Mold Testing
What is Mold?
Mold… there are so many questions that come to mind when acknowledging this simple and common word, and
though the word may seem simple the role of mold is still quite complex. The three most frequently asked
questions relating to mold are:
What is mold?
How does mold grow?
What are the potential health effects of mold?
What is mold?
Mold is a tiny microscopic organism, which reproduces by releasing spores. Spores can be discovered everywhere
in our surrounding environment, yet they are commonly found to be inactive. However, when the relative humidity
exceeds 60% they will germinate and multiply. Presently, there are over 100,000 known species of molds in our
environment. And although mold has become famous mostly for its negative aspects, mold also serves a positive
purpose to our world. Mold helps decompose or break-down, organic matter, such as leaves, wood and other plant
debris, and recycles the nutrients back into the environment. Mold produces enzymes to digest the organic
materials. Without mold we would find ourselves and our living environments to be overwhelmed with dead plant
matter. Yet, mold becomes a problem and a nuisance when it begins growing on and in valuable possessions,
such as our homes.
How does mold grow?
Mold grows by the process of producing reproductive cells called spores and distributing them into the
environment. They can spread by means of air, water, or by insects. These spores perform as seeds do and have
the ability to form new mold growth in ideal conditions. Mold spores travel through air, attaching to practically
everything they come into contact with. For example, spores will affix themselves to people's skin, clothing,
shoes, shopping bags and other personal belongings. Other ways spores can enter your home are through open
doors and windows, through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Spores can also cross the
threshold of your home through the fur of a pet. Mold requires a food source in order to grow. Mold will consume
many materials including leaves, wood, insulation, wallboard, drywall, carpeting, clothing, paper, dirt, and many
other substrates. In addition to a source of food, mold needs a source of moisture as well, for no less than 24 to
48 hours. Temperatures higher than 65 degrees amplify the possibility of mold growth. Mold spores usually thrive
and reproduce in the areas of your home that have had flooding or where leakage has occurred. Mold also
flourishes in areas around house plants, especially ones that are occasionally over-watered. In the short time span
of 48 hours, a moist environment combined with high room-temperature and an organic food source can initiate
extensive mold growth. Molds regularly emerge as circular spots, as a result of the outward growth of hyphae. As
the mold spreads, it starts to appear more similar to a solid mat across an object. It is important to understand
that mold does not only grow on the surface. Aside from growing outward, mold also grows down, into the
substrate of an object. It is also imperative to comprehend that it is practically impossible to keep mold spores out
of your home; however, regular home cleansing and maintenance can often prevent mold problems from
occurring.
What are the potential health effects of mold?
The health effects of mold are generally harmless to a healthy person who is not allergic to mold; yet, if an
individual suffers from health conditions, or the mold is toxic, the effects of mold can be dangerous. However, toxic
mold is less common in the results of a mold test. General illnesses resulting from mold exposure include the
characteristic allergies exacerbation, allergy rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. Rare illnesses resulting from mold
exposure include pneumonitis, and fungal infection. Most frequent health symptoms from mold exposure include
chronic fatigue, headaches, memory loss, loss of concentration, difficulties in logical thinking and learning, runny
nose, coughing, congestion, sore lungs/chest/throat, hives, itching of the nose, mouth, eyes, throat, or skin,
redness of the sclera, skin rashes, skin redness, and sneezing/sneezing fits.
What’s the Difference Between a Mold Inspection
and a Mold Test?
I address this question almost weekly. Inevitably a Realtor or a home owner calls my office. They
think there may be some mold in a subject property. Sometimes, they can see it. Sometimes, they
think they smell it. I typically begin to explain our process for a Certified Mold Inspec-
tion. "Titanium Laboratories begins each mold inspection with a thorough visual inspection. We
look for signs of moisture, water damage, possible leaks, water intrusion, we measure the humidity
and the temperature, among the collection of various other data. All of which provides important
clues to resolve a mold issue."
Alas, the golden question. "Can I just have your company test for mold? I don't think that I need a
full mold inspection."
Well yes, we can do that. But you are short-changing yourself. You see, when addressing a poten-
tial mold situation, the most important part of the mold inspection is to determine the underlying
cause of the mold growth. The NY City DOH specifically states, "In all situations, the underlying
cause of water accumulation must be rectified or fungal growth will recur." (Although our
company is located in NJ, the NY City DOH is considered the industry standard for mold removal and
remediation.)
