Mold Assessment Technician Practice Exam

What must be present for mold exposure to occur?

1. Only visible mold growth

2. Pathway for exposure

3. Water damage

4. Cleaning of the area

The correct answer is: Pathway for exposure

For mold exposure to occur, a pathway for exposure is essential. This pathway allows mold spores to become airborne or to come into direct contact with individuals who might be susceptible to mold's potential health effects. Mold can be present in various environments, but without a method for those spores to reach a person—such as through breathing in airborne spores, skin contact, or ingestion—the actual exposure cannot happen. While visible mold growth, water damage, and cleaning of the area can contribute to the context in which mold exposure occurs, they are not prerequisites for exposure itself. Mold can exist in hidden places, and spores can still be present in the air without there being noticeable mold growth. Therefore, even in the absence of visible mold, if there are spores in the air and an individual is present, exposure can still take place if there is an effective pathway.