Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing & Reporting
Why We Test the Indoor Environment
At EnviroBuilt, ensuring the health and comfort of your indoor environment is our top priority. Our primary focus is the identification and remediation of mould and microbial contamination to restore healthy indoor environments. Comprehensive indoor air quality assessments enable us to detect and quantify airborne mould spores, identify hidden moisture sources, and trace pathways of water intrusion that support microbial growth.
From this, we provide targeted, data-driven solutions that restore safety and peace of mind to protect both your health and your property.
Integrated & Informed Approach
Following leading industry standards, our approach begins with a comprehensive assessment by conducting a Damp & Mould Survey. Our surveys include; comprehensive building history, visual walk-through, thermal imaging and moisture mapping. From there, we tailor the sampling plan based on observed conditions to ensure efficient, purpose-driven testing.
By combining sampling options including; real-time air sampling, surface sampling and historical dust analysis, we can confidently provide clients with a clear, actionable assessment, whether you're preparing for remediation, confirming a safe environment post-remediation, or addressing occupant health concerns.
How We Test
At EnviroBuilt, we use a suite of trusted, industry-recognised testing methods to accurately assess mould and indoor air quality. Each method provides valuable insights, helping us create a targeted plan to restore a healthy environment in your home or building.
Air Sampling Pump with Air-O-Cell Cassette:
This captures airborne mould spores and microscopic particles in real time, giving a clear snapshot of the air you’re breathing. It’s essential for understanding exposure levels and designing an effective remediation strategy tailored to your space.
Surface Tape or Swab Sample:
We collect precise samples from surfaces where mould is visible or suspected. These are analysed in a specialist laboratory to confirm the presence and type of mould, helping us trace its source and understand the extent of contamination.
ERMI Testing (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index):
For a deeper, DNA-based analysis, particularly valuable in health-related cases, ERMI testing may be requested. This method examines settled dust in a building to detect historical mould patterns and water-damage-associated species.
This evidence-based approach provides measurable results identifying mould genera, spore levels, moisture sources, and patterns of contamination, so that every decision we make is guided by science, not guesswork. By defining these parameters, we can design a precise remediation plan tailored to your property, delivering solutions that are targeted, effective, and verifiable. The result is a healthier indoor environment and improved air quality for both the people who occupy the space and the building itself
Reporting & Interpreting the Results
At EnviroBuilt, we ensure that all samples are analysed by ISO-accredited laboratories, where qualified biologists or microbiologists specialising in mycology interpret the data.
The laboratory report provides:
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Identification of mould genera present in the environment.
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Assessment of mycotoxin potential; highlighting whether any of the moulds present can produce harmful toxins.
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Contextual interpretation of water damage; findings will distinguish between moulds associated with acute events (recent leaks, humidity and condensation) and chronic water ingress or moisture conditions (long-term moisture and damp issues).
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Actionable Findings; the data provided in the laboratory report will assist in forming a basis for our remediation plan, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based and targeted.
By combining expert laboratory analysis with qualified on-site assessment and testing, EnviroBuilt delivers a clear understanding of the indoor ecology. This approach empowers our clients to make informed decisions, protect occupant health, and maintain a safe, healthy and comfortable indoor environment.
The Impact of Damp and Mould on Indoor Air Quality
Dampness and mould are among the most significant contributors to poor indoor air quality, posing challenges not only to the integrity of buildings but also to the health and wellbeing of the people who live and work within them.
These problems typically arise in areas where there is excess moisture, inadequate ventilation, or water intrusion, creating the perfect conditions for microbial growth. Once established, mould can release spores, particles, and volatile compounds into the air, diminishing air quality and creating a range of health risks for occupants (European Environment Agency, 2025; WHO, 2009).
The prevalence of damp and mould is more common than many realise. Studies show that between 10% and 50% of buildings worldwide are affected, with higher rates in areas experiencing socioeconomic deprivation or poorly maintained housing stock (WHO, 2009). In Europe alone, the European Environment Agency has reported that over 15% of households experience some form of dampness, an increase from just a few years prior. These figures highlight the scale of the issue and the growing concern for both public health and the built environment (EEA, 2025).
The mechanisms through which damp and mould affect indoor air quality are varied and complex. Damp conditions provide an ideal environment not only for mould fungi but also for bacteria, dust mites, and other microorganisms to thrive. In these environments, a variety of substances are released, including spores, fragments of microbial matter, mycotoxins, β-glucans, and microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). When inhaled, these substances can irritate the respiratory system and, in sensitive individuals, trigger strong immune responses, including allergic reactions and asthma exacerbations (Mendell et al., 2011; WHO, 2009).
The health effects associated with damp and mould exposure are well documented. Epidemiological studies consistently demonstrate strong links between visible mould or dampness in homes and an increased risk of asthma, wheezing, cough, and respiratory infections. Both children and adults are affected, though children are particularly vulnerable to long-term respiratory consequences. In infants, exposure to mouldy environments has been associated with a significantly higher likelihood of developing asthma and allergic rhinitis later in life. Beyond respiratory conditions, mould exposure has also been linked with skin irritation, eye problems, and in more severe cases, hypersensitivity pneumonitis or systemic fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals (Caillaud et al., 2018; NCBI, 2009).
The broader impacts of damp and mould extend beyond health. These conditions can compromise building materials, releasing additional pollutants such as formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds as materials degrade. Over time, dampness may also weaken structural elements of a building, further increasing the risks for occupants and creating costly remediation challenges (WHO, 2009).
Addressing damp and mould is therefore both a public health priority and a key part of maintaining safe, healthy buildings. Preventive measures such as improving ventilation, reducing indoor humidity, repairing water leaks, and using sustainable, low-toxin remediation practices can dramatically improve indoor air quality. For building owners, tenants, and managers alike, tackling these problems promptly not only protects the health of occupants but also safeguards the long-term condition of the building itself.
The evidence is clear: damp and mould represent a serious threat to healthy indoor environments. While the relationship between exposure levels and specific health outcomes continues to be studied, the consensus among health authorities and researchers is strong, remediating damp and mould should be a priority wherever it is found. By taking proactive steps to control moisture and improve air quality, we can significantly reduce the risks posed by these environmental hazards and ensure that indoor spaces remain safe, comfortable, and healthy for everyone.
References
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Caillaud, D., Leynaert, B., Keirsbulck, M. & Nadif, R. (2018) Indoor mould exposure, asthma and rhinitis: findings from systematic reviews and recent longitudinal studies. European Respiratory Review.
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European Environment Agency (2025) Indoor environment: mould and dampness. [online] Available at: https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/beating-chronic-respiratory-disease/indoor-environment-mould-and-dampness [Accessed 18 Aug. 2025].
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Mendell, M.J., Mirer, A.G., Cheung, K., Tong, M. & Douwes, J. (2011) Respiratory and allergic health effects of dampness, mold, and dampness-related agents: a review of the epidemiologic evidence. Environmental Health Perspectives, 119(6), pp.748–756.
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NCBI Bookshelf (2009) Building dampness and its effect on indoor exposure to biological and non-biological pollutants – WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould. World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143945/ [Accessed 18 Aug. 2025].
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NCBI Bookshelf (2009) Health effects associated with dampness and mould – WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould. World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143940/ [Accessed 18 Aug. 2025].
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NCBI Bookshelf (2004) Executive Summary – Damp Indoor Spaces and Health. National Academies Press. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215646/ [Accessed 18 Aug. 2025].