Mold Inspection & Mold Testing
Mold... Literally, is a growing concern. National media attention has alerted the public to the destructive and possibly toxic dangers of hidden mold spores. That could affect their family’s health and their homes. EPA studies indicate that air levels of indoor pollutants may be two to three times higher than outdoor levels. Mold, the most dangerous offender, often goes undetected.
Most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors and are not aware of the health hazards created by this pollutant. You owe to your family and yourself to minimize your exposure to mold spores in the indoor environment, test for mold today.
How can someone be exposed to mold?
There are several ways you can become exposed to mold:
- Breathing in the spores from the air.
- Skin contact from handling an item that has mold growing on it.
- Eating without properly washing your hands after handling moldy objects.
Mold has the potential to cause health problems and even make a home uninhabitable. However, everyone is affected differently when in contact with mold. The mold that may not bother the seller may severely affect the buyer. Some mold can produce allergens, irritants and, in some cases, potentially toxic chemicals substances known as mycotoxins. People who are sensitive and exposed to mycotoxins can become ill. Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. People diagnosed with allergies and asthma may be very sensitive to mold. Mold can cause asthma attacks. Other at risk may include: infants, the elderly, immune compromised patients, pregnant women and individuals with existing respiratory conditions.
With exposure, even in small amounts, mold can cause:
- Itching or irritation of the nose, eyes, throat or skin.
- Mysterious skin rashes
- Sinus infections or congestion/ sinusitis (runny nose)
- Respiratory problems (sneezing and coughing)
- Upper and lower respiratory infections.
- Fatigue
- Frequent headaches
- Trouble concentrating, memory lapses, confusion.
- Mood swings, anxiety, depression.
- Chronic aches and pains.
- Digestive problems.
Mold can be found in several areas in the home environment. It appears most often in moist areas as little black circles or thread–like white objects. It is usually accompanied with a musty-type odor. Outdoors, mold plays a natural part of the environment by breaking down dead organic matter such as dead trees or fallen leaves. Mold reproduces by means of microscopic spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through the indoor and outdoor air mold begins to grow indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet or damp. Mold will not grow without water or moisture. Therefore, it is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Some examples of places where mold can be found inside the home:
- Basements
- Kitchens (bottom of fridge)
- Bathrooms
- Attics
- Washer & Dryer areas.
- Underside of carpets and pads.
- The surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms)
- Ceilings at the topside of ceiling tiles.
- Front and backside of drywall, wallpaper and paneling.
- Inside of HVAC systems and ducts.
- Clothing
- Food
It is impossible to completely eliminate all molds and mold spores indoors. Mold will always be found floating in the air and in the house dust. Controlling water and moisture indoors can prevent indoor mold growth.
The following may prevent or reduce indoor mold growth:
- Repair any water leaks.
- Provide good air circulation.
- All HVAC systems should have a good electrostatic filter on the return duct
- Use bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room exhaust fans.
- Insulate and ventilate attic and crawl space areas.
- Clean, dry or remove items that are damaged by water immediately
There are several ways to find out if there are unsafe elevated levels of mold inside your home. (See below inspection and tests)
- To get started, a complete inspection of the entire home or commercial building inside and outside for any visible signs of water penetration or existing signs of mold would be needed.
- If nothing were visible at the time of inspection, a mold test would be next.
- There are numerous types of mold tests, air spore test, swabs, tape lifts, bulk samples, and cultures etc.
- Samples are taken and sent to the laboratory for testing.
- Results are normally back within 7 business days
- If test results are within normal ranges and no signs of any mycotoxins are present, no further testing is needed until there is future moisture problems inside.
- If test results are elevated and mycotoxins are found, mold remediation would be the next step.
- Before your can properly remediate, you must first stop the moisture problem.
Got mold questions? FAQ about mold
Mold allergy asthma and allergy foundation of America
US Environmental protection agency
a brief guide to mold, moisture and your home
Research on mold and its health effects is a science work in progress. This information listed in this mold section of this web site is only a brief overview; it does not contain or describe all of the potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more information, you may wish to call your state or local health department.
