Resources and Frequently Asked Questions

Centers for Disease Control:

There are no health-based standards for mold or other biological agents in indoor air. We do not recommend routine air sampling for mold with building air quality evaluations. In many cases, very short-term sampling for mold spores is performed. However, the results, especially negative findings of mold, may not represent actual exposures. Spore counts and culture results (colony forming units) are often included in indoor air quality reports. However, these do not capture the full range of exposures. Therefore, measured mold concentrations in spore counts or colony forming units with short-term air samples cannot be interpreted in relation to health risks.

Mass Dept. of Health:

There are no established limits (federal or state regulations, building standards or guidelines) on how much mold can exist before health impacts are expected. This means that even if tests are conducted, there is no way to compare results or determine whether the measured level could cause health effects.

United Water Restoration Group:

A normal mold spore count in a room is typically 200-500 spores. Anywhere between 1-1500 mold spores in a room is normal and safe as long as mold colonies are not visibly growing and no water damage is present. In addition to identifying the types of mold present, your test results will also give you an idea of the concentration of mold spores in the air. The results will likely be given in spores per cubic meter of air (sp/m3)

Information from Massachusetts Department of Health webinar on Mold and Water Damage Awareness and Investigation for schools and municipalities (September 12, 2024) (43 minutes, 26 seconds into the recorded presentation):

• In most cases, if visible mold is present, sampling is unnecessary (US EPA Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings).
• Air sampling for fungi should not be part of a routine assessment. Decisions about appropriate remediation strategies can usually be made on the basis of visual inspection.
• If you can see mold, under MA Housing Code (105 CM 410.000), you must clean it up and repair the problems causing the excess moisture conditions. Testing for mold does not change this requirement.
• If mold testing is done, you should (44 minutes, 52 seconds into the webinar):
  • Take outside samples as well for comparison
  • Compare species of indoor mold to outdoor mold. Since fresh air comes from the outdoors, the species should be similar.
  • Follow any recommendations that the mold report makes.

Note:

• On the few times when small amounts of visible mold have been seen at Monomoy Regional Middle School, remediation of the water intrusion causing the mold has been the approach, along with appropriately cleaning and/or removing materials where the mold was growing.
• Mass DPH Director Feeney recommends in the webinar that money be put into fixing and mitigating water intrusion into buildings rather than testing for mold.
• Monomoy has followed the recommendations in the mold reports that we have received. This remediation has involved in spaces of concern replacing carpeting, replacing siding, removing vegetation near the building, improving drainage to move water away from the building, adding dehumidifiers, conducting HVAC repairs/maintenance, and replacing indoor window sills).