- TESTING VS. INSPECTION -
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU NEED MOLD TESTING
Mold is an unwanted guest that can creep into your home, often causing health problems and damaging the property itself. Whether you're dealing with a minor infestation or suspecting hidden mold in your home, many people assume mold testing is the first step to determine the extent of the problem. While mold testing can be a helpful tool in identifying mold issues, it’s important to remember that testing is not always necessary. If mold is clearly visible or you can smell it, the best course of action is a mold inspection to identify and remove the moisture source. Mold testing can be a good first step to screen your environment or as an attempt to determine the type of mold present. If you are struggling to determine if mold testing is right for your home, the team at Healthy Air USA has the expertise and experience to help guide you.
- MOLD SAFETY -
TYPES OF MOLD TESTS
AIR TESTING
How it Works:
Air testing involves collecting samples of air to measure both viable and nonviable spores present in the air. The samples are analyzed by an AIHA accredited lab to identify genus types and spore concentrations present.
When to Use It:
Air testing is ideal when you suspect mold but cannot see any visible growth. It may also be useful for checking how widespread the mold issue is, as mold spores are often carried by air and can travel far from the source of the infestation.
Pros:
- Analyze airborne mold spores
- May help determine the extent of the mold problem
- May help identify hidden mold, but not always
Cons:
- Results are not always accurate, as mold spore levels can fluctuate from day to day
- Only provides a snapshot of spore concentration at the time of sampling
- Subject to human misinterpretation during lab analysis because only a portion of the slide is analyzed
SURFACE TESTING
How it Works:
Surface testing involves taking samples from visible mold or surfaces where mold growth is suspected. This can be done using swabs, tape, or other methods that collect mold spores from various surfaces like walls, floors, or furniture.
When to Use It:
Surface testing is useful when you’ve noticed visible mold growth and want to identify the specific genus of mold present. It can also be used after cleaning or remediation efforts to ensure that all mold has been removed.
Pros:
- Identifies the genus of mold on specific surfaces
- Provides a clear picture of contamination on visible areas
Cons:
- Only detects mold in the area where the sample is taken
- May not indicate the presence of airborne mold or mold in hidden areas
- Subject to human misinterpretation during lab analysis because only a portion of the slide is analyzed
BULK TESTING
How it Works:
Bulk testing involves collecting a piece of material (like a section of drywall or insulation) from the area where mold is suspected. The sample is then analyzed in a lab to assess the amount and type of mold present on the material.
When to Use It:
This method is ideal during renovations or mold remediation when materials are already being removed. It’s important that a professional conduct this type of testing as it can release airborne spores and create cross contamination if not done properly.
Pros:
- Can be used to analyze both genus and species
- Useful for determining both viable and non-viable mold spores
Cons:
- Requires physical damage to materials (like cutting out a piece of drywall)
- Can be more costly and invasive compared to other tests
CULTURE TESTING
How it Works:
Culture testing involves taking samples (typically settling plates) and growing the mold in a lab. This method allows the lab to identify specific species of mold, including those that may not have been detectable through other testing methods.
When to Use It:
Culture testing is often used when you need to know the specific species of mold in your home, especially if you’re concerned about toxigenic molds (those that can produce harmful toxins).
Pros:
- Helps identify specific types of mold, including rare or hidden species
- Can detect molds that don’t easily show up in other tests
Cons:
- Only traps airborne spores and may miss heavier, sticky spores such as Stachybotrys (commonly referred to as black mold)
- Not all culture media grows all molds
- Only grows viable (alive) spores and not non-viable (dead) spores that can still cause allergic reactions
ERMI TESTING
(ENVIRONMENTAL RELATIVE MOLDINESS INDEX)
How it Works:
ERMI testing involves collecting dust samples from your home and analyzing them using advanced DNA-based technology to identify the types of mold present. The test then calculates a moldiness score, which indicates how moldy your home is compared to a national average.
When to Use It:
ERMI testing is typically used to provide historical data for mold inside a home. It may be useful for homes with a history of water damage or health concerns related to mold.
Pros:
- Provides detailed information about the types of molds in your home
- Can detect both viable and non-viable mold species
Cons:
- More expensive than other mold testing methods
- Results can be complicated to interpret without expert guidance
- Longer turnaround time compared to other test types
- Subject to inaccurate results if not conducted properly
- Cannot differentiate between outdoor mold that’s settled over time versus mold growth indoors
MVOC TESTING - HOME AIR CHECK
(MICROBIAL VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS)
How it Works:
Samples are analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Only laboratory that determines mold metabolites on the parts per trillion level.
