First District Health Unit (FDHU) offers limited air quality inspections of residential & public buildings, and has no capability to conduct mold testing.
If you require mold testing, you will need to contact an environmental contractor or testing company on the List of Environmental Contractors. This list may not be exhaustive and is provided for your convenience only.
Ammonia – has a sharp, penetrating odor. Ammonia is a toxic and corrosive gas that seeks out moisture. If breathed in, it can damage the lungs and cause respiratory problems. In severe cases it can cause death. It is used in industry for plastics and explosives and as a fertilizer in agriculture.
Carbon Monoxide – is a colorless, practically odorless, and tasteless gas or liquid. It results from incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion. It can be produced by natural gas or propane appliances and internal combustion engines (automobile). At low concentrations it produces fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease; at higher concentrations, impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea. It can cause flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving the contaminated area. Carbon monoxide is fatal at very high concentrations.
Radon – is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, radioactive gas that is found in soil and rocks. When it accumulates in a home or structure it can be a health hazard. North Dakota is a state which has potentially high radon levels. The only way to determine if there is a problem is to measure the radon level.
Molds – are respiratory irritants that are naturally present in the environment. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
Nuisance Odors – onsite investigations may be requested by contacting our office.
For more information, contact us at 701-852-1376 or through our Contact page.