New Jersey's
Mold Testing Specialist

Mold Testing and Mold Inspecting are two totally different services that give you very different results. It is important to know the difference! An inexpensive mold test that doesn’t give you the answers you are looking for is a waste of one’s time and budget.

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Mold Testing

There are many types of mold tests available to help identify the organisms we are dealing with. Testing is very helpful, for molds

Presence Absence
Visible Mold TESTS (Bulk, Tape or Swab Test)
Air Tests (Standard)
ERMI Test

ARMI Test
MSQ / PCR
Petri Dish tests
Mold Clearance Testing

1. Presence Absence

Simple swab applicator with reagent detects mold protein. If it’s green it’s clean. Does not identify type of mold, but gives good indication of cleanliness after a formal mold remediation or if isolated water stains are contaminated with mold.

2. Visible Mold Tests (Bulk, Tape or Swab Test)

Do you see a dark area that you suspect is mold? If so, a standard Bulk, Tape or Swab test can identify this mold. A Bulk sample of the material is great (but not always practical) where the next best is a Tape Lift. Swab samples tend to destroy the organism making it hard to identify under a microscope.

3. Air Tests (Standard)

Using a small low-flow air pump, a predetermined volume of air is taken and analyzed against a control sample. Depending on the particulate debris loading, different volumes of air are used. A dusty environment (like an attic or crawl space) may overload a larger air sample where a small 25L sample is best. But a very clean office usually needs more air where a 75L sample would be collected. Air flow speed is critical because a fast draw of air tends to destroy these delicate organisms.

4. ERMI Test

The Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) was originally developed by the US Environmental protection Agency (EPA) and is based on dust samples collected throughout a home or building. Thirty Six (36) different fungi make up the ERMI test and are species specific. There are two types of mold groups:Group I (Water damaged homes) and Group II (commonly found in all homes). ERMI does not help identify the mold “Ground Zero” or what the water trigger is. And many times, ERMI does not give you all the answers you are looking for.

5. ARMI Test

The ARMI is an acronym for American Relative Moldiness Index. This test is a more cost efficient version of the ERMI testing but is not as thorough. This test correlates with the ERMI for predicting the moldiness of homes. 13 different fungi make up the ARMI and are designated a group 1 (water damaged homes)and group 2 (commonly found in all homes). The fungi identified in the ARMI tests are: Stachybotrys chartarum, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Aspergillus versicolor, Eurotium (A.) amstalodami, Penicillium variabile, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus restrictus, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium purpurogenum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium corylophilum,

6. MSQ / PCR

Mold Specific Quantitative (MSQ) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) air testing. Is a fast DNA based analytical method for genus and species level identification and quantification.

7. Petri Dish Test

Different molds like different food sources where agar plate cultivation via a Petri Dish is the best way to identify Genus and Species of a particular mold. But is time consuming often taking more than 2 weeks to get an answer where some molds don’t grow well on this medium (likeStachybotrys)

8. Mold Clearance Testing

A series of tests used to help establish if an environment has been returned to Normal Fungal Ecology. Usually conducted after a mold remediation has been completed and often is a repeat of the testing done from the original mold inspection. Investigator experience in all aspects of mold investigative & remediation services is critical in conducting this service. For only an experienced and competent mold professional can render an opinion as to if an environment has been returned to Normal Fungal Ecology.

Buyer Beware!

There are many sources available for quick, inexpensive, DIY mold tests. Some are more reliable than others where none offer interpretative services that are reliable. Stay away from these testing services as it ultimately is a waste of time and money.

Mold Test Cost

Genus level mold testing from a competent / experienced firm usually runs from $75 - $150 per sample (depending on type of test) where species level testing runs a bit more ($150 - $300 per sample). Be sure to ask your mold pro what the difference is where they should be able to explain it to you very easily.

Want the Truth?

If you have a health related issue involving mold or just want to get to the bottom of your mold issue once-and-for-all, you will benefit greatly from engaging an experienced and competent mold investigative firm that not only knows how to identify hidden sources of mold (Mold Assessment), but how to correct the problem (Mold Remediation).