Services - Mold Testing
At HealthyAir, we take mold very seriously.
Although the presence of mold itself is not always a problem,
sustained growth of mold inside
your home
or office can become a problem. Different
molds can produce a variety of symptoms, reactions, and
diseases in different people, depending
on the mycotoxins produced and the individual's immune system
status. For
this reason, you may elect to utilize mold testing to determine
the exact mold(s) within your home or office.
Mold Testing
Objectives
Health Concerns
All mold is allergenic and can be toxic.
However, for the reasons listed above, it may be of benefit
to identify the specific mold species for medical attention.
Source of Contamination
Often the source of moisture is easily
found. Whether a roof leak, plumbing leak, or foundation infiltration,
most often these problems can be detected and corrected easily.
The difficulty arises when there is an odor or when the occupant
begins showing signs of mold exposure, but no visible mold
can be located. Testing can assist when trying to locate a
slow plumbing leak inside the wall or perhaps a condensation
problem inside the duct work.
Litigation
The identification of the mold species
and the extent of contamination can be valuable information
when entering into litigation.
According to the EPA, "if
visible mold is present it should be remediated. It is
not always necessary to identify the mold unless for litigation,
source of contamination is unclear, or health concerns
are a problem."
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Mold Testing
Methods
There are basically two different testing methodologies;
Culturable/viable (alive)
sampling and Non-culturable (spores
that are alive or dead).
Culturable/Viable Samples
A culturable sample is the method used to grow
mold from spores collected on site. Using a Petri dish, an agar
media, and one of the collection methods listed below, mold spores
are deposited into the agar. The dish is then sealed, sent to
a laboratory and given time (2 to 3 weeks) to grow.
Swab Lift
Bulk Sample
Impact Sampler
A disadvantage of culturable testing is the
incomplete information provided by the final results. The mold(s)
that grow in the Petri dish are influenced by the agar media
used, the atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity), and
the other mold species that are competing for space and food
(the agar).
The primary disadvantage, according the BSU
(Ball State University), is that sampling results only affect
the concentration of mold spores that are alive and can grow
in the agar media being used, yet more than 80-95% of the spores
in the air are not viable." They go on to reinforce the fact
that "mold spores can cause allergic reactions and asthmatic
attacks even if they are no longer alive."
Non-culturable Samples
Non-culturable samples provide a more accurate
picture of the mold present in the home or office. This method
of sampling collects spores onto a slide which is then sent to
a laboratory for concentration counts and genus identification.
Results from these samples can be return within 24 hours with
expedited service. Non-culturable sampling does not allow for
species recognition which is its major limitation. Samples may
be taken from one area of visible contamination or as an air
sample to determine the number of spores in the breathing environment.
Tape Lift
Air-o-Cell
The Air-O-Cell method is deemed the most reliable
when attempting to determine if a mold problem exists. When using
this air sampling method, a sample must be drawn from the area
of suspected contamination, as well as from the outdoor environment.
It is only through the comparison of the concentrations and species
that a determination can be made of the possible mold infestation.
As stated by BSU,
total mold spore sampling has the advantage of collecting most
airborne spores that are drawn into the collector. Since allergenicity
is independent of viability, results from this method are in
most cases a much better indicator of health risks than the culturable/viable
method.
The Air-O-Cell cassette has one major advantage;
it can be used to determine the presence of Stachybotrys and
other mold species inside wall cavities.
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