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How To Test For Toxic Mold In Your Home

What Is A Conflict Of Interest When Testing For Mold

9 Signs You Have Toxic Mold In Your Home

When a mold inspection company is also the mold remediation company the mold inspector is incentivized to find a mold issue so they can charge for mold remediation. This is called a conflict of interest. Lets say hypothetically that we identified a small mold issue during one of our inspections, and 3 weeks ago a local mold inspection and remediation company took and processed an onsite air sample to detect mold and told our client that the small isolated patch of toxic black mold in her ventilated attic space caused by seasonal condensation was so severe that if she wanted to keep herself and her family safe, she would need to pack whatever she can as quickly as she can, leave the house immediately, get a hotel for the next 3 days, and oh yeah dont forget, pay $12,000 to the mold inspection and remediation company that uses fear to make money.

Lets also say hypothetically that she called around and found a company that took great care of her for a quarter of the price that wasnt concerned about the mold at all because they know about the lack of health risks posed by mold.

Myths About Black Mold

Its important to address myths some people may have about black mold. One common rumor is that black mold releases toxic compounds called mycotoxins that cause health issues, like memory loss, headaches, and infant pulmonary hemorrhage.

But according to a review from 2017, theres no evidence that exposure to black mold causes particular health conditions.

Furthermore, while a variety of molds produce mycotoxins, these compounds are primarily dangerous for humans only when eaten in significant quantities.

A 2019 review of research into this topic states theres currently no evidence that mycotoxins in the air cause disease.

My Online Vcs Test Results

While the online VCS Test is free to take, I recommend making a small donation, which will unlock more detailed results, allow for multiple tests over time , and give the ability to download reports in PDF and csv format.

I have taken the online VCS Test twice, approximately 14 months apart. Here are the results of my first test:

Here is an explanation of how to interpret the charts:

The charts above plot the results of your contrast sensitivity test for each eye. The left axes represent contrast sensitivity, the right axes represent percentage contrast, and the bottom axes represent the spatial frequency of the parallel bars in the test images . Each plotted circle represents an image from your test, and its position corresponds to its contrast level and spatial frequency. The biotoxin columns 6 and 12 CPD are outlined in blue. A green-filled circle indicates that you answered correctly when asked to identify the tilt of the bars, whereas a red-filled circle indicates that you answered incorrectly. The black tails point in the direction the bars in the test images were tilted in your test, and where you answered incorrectly the red tails point in the direction you indicated.

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In The Shower And Bathtub

Showers and bathtubs are one of the most common places you may find mold. With repeated use, these areas tend to be damp most of the time. If you arent properly ventilating during and after your shower or bath, mold spores will thrive. But mold isnt always visible and obvious be sure to check for mold on your shampoo bottles, washcloths and loofahs, shower curtain, in and around the faucet and shower head, and in the tile grout.

How To Test For Mold In 6 Steps

Designer Bag Logo Silicone Mold (M) (30mm)

Mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled, but they can also remain hidden behind walls or under carpets. Testing isnt necessary if you can see or smell mold that is confirmation enough to call a professional and begin the remediation process. Testing for mold in the house may be necessary if requested by a health professional or needed for legal purposes, such as a lawsuit with a landlord. Another reason to consider testing is if you arent able to see or smell mold in your home but are having unexplained symptoms associated with mold. Always follow the instructions provided with a test kit , but this is generally what to expect:

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How To Find Hidden Black Mold In Your Home

by Lisa | Sep 11, 2019 | Mold |

Do you suspect you have mold hidden in your home? Whether you can visibly see mold growing or can smell an unpleasant earthy odor, mold is a common problem in houses with water damage or leaks. If you see signs of mold in your home, a black mold test can be performed on a sample to determine if it is indeed mold, what toxic variety it is, and what should be done about it.

My Story Of Toxic Mold Illness On Pbs American Health Journal

The home depicted in my PBS television interview above was not the home I lived in. They used that home for purposed of B-Roll. Although I am no longer in the house or apartment that had mold issues, I am very cautious about my environment these days. When we bought our new house one of the first things we did was test for mold. There are two reasons for this. For one, I know firsthand what mold can do to your health, also because I am highly allergic to mold, my health depends on keeping mold counts down.

You can read about my downward health spiral due to mold here.

Below is the Microbalance fogger and antifungal I spray my home with each month. It is safe for pets and contains no toxic or harsh chemicals. If you cannot afford the fogger, they sell the same solution in a spray. You can simply spray your entire home including your furniture and carpets.

