Reddit reviews DIY Mold Test, Mold Testing Kit (3 tests). Lab Analysis and Expert Consultation included

First of all, relax. You have been breathing mold spores since you were one minute old. You've been breathing them 24/7/365 days a year. Even the most sterile room in a hospital has mold spores. Honestly.

Here is an excerpt from the EPA:

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing.

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust.

You are assuming that all molds are bad and dangerous to your health. That is flatly not true. A very few molds produce reactions in humans. There is no evidence yet that you even have one of these rare problems. Yes, you are seeing growth on the A-coil. That does not mean what you are seeing is toxic.

Let science determine whether or not you have an actual problem, please. Buy a test kit, collect some samples, and send them off to a lab:

https://www.amazon.com/Testing-Analysis-Expert-Consultation-included/dp/B016YSY8XQ

In a short while you will receive a report on what they've identified.

I have been working on air conditioning systems since 1977. Every single one of them, without fail, has had observable growth in and around the coil. It is biological. It is also a fact of life. Provide acceptable conditions, and life always finds a way to exploit that.

You probably do not want to hear this, but the same condition exists in your car or truck, too.

Don't sweat it. You are not going to die anytime soon, I assure you.

mid July, so it's only been two weeks. could be coincidence

are you from that area? could it be new pollen from the yard? new carpet? or paint?

well water?

I'd do another mold test, just to rule it out:

https://www.amazon.com/Testing-Analysis-Expert-Consultation-included/dp/B016YSY8XQ

Sure don't know if links are legal on this sub, but here is one on Amazon. Not 100% sure how amazing it is but the reviews have it pretty well:

https://www.amazon.com/Testing-Analysis-Expert-Consultation-included/dp/B016YSY8XQ

To answer your question, there is no way to tell toxic mold from a photo. All mold can be hazardous to sensitive individuals. But the way to tell toxic mold is to get an in-home test that runs between $40 and $200, or hire a professional mold remediation company who will run tests.

Example of in home test: https://www.amazon.com/Testing-Analysis-Expert-Consultation-included/dp/B016YSY8XQ

I would have the apartment tested for toxic mold. You can call a pro or do it yourself with an ERMI test. I found one on amazon that has 4.5 stars out of 420 reviews. Someone recommended this test over others because it uses dust and surface samples opposed to air samples which can give false negatives. Cost is 45 bucks which is probably the most cost efficient way to go.

Here’s a link to buy the kit - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016YSY8XQ/ref=sxts_kp_bs_tr_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=8778bc68-27e7-403f-8460-de48b6e788fb&pd_rd_wg=slVlt&pf_rd_r=2B0R8JTHPXTSEJ13NTZP&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B016YSY8XQ&pd_rd_w=wQUrP&pf_rd_i=ermi+mold+test&pd_rd_r=c8c2d340-d1de-4e30-98c8-1a8d727b912c&ie=UTF8&qid=1540914560&sr=1

Here’s some random literature about toxic mold in general - https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/how-to-test-for-toxic-mold.htm

Good luck.

It's like $20 on Amazon I bet. It's for a room. I think it's called a room test.

https://www.amazon.com/Testing-Analysis-Expert-Consultation-included/dp/B016YSY8XQ

This one i think you send to a lab, but there are ones you don't have to.