Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold growing
in a residence, and CDC does not recommend routine sampling for molds.
Current evidence indicates that allergies are the type of diseases most
often associated with molds. Since the susceptibility of individuals can
vary greatly either because of the amount or type of mold, sampling and
culturing are not reliable in determining your health risk.
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If you are
susceptible to mold and mold is seen or smelled, there is a potential health
risk; therefore, no matter what type of mold is present, you should arrange
for its removal. Furthermore, reliable sampling for mold can be expensive,
and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable or tolerable
quantity of mold have not been established.
COMMON QUESTION:
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If a qualified environmental lab took samples of the mold in my home and
gave me the results, can the CDC interpret these results?
Standards for judging what is an acceptable, tolerable, or normal
quantity of mold have not been established. If you do decide to pay for
environmental sampling for molds, before the work starts, you should ask the
consultants who will do the work to establish criteria for interpreting the
test results. They should tell you in advance what they will do or what
recommendations they will make based on the sampling results. The results of
samples taken in your unique situation cannot be interpreted without
physical inspection of the contaminated area or without considering the
building's characteristics and the factors that led to the present
condition.
You should first consult a family or general health care provider who
will decide whether you need referral to a specialist. Such specialists
might include an allergist who treats patients with mold allergies or an
infectious disease physician who treats mold infections.
If an infection is in the lungs, a pulmonary physician might be recommended. Patients who have
been exposed to molds in their workplace may be referred to an occupational
physician. CDC is not a clinical facility. CDC does not see patients,
diagnose illness, provide treatment, prescribe medication, or provide
referrals to health care providers.
If you feel your property owner, landlord, or builder has not been
responsive to concerns you've expressed regarding mold exposure, you can
contact your local board of health or housing authority. Applicable codes,
insurance, inspection, legal, and similar issues about mold generally fall
under state and local (not federal) jurisdiction. You could also review your
lease or building contract and contact local or state government
authorities, your insurance company, or an attorney to learn more about
local codes and regulations and your legal rights. CDC does not have
enforcement power in such matters, nor can we provide you with advice. You
can contact your county or state health department about mold issues in your
area to learn about what mold assessment and remediation services they may
offer. You can find information on your state's Indoor Air Quality program
at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/indoor_air.htm.
If you believe you are ill because of exposure to mold in the building
where you work, you should first consult your health care provider to
determine the appropriate action to take to protect your health. Notify your
employer and, if applicable, your union representative about your concern so
that your employer can take action to clean up and prevent mold growth. To
find out more about mold, remediation of mold, or workplace safety and
health guidelines and regulations, you may also want to contact your local
(city, county, or state) health department.
You should also read the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Guidelines, Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, at
If you believe your children are ill because of exposure to mold in
their school, first consult their health care provider to determine the
appropriate medical action to take. Contact the school's administration to
express your concern and to ask that they remove the mold and prevent future
mold growth. If needed, you could also contact the local school board.
CDC is not a regulatory agency and does not have enforcement authority
in local matters. Your local health department may also have information on
mold, and you may want to get in touch with your state Indoor Air Quality
office. Information on this office is available at
You can also read the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
guidelines, Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, at
