June 2010 - Mold Testing

QUESTION: What is Black Mold? ANSWER: Black Mold is commonly known as Stachybotrys (stack-ee-bought-ris) contaminant, found indoors primarily on wet cellulose containing materials. It is the “toxic black mold” that has garnered much media attention. Stachybotrys produces mycotoxins which may lead to pathological changes in animal and human issues. These toxins may be acquired by ingestion of food products contaminated with the fungus. They can only be produced or get airborne, however, under certain environmental settings. Some species produce a potent toxin that is lethal to animals, though dose effect on humans is not clear. One species produces a toxin linked to the bleeding lung deaths of several infants. A host of other toxic reactions in humans are also linked to it, but many of these require further study. Stachybotrys is sometimes difficult to detect indoors because many times it will grow unseen on the back of walls or in the wall cavity with little disturbance that would cause it to be detected by routine air sampling. This is potentially also when it is of most health concern: when it covers entire wall areas and constantly produces toxins undetected. Non-cultured lab analyses (air-o-cells and tape-lifts) usually are the proper method of identification because Stachybotrys does not grow or compete well on most culture plate media, and it is reported that even non-viable spores can be toxigenic. It is possible that Stachybotrys may play a role in development of sick building syndrome, but probably only in conjunction with other factors. Until more information is available, and the role of Stachybotrys and its associated mycotoxins in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has been assessed, extreme caution should be used when dealing with it.

QUESTION: Why should I get a Mold Test if I can see what appears to be mold? ANSWER: To establish a baseline for future testing. This allows a mold professional to track and evaluate the progress of mold abatement activities. If the current levels are unknown, it is difficult to establish that progress has been made.