Mold Inspection

Air samples will show the different types of mold present in the breathable air of a specific room.

The results will also show the quantities for each type of mold.

The types of mold are listed on the Genus level.

Air sample are collected in the following manner:

• A tripod is set up in the middle of the room.
• An air pump is set up on the tripod.
• The air pump is calibrated to a flow rate of 15 liters per minute.
• A circular sampling “cassette” is placed on the air pump.
• Air passes through the sampling cassette for 5 minutes.
• A total volume of 75 liters is collected (15 lpm x 5 minutes).

The coverage for each air sample is one standard sized room.

At least one outside sample is also needed in order to have a control/baseline sample.

Two outside samples are best (one upwind & one downwind) though most clients will choose only one sample because of the cost.

The results from the inside sample will then be compared to the outside sample in order to help determine if the mold levels inside are elevated.

Surface samples are most often collected by using a “swab” or a “tape lift”.

The benefit of a surface sample is that it shows if mold is present on a specific surface.

The disadvantage to a swab sample is that it is only a test of a specific area (approximately 2″ x 2″) and it does not test any airborne spores.

Contact us to learn more about your options and which samples might be right for your situation.

Cavity samples are a way of checking for mold spores inside a wall or ceiling cavity.

A cavity sample is performed by drilling a small hole about the size of a dime.

After waiting a few minutes for any dust inside the cavity to settle, an air hose is then inserted into the cavity.

The air hose is connected to an air pump and then an air sample is collected.

This is similar to a regular “air sample”; however, slight modifications are made.

The results however, will still show the different types of mold spores present and the quantities for each type.