An allergen is a substance that can trigger an allergic response in a susceptible person. Not everyone reacts to the same substance.
What this means at your property
A property complaint may involve dust, animal-related material or damp conditions. The location and timing are useful observations, but a contractor cannot identify the cause of a person’s symptoms from a photograph or an odor description.
What information helps a property assessment?
Record the rooms involved, leak history, recent work and changes in ventilation or occupancy. Discuss symptoms with a healthcare professional; ask the building assessor to document environmental findings and the limits of any testing.
Related terms
Further reading: EPA: mold and related terminology.