Episode #87: From Air Tests to ERMI: Understanding Mold Testing For Your Home With Jessica McQuade

Could your mold test be telling you only a fraction of the story or even giving you a false sense of security? Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) Jessica McQuade of Mold Mentor, LLC and Mold Ease, LLC joins us to pull back the curtain on the most commonly used professional mold testing methods, including non-viable air sampling, tape lift, swab testing, and ERMI/MSQPCR. Jessica shares her six rules of sampling, explains the critical difference between viable and non-viable testing, and reveals why a "no" result never truly means "no." From the limitations of air testing to the creative ways professionals use tools like borescopes to collect samples in hard-to-reach spaces, this conversation will change the way you think about mold testing. Whether you've already spent money on testing or are just beginning your journey, this episode will equip you with the foundational knowledge to ask better questions, vet your IEP more effectively, and understand that testing is just one tool in a much larger investigative toolbox.Episode Highlights·      What is the difference between viable and non-viable testing? (4:07)·      Why is every mold testing scenario different? (7:28)·      What are Jessica’s six rules of testing? (9:32)·      How accurate and reliable is professional air testing (spore trap), and what are its limitations when measuring mold in a home? (14:05)·      How does tape lift surface sampling work for mold, and what are its strengths and limitations in identifying contamination? (26:32)·      How does swab surface sampling work for mold, and what are its strengths and limitations in identifying contamination? (34:10)·      What creative way does Jessica use a borescope to find hidden mold? (40:01)·      How does MSQPCR/ERMI/HERTSMI II sampling work for mold, and what are its strengths and limitations in identifying contamination? (42:37)·      Why should mold testing be used as just one piece of a larger investigation? (46:59)·      Should ERMI testing be used as a standalone answer or as one data point alongside symptoms and a full home investigation? (48:59)·      How do you decide when mold testing is truly necessary and ensure it’s used correctly as part of a full investigation and not relied on in isolation? (51:28)Links mentioned in interview:Start Here: https://changetheairfoundation.org/mold-in-the-home/Mold Matters: Exploring the World of Fungi – Interview With Brantley May: https://changetheairfoundation.org/mold-matters-exploring-the-world-of-fungi/Mini Class Series: Testing Options for Your Home: https://changetheairfoundation.org/testing-your-home/Free Downloads: https://changetheairfoundation.org/free-downloads/Get in touch with our guest:Instagram: @moldmentorllcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/moldmentorllcJessica McQuade’s Website: https://moldmentorllc.com/ and https://moldeasellc.com/detailed-aboutLearn more about Change the Air Foundation:  https://ChangeTheAirFoundation.orgSign up for our newsletter: https://ChangeTheAirFoundation.org/sta