Mold Testing Services

Late last year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it had awarded close to $16 million to 18 universities, public health, and housing organizations to conduct housing-related hazard and energy efficiency research studies. Provided through HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH), the research grants aim to identify and improve methods for detecting and controlling housing-related health and safety hazards, and will incorporate weatherization into residential lead and healthy homes interventions.

The University of Tulsa was the recipient of one of the grants. HUD invested just under $1 million to further develop a mold classification tool (a DNA-based/machine learning approach for classifying the dampness/mold status of a building based on analysis of mold in settled dust samples) into a broadly applicable tool for home mold inspection and assessment of remediation effectiveness. The study has three objectives:

1. Determine if the tool accurately tracks the return of a home’s fungal condition from water-damaged/moldy to normal after thorough, standardized remediation has been conducted.
2. Explore associations between tool scores with quantitative metrics of observable dampness and moldiness previously correlated with health.
3. Collect pilot data for planning a future study linking successful mold remediation (assessed by the tool) and improved health among asthmatic children.

“With countless people living in homes that have moisture problems allowing for the growth of mold, additional research into tools to assess mold contamination and remediation is great news,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “At EMSL Analytical, our laboratories have also been helping to assess indoor environments for mold and other microbial and chemical exposure concerns for decades. Our testing facilities, located across the United States and Canada, provide DNA-based testing options as well as many other methods. We also provide sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, building inspection tools, air monitoring instruments, and even personal protective equipment (PPE) to help in these efforts.”

To learn more about mold or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing services and tools, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675. To access IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. 

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.