From the Guidelines
To diagnose mold exposure, I strongly recommend hiring a professional mold inspector for a comprehensive assessment, as they can use specialized equipment like air samplers, moisture meters, and thermal imaging cameras to detect hidden mold growth, especially if you're experiencing health symptoms, have visible extensive mold, or recently experienced water damage 1.
The diagnostic tests for mold exposure typically involve a combination of visual inspections, air sampling, and laboratory analysis. According to the most recent guidelines, an occupational medicine specialist and certified environmental hygienist may help determine the purpose, scope, level of detail, and approach of an occupational exposure assessment and how its results can be used in risk assessment 1.
Some key points to consider when diagnosing mold exposure include:
- Hiring a professional mold inspector for a comprehensive assessment, especially if you're experiencing health symptoms or have visible extensive mold 1
- Using specialized equipment like air samplers, moisture meters, and thermal imaging cameras to detect hidden mold growth 1
- Collecting environmental samples from potential sources of airborne fungal spores, preferably by using a high-volume air sampler rather than settle plates 1
- Performing molecular subtyping of Aspergillus spp. isolated from patients and the environment to compare their strain identities, if possible 1
It's also important to note that there are no uniformly accepted, valid, quantitative environmental sampling methods or serologic tests to assess exposures to mold and other agents associated with damp indoor environments 1. However, environmental sampling may be useful to identify the source if there is a suspicion of mold (eg, musty odor) but no visible mold growth 1.
In terms of prevention and remediation, the key to mold control is moisture control, and actions that will help reduce indoor air humidity and prevent condensation include venting appliances that produce moisture and using a bathroom fan or opening a window when showering or bathing 1. Remediation of water-damaged items from previous flooding or rainwater is needed to prevent mold amplification and its potential effects of upper respiratory irritation, allergic sensitization, and/or exacerbation of underlying mold allergy 1.
Overall, hiring a professional mold inspector and following proper remediation procedures are crucial steps in diagnosing and addressing mold exposure, and can help prevent serious health problems and reduce the risk of structural damage to buildings 1.
From the Research
Diagnostic Tests for Mold Exposure
The diagnostic tests for mold exposure include:
- Medical history 2
- Physical examination 2
- Conventional allergy diagnosis 2
- Provocation tests, if indicated 2
- Evaluation of the environment 3, 2
Allergy Diagnosis
Conventional allergy diagnosis for mold exposure may involve:
- Skin prick tests
- Blood tests to measure IgE antibodies
- Other tests to assess allergic reactions to mold spores 2, 4
Environmental Evaluation
Environmental evaluation is an essential part of diagnosing mold exposure, as it helps to identify the source of mold growth and assess the level of exposure 3, 2
- Inspection of the home or building for signs of mold growth
- Measurement of mold spore levels in the air
- Collection of mold samples for laboratory analysis 2
Limitations of Diagnostic Tests
There are currently no validated test methods for detecting mycotoxins in clinical diagnostics 2
- The evidence for associations between mold exposure and certain health effects, such as mucous membrane irritation and atopic eczema, is limited or suspected 2
- The risk of infections from indoor molds is low for healthy individuals, but certain groups, such as those with immunosuppression or mucoviscidosis, may be at higher risk 2, 5