May 18, 2006: Radar Technology Shows Promise in Detecting Hidden Mold
ARLINGTON, Va. - Cutting-edge radar technology may soon make obsolete the slow, destructive, and expensive methods now available to detect hidden moisture and mold behind wallboards, according to a report released by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute (ARTI).
Existing technology to detect mold behind walls requires stripping wall coverings to inspect hidden surfaces visually or boring holes into numerous wall sections to extract and culture samples. The disassembly and drilling must be done slowly and carefully to avoid spreading mold spores and fragments through the building, which increases the cost of remediation, according to the report.