Rely on decades of experience and expert training to perform your mold tests and decipher the results. With top-tier education, advice, and testing, we help you identify mold issues. assess mold damage. formulate a plan. take action. improve air quality. breathe more easily. protect your family. care for your pets.
When is Mold Testing Necessary?
First, you should know that there is no state or federal threshold for how much indoor mold is too much. As of this writing, we are unaware of any local governments in Indiana that have set thresholds. Most government agencies follow the EPA on mold. On mold thresholds, The EPA says,
“Standards or Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for airborne concentrations of mold, or mold spores, have not been set. Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.”
Why are there no standards for acceptable mold levels? Because mold is common in nature, often at very high levels, and mold exists everywhere we live, work, eat, and play.
If there are no federal, state, or local standards for how much mold can be in the indoor air, what is the point of testing? There are times when having test results can be informative and helpful. This usually depends on what you already know about the situation, and what you hope to learn.
Often, mold testing is not needed. For instance, there is no reason to determine the type of mold before remediation; all types of mold must be removed in the same manner. It is also unneeded, in most situations, to do mold testing when there is no reason to suspect a mold problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states,
“The health effects of mold are different for different people so you cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know whether someone might become sick. No matter what type of mold is present, you need to remove it.”
In other cases, though, mold testing might be a good idea. Listed below are some reasons you may want to consider mold testing.
- You need to prove a substance is mold for legal reasons
- You suspect mold in an area, but none was found in the visual inspection
- You want to know how much and/or what types of molds are present in indoor air
- You want to compare the amount of mold in your home to “average” or “normal” homes
There are other reasons to perform mold testing, but those are the most common. In any case, if testing is to be done, you should ensure you are using the right test to get the information you want.
The Mold Testing Process
Types of Mold Tests
There are many different types of mold tests, with some new and interesting ones developed in recent years. Below we list some of the most common tests, how they are performed, and the information you can hope to get from them.
| Test Type | Detects | Best For | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Sampling (MST) | Airborne mold spores | General mold detection | $$ |
| Surface Samples | Mold on surfaces | Visible mold or stains | $ |
| Mycotoxin Testing | Toxic mold substances | Health-related mold concerns | $$$$ |
| ERMI Testing | Specific mold species | Comparison to other households | $$$ |
Air Sampling / Mold Spore Trap
Mold Spore Trap, or MST, is one of the most common types of mold testing performed. It is particularly valued for its ability to provide a quick and straightforward assessment of airborne mold levels, which may explain why some companies rely exclusively on this method. This is a method of collecting air to determine what particles are present and the quantities that exist at that time. The air samples are taken with a vacuum pump that impacts a specific amount of air onto a sterile cartridge. Mold, dust, and other substances are trapped in the cartridge and analyzed in the lab to determine the contents.
Generally, one sample is taken in each area of concern or each level of the home and an additional sample is taken outdoors as a baseline. Then we can compares the samples to determine if the types and amounts of mold indoors are similar.
Surface Samples / Tape Lift
Sterile swabs or strips of tape are used to collect samples from a surface. The tape or swab is placed on the area to be tested, picking up the particles. These samples are then examined in the lab. In some cases, bulk collection of affected materials can be collected, sealed in a bag, and sent to the lab for direct examination.
Mycotoxin Testing
Mycotoxin Sampling can be conducted to determine if certain toxic substances from mold are present in household dust. This testing can be advantageous for those suffering from mycotoxin related health symptoms or as a means of ruling out a location as a potential source for mycotoxins already identified in a patient’s body.
IMR uses a mycotoxin sampling methodology known as Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) which identifies very small levels of specific molecules in a liquid. This methodology is the most accurate and precise means of determining if mycotoxins are present in a dust sample. Dust samples are collected using a specialized collection swab which are sealed and sent to our partnering lab. While this testing is expensive, it can provide definitive proof if mycotoxins are environmentally present. This can help avoid costly and ineffective decontamination procedures or identify a source environment.
ERMI / MSPCR Testing
ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) is a newer test that takes a dust sample from surfaces in your home and compares them to a table of data collected in over 1000 homes across the country. Through this comparison, it is possible to get a general idea of the overall mold burden—that is, the total amount and variety of mold present—that any particular home has.
The test works by using a DNA sampling method patented by the EPA that assigns a “spore equivalents” based on the amount of DNA that is detected. The advantage to this type of testing is that specific mold types that are present are absolutely identified, unlike other methods which require a visual identification by microbiologists.
Several doctors, concerned about potential health effects that their patients are experiencing, are choosing this testing method as a way to determine exactly what types of mold are present and that their patients may have been exposed to.
HERTSMI-2, EMMA, Mold-10, NPA
Using the same technology used for ERMI testing (MSPCR), other tests have been developed, bundled and sold for various reasons or particular concerns. These tests include HERTSMI-2 testing, Mold-10, NPA, and others.
The availability of environmental mycotoxin and endotoxin sampling is likely to become the predominant testing methodology of the health care profession because it more accurately addresses the primary concern of toxicity. Standard air and surface sampling are generally sufficient for determination of allergenic symptoms/problems.
A test kit can for ERMI and similar tests can be ordered online and done by the average homeowner, or we can perform the test for you and help you to understand the results.
Other Environmental Testing
There are other things you may want to test for beyond mold. Some things that commonly affect the indoor environment are:
- Carbon Monoxide
- Carbon Dioxide (at unsafe levels)
- Radon
- Lead
- Asbestos
- Dust/Particulate/Smoke
We may not be able to test for all of these, but we should be able to help you find resources in your area. For example; in Marion County you can request a FREE radon test.
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Mold Testing FAQ
Frequently asked questions about mold testing. Please contact us for more information or if you have additional questions.
How Much Does Mold Testing Cost?
The cost of a mold inspection can vary depending on your location, the size of your home or business, and the type of inspection to be done. As of this writing (April 2024), the cost of a visual inspection could be a few hundred dollars; however, you could avoid that cost altogether with a free virtual inspection in our local service area.
For more extensive inspections, or in cases where travel would be required, the costs can go up from there. We recommend contacting us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to help assess your needs and get a quote on any additional inspections or testing.
Do I Need Mold Testing?
You do not need mold testing in many cases. As noted above, a visual inspection of the area can often be enough to determine the extent of the mold damage and the steps needed for remediation. This could be an on-site inspection, or you could show us around remotely on your phone for a virtual inspection.
In cases where mold testing is needed, or desired, see our mold testing page or contact us for more information.
Still Need Help Locating or Identifying Mold Issues?
Don't let uncertainty hold you back any longer. Begin your journey to a healthier, mold-free environment today. Reach out to Indiana Mold Remediation about your mold issues for a no-obligation 15 minute consultation at no cost.
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