Testing for Molds to Solve Indoor Air Quality Problems: Is Testing Necessary?

By David Lee Mathews, SASHE

Summary
With increasing frequency, building owners and operators must deal with indoor air quality problems associated with excessive mold in the indoor environment.  Although poor indoor air quality can be caused by many issues (i.e., process chemicals, building finishes, dirt, dust, etc.), issues of mold colonization have received much of the recent attention.  Occupants have been alerted to the issue of mold by reports in the local and national broadcast media.  Reports of significant litigation settlements for mold problems have been made in recent journals.  In dealing with the indoor air quality issues, building owners and operators might consider testing for mold, however, the EPA publication 402-K-01-001 (March 2001), Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, states that as of December 2000, there are no EPA regulations and standards for airborne mold contaminants.

The result of this investigation was that testing is inadvisable for many, if not most situations.  Testing requires significant expense and the funds spent for testing may be better spent on actual remediation.  In the situation where testing may be required it is imperative that a logical scientific test protocol be established and sufficient tests be done to accurately reflect the environmental conditions.  Since mold is a naturally occurring organism that is present in all indoor environments for which there are no current standards, test results require interpretation.  Should testing be needed, it is advisable that the persons conducting the testing are qualified to develop an appropriate protocol and interpret the results.

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