In nearly every forum, I constantly see questions asking what the results of a mold test mean. Sometimes clients post air testing results, ERMI results or even pictures of simple mold test plates purchased at a local home improvement store. Unfortunately, these results garner responses that are scary, sometimes inaccurate and ALWAYS incomplete.
Mold tests are a tool used to find out what kind of environmental issues involving mold are affecting a property. They can include samples of air, dust or even swabs of surfaces to identify and hopefully quantify the types and amounts of molds that are present. Unfortunately, no matter what test you use, there are no common standards of what is "acceptable" on any test. Some labs will make a determination with the samples provided, but even this is just a quick glimpse of a partial picture of an indoor environment. Furthermore, nearly every lab will make a different determination of what is acceptable. Finally, asking for interpretation of these results from online support groups will nearly always get negative, fear producing responses that leave the question unanswered and the person left discouraged and more troubled than when they started.
So what is the solution? Bring in the expert. There is no substitute for a trained professional using the right tools to assess your indoor environment. Testing is one such tool, but identifying WHERE and WHY a problem exists via observation is far more valuable than identifying a level of mold in most cases. I have been in numerous homes where air tests were analyzed with ultra low levels of contamination, but substantial mold issues existed. Likewise, I have been in homes that had high ERMI test scores, but simply needed a quality cleaning. Without proper observation and a full working knowledge on building information, environmental identifiers (like humidity) and simply knowing where to look, test results simply cannot tell you what steps need to be taken in a building.
Where can you start? If you think you have a mold problem, I recommend contacting a qualified Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP). Make sure that their knowledge and capabilities meet the needs of your level of sensitivities and concern. Furthermore, the IEP shouldn't scare or intimidate you, rather plan for solutions to your situation. The IEP should also be able to identify or theorize on why the mold is there in the first place ie, what was/is the moisture problem that caused the issue in the first place. With the proper information, and education, we can solve indoor air quality issues together, and remember: at Alpha Air Quality, we believe that better air makes for a better you!
John is an ACAC Board Certified Indoor Environmentalist that has helped thousands of people dealing with mold and air quality issues in the Greater Pittsburgh & Tri-State area. At Alpha Air Quality, we ensure that families are receiving accurate information, factual testing & assessments, as well as proper mold removal and remediation. John is a top mold expert in the area and serves the community with excellence and experience!
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