EMSL has a broad range of testing kits for all kinds of spores, microbes, and other environmental impacts on (and around) your home. The swab mold test kit it makes is among the most accurate you can buy, and we like this one because the emphasis is put squarely on the lab report. Tape strips are another type of common surface mold test kit. These tests are typically sent to a lab for analysis, so users will need to wait for results. Mould comes in a range of colours and it can grow on a wide range of materials. Although the colour can provide a clue as to which type of mould you are dealing with, it is nevertheless advisable to conduct a lab mould test to find out the precise type of mould present. Sleep: Getting enough sleep can help improve gut health, brain function, memory, and fatigue [ 18, 19, 20]. Keep in mind that two people may have similar levels of exposure to toxins but very different capacities to detoxify from them.

Moulds flourish in damp environments, therefore one of the best ways to prevent their growth is VENTILATION.

Mold Signs

Oluwole O, et al. (2016). Indoor mold levels and current asthma among school-aged children in Saskatchewan, Canada. Pizzorno J. (2016). Is mold toxicity really a problem for our patients? Part I — respiratory conditions. Hoveyda N, Heneghan C, Mahtani KR, Perera R, Roberts N, Glasziou P. A systematic review and meta-analysis: probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. BMC Gastroenterol. 2009 Feb 16;9:15. doi: 10.1186/1471-230X-9-15. PMID: 19220890; PMCID: PMC2656520. Eczema involves dysfunction of your skin barrier, which could leave your skin more sensitive and reactive to potential allergens like mold. Brain health It is important to properly clean and dry the area as you can still have an allergic reaction to parts of the dead mold and mold contamination may recur if there is still a source of moisture.

Avoid damp basements, compost piles, fallen leaves, cut grass, barns and wooded areas – or wear a face mask if these places or things are unavoidable. A newly built home may be damp if the water used when building it is still drying out – for example, in the plaster on the walls. Excess moisture indoors can also be caused by condensation. It’s also easier to test for and treat mold toxicity if results are not confounded by gut health symptoms. Some important factors to consider are: If using a dehumidifier, the ideal indoor humidity is 50-55%. Empty and clean the reservoir regularly Replace moldy housing materials. Cut away and replace mold-damaged drywall, ceiling tiles, and carpet.An air pump can be an efficient way to test for the presence of airborne mold spores. However, it usually requires special equipment and professional services. My Mold Detective offers an at-home mold testing kit specifically designed for air testing that includes a small, user-friendly air pump and collection cassettes. It also comes with tape for surface testing, giving you the ability to perform two different types of tests. This article was written by Erica Puisis, a freelance writer for The Spruce since 2017. When comparing at-home mold testing kits, she considered the type of test, the number of samples for each kit, how long it takes to receive results, the cost of any necessary lab fees, and whether or not additional help is available from an expert.All of the at-home mold testing kits on this list that are lab-evaluated are handled by an AIHA-accredited facility.

Who it’s best for: Blood testing may be best for those who are less likely to be able to excrete mycotoxins through urine. This may include those who are more severely ill or who have a hypersensitivity to food and supplements. Visual Contrast Sensitivity Testing (VCS)It may also be worth considering installing humidity monitors which can be used in either residential or commercial settings to analyse the relative humidity of the air. Set up the petri dish to take air samples near the home’s ventilation system, or use the swab to get surface samples from common problem areas like the shower tile with this inexpensive Mold Armor mold test kit. The kit is easy to use and takes just 48 hours to see results, so users can take immediate action to keep the family safe from harmful mold instead of waiting on the postal service to deliver samples to a lab for testing. Altobelli E, Del Negro V, Angeletti PM, Latella G. Low-FODMAP Diet Improves Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2017 Aug 26;9(9):940. doi: 10.3390/nu9090940. PMID: 28846594; PMCID: PMC5622700. Mandolesi L, Polverino A, Montuori S, Foti F, Ferraioli G, Sorrentino P, Sorrentino G. Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Functioning and Wellbeing: Biological and Psychological Benefits. Front Psychol. 2018 Apr 27;9:509. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00509. PMID: 29755380; PMCID: PMC5934999. How it works: Urine mycotoxin testing is a broad category that includes several different tests from different labs. These tests measure levels of various different mycotoxins, which may include ochratoxin a, citrinin, aflatoxin b1, fumonisin, and zearalenone. Many of these mycotoxins are produced by the common mold species aspergillus. All urine mycotoxin tests measure the levels of mold metabolites that you are eliminating through a urine sample. Some also measure markers related to immune response.

Thacher JD, et al. (2016). Mold and dampness exposure and allergic outcomes from birth to adolescence: Data from the BAMSE cohort. Jaakkola, J.J.K., Aalto, S.A.M., Hernberg, S. et al. Regular exercise improves asthma control in adults: A randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep 9, 12088 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-48484-8 For prevention, a dehumidifier can help to reduce moisture and improve indoor air quality, and regular cleaning and disinfecting of indoor environments can help to control mold growth. Consider Diet, Lifestyle, and Gut Health Before Mycotoxin Testing In most cases, mold exposure mainly appears to affect the respiratory system, but it can also affect your eyes or skin. Solutions are available which eradicate moulds and deter their growth on windows, bathrooms and refrigerators and their use is recommended. Those in spray form should be avoided and liquids used instead.

Health risks from mould spores

Some traditional approaches recommend sweating, or using a sauna, to support the body’s elimination of waste products.