Testing the mold and mycotoxins present in your environment along with your body’s mycotoxin excretion is considered the best mold testing approach as it allows comparison of the suspected environment’s contribution to the level of mycotoxins being excreted in the urine. This combo test is a combination of our Mold Exposure Mycotoxin Urine Test and EMMA (Environmental Mold & Mycotoxin Analysis) offered at a special discounted price.

Mycotoxins are substances produced by mold associated with a variety of potential health complications. Exposure to mycotoxins occurs through food supply due to mold contamination as well as through environmental exposure in buildings with mold, often related to water damage. Urinary mycotoxins reflect excretion of these substances and help indicate the body’s recent exposure to mold.

Common complaints related to mold exposure include respiratory and sinus concerns, cognitive dysfunction, neurological issues, fatigue, changes in mood and more.

Mold is a key element of indoor air contamination that few people understand; yet, is a widespread issue that affects quality-of-life for many. What many people also don't realize is that mold can make you extremely sick. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all molds have the potential to cause ill health.¹

This test has two parts, each with their own collection requirements. Please ensure all included materials are reviewed before collecting your samples:

Part 1) Mold Exposure Mycotoxin Urine Test

The test detects 16 urinary mycotoxins, including those associated with “black mold” (Stachybotrys), categorized in the following 5 groups:

Ochratoxin A

Ochratoxin reflects exposure to certain species of aspergillus and penicillium. With prolonged exposure, Ochratoxin A is associated with kidney and cancer concerns. Ochratoxin A has a longer elimination time than other mycotoxins, and may reflect exposure over the past several weeks.

Aflatoxins

Aflatoxins are produced by various Aspergillus species. Humans are usually exposed to aflatoxins from contaminated food and other environmental sources. Chronic exposure may be associated with liver and kidney damage, as well as DNA damage and cancer risk.

Macrocyclic Trichothecenes (Black Mold group of toxins)

Macrocyclic Trichothecenes are produced by a variety of fungal species. Humans are commonly exposed to this group of mycotoxins from water-damaged building materials and ventilation/HVAC systems. Exposure to macrocyclic trichothecenes is associated with a wide variety of health concerns including, but not limited to: skin and GI concerns, blood pressure and cardiovascular abnormalities, inflammation and changes to immune response, as well as toxicity to the nervous system, liver, and DNA.

Gliotoxin-Derivatives

Gliotoxin is produced by several mold species and is usually encountered from contaminated food and other environmental sources. Exposure to gliotoxin may be associated with suppression of the immune system, DNA toxicity and increased severity of fungal infections.

Zearalenone

Zearalenone is produced by Fusarium species and commonly encountered as a food contaminant, especially in warmer climates. This mycotoxin acts as an endocrine disruptor, by mimicking estrogen, leading to reproductive and hormonal abnormalities in both men and women. Zearalenone may also be associated with cancer, immune, and blood abnormalities.

Part 2) EMMA (Environmental Mold & Mycotoxin Analysis) Home/Environmental Swab

Is your home, school or office a source of possible mold exposure? Test for mold & mycotoxins with this convenient at-home environmental swab kit. Simply swab dust from an area you suspect presence of mold and send out the sample for analysis.

While mold growth may be visible in warm, damp areas, in many cases mold grows behind walls around small water leaks where it becomes an invisible threat to good health. Mold spores and mycotoxins can then circulate through home ventilation systems and end up contaminating areas throughout your home.

The EMMA test measures 12 of the most toxigenic molds and 16 of the most poisonous mycotoxins:

Mold

Aspergillus (A. fumigatus, A. ochraceus, A. flavus, A. terreus, A. niger, A. versicolor)

These aspergillus fungal species are frequently found in homes and water-damaged buildings and associated with a range of health concerns including infections, respiratory concerns and cancers.

Penicillium (P. brevicompactum, P. chrysogenum)

These penicillium species are known to produce harmful Ochratoxin A and associated with sinus concerns when breathed in high concentrations. Fungal particle abundance depends on high humidity.

Candida auris

This species of candida can be found in healthcare facilities and may cause fungal infections in wounds, blood stream, ears and more.

Chaetomium globosum

C. globosum is a common indoor fungal contaminant of water damaged homes or buildings. Like Stachybotrys, C. globosum spores are not as easily airborne as those from some other molds but their mycotoxins can spread easily througout a building

Fusarium solani

Fusarium is associated with infections of skin and nails and other infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Stachybotrys chartarum

S . chartarum, commonly known as black mold, is highly toxic to humans. Symptoms of black mold exposure are extensive, ranging from nausea/vomiting and diarrhea to hypotension, hair loss and confusion. Their large heavy spores are not as easily airborne as those from some other molds, but their mycotoxins can spread easily throughout a building

Mycotoxins

The environmental mycotoxins measured with the EMMA are the same mycotoxins measured the Mold Exposure Mycotoxin Urine Test, including Ochratoxin A, Aflatoxins, Macrocyclic Trichothecenes, Glioxotin-Derivatives, and Zearalenone.

This provides the ability to compare mycotoxins in the environment with those excreted in urine, to better ascertain the contribution of environmental mold & mycotoxins to the body’s exposure.

Notes

Turnaround time: 10 business days from date received by the lab.

A chain of custody form must be completed before sending your EMMA sample to the lab . If this form is not completed, your sample will be rejected and will not be processed. Please pay careful attention to the instructions and completely fill out the paperwork.

Additional Mold Test Options

To check for genetic predisposition to mold sensitivity, the HLA Mold Genetic susceptibility test is suggested:

HLA DR Mold Genetic Test

References

1. http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html(Accessed February 2024)