Mold Assessment
Understanding What You’re Breathing
Does the Air Smell Fresh and Clean in Your Home?
7 issues that affect the air quality of the Home: Particles, Bio-Pollutants, Odors, Temperature, Humidity, Gases, Comfort. There are many Symptoms associated with the 7 issues that can be present inside your home. Short list of symptoms are Sinus problems/ Cough/ Shortness of breath/ Memory issues/ Decreased learning/ Skin sensitivity/ Numbness/ Vertigo/ Mood swings and many other conditions.
Why Indoor Air Quality Assessments Matter
Occupancy in mold contaminated structures, or other conditions in the air inside your home lead to a poor quality of life. Can increase sick leave time from work, medication use, respiratory illnesses, and Asthma.
A Mold/ IAQ assessment of the home can help you better determine what is in your home that is affecting you and will help your Dr. have more comprehensive knowledge of your home’s environment.
There are medical professionals that specialize in helping sensitized people affected by Mold/ Mycotoxin/CIRS, CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome). Having a qualified and well-trained Mold/ IAQ professional can help you attain the right answers and solutions for your home.


What is a Microbial/IAQ Assessment?
The assessment is a visual inspection, solution-based on collection of a variety of samples. Areas within the home that may be suspected source for IAQ contamination, and readily accessible within view. Some of the tools used are Thermography, Particulate count, Temperature and Relative Humidity meter, and other diagnostic tools. The different types of samples that can be collected at the home are Air, Carpet, Swab, Bulk, Particulate counts, TVOC, Tape lift, MVOC, and VOC.
More Than Mold
Indoor air can harbor multiple biotoxins (bacteria, endotoxins, β-glucans). Effective assessments and remediation must address this broader threat mix.
Mold assessment is the process conducted by a licensed assessor, it is a Solution-based assessment. It involves a comprehensive assessment which contains sampling, and data analysis to determine the source, type, location, and extent of mold growth.
Moisture intrusion into the home leads to microbial growth on building materials, and if unchecked can lead to more serious conditions. Mold are Fungi that may grow on environmental surfaces, in porous materials, or within living organisms and in decaying organic matter. Fungi digestive fluids decompose porous materials, making nutrients available. When conditions in the environment are ideal, molds/Fungi have the food they need to thrive.
Mycotoxins are harmful substances…
made by mold as a byproduct of its growth. Bacteria/molds both produce VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), causing musty and moldy odors while in growth period. Mycotoxins suppress the immune system, increasing the chances of inflammation. There are 5 ways Mold travel into and through a home:
- Moisture
- Convection
- Air movement
- Air infiltration
- Outdoor air
The way to prevent mold growth, building materials should be dried within 48 hours—no later than 72 hours. Some molds can start growing in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome)
CIRS is a multi-symptom, multi-system illness. Driven by contamination in the air of the home that hold Mold spores, and other inflammagens. Living in damp, contaminated homes can lead to a poor quality of life. When a person is exposed to Biotoxin, CIRS starts to affect the body causing many different symptoms. Biotoxins re-circulate in the body, it cannot be filtered by liver and kidneys.
Air Quality (IAQ) Syndrome)
Air Quality is important for anyone curious about what might trigger asthma in their home. Common triggers include smoke, dust, strong odors, pollution, pets, pollen, chemical fumes, mold spores, and even household pests.
Further Reading: In-Depth Mold Assessment Resources
For those interested in a deeper understanding of mold biology, testing procedures, and remediation standards, the following articles provide detailed technical information and industry insights. These resources are ideal for homeowners, contractors, and professionals seeking to expand their knowledge of mold assessment and indoor air quality.
- Thirty years of published research on human health effects of exposure to the interior environment of water-damaged built environments
- Biological contaminants in the indoor air environment and their impacts on human health
- Transcriptomics and Brain Volumetrics Define the Causes of Cognitive Impairment in Patients with CIRS and Support the use of VIP in Treatment
- Urine Mycotoxin Tests vs. Environmental Assessments
- Fungal Contamination of Building Materials and the Aerosolization of Particles and Toxins in Indoor Air and Their Associated Risks to Health: A Review
- Indoor Bioaerosol Dynamics
- Newer Molecular Methods Bring New Insights into Human- And Building-Health Risk Assessments from Water-Damaged Buildings
- Exposure to Actinobacteria resident in water-damaged buildings and resultant immune injury in Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

