TESTING OPTIONS

Air

Scope:

Collect a specific amount of air in a chosen indoor living area and compare the types and amounts of fungal spores detected to the air collected outside of the home.

Advantages:

  • Less expensive than viable sampling.

Scope:

  • Non-viable: Identification of fungal organism groups only. No species identification.
  • Results represent fungal spores detected in the tested area during the collection period only.
  • Sample area is limited to approximately 100 SF of open space.
  • Fungal spores may exist on surfaces without being released into the air.

Recommended:

  • To all occupants / owners upon completion of remediation process to ensure spores in the air are at or below the outdoor environment (clearance).
  • To mostly healthy occupants / owners, if living areas have visible signs of current or previous water damage or repairs.
  • To mostly healthy home buyers, if home purchase disclosures indicate previous water intrusion or repair work.

Swab

Scope:

  • Collect a surface sample in each area with potential mold growth or visible residue.

Advantages:

  • Less expensive than viable sampling.

Limitation:

  • Non-viable: Identification of fungal organism groups only. No species identification.
  • Results represent area sampled only.
  • Elevated levels of fungal spores may still exist in the air even after treating visible mold on surfaces.

Recommended:

  • To all occupants / owners in living areas with visible signs of discoloration, residue or elevated moisture levels.

Dust

Scope:

Collect dust accumulated in the living areas and examine it for mold particles attached.

Advantages:

  • Viable: Identification of fungal species.
  • Dust accumulates over time, thus results represent history of the home for up to 10 years.
  • Results represent area where dust was collected. This may be done in an individual area or home as a whole (several samples required).

Limitations:

  • More expensive than non-viable sampling.

Recommended:

  • To all occupants / owners interested in obtaining history of water damage in the living areas.
  • To occupants / owners with health concerns, allergies, autoimmune disorders, if living areas have visible signs of current or previous water damage or repairs.
  • To home buyers with health concerns, allergies, autoimmune disorders, if home purchase disclosures indicate previous water intrusion or repair work.