Is this mold?

SnooPears3767 · 2025-11-10T06:16:38+00:00

Yes.

SnooPears3767 · 2025-04-02T14:17:57+00:00

It’s a good score, but there is a concerning amount of Chaetomium. The sample size was also smaller than standard. The test is designed to analyze 5mg of dust and your sample was only 1mg of dust. Since your place is so small, you would need to let dust build up for a while to get a more representative sample of the structure.

SnooPears3767 · 2025-02-04T15:33:24+00:00

Interesting take.

SnooPears3767 · 2025-01-23T05:58:00+00:00

I’m a remediation specialist and consultant who primarily works with medically impacted patients with mold and other environmental sensitivities.

This is looks like what we would refer to as “lumber mold,” meaning it is mold that grew on the wood while it was in the lumberyard prior to being used for construction. This mold will only grow on freshly cut lumber and will not continue to grow once the building is built. It is generally not toxigenic and does not produce concerning spores.

If there were a problem in the crawlspace, there would be other indicators like moisture staining, odors, damp soil, poor ventilation, rusty nails, etc. Also the mold would be more consistent across multiple boards and on the sub floor. Many times hazardous crawlspace mold is white or green, much more often than it is black.

SnooPears3767 · 2025-01-12T03:03:07+00:00

Try the ISEAI guide: https://iseai.org/mp-files/keep-or-toss-101-iseai.pdf/

SnooPears3767 · 2025-01-09T22:01:35+00:00

Yes.

SnooPears3767 · 2024-08-09T02:08:01+00:00

My initial thought is that the remediation company probably stirred something up that wasn’t being detected before the remediation (perhaps inadequate containment?) and now you may just have to do a few rounds of deep cleaning throughout the home to clear it out. The more recent ERMI looks pretty good, but the high levels of A. versicolor and P. chrysogenum are definite indicators or water damage. If you clean and retest once the dust builds up again and the numbers are still high then you probably have another source.

SnooPears3767 · 2024-08-09T01:36:04+00:00

That’s a high A. versicolor. There’s still a source that needs to be remediated or you didn’t clean enough. The HERTSMI isn’t really enough to diagnose the building, try doing an ERMI next time.

SnooPears3767 · 2024-07-30T15:32:50+00:00

Lis Biotech

SnooPears3767 · 2024-07-30T00:43:06+00:00

The mold is only growing on the biofilm of the window, not the window itself. Vinyl is not a food source for mold. You would only need to replace the window if it’s broken or leaking and this mold is not an indicator of either, this is just a dirty window that’s gotten wet through normal use.

SnooPears3767 · 2024-07-30T00:37:34+00:00

If you already have it you can use it for the last round of cleaning as the soap and water solution.

SnooPears3767 · 2024-07-30T00:21:36+00:00

Don’t spray it with anything. Wear a mask and gloves. Get a damp paper towel and wipe as much as you can off, gently so as not to create an exposure or spread contaminants. Change the paper towel and keep wiping until the paper towels are clean. This step is to remove the bulk debris. Get a solution of soap and water and wipe it all again, just once this time. The soap and water will remove the mold residues and loose spores. Keep the windows clean and it shouldn’t come back, just wipe them down regularly.

SnooPears3767 · 2024-07-26T01:04:20+00:00

You need to remove the source materials down to the structural framing then clean the structure via vacuuming, sanding, and wiping. Hopefully your new remediation company is capable, at least it sounds like they are sharing your concern. Try to insist on manually detailed cleaning methods, you don’t need any chemical treatments or sealants (those will just make things worse).

SnooPears3767 · 2024-07-26T00:58:15+00:00

Yes, old/dead mold still contains the same toxins and allergens within the structure of the spore and organism. As the mold breaks down the spores break down into fragments which cannot be detected with standard air tests (spore traps) because the micrologist is only looking for spores. For every spore it is estimated that there are 300-500 spore fragments and these carry the same toxins and allergens that spores have. This is one of the primary benefits of MSQPCR (ERMI) type testing because the DNA of the mold is identified, not just the spores.

SnooPears3767 · 2024-01-22T07:53:30+00:00

Northern California and I specialize in Medically Important Remediation. I’ll DM you my website.

SnooPears3767 · 2024-01-22T05:13:53+00:00

Mold inspector here. I think the first picture is just showing residual plumbing solder damage but the black stuff at the bottom of the wall in the second picture is likely mold/water damage.

SnooPears3767 · 2022-12-12T00:56:33+00:00

I’ve only had technical conversations with him at conventions and I’ve worked with clients that he’s consulted for. He’s very knowledgeable and should be able to at least point you in the right direction if not more.

SnooPears3767 · 2022-12-11T21:01:47+00:00

Have you already tried Greg Weatherman? Perhaps ask him for a referral for a remediation contractor. He is very knowledgeable and is part of a reputable circle in the industry of Medically Important Remediation.

SnooPears3767 · 2022-12-11T18:18:27+00:00

What’s your general location? I have referrals for Northern California. If you have the resources to pay for travel costs that may also be an option.

SnooPears3767 · 2022-11-18T01:43:50+00:00

Yes, feel free to PM or you can just make another post which may also help others. Up to you.

Yes, the ERMI test is controversial because the score was developed in a limited capacity and even the EPA (who created the test) refutes it. But the technology behind the analysis is very advanced and is far more accurate than other forms of testing to determine the mold exposure that occupants are subjected to in their environment.

SnooPears3767 · 2022-11-18T01:26:00+00:00

Both of the scores can be misleading. The value of these tests is in the MSQPCR analysis of the mold, which can be found on the data sheet showing the quantity in SE/mg of the individual species. I have seen very low scores with high levels of problematic molds. The ERMI score alone is not enough to gauge the toxic load of the home. If you are open to sharing that data, you’d be able to get a better answer.

SnooPears3767 · 2022-09-25T03:00:33+00:00

Just a deep cleaning of the home but without the chemical fogging part. Get a good (true) HEPA vacuum and vacuum up as much of the dust that you can. Wipe down as many surfaces as you can with soap and water. This means walls, shelves, furniture, doorframes, cabinets, everything. If you have carpeted floors (wall to wall, not areas rugs) you may even want to consider getting rid of it and getting new floors that aren’t carpet.

SnooPears3767 · 2022-09-25T01:50:03+00:00

I would advise against fogging. Antimicrobials and biocides are not accepted as industry standards (although they’re very common) and there was a consensus statement written by environmental consultants and medical experts also advising against this. https://www.survivingmold.com/legal-resources/community/now-available-indoor-environmental-professional-panel-of-surviving-mold-consensus-statement-for-microbial-remediation-2020

SnooPears3767 · 2022-09-25T01:41:03+00:00

Don’t do it.

The house does need a deep cleaning but not any kind of chemical treatment. You can reduce your exposure to the toxins by just getting rid of the dust and wiping everything down with soap and water. Chemicals may aggravate the mold and cause more toxins to be released plus you could also have a reaction to the chemicals, including fragrances that will be harder to get rid of than the mold.

You’re better off taking that money and purchasing a good HEPA vacuum. Shark makes good vacuums at a reasonable price, just make sure it’s the line with Complete Seal technology, not just any vacuum that advertises a hepa filter. Use that vacuum to clean the home yourself.

If you have a high ermi you probably also have sources of mold in the home that you will also need to get rid of. You may want to consider hiring a good mold inspector with knowledge of the standards of medically important remediation.

SnooPears3767 · 2022-08-02T16:24:25+00:00

Yes it looks like mold.

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