Stop Guessing: VOC Testing And Mold Testing Do Not Measure The Same Thing
Manage episode 522253174 series 3341073
Your house shouldn’t make you feel worse. We unpack the crucial difference between VOC testing and mold testing, and explain why treating them as the same can waste money, delay answers, and leave you stuck with symptoms. We also take you beyond the basics to explore mycotoxins—chemical defenses from mold that standard remediation often ignores—and why some homes feel “clean” after a wipe-down yet still trigger headaches, brain fog, or throat irritation.
We share real examples of where VOCs come from—fresh paint, vinyl flooring, foam mattresses, adhesives—and how a modern “low-VOC” label helps but doesn’t solve everything. You’ll learn how labs compare indoor and outdoor mold samples to confirm if growth is inside, why timing matters for species that release fewer spores when wet, and how MVOCs can tip you off to hidden moisture even when air samples look normal. If you’ve recently remodeled, moved into a new build, or noticed you breathe easier away from home, this guide helps you choose the right test first.
Then we tackle the problem most people never hear about: mycotoxins. We break down how aggressive cleaning without first killing growth can spread toxins, why many HEPA setups won’t catch them, and what emerging practices—humidity manipulation, targeted sorbents, containment, and source correction—do differently. For sensitized listeners who react to small exposures, we offer a clear, stepwise plan: decide based on building history and symptoms, run the proper lab tests, and verify every remediation step before moving on.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start fixing, tune in, get the checklist, and share this with someone who needs a cleaner, safer home. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the one air-quality question you want answered next.
To learn more about Habitation Investigation, the Three-time Winner of the Best Home Inspection Company in the Midwest Plus the Winner of Consumer Choice Award for Columbus Ohio visit Home Inspection Columbus Ohio - Habitation Investigation (homeinspectionsinohio.com)
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Chapters
1. Why VOC And Mold Aren’t The Same (00:00:00)
2. What VOC Testing Detects (00:01:35)
3. Real-World Sources Of VOCs (00:03:10)
4. What Mold Testing Reveals (00:04:20)
5. Using Outdoor Vs Indoor Comparisons (00:06:45)
6. MVOCs And Finding Hidden Moisture (00:07:45)
7. Services, Pricing, And Common Add‑Ons (00:08:55)
8. Sponsor: Habitation Investigation (00:10:45)
9. Fixing High VOCs And Next Steps (00:11:15)
10. Mycotoxins: The Overlooked Problem (00:12:10)
11. Why Some Remediation Makes It Worse (00:14:20)
220 episodes