Report Writing - Elevated or Not? Mold Testing and Result Interpretation

Sep 13, 2026

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Report Writing focuses on professional methods for evaluating indoor airborne mold, emphasizing that interpretation is complex because air contains many viable and dead spores from multiple species. It explains why there are no clear federal or state numeric guidelines for “elevated” versus “not elevated” mold levels, and outlines a testing philosophy that avoids giving personal opinions and instead relies on independent third-party lab conclusions. The material also discusses sampling strategy and balancing test coverage with pricing, including air and surface approaches and practical guidance for explaining results.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages133

Reading Time47 min

AccessFree to download

Elevated or Not?

Spore Trap Testing

Culture Method Testing

DNA/PCR Testing

Post Remediation Verification

Green, Chemical-Free

How to Explain Mold Test Results

NAERMC Recommendations

Avoiding Pressure to Pass Bad Work

Elevated or Not Elevated

No State of Federal Guidelines

Philosophy of Testing

Don’t Give Your Opinion

Independent 3rd Party Lab Making the Conclusion

Best to Keep Testing Prices Low and Recommend Many Tests

Why Not Suggest Too Few Samples

Air & Surface Sampling for Total Spores

Report Writing Instructor / Course Developer: Gary Rosen, PhD FLA Lic Building Contractor; FLA Lic Mold Assessor and Mold Remediator , FLA Independent Insurance Adjuster. PHD Biochemistry UCLA [gary@mold-free.org](gary@mold-free.org) Table of Contents Copyright© 2019 by Gary Rosen, PhD. & National Association of Environmentally Responsible Mold Contractors 2 01 • Elevated or Not? • Spore Trap Testing • Culture Method Testing 02 • DNA/PCR Testing • Post Remediation Verification • Green, Chemical-Free per IICRC 03 • How We Like to Do RPV • How to Explain Mold Test Results • NAERMC Recommendations • Avoiding the Pressure to Pass Bad Work ELEVATED OR NOT ELEVATED Copyright© 2019 by Gary Rosen, PhD. & National Association of Environmentally Responsible Mold Contractors 3 Elevated or Not Elevated. No State of Federal Guidelines • Air contains a varying mix of mold spores. ▪ Not a single entity. Many species. ▪ Some dead. Some alive/viable. ▪ Interpretation can be complex. • Human sensitivity and response vary greatly. • There are NO Federal or State guidelines (numeric criteria) as to what a safe or acceptable level of mold in the indoor air is. • NO Federal or State guidelines as to what Elevated or Not Elevated levels of airborne mold means. • Mold is everywhere. Both inside and outside. How do you determine that there is a mold problem? Copyright© 2019 by Gary Rosen, PhD. & National Association of Environmentally Responsible Mold Contractors 4 No Numeric Criteria For Interpreting Mold Results Copyright© 2019 by Gary Rosen, PhD. & National Association of Environmentally Responsible Mold Contractors 5 Philosophy of Testing. Don’t Give Your “Opinion”. • We prefer to let the lab make the determination as to Elevated or Not. Much easier, safer, more professional, overall better that way. • Better to not be the bearer of bad news if, for instance, there is mold detected under kitchen cabinets ina R.E. inspection and they need tobe replaced… • Better to rely on the lab’s interpretation of test results that says Elevated Mold, rather than your“opinion” that there appears to be cabinet damage beyond normal wear and tear. • Best to state: “An independent 3 rd party lab makes the determination as to Elevated or Not.” Again, very professional sounding. Copyright© 2019 by Gary Rosen, PhD. & National Association of Environmentally Responsible Mold Contractors 6 Independent 3rd Party Lab Making the Conclusion. Very Professional. In our experience, having the (3rd party independent) lab make the determination as to Elevated or Not Elevated is considered very professional by clients. Copyright© 2019 by Gary Rosen, PhD. & National Association of Environmentally Responsible Mold Contractors 7 Best To Keep Testing Prices Low And Recommend Many Tests • We recommend that you take more tests rather than fewer tests. • Keep the per unit pricing for air samples and swabs low. • The more testing the merrier in terms of helping to find mold problems and protecting you from liability. • If a spore trap sample costs $25 and you charge $75 you make $50 per sample. • If you take 5 samples at $75 each you make $250 (rather than 2 samples at $100 each) you come out nicely and don’t break the bank. • You can’t effectively test a home taking only 2 air samples! Copyright© 2019 by Gary Rosen, PhD. & National Association of Environmentally Responsible Mold Contractors 8 Why Not Suggest … • Why not suggest: • One air sample for every 1000 sq ft of the home. • Plus one sample under the kitchen cabinets. • One outside control. • For a typical 3000 sq ft home that is a minimum of 5 air samples. • Do you ever need to take a swab? What does that prove? That obvious mold is mold? • We suggest replacing the surface sample with an air sample. (Note: For an insurance claim inspection we always take a surface sample of obvious mold proving mold

FAQs

Why is determining “elevated or not elevated” mold complicated?

Air contains a varying mix of mold spores, including many species and both dead and viable spores. Human sensitivity and response also vary widely, making interpretation complex.

Are there federal or state numeric guidelines for safe mold levels?

No. The material states there are no federal or state guidelines with numeric criteria for what is safe or acceptable, and none defining what elevated versus not elevated means.

What testing philosophy is recommended for professional mold reports?

The guidance recommends letting the independent third-party lab make the elevated/not elevated determination, rather than presenting an “opinion.” This is framed as safer, more professional, and easier to defend.

Sep 13, 2026

Upload by Connor