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Testing For Mold
Air Sampling. What kind of information can a person get from air samples? That depends on how qualified the person is that takes and analyzes the sample! There are some people that can consistently present scary results and some that can provide a false sense of security. Here is an example of how an unqualified air sampling company can cause undue panic.
Your results come back, and they show Stachybotris to be present in your home (this is the dreaded 'black mold,' the 'toxic mold' now made famous in the news). Knowing that this is the 'dangerous mold,' you believe the air samplers when they tell you, "Run; we might just barely be able to save your home if we get started removing the mold right away!"
The question to ponder is this: If Stachybotris is present in an air sample does this mean you have an all-out microbial emergency?
You weigh the evidence!
The air sampler who relies on scare tactics will reason this way: Stachybotris spores are very wet and heavy and as a result these spores don't get airborne easily. If we are getting Stachybotris in our air sampling, you must have a bad problem since we are able to detect it in these amounts!
An educated air sampler will inform you of the presence of Stachybotris and insist on finding its source. Stachy spores can be wet and heavy, but they require a great amount of moisture to flourish in the scenario presented by the previous scare tactic sampler. As dangerous as these spores can be, they don't compete well with other common molds and usually get overgrown in samples. The best way to test for stachy is surface or tape samples.
But why did I have Stachy spores in the air sample?
If your home does not have an obvious moisture problem, then you used to have one, and it has begun to dry up. This is the most likely explanation for Stachy spores found in an air sample. When a mold is stressed, it releases spores into the air. The best way to stress a mold is take away its food or moisture. When it feels like it is in danger of dying, it automatically sends spores into the air so that it can regenerate and live! Therefore, if you get Stachybotris spores in an air sample, the vast majority of times, it means you are on the back side of a moisture problem, and that is always good news. You are not problem free by any means, but you should not be scared into running from your home and leaving a blank check behind.
For qualified air sampling tests and analysis, contact us at (620) 276-6994. A trained air quality specialist will be glad to set an appointment for a thorough inspection and consultation.
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