Is Mold a Concern? For Your Peace Of Mind, Have Samples From Your Home Tested For Black Mold

Is black mold affecting your family’s health? Mold growth in homes poses a significant health hazard, depending on the level of exposure and sensitivity of individuals. Possible negative health effects include increased asthma-related symptoms, such as chronic wheezing and irritation, and other respiratory conditions.

There’s been a lot of news about black mold and its effects on our health in the past few years. It is important to know that black mold isn’t the only toxic mold that can affect your family’s health. Here, we use the term “black mold” to mean any hazardous mold regardless of color.

Are you or a member of your family suffering from black mold allergy symptoms or other mold-related illnesses? Molds such as Stachybotrys, Aspergillus and Penicillium are associated with adverse health effects. Others like Alternaria and Cladosporium are well-known to trigger allergic reactions such as hay fever and even asthma.

Who is most at risk of black mold exposure?

Everyone is at risk. However, the elderly, young children, the sick, and those with a history of asthma are at higher risk of suffering from mold related illnesses. So if you find mold in your home, it’s important for everyone’s health that it is tested and then removed right away.
Mold Damage - Mold Testing and Bacteria Testing
 

If You Have Mold in Your Home, Don’t panic!

While all molds are potentially a health hazard, not all molds that occur indoors can affect your health, but even a small amount of mold growing in your home should be identified and removed. For $54.99 (Canadian dollar), you can have a mold test performed by an accredited laboratory in Canada.

How do you know if the mold is hazardous? Simply send samples to our lab for testing.

How to Collect and Send Samples to the Laboratory for Mold Testing

Do not spend money on expensive mold testing kits! Use clear scotch tape. It’s inexpensive, easy to use and works just like taking a fingerprint. The lab fee for this test is $54.99 (Canadian dollar) per sample.

tape-mold-sampling - Mold Testing and Bacteria Testing
 

Follow These Simple Instructions

  1. Wear some gloves (which you can purchase from a pharmacy store).
  2. Cut approximately 2-3 inches of clear scotch tape.
  3. Hold tape at one end and place sticky side down onto the surface with visible mold growth and press gently.
  4. Remove tape and stick it without folding onto a plastic bag (e.g.,ziplock bag).
  5. Number each tape and identify the locations sampled. For example:
    • Tape 1: Basement, east wall.
    • Tape 2: Windowsill, master bedroom.
    • Tape 3: Ceiling tile, kitchen.
  6. Enclose samples in an envelope or bag.
  7. Download the mold sample testing order form and print it out. If you can’t print the form, you can provide the following information on a blank sheet of paper:
    • Your contact information including email address
    • Sample descriptions, i.e., where collected from
    • Credit card information, including billing address for payment purposes (we accept Visa or MasterCard)

(NOTE: More than one mold type may be present. If several sites show visible mold growth (with different discolorations), it is advisable to take more than one sample. Each sample is $54.99 (Canadian dollar))

Where to Send Your Samples

Tape mold samples do not require any special handling and therefore you can send them by post as ordinary mail. Enclose your samples in an envelope together with completed order form and mail them to:
Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc.
1020 Brevik Place, Unit 1A
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4N7
CANADA.
(Attn: Laboratory Manager)
Don’t delay. Left unattended, mold continues to grow. Send us your samples today!

What to Expect from the Laboratory

You’ll know whether the people living in your home are exposed to hazardous mold or not. The mold in your home will be properly and correctly analyzed because our mold testing laboratory is headed by someone with a PhD degree in microbiology who has worked in this field for over 30 years.
Within 3-5 business days (after we receive the samples), we’ll send you an easy-to-understand laboratory report:

  • identifying the type of mold from your sample or samples,
  • explaining any known health problems associated with the identified molds,
  • and providing you with information on how to remove it safely.

Click Order form now to download our easy-to-use instructions. The form includes information you need to send together with the samples. Should you have any questions regarding tape sample mold test, please feel free to contact the lab directly at 905-290-9101.