HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Best way to test/treat mold?

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/21/2016 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
I've decided it's time to see if mold is an issue for me. I think testing my house is a good first step. What is the best way to do this? I know you can order a cloth test but you can only test three areas with it. I live in a large house so I feel like I could miss mold if it is an issue. Would having a professional mold removal company come and look at my house be better? Do they test for mold or just do a visual check?

I would test my body but the test is too expensive and I can't afford it right now. And say I test my house and find that there is mold. How do I get rid of it? Does a professional have to do it? Thanks!
Posted 10/21/2016 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
This thread might be helpful for you:
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3681720
Posted 10/21/2016 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Don't have anyone test that would offer services to remediate.

I used mycometrics. I used the cloth on more than 3 rooms though.
Posted 10/21/2016 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
k07 is right on with mycometrics and not using the same company to test and remediate...

We chose to have a professional come in and do the testing. He was not the one who would remediate. He only did mold testing. He did air samples, outside samples and cloth samples and dust samples. very thorough. We feel very good about the fact that we don't have a problem in the house after he was finished.

If mold was found, you definitely need a professional remediaton... otherwise, they can spread the problem or not remove it properly and it can come back, making things worse.

You can cheaply check for a problem by taking the VCS eye test. That's likely by far the cheapest you can do first thing. Go to www.survivingmold.com - you will find VCS tests out there for a few dollars. If you fail the test, then you can pursue the mold testing at your house.

the VCS test is simple. it tests your ability to see pattern contrasts with shades of gray.
Posted 10/21/2016 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the info. I called a company nearby that tests for mold. They do a visual inspection and takes 2 air samples for testing. It cost $325 which is slightly more then mycometrics but a professional would be doing the inspection. Is air sample testing accurate?
Posted 10/21/2016 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Whenever I have a question I like to ask google, ha ha ha.
If it is visible - then that is all you need to know
https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-testing-or-sampling
Info from association of inspectors
https://www.nachi.org/air-sampling-mold-inspection.htm

My guess is, the test is only as good as the inspector. That's why I like YELP! and also, neighborhood chat places where you can check in with your neighbors re: who they used.

Let us know what you find out!
Posted 10/21/2016 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have unfortunately been screwed by YELP! once too often... I used survivingmold.com to find more research on inspection, then researched on my own and found specific criteria for mold inspectors, searched again to find one in my area... but I am having a lot of OCD lately, LoL
Posted 10/21/2016 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
yeah I've been doing research but its hard to know how good the inspector will be until they arrive. I'll keep researching and find the best local inspector.
Posted 10/21/2016 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
I would start with a nasal fungal culture through Microbiology DX or a similar lab to see if you have mold in your sinuses (you could still have a mold allergy even if this is negative).

I would also do a VCS test. I passed even though I had a positive fungal culture. Dr. Shoemaker's test is apparently harder to pass when taken in his office or taken by someone trained to do the test in person.

I would also do an ERMI. If it was positive, then I would look more into an inspection.

Here is a free eBook on Dr. S's (the LLMD) website. Although I have not read it, it looks very helpful:

www.personalconsult.com/free/understanding-mold-testing-limits.pdf

I agree with 3HumpedCamel about Yelp. I have lost my confidence in it. There are so many fake online reviews. If they are all OR mostly negative, I will stay away.

If you do go with a professional inspector, find out what training they have. Some inspectors might have extremely limited or no training.

If you can see any mold on the walls, then you don't need an inspector. Even a small amount of mold can make someone with a genetic sensitivity very ill.
Posted 10/21/2016 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I *thought* air samples were not accurate for the molds that cause mycotoxins. Could be wrong, but I think dust samples are the most accurate.

Personally would go with mycometrics. Look into using your own swiffer cloth - can save some $. They give info if you call (it's in the automated portion).

We paid to have a company do air sample last year and it was more expensive than mycometrics and they found nothing on the report. The report I just got from mycometrics is much more detailed.
Posted 10/21/2016 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
I failed the VCS test but I believe you can fail from lyme too? It's basically a test of biotoxin and some people genetically can't get rid of mold or lyme biotoxins. If I'm wrong on that please let me know!
Posted 10/21/2016 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
How much is remediation usually?
Posted 10/22/2016 12:37 AM (GMT 0)

k07 said...
I failed the VCS test but I believe you can fail from lyme too? It's basically a test of biotoxin and some people genetically can't get rid of mold or lyme biotoxins. If I'm wrong on that please let me know!

Lyme and other biotoxins can cause someone to fail a VCS. For some reason, it seems to be used more often for mold than Lyme. I have no idea why.

As for air samples, Page 55 under Point 3 provides:

"b) Small mold fragments and even very small mold spores are not detected by analysis of air samples performed at conventional laboratories and may often be the cause of health problems.

c) Mold-produced toxins can attach themselves to dust particles and as such would never be detected by air samples analyzed at conventional laboratories that only look for mold spores. Dust particles laden with mold-produced toxins may be the cause of health problems."

http://www.personalconsult.com/free/understanding-mold-testing-limits.pdf

Jennydancingfish, remediation can be pretty expensive. A remediation expert would have to provide an estimate. Sometimes, it is cheaper to move (depending on how common mold is in your area). It is important to find someone who is trustworthy. A personal recommendation would be ideal.
Posted 10/22/2016 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, you can fail VCS due to Lyme (co-infections) or mold related illness. I am susceptible to both, but my mold counts are normal, which means my failed VCS test is due to infection... most likely.

And, k07, air samples are great if they are done correctly. they have to be done for a specific timeframe but they will most certainly catch the icky molds. Plus, you should always do an outside sample to compare with what is inside, as a marker... as long as mold inside is less than outside, there is no issue... we had an extremely thorough gentleman come to do the testing at our house. He did ERMI, dust/cloth and air samples. We were satisfied. He explained to me the air sampling and why it was important, but that was 8 months ago... and I have Lyme/bartonella brain... I know if I emailed him, he would explain it again...
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply