Where can I find resources to get a rented house tested for mold?

Resources for Mold Testing in Rental Housing

For mold testing in a rental property, you should contact professional industrial hygienists or indoor environmental quality consultants who specialize in mold assessment, as recommended by the EPA and CDC. 1

Professional Mold Testing Resources

• Contact industrial hygienists or indoor environmental quality consultants who have expertise in evaluating indoor mold/dampness problems 1
• The EPA and CDC offer practical guidelines for mold control and testing, available at www.cdc.gov/health/mold.html or by calling 800-438-4318 1
• For extensive water damage or mold growth covering more than 10 ft², consult the EPA guide "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings" 1

Important Testing Considerations

• Environmental sampling should be performed by professionals with specialized equipment 1
• If air sampling is conducted, outdoor air samples should be collected simultaneously for comparison 1
• Be aware that there are no uniformly accepted, valid quantitative environmental sampling methods for mold assessment 1
• No established airborne mold levels exist that definitively predict adverse health effects 1

Tenant Rights and Landlord Responsibilities

• Landlords are responsible for building maintenance and should not wait for medical complaints before addressing dampness issues 1
• Document any visible signs of mold growth (discolored patches, cottony growth on walls, musty odors) as evidence 1
• Water damage in homes should be remediated promptly (within 24 hours) to prevent mold growth 1
• Damp buildings are considered unhealthy environments according to CDC and EPA guidelines 1

DIY Assessment Before Professional Testing

• Look for visible signs of mold: discolored patches, cottony or speckled growth on walls/furniture, evidence of water damage, or musty odors 1
• For small areas (less than 10 ft²), individuals can usually assess and clean up mold themselves 1
• Testing for specific mold types is usually not necessary if visible mold is present 1

Health Implications

• Exposure to mold in indoor environments, especially water-damaged buildings, can cause adverse health effects including allergies, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonia, and mucous membrane irritation 2
• Mold physically destroys building materials, produces offensive odors, and can trigger allergic responses in sensitive individuals 3
• Children may be particularly vulnerable to mold exposure effects 4

Caution About Unvalidated Testing

• Be wary of unvalidated testing practices such as measuring "mycotoxins" in urine or IgG testing for mold, which lack scientific validation 5
• Despite claims about "toxic mold syndrome," the causal relationship between inhalational exposure to mold toxins and many health effects remains controversial 4
• Even small amounts of mold growth in air conditioning systems or ducts can result in chronic exposure to mold spores and potential health effects 6

Remember that mold cannot grow without moisture, so addressing water issues is the key to preventing and controlling mold growth in your rental property 1.