How To Test For Mycotoxins

The invisible dangers lurking in our home, known as mycotoxins, represent a serious threat to health. These biotoxins, including aflatoxins, ochratoxin, zearalenone, fumonisins, and trichothecenes, find their way into our homes thanks to certain species of toxic mold. Testing for mycotoxins, therefore, becomes a critical step in safeguarding your health.

Techniques such as chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and immunoassay play pivotal roles in detecting these contaminants. Through dedicated laboratory testing and the use of mycotoxin testing kits, these invisible foes can be identified and properly remediated.

Be sure to read through to the end where I share a video showing you how to take samples for a mycotoxin test.

Understanding Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are invisible, mold-derived toxins lingering in our homes, places of business, stores, and food supply. These hazardous substances have sparked concerns due to their extreme health risks.

I have an entire article dedicated to mycotoxins so please read that for more detailed information. But in summary, if you were to look up the definition of mycotoxins you would learn that they are the toxic chemical substances that certain types of molds produce as a defense and survival mechanism.

Mycotoxins are as small as 0.1 microns. For reference, mold spores are between 1 and 20 microns.

Why Test For Mycotoxins?

Simply put, you need to get rid of mycotoxins if you have them invading your home. And if you have ever had a mold issue, you likely have some level of mycotoxin contamination. Mold tests alone do not tell you if you have a mycotoxin issue. You must test for these separately. However, if you have any of the mycotoxin producing molds, there is a strong likelihood you have some level of contamination in your home.

In addition, remediation efforts typically do not address mycotoxins. So it is important to learn if you have mycotoxins so you can take the proper post-mold remediation mycotoxin sanitization steps. That is a mouth full, I know.

Mycotoxin Detection Methods

Several techniques have refined the art of detecting mycotoxins. Among these, chromatography and immunoassay methods stand out due to their precision and reliability.

Chromatography

Chromatographic techniques stand at the forefront of mycotoxin detection methods. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) have become indispensable. These methods offer unparalleled accuracy in identifying the presence of mycotoxins in indoor environments and agricultural products.

HPLC utilizes a high-pressure system to separate mycotoxins based on their interactions with a stationary phase and a mobile phase. This separation enables the precise quantification of mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, fumonisins, and trichothecenes.

LC-MS/MS takes this precision to another level by combining liquid chromatography’s separation capabilities with mass spectrometry’s ability to identify compounds based on their mass-to-charge ratio. This synergy allows for the detection of mycotoxins at incredibly low concentrations, ensuring food safety. Advances in sample preparation and clean-up procedures have further enhanced the sensitivity of these techniques. Technicians have trusted this approach for years to deliver definitive results. It is without question the MOST accurate mycotoxin testing method.

Immunoassay Methods

Immunoassay methods, particularly Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA), offer a more accessible option. They allow for rapid screening due to their simpler protocols. Laboratories around the world have adopted ELISA due to its simplicity and rapid turnaround times. This method enables the testing of large batches of samples with considerable accuracy and minimal sample preparation.

The efficiency of ELISA for rapid screening cannot be overstated. It offers a practical solution where resources are limited, and time is of the essence. What distinguishes immunoassays from other mycotoxin detection methods is their capability to yield qualitative and quantitative data without the need for complex cleanup procedures or highly specialized equipment.

Choosing a Mycotoxin Test and Testing Laboratory

During the course of my own personal mold journey as well as during my time as a mold professional, I have used three different testing options, each with a different lab. While I will share details on all three, I strongly recommend that you invest in my top choice due to the advanced precision and accuracy of the results.

Superstratum Mold and Mycotoxin Detection Kit – My Top Choice

This kit is very easy to use and comes with one swab and one tape lift test. You can add up to four additional swabs to test for mycotoxins. In my experience, this is an extraordinarily accurate test. Here are some key details:

• Number of Mycotoxins Tested For: 24 common and the most toxigenic mycotoxins
• Testing Technology Used: Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
• Turnaround Time: 10-14 days on average
• Approximate Cost: $349 for one test. You can add additional swabs for up to 5 swabs per kit.
• Option to consult with the lab after receiving results: Yes

EMMA

This is a combination mold and mycotoxin test. Testing only requires a small cut out of an HVAC or heater filter or a swab of dust from an area you can see or suspect mold to be present. The kit is packaged with two sterile swabs and a sterile piece of gauze to use for collection of a sample. The lab can merge up to three samples to run combined as a composite result, otherwise each sample will be treated and charged separately. Here are some key details:

• Number of Mycotoxins Tested For: 16 common and most toxic mycotoxins, including 9 Macrocyclic Trichothecenes produced by the “Black Mold”, Stachybotrys.
• Testing Technology Used: The sample is analyzed using mold-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MSQPCR) which is a DNA based analysis.
• Turnaround Time: Results will be sent to you within 10 business days from receipt of your sample.
• Approximate Cost: $399
• Option to consult with the lab after receiving results: No

You can order this test through Envirobiomics or MicroBalance.

Envirobiomics Myco-Tox

This is a mycotoxin only test kit which from a cost perspective is the more affordable test. A Swiffer type cloth or vacuum attachment collection device are used to conduct this test. Here are some key details:

• Number of Mycotoxins Tested For: 50+
• Testing Technology Used: Bioanalytical test performed with the high sensitivity LC/MS/MS ion-trap technology
• Turnaround Time: 15-21 days. I will share that this lab has times of very high volume and I have waited up to 32 days to receive results. This is not the norm but it has happened more than once. 
• Approximate Cost: $265
• Option to consult with the lab after receiving results: Reports include interpretation and reference values to be used as a guide but the lab itself does not offer consults with costumers.

Important Note About Testing

When working with clients, I am VERY particular about how samples are collected. There are three “rules” I suggest everyone follow when conducting these tests themselves.

1. Clean the areas you will be taking the sample from with a microfiber cloth to remove existing dust. Allow NEW dust to build up for three weeks and then perform the test.
2. DO NOT sample around windows or exterior doors. Do not take samples from inside exhaust fan casings or around the bottom of the refrigerator. Avoid areas near stoves, heaters, or other high-heat sources.
3. At a minimum, purchase two tests. One will be used around your home or in the area you know had a mold issue. The other will be used to sample inside your HVAC ductwork or around the HVAC return vents, if you have that.  

Ideal Places To Take Samples From

Areas to take samples from can include tops of interior door frames, entertainment centers, shelves, dressers, nightstands, tops of cabinets, and other regions like this. The goal is to gather dust from different areas in the home/office to analyze the entire space.

Interpreting Test Results

I do not suggest that you attempt to interpret the results of whatever mycotoxin test you conducted yourself. There is a LOT to take into consideration when looking at the mycotoxins found and the amount. Then of course there is formulating a plan to remove the mycotoxins discovered.

I offer consults to go over the results of any mold or mycotoxin testing you perform. You can learn more on my Work With Me page.

Check This Out

Here you can learn more about how to use a swiffer cloth for mycotoxin testing as well as learn more about my favorite locations to take samples from.