Mold Poisoning Test

Mold infestation inside house is a common problem in rainy areas. Besides houses which get flooded or water logged due to drainage problems are also at high risk of getting mold infestation. The toxic black mold variety of mold called Stachybotrys chartarum or S. atra is pretty hazardous to human health. The infestation starts as moldy growth under carpets, behind wallpapers, inside insulation, but quickly spreads to the rest of the house. If the mold growth is not controlled in time, you may have your house ruined by mold. Besides, your own health may impair to great extent. Regarding, how long does black mold poisoning last, the answer is as long as you do not take measures to reverse the effects. There are some tests which may help you in early detection of mold growth, so that proper remedial measures can be taken.

How to Test for Mold Poisoning

Mold presence is often detected by its characteristic musty smell. Mold growth is mostly present in dark, moist places inside the house. Mold thrives on organic material and grows rapidly. Mold is often not visible to naked eye. However, you can rely on the moldy smell as a test for presence of mold in your house. Besides, you can also opt for various tests which may give you reliable results for black mold detection.

Surface Testing
If you suspect a possibility of mold growth inside your house, you can test the surface for mold. The possible surfaces where mold is likely to grow are under carpet, behind drywall, wallpaper, inside insulation, on kitchen cabinets near sink or other areas which are damp and dark, such as basement. Surface testing kits for molds are available in the market. All you have to do is scratch the surface with a Q-tip, and then dip it in chemical solution that comes with the kit. The solution changes color if mold is present. This is a good way to test invisible mold, before it grows enough to be spotted with naked eye.

Air Testing
You can sure depend upon your olfactory senses to detect the presence of mold in air. However, often the quantity of mold is not sufficient to give out a moldy smell. In that case, you can test air to check if there are any mold spores present. You can choose any of the air testing kits that are available in the market. These kits are available in various price ranges. So, in case you plan to test the whole house, you might want to invest in a more economical product.

Blood Testing
Toxic mold syndrome is a serious health condition characterized by variety of symptoms such as nose bleeding, sore throat, runny nose, abdominal pain, fever, personality disorder, numbness, dizziness etc. Symptoms of mold poisoning are not specific to this condition alone, hence there is often delay in diagnosing it. Many a time, a person may experience sickness but is never able to trace the cause to black mold. Besides, physicians may also not consider these symptoms of vital importance. However, one must note that black mold affects the nerve encapsulation called myelin, which may prove detrimental to a person's health.

A blood test can detect the possibility of mold exposure. Presence of mold antibodies such as IgE and IgG can ascertain the possibility of mold exposure. However, they are not enough to indicate the level of poisoning. In that case, you may have to test for the levels of biotoxins present in your body. More biotoxins indicate greater extent of mold exposure. The problem with blood test is that it is not a common test, hence not all laboratories perform it. Besides, your insurance does not provide a coverage for the same. A proper treatment can be suggested to overcome the problem.

If a mold poisoning test comes out negative but you still suspect infestation, you might want to call professional to diagnose the problem. This should help you eradicate mold before it manifests into a greater problem.