Keeping the above in mind, what good would a mold test do for you if there were no mold inspec-
tion? A mold test is a single element of a Certified Mold Inspection. The last thing that you want is
to know that there is a mold infestation in your home or in your client's home, but with no proposed
solution.
At this point, where Titanium Laboratories practices, NY & NJ, there are no licenses required to pro-
vide mold inspection services. The last time I checked, some states were beginning to institute li-
censing requirements to certified mold inspectors, but none passed final legislation. What that
means to you and to your clients is that in most parts of the country anyone can designate them self
a mold inspector and institute any procedure for their service that they wish. As a result, you must
be extremely diligent to make sure that you are going to get the information from your mold inspec-
tion that you require to make informed decisions.
When considering a Certified Mold Inspection, always be sure that you will receive the following from
your mold inspection company:
1. A thorough visual inspection of the subject property
2. Sampling (Air/Swab/Bulk) should be relinquished to an independent, AIHA accredited laboratory
for analysis.
3. Not only should you receive a full copy of the original laboratory report, but an explanation of the
analysis. Your report should provide you with the various species of mold that were identified in the
sample by the Mycologist, the colony counts of each species, and the concentrations.
4. RECOMMENDATIONS: This is the main reason that you are hiring a mold expert. Take advan-
tage of their knowledge and experience. Your Certified Mold Inspector should analyze the data from
the visual inspection, the laboratory analysis, and provide you with any recommendations to make
corrective actions. Would you go to a doctor, get a diagnosis, but not inquire about a course of
treatment?
The Methods of Mold Testing
Visual Inspection
Visual Inspection is the most common form of mold testing. Titanium Laboratories begins each mold inspection
with a thorough visual inspection. We look for signs of moisture, water damage, possible leaks, water intrusion;
we measure the humidity and the temperature, among the collection of various other data involved with mold
testing. All of which provides important clues to resolve a mold testing issue. Throughout this phase of mold
testing an inspector is on the lookout for three things, evidence of previous moisture intrusion, evidence of mold
growth and areas with a potential for future mold infestation. This type of mold testing typically covers the interior
living space, basement, attic and crawl space. Exterior surfaces are examined for evidence of water damage /
intrusion and potential for future problem areas.
Surface Sampling
Surface / Bulk sampling is used to identify a mold type at a specific location. This mold testing technique is useful
also in ruling out possible discolorations or staining that sometimes exhibit mold like characteristics.
Swab
A cotton swab is used to collect a small quantity of material from a non-porous surface. The area where
mold is suspected is gently swabbed. After the entire area has been sampled, the swab is inserted into
the tube of a buffer and shipped to the laboratory within 24 hours of the mold testing. In turn the
sample is analyzed either with a fungi screen or culture analysis. An accredited laboratory performs the
testing procedures for these results.
Bulk
A bulk sample should be collected when material is porous and swabbing is not practical. A utility knife
with a clean blade is used to collect a desired 25-50 grams of sample, if available. Bulk materials are
then placed into a standard zip-lock type bag and sent to an accredited laboratory to be analyzed with
either a fungi screen or culture analysis.
Tape
A piece of clear tape is used to collect a small quantity of material. In turn this is analyzed either with a
fungi screen or culture analysis. An accredited laboratory performs the testing procedures for these
results.
Air Sampling
In mold testing, air sampling is the most effective method for determining whether a mold infestation is potentially
creating an unsafe living environment. Our mold testing procedure incorporates the Air-O-Cell cassette and/or the
use of (MEA) Malt Extract Augur media, depending on your unique situation.
Air-O-Cell
During this type of mold testing, air quality is tested using the Air-O-Cell cassette by drawing 15 cubic
liters of air per min and impacting the airborne particles over a glass substrate. Typically the process
runs from 3 to 5 minutes, producing a sample size of 45 to 75 cubic liters.
MEA
In this form of mold testing, air quality is tested using the Malt Extract Augur (MEA) by drawing 28.3
liters of air per min. and impacting the airborne particles over a glass substrate. Typically the process
runs from 3 to 5 minutes, producing a sample size of 84.9 to 141.5 cubic liters. Next, the cassette is
sent to an accredited laboratory, where the spores are identified and counted.
These numbers alone do not give us enough information to accurately determine the level of contamination.
Outside control samples are needed to identify the quantity of mold found in the natural environment. Indoor
levels are normally found at approximately 50% of outside samples.
