Reliable Tests for the Presence of Mold

Almost all of us already have two effective mold detectors: our eyes and our noses. If black or green discoloration is noticed that is fuzzy in appearance and is in a location that is damp or had been damp, it is almost certainly mold. If a building smells musty, there probably is mold somewhere; the mold may be on boxes stored in a basement or in walls or in the crawl space. If you want to find mold, look for the presence of water or a location where water was likely to have been. If there is still any question about whether the black stuff is mold, have a reliable laboratory examine the material. All you need to know is whether mold is seen when the material is examined under the microscope. 

An increasing number of companies are offering “air testing for mold.” On the surface this seems like a reasonable thing to do. The problem, however, is that the results of most air sampling for mold are meaningless for two reasons. Air sampling for mold was not developed to determine if an environment was safe or had a dangerous level of mold in the air. Air sampling was developed to help identify the location of a hidden reservoir of mold. If the source of mold is already identified, air sampling does not provide additional meaningful information. Furthermore, safe or toxic levels of air borne mold have not been established. An individual air sample for mold provides a “snapshot” of what was in the air during the few minutes of sampling. The results may not be indicative of the amount of mold that is in the air during most of the day.

Air sampling for mold should be done either to obtain an answer to a question that cannot be answered without the air sampling or to obtain data as part of a research project. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists do not recommend routine air testing for mold.

Pets and Mold

Pet owners must caution that both indoor mold and outdoor mold can negatively affect your pet. If you take your pet, such as your cat or dog, outdoors, beware that mold spores are plentiful during late fall. Concentrations of decaying matter, such as fallen leaves, are a haven for mold growth. In most of Florida (considered a hot spot for mold growth and allergens), especially in the Tampa Bay, residents tend to experience a long fall season with the absence of a true winter. Thus, the possibility of your pup running into mold-infested decaying matter is quite high. In addition, lawns that are not mowed can be a great hiding spot for mold spores.

How can you protect your pet from mold while outdoors? First off, talk to a veterinarian about managing your pet’s allergies. Ensure that your pet is not suffering from any other allergen or issue (food allergies often cause symptoms similar to mold-induced illness). Next, limit exposure and keep your pet indoors if possible. If you have a dog and must venture outside, keep to mowed lawns and packed dirt for potty time. During a walk, keep your furry friend on the sidewalk if possible. Finally, upon returning from a walk, brush your dog and bathe often. Just as much as fleas love to hide in your puppy’s coat, so do mold spores and other outdoor allergens. A good rule of thumb is to brush the dog upon returning from a walk and bathe weekly. In addition to taking these extra precautions for your pet, in general, homeowners can create a less mold-friendly environment by cleaning up decaying leaves as soon as possible. As well, mow the lawn as necessary.