Mold Testing-Is it Really Necessary?
Often also referred to as Mold Sampling, and Mold Screening; it has become a big business for entrepreneurs selling Mold Test kits, Air Sampling Equipment, Lab Services, Training Courses, Books, and other Mold related paraphernalia to home inspectors.
Oh and not to forget, they also sell "Certifications". You too can be a certified mold inspector within less than a week, just sitting behind your computer in the comfort of your own home.
Their motto is " Mold is Gold!" and unfortunately the industry preys on the fears of the the general public to make a quick buck.
Every house has mold spores floating around in it. Some more than others. So every test will show some mold. But the devil is in the details when it comes to interpreting the test data.
What a home buyer really needs to know is whether there are any conducive conditions such as high moisture from poor ventilation, plumbing leaks, or water intrusions at roofs or exterior cladding. Such conditions can be visible within the home, and in more significant cases a strong pungent odor (musty smell) is present.
In such cases the affected materials damaged by moisture needs to be removed and replaced in conjunction with repairs to the conducive condition. Surface molds and mildews can also be cleaned off of the surfaces which are deemed to be sound.
My opinion is that homes do not need to have mold testing. That opinion is supported by the links referred to below.
Please take a moment to review the links. The scientific facts about mold are my basis for not offering Mold Testing, Screening, or Assessments. With so much hype about Toxic Mold, it is hard to get objective, reliable information on the subject. I hope this has been helpful!
The Environmental Protection Agency has the following to say about Mold Testing in their handbook
Testing or Sampling for Mold
"Is sampling for mold needed? In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations."
The State of Washington's Department of Health has the following to say on the subject of Mold Sampling;
When Should I Sample for Mold?
"You don't need to sample for mold because in most cases you can see or smell mold. Even a clean, dry house will have some mold spores, but not enough to cause health problems. If you smell mold it may be hidden behind wallpaper, in the walls, ceiling, or under the carpet."
Caoimhín P. Connell, a Forensic Industrial Hygienist with Forensic Applications Consulting Technologies, also has some interesting information regarding Mold, which is based in scientific fact, rather than media hype.
"The interpretation of airborne fungal results is one of the most misconstrued, possibly even the most abused and misunderstood aspect of fungal exposures in buildings and the outdoors."
"In spite of the recent media hype over the presence of mould (mold) in residences and the workplace, there is very little scientific or medical data that supports the fear and concern."
"Over the years, we have frequently encountered many people who ask us what toxic mould (toxic mold) looks like? There is no such thing as “toxic mould” any more than there is “toxic milk” or “toxic walnuts.”