The Steps

If you suspect mold, testing yourself and your family for mycotoxins is a great place to start. It is where we began and learned that toxic mold was a major factor in my son’s health issues. You have options for mycotoxin testing.
- Our choice: Mycotoxins by Vibrant Wellness

- MycoTOX Profile by Mosaic Diagnostics

- Total Tox Burden by Vibrant Wellness - I think this will be our choice the next time we test. It provides data on mycotoxins, plus heavy metals and environmental toxins. 

I cannot tell you any specifics of what is right for you or what your family needs. Find a provider you trust who can make a plan. Mold takes a toll on the body and you need to support drainage to clear it, heal your gut, etc. You may need binders such as charcoal, clay, chlorella, welchol, etc. Again, I do not know. A functional medicine doctor can create a protocol, which will be changed and adjusted as time goes on, to help detox and heal. I do know that the process can be lengthy and that the order of steps and dosage really matters. You want to find someone well versed with mold who can guide you through it.

- Our choice: Dr. Brian Lum

We had no visible mold. So the next logical step was to confirm that our home was indeed the problem, the source of toxic mold exposure for our son. If this fits your scenario, this is the next step to take. Again, there are a lot of options out there for testing the dust (and therefore the mold, as dust traps mold spores) in your home.
- Our choice: The Dust Test

- ERMI and HERTSMI by Mycometric

- ERMI and HERTSMI 2 by EnviroBiomics

- ERMI+ by Farmacy

Some tips for picking an inspector: 

- Consider how they are licensed and/or certified - there are environmental scientists: Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultants (CIECs) and Indoor Environmental Health Specialists, and Indoor Environment Professionals. These professionals are more trained and knowledgeable than a home inspector who also looks for mold. 

- The professional should gather background about your home currently and the history of the home.

- Their protocol should take hours to complete and be very thorough.

- It should include a visual inspection of the home (all spaces - outside, inside, basement, crawl space, attic, etc.)

- It should use tools and equipment such as moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, instascope, surface samples, air samples - spore trap cassettes and/or cavity samples.

- They should provide data for you at the end of the inspection. Expect a full summary of the home health assessment and a report about the remediation that should follow. 

Ask. A. Lot. Of. Questions. 

It is your home. It is expensive. It is worth it. Find the right person and/or company. 

- Our choice: Springfield Quality Services

To see other options - see the Resources page

Again, do your research. There is a lot of misinformation about mold and a lot of “remediators” who could come in and make the situation worse rather than better. I am not an expert in mold, just a mom learning all that she can.

Some tips for picking a remediator:

- Again, consider certifications, licensing, insurance. Look for reputable certifications like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, Restoration Certification (IICRC) or the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA).

- Some people/companies do both inspection and remediation. Be cautious. You don't want conflict of interest or people/companies taking advantage of your situation. I found that some remediation companies frequently work with specific inspectors - like a partnership of sorts. Just really do your research. Again, ask all the questions.

- Ask about the process. Do they fog? Cut out mold? Use sealants? You want mold to be cut out and removed - two feet beyond any visible water damage. 

- Ask about their containment. You want full containment set with negative air pressure and air scrubbing.

- Ask about the timeline and expectations for your family throughout remediation. We, for example, left our home for a portion of remediation, but then were in our home for part of it too. 

- Ask about post-remediation testing. That should occur for any job to be complete.

- Read contracts carefully and ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS. If you're unsure, ask. And don't sign until you feel confident. The EPA provides guidelines. Read them. They are actually quite helpful.

- Our choice: Blue Sky

To see other options - see the Resources page

Healing home and health is a marathon, not a sprint.

Maintain a healthy home biome - that means taking steps to prevent future issues, continually cleaning, being diligent about any issues within your home, etc.

For us:

- improving air flow in our home

- cleaning our HVAC system

- reducing humidity throughout our home 

- investing in a HEPA vacuum

- dusting and cleaning more effectively

- being diligent with any issues that pop up

Maintain your health. The protocol from a functional medicine doctor will change over time. Pair that with diet and lifestyle changes, as needed. Mold is not just environmental, it can also be ingested. Some foods are more moldy and contribute to the problem. Eliminate such foods. Other foods really help the body to detox and to heal. Add those in. Get exercise and daily movement.