Mold Testing
At IMI we are experts at mold testing, sampling, and analysis.
Below are some definitions that will help explain mold testing, which is mold sampling.
Mold Testing—This is a common term used that describes mold sampling, which should be performed, or be directly supervised (on site) by a licensed mold assessor according to Florida State Law.
Air Testing for Mold—This is a common term used that describes air sampling to collect mold spores.
Common Types of Mold Sampling
Air Sampling - This method is used to determine air quality and help identify if mold is present. Air is pulled through a Bioaerosol slide at the rate of 15 liters per minute. A reputable laboratory evaluates the slide for mold spore elevation and mold genera type.
Tape Lift - This method is used when visible mold is present and documentation of mold type is needed. Tape is used to lift mold from an area and placed on a laboratory slide for evaluation to determine mold genera type.
Interstitial Sampling -This method is used to determine if there are high levels of mold in a wall cavity. Air is pulled through a tube at 15 liters per minute and collected on a Bioaerosol slide. A reputable laboratory evaluates the slide for mold spore elevation and mold genera type.
Swab Sampling - This method is used on visible mold area. The collected sample on the swab is evaluated at the laboratory to determine mold general type.
Common Mold Terminology & Definitions
Aflatoxin - A mycotoxin produced by molds. Aflatoxins are believed to affect the liver, to be fatal to live stock, and to be carcinogenic in humans.
Air Return Duct - The part of the ductwork where air, from the building’s rooms and some outdoor air, are drawn through filters, into return vents, and then back to the air handler to be treated.
Air Return Vents - Air Return Vents can have numerous locations. Most the time there will be a grill that will swing open from the ceiling or near the floor where the air filter can be checked. Some times the air filter is underneath the air handler in a closet. The return air sometimes to the air handler is managed through a louver door that allows air to get pulled into the air handler closet.
Air Scrubber (Air Filtration Device) - A device used to clean or “scrub” particulate matter from the air. They consist of a portable unit that contains a fan (which pulls air through the unit) and a series of filters, which includes a HEPA filter and a pre-filter.
Air Supply Duct - The part of the ductwork where treated air (cool or warm) is channeled out of the air-handler, through supply duct, out of supply vents, and into the building’s rooms as cool or warm air.
Air Supply Vents - The vents, located in rooms throughout a home, that have an adjustable damper where cool or warm air is forced into a room.
Aspergillus - Can be found indoors in water-damaged buildings. A few species can cause aspergillosis in humans with compromised or defective immune systems. Most people are naturally immune to this infection of the lung.
Chaetomium - A common fungus found in soils, dung, decaying organic matter, seeds, and wood or other cellulose containing materials. Can be found in water-damaged buildings on sheet rock, wallpaper, and other paper products. It is a common cause of food spoilage. Some species are allergenic but rarely cause human infections.
Cladosporium - It is the most frequently found fungus in outdoor air. Indoors, it usually occurs at low concentrations in damp or humid areas, but may be found in high concentrations in water damaged building materials. Its ability to sporulate heavily and to get airborne makes it an important fungal allergen. Frequently isolated as a contaminant in foods. Only occasionally associated with disease in humans; one species can cause chronic subcutaneous infection.
HEPA Filter - HEPA stands for ‘high efficiency particulate air.’ A HEPA filter is a type of air filter that removes 99.97 % of all particles greater than .3 micrometers.
HVAC Professional - This is a licensed contractor, in the state of Florida, that works in the field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
Memnoniella - Mainly isolated from soils and dead plant material in tropical countries but has also been isolated from indoor sources such as paper, wallpaper, and textiles. Exposure to this genus should be avoided as they can produce a potentially toxic metabolite. Emerging research has purposed that Memnoniella species actually belong to Stachybotrys.
Mold Assessor - A qualified person who has met Florida State licensing requirements for mold assessor, and actively performs, or directly supervises a mold assessment.
Mold Assessment - A process performed by a mold assessor that includes the physical sampling and detailed evaluation of data obtained from a building history and inspection to formulate an initial hypothesis about the origin, identity, location, and extent of amplification of mold growth.
Mold Remediator A qualified person, who has met Florida State Licensing requirements, that performs mold remediation.
Mycotoxins - Toxic compounds produced by certain fungi, some of which are used for medicinal purposes.
Mold Remediation - The removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventive activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter.
Mold Sampling (Common Types)
Air Sampling - This method is used to determine air quality and help identify if mold is present. Air is pulled through a Bioaerosol slide at the rate of 15 liters per minute. A reputable laboratory evaluates the genera of mold spore type and how elevated the spore count was.
Tape Lift - This method is used when visible mold is present and documentation of mold type is needed. Tape is used to lift mold from an area and placed on a laboratory slide for evaluation to determine mold genera type.
Interstitial Sampling -This method is used to determine if there are high levels of mold in a wall cavity. Air is pulled through a tube at 15 liters per minute and collected on a Bioaerosol slide. A reputable laboratory evaluates the slide for genera of mold spore type and how elevated the spore count was.
Swab Sampling - This method is used on visible mold area. The collected sample on the swab is evaluated at the laboratory to determine mold genera type.
Penicillium - Many species are common contaminants on a variety of substrates. These may be found indoors in air samples, carpet dust, or on wallpaper. Human pathogenic species are rare, which causes disease in immunocompromised individuals.
Post Remediation Verification (Clearance) - This is an inspection that that is done after remediation is complete. The same company that performed your remediation should not perform a clearance inspection, which is a violation of Florida State Law. A Florida state, Licensed Mold Assessor performs this inspection. The resulting report is an important document that verifies remediation was successful.
Stachybotrys (Sometimes Referred to as Toxic or Black Mold) - Found on many substrates like grains, decaying plant materials, textiles, and tobacco. It grows indoors on water-damaged cellulose rich materials, such as sheet rock, paper, ceiling tiles, insulation backing, gypsum board, and wallpaper. The presence of this fungus can be significant due to its ability to produce mycotoxins under certain environmental conditions. Exposure to the toxins can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin exposure.