How to Interpret Mold Test Results

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, mold in homes is associated with health effects such as respiratory problems including asthma and allergy symptoms. While the EPA recognizes the problems and potential hazards of mold growth in residences and businesses, there are no set standards or threshhold limits for mold levels. Although sampling is not required if mold is visible, the EPA says such tests might be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remedied. The sampling should be carried out by professionals who have experience in the field, according to the EPA.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine whether testing was done in a reliable manner. This means verifying any leaks, and doing a thorough and aggressive home inspection. If testers do not note specific details about how and where samples were obtained, the results are fairly meaningless.

• 2

  Assess whether mold samples identified were found in the air samples or actually verified by physical inspection of the site or both.

• 3

  Find out if the lab reported the mold findings as low or minimal exposure, hazardous levels or peak exposure, or toxic or dangerous levels. Mere numeric readings are not helpful as they vary from lab to lab and can change daily. Readings must be put in context by the inspector and the lab report.

• 4

  Learn what specific types of mold were found indoors, outdoors, or both, and whether the types of mold were found in more than one area of the home and at what levels.

• 5

  Ask the lab or inspector to clarify any results or readings. A report that only contains numbers and no context or explanation is not a good test report.

• 6

  Make certain that your test or lab report was performed by analysis methods approved by American Industrial Hygiene Association, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, or a similar organization to ensure quality and reliable inspection results.