Reasons for Mold Testing

There are many valid and valuable reasons to perform mold testing. Here are just a few reasons:

To establish a baseline for future testing.
This allows a mold professional to track and evaluate the progress of mold abatement activities. If the current levels are unknown, it is difficult to establish that progress has been made.

To establish the presence of mold and the justification for remediation. Many remediators and insurance companies will not authorize or undertake mold remediation if the presence of mold growth is not scientifically demonstrated.

To identify the types of mold present, i.e. “natural” or “toxic”. In many cases, residents are interested in the types of mold present and the possible relation to medical symptoms they may be experiencing. Certain mold species may cause serious illness in the elderly, or in infants; people who have weak immune systems due to chemotherapy or AIDS. Testing can assure the indoor environment is free of mold species that may cause infection in susceptible persons.

To find out the levels present. Although mold is mold, and its presence calls for remediation, it is useful to know if the ambient airborne levels are in a range of thousands, or hundreds of thousands. For example, this may affect decisions regarding the timeliness of remediation, and the continued occupancy of the premises.

To find “hidden mold”. Mold growth may often not be visible in a house, but known water intrusion or a moldy odor provides cause for concern. Testing will identify if there is a mold problem, even when there is no visible mold growth.

To “clear” a remediation, that is, to show that all mold is gone after remediation. Often, mold remediation will miss a mold-contaminated area. Testing of the air in the contained work area will assure that the levels inside the work area are reduced to ambient levels. This also provides documentation for future real estate transfers that the mold was properly and effectively removed.

To “establish” the lack of mold, as in a home purchase. Sometimes a homebuyer will have concerns about mold when purchasing a new home. This may be as a result of a bad experience with mold in their previous residence. Mold testing can provide the peace of mind that there are no problems with elevated airborne mold in the new house.

To show that a flood has not yet created mold growth. Floods in homes and offices can occur due to breaks in plumbing lines, or failure of plumbing fixtures. After the cleanup and drying, it is useful to test for mold to assure occupants that mold has not grown as a result of the flooding.

To support a legal case. A lawyer or plaintiff usually needs to have objective evidence of the presence or absence of mold and mold exposure to support a legal action. Testing can show scientifically that mold was, or was not, present.

If you have mold in your living or work space, it may contribute to your allergies or affect other health issues. Here are a few of the symptoms that may signal mold allergies.

• Sneezing
• Long Lasting Cold Symptoms
• Shortness of Breath
• Itchy and Watery Eyes
• Persistent Coughing
• Loss Of Hair
• Headaches

There are about numerous mold species that are especially harmful to humans. These molds create substances called Mycotoxins. These are some very poisonous substances. Mycotoxin poisoning can be very serious if exposed for extended periods of time; internal bleeding, neurological damage and even death may occur.

Stachybotrys is the most serious type of mold to find in a building. Effects of black mold exposure can be very devastating to the health of those living in a home. Getting rid of this type of mold is hard and often requires vacating a home for an extended period. Although rare, some people even demolish older homes if the mold growth is too extensive to be financially worth it to save the structure.

Mold spores that are inhaled can begin to grow throughout the body quickly. Lungs, skin, and digestive systems may be affected. Quick treatment is essential to preventing the spread. Elderly and those with a weakened immune system are the most likely to be affected by these types of molds. There are also non-toxic but allergenic species of mold that can cause these symptoms as well.

Those that suffer from other allergies should be especially concerned about the presence of mold. The symptoms of a mold allergy can closely mimic those of other allergies so it can be easy just to assume you are suffering from one allergen or the same ones. All those suffering from allergies should have their home evaluated for mold spores.