Mold and Indoor Air Quality Testing FAQs

We measure ten core parameters simultaneously: mold, bacteria, viral load, VOCs, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, pollen, humidity, PM2.5, and PM10. Every room is tested and compared against a simultaneous outdoor baseline measurement — so you know not just what's present, but whether indoor levels are actually elevated relative to outside. Radon is available as an optional $99 add-on to an assessment and requires a 48-hour monitor and a return visit.

Standard mold inspections typically involve collecting one or two air or surface samples and sending them to a lab — a process that takes 5–10 days, tests only for mold, and gives you a single data point per location. Our assessment uses advanced real-time particle analysis that produces results on-site, tests ten core parameters simultaneously, and maps every room individually against an outdoor baseline. You know what's in your air the same day, with the full written report within 48 hours.

Most residential assessments take 2 to 4 hours on site, depending on the size of the property and the number of rooms and zones being tested. We'll give you a more specific estimate when you schedule, based on your property details.

We serve Portland, OR and the greater SW Washington region, including Vancouver, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, and Camas along the I-5 corridor. Contact us if you're unsure whether we cover your area.

Yes. That is the whole point of illumenair. We only test; we never remediate and we don't sell air purifiers, so we have no incentive to over-report a problem and our findings are unbiased. If work is needed, we give you clear documentation to hand a contractor, and we can come back afterward to retest and document whether your air quality has improved. We test homes in Portland, OR and SW Washington, including Vancouver and Ridgefield.

For the most accurate results, keep windows and exterior doors closed for at least 12 hours before the assessment. Continue your normal daily activity — we want to capture typical conditions, not a cleaned-up version. If you run air purifiers, turn them off 12 hours prior. We'll walk through anything else specific to your situation when you schedule.

Preliminary results are reviewed with you on site before we leave. We walk through the room-by-room findings, explain what elevated readings mean, and answer your questions in person. The full written report — with complete data tables, analysis, and a prioritized action plan — follows within 48 hours.

The written report includes: room-by-room data tables for all ten core parameters, outdoor baseline comparisons, source identification notes (where elevated readings are likely originating), a summary of findings with severity context, and a prioritized action plan. It's formatted for your own records, and structured for sharing with a physician, naturopath, or remediation contractor.

Yes — the report is specifically formatted to be useful in a clinical context. It's clear, structured, and easy for a healthcare provider to review. It's used by patients sharing findings with naturopathic doctors, functional medicine practitioners, allergists, pulmonologists, and primary care physicians — particularly for cases involving CIRS investigation or the Shoemaker Protocol.

CIRS stands for Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome — a multi-system, multi-symptom illness triggered by biotoxin exposure, most commonly from water-damaged buildings. It was identified and described by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker. An estimated 25% of the population carries specific HLA genetic variants that make them unable to clear biotoxins effectively, leading to a chronic inflammatory state. Environmental testing — to identify and document the source — is a foundational step in the Shoemaker Protocol.

No. illumenair provides environmental testing data — what's in your indoor air, room by room. We don't diagnose health conditions or make clinical recommendations. The interpretation of environmental findings in the context of your health is the role of your healthcare provider. We provide the environmental half of the picture; your doctor interprets the clinical implications.

Environmental testing is typically not covered by health insurance. Some HSA and FSA accounts may be eligible — we recommend checking with your plan administrator. We can provide an itemized receipt for your records upon request.

Assessments start at $750 for homes under 3,000 sq ft and $950 for homes between 3,000 and 4,500 sq ft. For homes over 4,500 sq ft, contact us for base pricing. Radon can be added for $99. The Mold & Moisture Deep-Dive is an additional $500. For commercial spaces or multi-unit buildings, contact us for a custom quote. Past clients can book a retest after remediation — contact us for retest pricing.

Yes, for past clients. After remediation, HVAC changes, or other environmental interventions, we return with a follow-up assessment or air canister testing and document whether your air quality has improved. Retests do not include radon. This closes the loop and gives you verifiable data — not just an assurance — that the issue was resolved. Contact us for retest pricing.

Call us at (971) 363-5626 or email info@illumenair.com. We'll briefly discuss your property and concerns, answer any questions, and confirm a date and time that works for you. Need us soon? We try to accommodate last-minute appointments when needed.