Testing for mold - in the home

I just did one last week. Pro Lab Inc. Not sure if you can buy the kit in Canada. I bought ours in the US but had the sample done from our home in Belgium. I forget how to do links but their site is: prolabinc.com

I don't know if it's a good brand. But I wanted a baseline test to share with our landlord. They have different options for testing. Dust, bulk(piece of wall). I did both. My hubby vacuumed all over the house(curtains, vents, bedding, books, etc) and we collected the dust to be sampled. But we also sent in a bulk piece of wall that has water damage with black spots on it. Each type of sample was $40 US. So we paid $80. I figured much cheaper than having a company come out. And since our landlord won't pay for it we cheaped out. Hopefully, that was not a mistake! Our results will be emailed to us next week.

Just my two cents!

Thanks Trialbylyme - I don't know if I can get that kit here in Canada...I know nothing about this subject.


Rikky1 - I'm not necessarily concerned with the toxic black mold (well I would be, but I don't think we have that) - but the other molds that could be lurking....somewhere in our house.

Would the industrial hygienist only be looking for the toxic black mold...or all molds?

There is no mold smell in our house...no visual signs...and we don't have any respiratory issues....but I just was thinking maybe I should test.

But, not sure I'm willing to spend $800...at this point.

One thing that got me thinking...is our son came home for a couple days...and he said he's realizing that he doesn't sleep well when he comes home. He feels a little headachey and not well rested after his sleep.

Of course I start thinking there's something going on...with the house.
He told me to check our radon levels....
But, I started thinking about hidden mold...sheesh - it never stops....

This is a great website with several testing options.


/www.momsaware.org/online-store/514-hertsmi-mold-test.html

Mycometrics - dust swab. Not sure if you can order in canada. It is who my doc uses. I think it was around $200 and I ordered myself online.

Rikky1 said...
Girlie an industrial hygenist is someone who's qualified educationally and experience wise to perform harmful mold evaluation for federal buildings, schools, big companies, etc. They have like Masters Degrees in this stuff so yes they're well qualified to evaluate the livability of your home.

That is a concerning comment from your son.

Thanks, Rikky. I just don't know if this is a concern...don't want to go down rabbit holes.

I want to look up Radon poisoning as well.

The Canadian Cancer society is giving out free Radon kits - to everyone on our island who wants one...
I guess parts of the island are at high risk...

I also tested our house for radon. Good to check it out!

Funny you mentioned radon. Not haha funny, though. It was something I'd mentioned to Huddie as a possibility with them and her son. It's not something you hear much about down here anymore.