The Black Mold Screen

Mycotoxins are potent chemicals that certain species of molds can produce under certain conditions. These chemicals are attached to mold spores, mold fragments and dust particles from whatever the mold was breaking down. These mycotoxin particles blow around and settle out in household dust. Occupants will be exposed to these particles. Settled dust is a great indicator of what has been blowing around and inhaled in an indoor environment for weeks, months, and maybe years.

The Black Mold Screen is an easy to do, DIY Dust Sampling Test that can be used to quantify & detect the most prevalent mycotoxins: Trichothecenes, Satratoxin G & H, & Stachybotrylactam —all which stem from the water damage mold, Stachybotrys. This test is especially sensitive, and can help to get a scope of your home’s health status, or it can be used as a tool to evaluate a possible toxic mold exposure in your home or space.

Trichothecenes (T): A particular trichothecene-producing mold, Stachybotrys chartarum, grows on wet building materials such as sheetrock, ceiling tiles, and cardboard. This test screens for a number of Macrocyclic Trichothecenes (including Roridin A & E, Verrucarin A & J). They are arguably the most acutely toxic of all mycotoxins, causing a wide range of neurological, skin and respiratory irritation and other effects. Macrocyclic trichothecenes are produced by approximately 30 percent of the strains of this black mold.

Primary mold producer: Stachybotrys chartarum

Satratoxins (SAT): This test specifically detects Satratoxin G & H which are considered the most abundantly produced macrocyclic trichothecenes and are the most acutely toxic compounds produced by Stachybotrys. Satratoxin G is considered the most toxic of the macrocyclic family. One study demonstrates that Satratoxin can cross the blood brain barrier. Satratoxin H can cause neurological system cell damage from exposure levels that can be found in water-damaged buildings contaminated with fungal growth.

Primary mold producer: Stachybotrys chartarum

Stachybotrylactam (SB): This toxin is consistently and only produced by 100 percent of strains of a black mold called Stachybotrys. This mold is often very damp and hidden in wall cavities which keeps the relatively large spores from dispersing. Spores would only become airborne if the colony is aggressively disturbed by careless mold removal or winds over 13 mph (which does not happen in walls). The mycotoxin particles however, are extremely small and disperse readily, making this specific test a very powerful screening tool.

Primary mold producer: Stachybotrys chartarum

The Black Mold Screen is meant to tell us: 

• IF there is an issue

• WHAT type of mycotoxin tested for is present

• HOW much mycotoxin in the sample provided is present

• It does NOT tell us WHERE any issue is however, please note below regarding isolating areas.*

Q: How many tests should I order?

A: One test is our recommendation if your goal is to determine if your home has mycotoxins. This is especially helpful if you already know you have a mold issue and you are looking to get some additional data to help you in your decision making process with regards to decontamination and sorting contaminated contents/possessions.

*If you haven’t done any testing yet, and you are unsure if you have a mold issue, we would suggest doing an ERMI Test as well as this test. If you could only choose one between the two, the ERMI would be our suggested starting point for those looking to gauge a home’s health risk.

Q: How do I find sources in my home?

If you also wish to identify source locations, i.e. you want to validate *IF* you have mycotoxins, but also you wish to locate *WHERE* said mycotoxins are possibly coming from, you would need to purchase additional tests. You can not isolate source areas with only one test.

EX: If I wanted to see if the mycotoxins were coming from my basement, 1st floor or second floor, I would need 3 tests.

If you have a large home, (over 3500 sq. ft.) or multiple floors, it is suggested, (but not required) to consider additional tests, or to isolate testing to a specific area such as an HVAC system, or the separate floors of a home/building. This professional technique allows for a more precise evaluation to assist in possibly locating an exposure or gauging risk sectors. It is however, not a necessity if you are just starting out. We recommend a consultation with us prior to ordering multiple tests so we can help you with a strategy if this is something you are considering.

Each Black Mold Screen Kit contains:

• 1 sterile Myco-wipe™

• 1 pair of PPE Gloves

• 1 labeled Ziplock for Results

• 1 Completed Chain of Custody Form

• PJ & Peter’s Customized Instructions

• 1 Pre-addressed Envelope to the Lab

Although an addressed envelope is included, we do recommend clients purchase their own expedited shipping back to the lab so it can be tracked and will arrive faster. We suggest using UPS or Fed EX. (USPS has been known to deliver improperly.) Your kit(s) will be shipped using priority mail on the next business day after you order.

If you are in need of an urgent (overnight) shipping of kits, please contact PJ via email prior to your order for possible arrangements.

Lab Turnaround Time (TAT) ~

1. Please note the processing time is for the Comprehensive Mycotoxin Panel is 2 Weeks

2. Once your test sample is received, TAT will begin the NEXT Monday.

3. Results will be sent to the email address you provide.

A: You will receive your testing kit, plus our printable Inspection Cheatsheet Checklist included in your tracking email. This checklist is especially built for holistic-minded homeowners & renters and environmentally sensitive individuals.

Shipping Info

Your kit(s) will be shipped to you directly using priority mail on the next business day after you order. Although an addressed envelope to the lab is included, we HIGHLY recommend clients purchase their own expedited shipping through Fed Ex or UPS back to the lab so it can be tracked and will arrive faster. If you are in need of an urgent shipping of kits, please contact PJ via email prior to your order for possible arrangements.

Q: Can you Fed Ex the kit to me quickly?

A: Yes, however there are some limitations & specifics to our FED EX services ONLY.

• Since we charge a flat rate for our 2 DAY FED EX, we do not ship (FED EX) on Thursdays, Fridays or Weekends.

• We ONLY will ship FED EX on Monday’s, Tuesday’s or Wednesday’s.

• Orders must be received by 11AM EST. on a M-W to be shipped that day.

• We do not ship FED EX the day before any U.S. Holidays

• We do not ship the entire week of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

• If you are in a hurry & would like to avoid FED EX, please email PJ for more info regarding our email expedition options.

Restrictions:

*United States Residents ONLY.  This test is not available outside of the United States.

No Cancellations or Refunds:

We do NOT offer refunds or accept returns of any kind. All sales are final.

We do NOT send out duplicate kits. If you lose the kit, you will need to repurchase another.

We are not responsible for delays due to the U.S. Postal Service or Test Results that are skewed or indeterminable from lack of dust collection, improper dust collection, or non-determinable results of any kind.

Expiration Policy:

The Black Mold Screen Kit expires one year after purchase.