial growth.

• Moisture Survey using non-invasive moisture meters to locate hidden areas of elevated moisture in walls, flooring, and ceilings.

• Surface & Air Sampling for mold spores to evaluate indoor spore levels compared to outdoor reference samples.

• Causal Analysis to determine the source of moisture intrusion, if applicable.

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2. VOC Assessment (Volatile Organic Compounds)

At the client’s request, we performed a comprehensive indoor air quality assessment to test for

chemical pollutants:

• VOC Sampling conducted using Summa canisters and analyzed via USEPA Method.

TO-15, a gold-standard approach for identifying volatile organic compounds.

• Laboratory Analysis screened for 74 individual VOCs, including formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and other hazardous or odorous chemicals often associated with building materials, cleaning agents, and furnishings.

• Data Interpretation aligned with established exposure limits and guidelines to assess health risks and air quality standards.

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Reporting & Recommendations

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Air Check Solutions delivered a comprehensive written report that included:

• Purpose and methodology of the investigation.

• Mold and moisture findings, with laboratory results.

• Full VOC analytical results with concentrations, compound breakdown, and health-based risk context.

• Conclusions about likely contributors to the symptoms reported by staff.

• Actionable recommendations to improve air quality and prevent recurrence, including remediation guidance and ventilation improvements if needed.

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Outcome

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• Mold presence was confirmed in concealed areas behind wall materials, linked to a slow plumbing leak. The client was able to schedule targeted remediation immediately.

• VOC results identified elevated levels of specific compounds associated with recent renovations and cleaning agents, providing clarity and context for occupant symptoms.

• Based on our findings, the client addressed the moisture issue, modified cleaning protocols, and implemented air circulation improvements to enhance indoor air quality

moving forward.

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Why Air Check Solutions?

 

This project highlights our expertise in diagnosing complex indoor air quality concerns in commercial settings. Whether it's microbial contamination or airborne chemical exposure, we deliver high-quality data, fast turnaround, and clear recommendations so clients can act quickly

to protect their people and their property.