Mold Inspection & Testing 

What is MOLD?

Molds are part of the natural environment. Molds are fungi that can be found anywhere - inside or outside - throughout the year. About 1,000 species of mold can be found in the United States, with more than 100,000 known species worldwide.

Outdoors, molds play an important role in nature by breaking down organic matter such as toppled trees, fallen leaves, and dead animals. We would not have food and medicines, like cheese and penicillin, without mold.

Indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Problems may arise when mold starts eating away at materials, affecting the look, smell, and possibly, with the respect to wood-framed buildings, affecting the structural integrity of the buildings.

Molds can grow on virtually any substance, as long as moisture or water, oxygen, and an organic source are present. Molds reproduce by creating tiny spores (viable seeds) that usually cannot be seen without magnification. Mold spores continually float through the indoor and outdoor air.

Molds are usually not a problem unless mold spores land on a damp spot and begin growing. They digest whatever they land on in order to survive. There are molds that grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods and insulation, while other molds feast on the everyday dust and dirt that gather in the moist regions of a building.

When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth often will occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains uncorrected. While it is impossible to eliminate all molds and mold spores, controlling moisture can control indoor mold growth.

All molds share the characteristic of being able to grow without sunlight; mold needs only a viable seed (spore), a nutrient source, moisture, and the right temperature to proliferate. This explains why mold infestation is often found in damp, dark, hidden spaces; light and air circulation dry areas out, making them less hospitable for mold.

Molds gradually damage building materials and furnishings. If left unchecked, mold can eventually cause structural damage to a wood framed building, weakening floors and walls as it feeds on moist wooden structural members. If you suspect that mold has damaged building integrity, consult a structural engineer or other professional with the appropriate expertise.

Since mold requires water to grow, it is important to prevent excessive moisture in buildings. Some moisture problems in buildings have been linked to changes in building construction practices since the 1970s, which resulted in tightly sealed buildings with diminished ventilation, contributing to moisture vapor buildup. Other moisture problems may result from roof leaks, landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under a building, or unvented combustion appliance. Delayed or insufficient maintenance may contribute to moisture problems in buildings. Improper maintenance and design of building heating/ventilating/air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, such as insufficient cooling capacity for an air conditioning system, can result in elevated humidity levels in a building.

Is Mold Dangerous? How Dangerous is mold?

Currently, there are no federal standards or recommendations, (e.g., OSHA, NIOSH, EPA) for airborne concentrations of mold or mold spores. Scientific research on the relationship between mold exposures and health effects is ongoing. This section provides a brief overview, but does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information, consult a health professional or your state or local health department.

There are many types of mold. Most typical indoor air exposures to mold do not present a risk of adverse health effects. Molds can cause adverse effects by producing allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions). Potential health concerns are important reasons to prevent mold growth and to remediate existing problem areas.

The onset of allergic reactions to mold can be either immediate or delayed. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms such as runny nose and red eyes.

Molds may cause localized skin or mucosal infections but, in general, do not cause systemic infections in humans, except for persons with impaired immunity, AIDS, uncontrolled diabetes, or those taking immune suppressive drugs. An important reference with guidelines for immuno-compromised individuals can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Molds can also cause asthma attacks in some individuals who are allergic to mold. In addition, exposure to mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose and throat in certain individuals. Symptoms other than allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold in the indoor environment.

Some specific species of mold produce mycotoxins under certain environmental conditions. Potential health effects from mycotoxins are the subject of ongoing scientific research and are beyond the scope of this document.

Eating, drinking, and using tobacco products and cosmetics where mold remediation is taking place should be avoided. This will prevent unnecessary contamination of food, beverage, cosmetics, and tobacco products by mold and other harmful substances within the work area. 

How do molds affect people?

Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath.

In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition.

In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mold. Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies.

A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants, memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the mold Stachybotrys chartarum has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.

There is no blood test for mold. Some physicians can do allergy testing for possible allergies to mold, but no clinically proven tests can pinpoint when or where a particular mold exposure took place.

How do molds get in the indoor environment and how do they grow?

Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets can and be carried indoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.

How do you keep mold out of buildings and homes?

Inspect buildings for evidence of water damage and visible mold as part of routine building maintenance, Correct conditions causing mold growth (e.g., water leaks, condensation, infiltration, or flooding) to prevent mold growth.

Inside your home you can control mold growth by:

• Controlling humidity levels;
• Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes;
• Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;
• Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.

Specific Recommendations:

• Keep humidity levels as low as you can—between 30% and 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Bear in mind that humidity levels change over the course of a day with changes in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
• Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months.
• Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
• Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
• Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

What are common types of MOLD to look for?

