Mold
Testing
After
the visual
assessment is complete, only then does it make sense to think about mold
testing. The decision to do mold testing depends on the goals
for the assessment.
Purpose of
Mold Testing
Why
Test? Usually, mold testing is for
determining the extent of mold contamination to help the mold
remediators clean it up. Sometimes, it's to help doctors take
care of their patients. Other times, mold testing is done to
make purchase and leasing
decisions.
Mold testing is
not always necessary. Mold testing isn't needed if you know
you have mold when you already know you
do.
Qualified Mold Testers. Mold testing
is performed by
Certified Mold Inspectors (CMIs) or Industrial Hygienists. The
advantage of using a certified mold inspector is that they are usually
home inspectors, professionals who know who houses work.
Industrial hygienists are microbiologists. Certified mold inspectors
work under the authority of an industrial hygienist, usually at a
laboratory.
Mold Testing
Goals Mold tests are taken for a variety of
reasons. The number and type of mold tests taken depend on
objectives. For instance, more mold testing may be done for
mold clearance when the presence of mold can be established with the
initial mold
inspection.
Peace of Mind. Home
buyers and new renters may want to know if a house is okay for them to
live in. Some people are highly sensitive to mold that
wouldn't bother most
people.
Determine Extent of Mold
Contamination. Mold samples don't usually need to be taken
to decide if there is mold (but may be needed to prove it).
The real benefit is for helping mold remediators establish their scope
of
work.
Identify Mold Types. Certain
kinds of mold should not be present in the air. Sometimes
health and legal professionals need to know the specific mold
present.
Help Heath Professionals Provide
Care. Many times, mold assessments are asked for by
patients of allergists and pulmonologists. The results are
used to provide
care.
Objective Basis for Enforcing a
Contract. Objective evidence is often required to show
living conditions are unsuitable. Our goal is to help property
owners restore their property to habitable
condition.
Evidence for Law Suits. To
successfully prosecute or defend a case, objective evidence is often
sought by mold
attorneys.
Types of Mold Test
SamplesSeveral types of mold samples are taken. Most of the
time, determining the genus of a mold species is enough--and far cheaper
to test for. Special testing is required if a specific
species needs to be determined, and is better done by an Industrial
Hygienist because they're microbiologists. Most mold testing
by a Certified Mold Inspector is done to the genus
level.
Mold Air
Samples. Samples of the air are taken for a
specified volume over a given period to time. The purpose is
to find out what is in the air. The results are compared to an
outdoor mold sample, used as a control
sample. Air sampling is what
is needed to satisfy most mold testing objectives. Rarely are
other mold test types
needed.
Mold Swap
Samples. Swab samples are an easy way to
determine the presence of mold without harming the surface
tested. The conclusion is the type of mold found only, if
any. It cannot be used to determine habitability of a
house. Home InSight uses them primarily to determine if
specific molds are present that should not be in the
air.
Mold Bulk
Samples. Bulk samples include 2" x 2" squares of
just about anything. The lab will use a piece of adhesive tape
to lift the mold of the surface for examination under a
microscope. The conclusion is the type of mold only, if
any.
Mold Wall
Samples. To avoid opening up a wall, wall
samples are taken to determine the presence of mold only. A 1/4-3/8"
inch opening is needed. Where possible, they are taken around
wall outlet boxes. More
Mold Removal & Mold Cleanup Information
This website only covers mold inspection
& mold testing. Our other website, San Francisco Bay
Area Mold Assessments, discusses the mold remediation process
and the professionals who do them in greater detail.
Mold
Assessments | Mold Pros |
Mold Prevention
| Mold
Removal
Mold Resources
| Health Effects |
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