Mold is everywhere in our indoor and outdoor environments. It grows in high-moisture environments on household surfaces. Most people do not experience negative health effects from mold. However, people with specific medical conditions, including asthma, allergies, and immunocompromised conditions may be more susceptible to illness from mold. Learn more from the CDC and EPA.
If mold growth is visible, testing is generally not warranted. Sampling to determine if an area has been adequately remediated should be conducted by professionals with experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results.
Mold exposure may be associated with mild symptoms like skin rash, cough, and wheezing in individuals with medical conditions. There is not sufficient data to indicate mold causes severe health effects in previously healthy people. There are no EPA health standards or federal limits related to mold exposure.
Removing moisture to prevent mold growth is essential to cleaning mold. A musty odor is generally indicative of mold growth if mold is not visible. Visit the CDC’s Cleanup and Remediation Resources webpage. If the area requiring cleanup is large, consider hiring a mold remediation company.