Altenaria is a mold commonly found in buildings that have suffered water damage. It grows in a variety of places that are moist, like showers, under sinks, and around windows, walls and doors. The mold can appear black, gray or dark brown, and has a wooly or string-like texture. Altenaria is known to increase your risk of allergic reactions and can lead to asthma attacks and breathing issues. 

Aspergillus is the most common type of mold found in houses in the U.S. The mold can appear in a variety of colors such as gray, brown, yellow, green, white, or black, and usually grows on walls, insulation, paper products, and clothing. Prolonged exposure to this mold can cause lung infections, allergic reactions and immune responses including fever, asthma attacks, and coughing up blood. Aspergillus mold can bring serious health risks, especially for people with compromised conditions. Keeping your house well-ventilated, clean and leak-free is the key to preventing Aspergillus mold from growing.

Cladosporiumis different than most other types of mold because it can grow in cooler areas. Most frequently found in fabrics like carpets and curtains, and wood surfaces like cabinets and floorboards, the mold often looks black or dark green. While this mold is not often directly toxic to humans, it has been known to cause severe respiratory and allergy issues in some people, as well as infections of the skin and nails.

Penicillium is a different type of mold, which can thrive in low humidity. While often attributed to food spoilage, it can also be found growing on or within furniture, carpeting, insulation, wallpaper, mattresses and other home materials. Its appearance can vary, but the mold usually looks blue or green and produces a strong, unpleasant odor. Penicillium spores can easily spread from one area of your home to another and can cause lung issues like asthma and allergic reactions, which can increase in severity over time.

“Black Mold,” scientifically called Stachybotrys Chartarum, is named both after its appearance and its extreme toxicity, being the most dangerous of household molds. The airborne toxins it produces can cause a wide variety of ill health effects, from breathing issues and allergy symptoms to headaches, chronic fatigue and fever. Black mold has a characteristically dusty, earthy smell similar to dirt or rotting leaves, and can appear in parts of your home that are warm and humid. Some of the common places we find Black Mold are basements, crawl spaces and air conditioning ducts. 

How to confirm if I have MOLD?

Mold is a silent problem. There are more than 4.6 million cases of asthma in the U.S., yet very few homeowners ever check for mold in their home. Surprisingly, even the regular home inspections that homebuyers pay for before purchasing a home do not test for the presence of mold. By the time green or black mold spores are visible on internal walls or ceilings, the infestation is usually significant. Here are three ways to confirm mold if you suspect it’s infiltrated your home:

• Visual Inspection A trained inspector will visit your home and assess the problem by conducting a visual inspection. You’ll have to pay for this, as it likely won’t be covered by your homeowners insurance. The inspector will produce a report showing whether or not your home has damage and if there are any possible sources of excess moisture.
• Infrared Inspection Infrared inspections are typically cost-effective, as mold inspectors use infrared cameras to check behind walls, in attics and in crawl spaces for differences in temperature. They can check for problems such as moisture, leaks and condensation without resorting to “destructive testing.” This means they don’t need to drill into your walls or remove your flooring to identify mold.
• Air-quality test Due to the high price, air-quality tests are usually only suggested after an initial mold inspection gives cause for concern. Mold inspectors take an air quality test when they inspect your home and send samples away to be analyzed by an independent lab.

What is MOLD testing?

Our team is going to gather some initial information to recommend the best service for you. Most likely, you will need a mold inspection (aka mold assessment or mold testing). The purpose of the mold inspection:

1. Determine what samples need to be taken

• Swab
• Tape
• Air
• Mixture of samples

2. Testing will determine IF mold is present within the property

3. Testing will determine WHAT TYPES of mold are present within the property



Why Choose Tony Ngo Inspections, LLC?

We are are an independent MOLD inspection and testing consultant.  Don’t Use the Same Company for Both Mold Inspection & Mold Remediation. Here’s Why…

• Avoid Conflict of Interest: Steer clear of companies offering both testing and mold remediation services. You can bet that if someone’s selling a service, they’re likely to “find” something that scares you into signing up for cleanup.
• You Get What You Pay for: Free mold inspections are red flags for scammers. Seek out – and be willing to pay for – separate inspection and remediation services.
• Observe the Inspection: Scam companies may turn up the heat (called “house cooking”), or even shake out rugs or pillows to release more spores into the air and make the results look worse. Prevent this by being present during the inspection.

To avoid unscrupulous inspectors, the EPA recommends working with a licensed testing agency, like Tony Ngo Inspections, LLC, that follows the analytical methods laid out by professional organizations.

How much for the MOLD test?

$450 (with 3x air samples)