Indoor Air Quality
Where there is water, there can be mold — and the health consequences are more serious than most people realize. Here's what the science says, and what you can do about it.
- 70% of homes we inspect have some form of mold issue.
- #1 Route of exposure is breathing in airborne spores
- 0 issues found without a professional inspection
Mold is a byproduct of moisture — and it's more common than you think.
Mold doesn't appear randomly. It follows water. Anywhere excess moisture exists — whether from a slow leak, condensation, flooding, or high humidity — mold can take hold. And once it does, it produces compounds that can affect your health in ways that are only now being fully understood.
We find mold issues in approximately 70% of the properties we inspect. Some cases are minor. Others are significant. But every single one was only discovered because someone asked for a professional evaluation.
If you have water-damaged building materials anywhere in your home, you should expect some form of airborne toxin indoors — even if you can't see or smell anything. Indoors, you're recycling that air. Outdoors, natural dilution reduces exposure. Inside, there's no escape.
How mold gets into your body — and what it does there
Most mold exposure happens through inhalation. Mold spores are readily airborne, and once inhaled, they can cause a spectrum of health problems ranging from mild allergic reactions to serious systemic disease.
For people with weakened immune systems, the stakes are even higher. Invasive mold infections (IMIs) occur when fungal spores enter the bloodstream. Specialized blood tests can detect mold DNA or antibodies — including IgG and IgE — to identify exposure to specific species like Aspergillus.
Beyond spores, active mold growth produces off-gassing compounds — specifically, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) and mycotoxins — that are toxic to humans even without direct spore contact.
"Mycotoxin exposure is linked to immune dysregulation, neurological disorders, and cancer. Yet it remains one of the most overlooked indoor health hazards."
Three molds you need to know — and why they matter
Requires constant moisture to grow — a sign of long-term water damage. Produces satratoxin, a trichothecene mycotoxin linked to brain inflammation, neurotoxicity, fatigue, nosebleeds, chest pain, and fever.
A common outdoor spore that becomes dangerous at elevated indoor concentrations. Produces neurotoxic MVOCs linked to severe headaches, seizures, and excessive sleepiness. A serious concern for asthmatics.
Commonly found on wood and drywall. Causes immune suppression, is classified as carcinogenic, and is hemolytic — meaning it can destroy red blood cells.
Your lab found mold markers. Here's what to do next.
If blood tests have revealed mold antibodies or DNA in your system, the next step is to evaluate your home environment. The source of exposure won't go away on its own — and your health won't fully recover until it does.
- Schedule a professional mold inspection. A certified inspector will assess your home systematically, not just visually.
- Request air sampling in every room you frequently occupy — bedroom, living room, kitchen, basement. Each sample either rules out exposure or helps locate the source.
- Review the findings. Some areas will be cleared; others will reveal elevated spore counts or specific mold species that confirm the problem.
- Remediate and retest. Once mold is removed by a qualified professional, post-remediation air testing confirms the environment is safe.
Properties are regularly bought and sold without ever having a mold inspection performed. Don't let that be your home — and don't let a past purchase become a long-term health liability.