Mold or Mycotoxins. What's the difference and when should you test?

Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals made by certain molds, but testing for them is an expensive and time consuming process. If you see or smell mold, it’s best to first do a mold test. Mold testing is much more affordable and will give you clear next steps. If mold is found and removed and health symptoms persist, then you should get tested for mycotoxins.

What is the difference between a mold test and mycotoxin test?

We've created a table below to show the main differences between the two types of tests.

Our assessment includes:

• A full visual inspection of your home or property

• Air and surface sampling to detect mold spores

• Lab analysis to identify what kind of mold is present and how concentrated it is

• A simple, actionable report with next steps

Even if you can’t see mold, we can uncover hidden growth and give you peace of mind before you commit to any cleanup or remediation.

Mold vs. Mycotoxin Testing: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse mold and mycotoxins but they’re different, and so are the tests.

	Mold Testing	Mycotoxin Testing
What it detects	Mold spores in the air or on surfaces	Toxic chemicals (mycotoxins) released by certain molds
Test for it when…	You suspect active mold growth or want to identify the source	You’ve had mold in the past or are experiencing ongoing health symptoms
Advantages	Identifies mold type and source and detects current contamination. Supports remediation decisions	Detects toxic exposure Useful when symptoms persist after mold removal
Limitations	Doesn’t detect mycotoxins	Doesn’t show if mold is currently active Usually more expensive

Why Start with a Mold Assessment?

• It's the most direct, cost-effective first step

• It tells you if mold is currently growing

• It helps you avoid unnecessary or incomplete remediation

• If no mold is found but symptoms continue, we can recommend trusted labs for mycotoxin testing

• Mycotoxin testing is very costly and should done once you have reliable information about mold in your home

Schedule a Test