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Common Types Of House Mold

Wondering what types of mold are the most common in houses and which ones you should be concerned about? Lets discuss a few of the most common types of household mold now.

  • Cladosporium Cladosporium is one of the most common household molds. It usually grows in a greenish-brown colony, but can also be nearly black in color. It is rarely harmful unless you have a mold allergy, but may cause minor issues like toenail or fingernail infections.
  • Penicillium Penicillium is sometimes called green mold, as it is usually dark green in color. It tends to grow in large, consistent patches on the walls. As the name suggests, penicillin is derived from some kinds of this mold. However, some kinds of penicillium mold may be toxic to humans and animals.
  • Aspergillus This type of mold is usually greenish-white in color, and may be more raised with a more cloudy appearance than other types of mold. It is not harmful, unless you have a weakened immune system, in which case it could infect the lungs or sinuses.
  • Alternaria Alternaria mold is usually greenish-white, but can also appear in black patches, so its sometimes confused with black mold. Alternaria can be a factor in exacerbating asthma, particularly for those who may have mold allergies.

Can Mold Harm My Health

DIY Mold Test: How To Discover If The Mold Growing Your Home Is Toxic

Most types of mold do not harm people. In fact, doctors use some varieties to improve health. For instance, penicillin is a useful mold that has saved many peoples lives. However, not all molds are beneficial. In fact, people often develop health issues when they come into contact with harmful species of molds.

If you are in an environment with a large mold presence, you may breathe in mold spores. The antigens in these spores can enter your body and cause a variety of harmful health conditions.

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Where Is Mold Found

Mold is found all over the world. It can grow on and in buildings and also outdoors. Although mold can exist in a variety of places, it grows especially well in damp, moist environments. Your walls, furniture, floors, carpets, and other areas of your home can contain mold. Kitchens, bathrooms, and other damp places are especially likely to have mold. Mold is common everywhere, and people are exposed to it every day.

More Identification Problems: Mold Testing

Mold testing is hugely controversial. Since mold is always present, air-based mold testing is extremely unreliable. Plus, airborne mold levels fluctuate throughout the day, so multiple, long-term testing is the only way to determine if your mold content is increasing and represents a mold problem. On the other hand, if someone in your home has a known allergy to mold, you might want to invest in a mold testing kit so you can verifiably know as soon as mold levels begin to rise out of acceptable ranges for that household member.

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I Found Mold Growing In My Home How Do I Test The Mold

If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk.

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Cleaning Up Small And Medium Mould Problems

Coralov. Silicone Egg Bites Molds for Instant Pot Accessories, Fits 5,6 ...

Bleach is not necessary to clean up mould.

You can clean up small areas of mould if you follow the proper procedures and use the right protective equipment. Unless the mould growth is on smooth surfaces such as bathroom tiles, surface cleaning will not eliminate the problem.

In most cases you can clean up medium areas of mould if you follow the proper procedures and use the right protective equipment. Materials damaged by mould must be physically removed and disposed of under safe conditions. However, it is important to seek professional assistance if there is a large mould problem or if mould comes back after cleaning.

Susceptible individuals such as pregnant women, infants, children, the elderly, and occupants with asthma, allergies or other health problems should not be in or near the area where the mould is being cleaned up.

Minimum protective gear needed:

  • a disposable N95 mask and
  • household disposable gloves.

You can purchase an N95 mask from a hardware store. Make sure that the label says N95. Other masks are designed to provide limited protection against dust and are not suitable for protecting against mould exposure. Make sure that the mask is properly fitted and you can breathe through the mask.

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Your Planter Of Begonias Is Leaking

Exterior landscaping that is close to the home, as well as planters placed against exterior walls, can also lead to mold issues, especially for stucco homes, says Gregg Cantor, President and CEO of Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel. Moisture finds its way inside the walls and can cause mold growth in the drywall and insulation. This type of mold growth can be particularly dangerous because its rarely caught until the mold shows up on the interior of the wall, at which point the growth can be extensive and a danger to your health, says Cantor.

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What Is A Mycotoxin Test

Have you been suffering from new allergies, headaches, or other health problems? If so, you may have been exposed to mold. Fortunately, theres an easy, safe way to determine whether youre suffering from the harmful effects of toxic mold. At The Metabolic Institute in Spokane, WA, we offer a specialized mycotoxin test that may determine whether you have mold toxicity in your body. Read on to learn more about how this powerful testing method can help you address the damaging effects of toxic mold exposure.

