There are approximately 60,000 to 80,000 species of fungi in nature, and they have one thing in common: They want to move into your space. And whether these microbial invaders swirl in on air currents or sluice in on water droplets, once they’ve snuggled into your abode, the long-term damage can be more devastating than even the most dogged battalion of termites.

“Everybody worries about outdoor air quality; not nearly as much attention is paid to indoor air quality,” shared Susan White, owner of Sussex Environmental Health Consultants, LLC. “Yet, the reverse is even more practical, since the indoor environment is much more manageable.

“Indoor air quality may compromise microbial contaminants, such as mold or bacteria, chemicals, allergens, odors or any other stressor that can affect health,” White continued. “Often, the perception is that outdoor air is polluted while the indoor air is acceptable or even healthy. The fact is, there are many clinical studies and empirical data that show this just isn’t the case.”

White knows whereof she speaks. Following her bachelor’s degree in zoology from Ohio State University and a master’s in aquatic ecology, White earned her doctorate in safety engineering from Kennedy Western University. Twenty-three years later, White has emerged as the region’s pre-eminent expert in her field as well as the first and best choice for homeowners and business owners concerned with the quality of the air they respire. Her current client roster includes insurance agencies, building owners, hospitals, schools and property managers to government and municipal agencies, medical and law practices and, of course, homeowners.

“When it comes to airborne impurities, the proper question isn’t: ‘Do I have them?’” White explained. “Instead, the appropriate questions are: ‘Where are they and how pervasive are they?’ The truth is, we’ll find some sort of contaminant in basically 100 percent of the sites we inspect. Virtually everybody has something.”

Restoring an indoor environment to a state of healthy and comfortable living, however, requires an understanding of some complex issues. One must be experienced at detecting and monitoring gases and vapors (e.g., carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds), organic and/or inorganic chemicals, formaldehyde, respirable particles, noise, ozone and many others. Fortunately, Sussex Environmental Health has the knowledge and skill to offer solutions to these complex issues.

But no matter how intrepid White may be, there’s no way she alone can cover a territory that includes Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and even New Jersey. So, by her side is her sister, industrial hygiene technician Lori Thomas, who’s been with Sussex Environmental Health since its 1999 inception. Thomas’ job is to wade into a site using not only her 15-plus years’ experience in construction and cutting-edge equipment but also her powerful allergic reaction to mold. (That’s what you call taking one for the team.)

Whether armed with moisture detectors, air sampling equipment, thermal-imaging cameras, sampling pumps or even fiberoptic boroscopes, the women of Sussex Environmental Health log an average of 50-60 hours and 1,000 miles each week safeguarding the quality of life in the region by scouring its every nook and cranny.

“Sometimes you feel like a detective,” admitted White, “because it’s not always obvious at first the source of the contamination… you just know it’s there. To determine its root, you often have to delve into the history of an environment, including whatever is there now or in the vicinity, whatever used to be there and even the work history of the occupants.

“Often, the culprit is actually the workplace of one of the inhabitants,” she added, “from which they’re bringing deleterious contaminants home on their clothes or in their hair. It can be painstaking work, but that’s where the challenge is and therefore the reward.”

What is also refreshing about White — other than the air quality that results from her intervention — is the integrity she brings to her industry. White played a key role as a consultant in the promulgation of Maryland House Bill 1309, which takes effect on January 10, 2010. The new law holds practitioners in her field to higher standards than ever before. Her code of ethics is likely one big reason why names like Gillis Gilkerson, Rinnier, Perdue Farms, Salisbury University and Worcester Preparatory School have all placed their trust in Sussex Environmental Health Consultants.

“With House Bill 1309,” White explained, “if there is more than 10 square feet of mold detected, anyone hired as a remediator must be certified and insured by the Indoor Air Quality Council or an equivalent accredited entity. Secondly, no longer may a consultant also serve as a remediator for the same client, which is really important, due to the inherent conflict of interests it presents.

“Lori and I take what we do very seriously,” emphasized White with unmistakable sincerity. “We really enjoy the challenge of isolating the agents that contaminate a space and seeing that space returned to a state of good health and living.”

Sussex Environmental Health Consultants LLC.,
302-947-1810,
www.sussexenvironmental.com