Mold Testing & Consulting
The Flip Side to Mold
Molds can cause a wide variety of adverse responses in people depending on the type and quantity present. However, these are not the only factors when considering the health effects of mold exposure. Since human responses can be highly individualistic, the sensitivity of the person exposed is also an important consideration. For example, infants and young children, the immune-compromised, and the elderly are at an increased risk of experiencing adverse health effects related to mold exposure.
What Are the Health Risk(s) Associated With Mold?
There are many methods of exposure to molds, including dermal contact, ingestion, and inhalation. The health risks associated with mold exposure include, but are not limited to: – Infections – Inflammation associated with volatile organic compounds – Allergic reaction
How Do We Sample for Mold?
Our team will evaluate the property using the following methods:
Bulk Samples
A piece of the substrate is taken with the suspect mold intact. The sample is sealed in a plastic bag and sent to one of our third-party analytical laboratories for analysis for mold spores. This test confirms data on the presence or absence of mold on a surface.
Swab Samples
A surface suspected of having mold growth is wiped with a pre-moistened cotton swab. The swab is placed in a sealed tube with a liquid solution and sent to the laboratory for analysis for mold spores. This test confirms the presence or absence of mold on a surface and is often used for post removal testing.
Dust Samples
Dust can be collected using a variety of methods and placed in a sealed bag and sent to the laboratory for analysis for mold spores. This test provides information on the presence or absence of mold disseminated throughout a home or office.
Soil Samples
Mold can be found in the crawlspaces of homes and buildings. Soil is collected in glass jars and sealed airtight. The jars are sent to the laboratory for analysis. This test provides data on the presence or absence of mold is soil.
Tape Lift
A surface with visible mold growth is sampled with a strip of clear sticky tape that is adhered to a thin glass slide. The tape is placed over the mold affected area and pressed down to stick the sample to the tape. The tape is then placed in a sealed plastic container, and sent to the laboratory for analysis. Test results will reveal the mold genera on a given surface.
Vacuum Samples
Carpet can often be a breeding ground for mold. A cassette with a cellulose ester filter is connected to a low-flow air sampling pump. A one-hundred square centimeter area of carpeting is vacuumed with the sample cassette. Dust and mold spores found deep in the carpet are sucked into the sample cassette. The cassette is sealed airtight and sent to the laboratory for analysis. This test provides good data on the presence or absence of mold and provides a measure of concentrations in areas with carpeting.