When to Use It:
MVOC testing is especially useful for determining if actively growing mold is present. MVOCs are produced during the digestive process of mold and therefore can be used as an indicator for active mold growth.
Pros:
- Can encourage mold inspectors to continue to investigate if no visible mold is present, yet test results indicate active mold growth
- 2-4 hour collection time compared to 5-10 minutes with traditional air samples
Cons:
- More expensive compared to other test types
- Does not detect mold spores or mycotoxins, although it's assumed both are present if MVOCs are elevated
MYCOTOXIN TESTING - RESPIRARE LABS
How it Works:
Respirare Lab’s airborne mycotoxin test is a cutting-edge diagnostic tool used to detect mycotoxins present in the air. The samples are analyzed by a laboratory utilizing advanced techniques to identify and quantify the presence of mycotoxins.
When to Use It:
Mycotoxin testing should be used whenever mold growth is present and the goal is to determine if that mold is producing mycotoxins. It can also be used to correlate mycotoxins found in the body with mycotoxins found in the environment.
Pros:
- One hour collection time compared to 5-10 minutes with traditional air samples
- Identifies harmful toxins produced by some molds
- Can be useful information for doctors for identifying mold related health conditions
Cons:
- More expensive than other mold testing methods
- Occupants may need to leave the environment temporarily during testing
AIR ANSWERS
How it Works:
AirAnswers provides a full spectrum analysis of allergens, molds, viruses, and mycotoxins; providing whole home testing with one AirAnswers cartridge. AirAnswers is the only air sample that can measure both mold genus and mold species using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology.
When to Use It:
AirAnswers is especially useful for determining if Beta-Glucans are present; a polysaccharide component of actively growing mold that can trigger inflammation. AirAnswers may also be helpful for analyzing other indoor pollutants other than mold.
Pros:
- Can measure ultrafine particles down to 0.1 microns in size
- One sample can be used for multiple different panels
- Can be useful information for doctors
Cons:
- More expensive compared to other test types
- Testing providers must make two trips as collection times vary from 24 hours to 5 days
LEARN MORE ABOUT MOLD AND YOUR HEALTH
- GET THE FACTS -
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MOLD TESTING
People often request mold testing for several reasons, but many of these reasons may be misguided:
- To determine if mold is present: Mold is naturally present in indoor environments and testing will almost always detect some level of mold. The key issue is whether there is mold growth that could impact one's health or damage property.
- To determine if mold is NOT present: Negative mold tests are common due to multiple variables. Variables include testing only being a snapshot in time, air movement within the home, mold in an active versus dormant state, competition from other molds, growth surfaces, location of mold in relation to locations of the test, psychrometric conditions, HVAC system on versus off, etc.
- To identify specific types of molds: Although there is value in knowing what species of mold is present, not all tests can test every type of mold in a home. Additionally, knowing the exact species of mold isn’t necessary for determining how to address the problem. Any visible mold growth requires removal, regardless of the type.
- To determine if the environment is safe: Currently, there are no established health-based standards for mold levels in an environment. What may be considered “safe” for one person may affect another.
Healthy Air USA strongly recommends that instead of defaulting to mold testing and inspectors, homeowners and property managers should start by visually inspecting areas for signs of mold, moisture or water damage. Mold growth is not always visible, but can sometimes be detected through a musty odor. The primary goal should be to locate the source of moisture and address it directly as mold will not thrive without water.
Focus on Fixing the Root Cause
In most cases, dealing with mold doesn’t require complex testing. No matter how comprehensive and accurate a test may be, a test cannot determine where the source is located and how to properly address the issue. Identifying and fixing moisture problems and removing mold will typically resolve the issue more effectively than relying on test results. Mold testing may occasionally be useful for certain applications, but it should never replace thorough visual inspections and proactive moisture management.
By focusing on prevention and remediation, you can save money and avoid unnecessary tests while protecting your home or workspace from the harmful effects of mold.
- WE'RE HERE TO HELP -
CONTACT HEALTHY AIR USA
Do you need mold testing for your home or business? Call Healthy Air USA today or complete the form and a member of our team will contact you.
CONTACT HEALTHY AIR USA
Proudly serving the greater metro Atlanta area
Call Us at 770-205-1710
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