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How To Test For Black Mold In The Air

Are you breathing black mold? For your healths sake, its important to find out. Most airborne molds are capable of harming certain people, but toxic black mold presents a particular risk. Even short-term exposure to black mold can be dangerous to health.

When people talk about toxic black mold, theyre referring to a specific variety known as Stachybotrys chartarum. Like all molds, black mold is insidious its hard to find and even harder to remove. Just because you can find a visible mold colony, doesnt mean youre not inhaling its spores and byproducts.

If you suspect black mold is growing in your home, its a good idea to run a test before beginning the expensive remediation process. While youre investigating, make sure to run a high-quality air purifier for mold to protect yourself and your family. Keep reading to learn when and how to test for black mold.

If your home has a mold problem, its time to act. Protect your family by running a high-quality air purifier from Air Oasis. Questions about our purifiers? Give us a call at .

Air Sample Testing For Mold

9 Signs You Have Toxic Mold In Your Home

Now that we have a solid foundation, we are finally ready to discuss air sampling to detect mold. Lets say we are going to sample two houses and each house will have 3 samples take or 225 liters of air passed through a detection media. HouseMold has a severe mold problem in the corner of a large room and House No-Mold does not have a mold problem. House Mold is a tight house with an amazing ERV ventilation system that filters no less than 4,675,000 liters of air per day which is 8.5 filtered air exchanges per day that are capable of filtering out 99% of every mold spore that passes through the filter each time the air passes through the filter. We might as well say the filter has a 100% mold spore capture rate. Because of the number of filtered air exchanges taking place in House Mold our 3 samples will represent approximately 0.000048% of the houses air. To help you understand how insignificant that number is imagine that you hurt yourself and had to go to the doctor. I am 510 tall and if a doctor looked me up and down to see where I hurt myself this would be the equivalent of the doctor only looking at a human hairs thickness of my body and then telling me my diagnosis. In this example the lack of mold found in the air samples would result in House Mold being given a clean bill of health even though the house had an active moisture issue and was being eaten alive by mold.

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How To Tell If Theres Mold In Your House

13 Signs Of Mold In Your Home Visible Mold. One of your most valuable senses is sight. Humidity. Moisture in the air plays an important role in mold growth. Moisture Moisture can occur in many places. health symptoms. From the floods. Cellar. To feel. The roof is dripping. Condensation around the window.

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Removing Mold From Your Home

Resolve any issues causing mold growth, and throw away anything affected by mold or contributing to mold growth that you cant clean.

  • Wear protective gear. As youre dealing with the moldy area, cover yourself with a mask, gloves, goggles, and rubber boots. If youre cleaning a lot of mold, you can also wear disposable clothing or a mold-resistant suit.
  • Ventilate the room. Open all doors and windows to increase ventilation.
  • Sort and discard. Remove any objects from the area that havent been touched by mold growth. Throw away any items that cant be cleaned.
  • Replace moldy housing materials. Cut away and replace mold-damaged drywall, ceiling tiles, and carpet.
  • Scrub and disinfect. Cover and scrub nonporous surfaces affected by mold with bleach, a fungicide, or detergent and water, then dry them. Dont mix cleaning products together.
  • Address any water issues. Make sure any water problems are fixed and the area is dry before you renovate the room.

You cant prevent all mold, but you can reduce the amount in your home. Here are some dos and donts for managing mold and keeping it from growing indoors.

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Identification Of Mold Spores

Some air and swab samples can be processed by laboratories to do more than just identify the number of spores and species trapped in a sample. Some laboratories can identify enzymes, cell wall components, and even sequence the DNA of the mold found in your home. This is all very exciting and fascinating science for clean rooms and forensic investigators, but for a living breathing home with pets, children, and dirty clothes, it might just be best to take a quote directly from the EPA Sampling is unnecessary.

How To Tell If Mold Is Toxic

Toxic Mold Resources

Mold can cause a number of health problems in the body. While many people believe that they have a mold allergy, this can actually be caused by toxic mold. Mold toxins are chemicals that are produced by molds. They can cause allergic reactions and other health problems if they are inhaled or ingested. The easiest way to tell if your home is contaminated by mold is to check for signs of visible mold. You may notice mildew or water spots on the walls. If you have mold growing on your food, you may see white patches on the surfaces of your food. You may also see mold in the air inside your home. You can look for this by opening your windows, or by testing for mold spores in the air.

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