Air Quality Testing for Mold

Most people are not aware of how severely mold can affect their health. Because mold spores are so small, they can become airborne easily and spread quickly. Just because you cannot see a mold contamination in your home doesn’t mean that it’s not there.

Mold and mildew are the result of moisture and water damage. Rooms that are prone to leaks, condensation and flooding often experience mold growth. These include bathrooms, attics and basements.

Luckily, you have two types of air tests to help you detect unseen mold: viable sampling and non-viable sampling. Each has its advantages and drawbacks (see below), but both are effective means of assessing indoor air quality.

Types of air tests for mold

Air sampling is one of the best ways to identify indoor contaminants and assess the quality of your indoor air. There are two main air tests for mold: viable and non-viable.

What is viable air sampling for mold?

In viable testing, a sample of air is taken on a growth media and incubated in a petri dish over time until colonies form. This process reveals the exact genus and species of the microorganisms gathered in the sample.

There are literally thousands of mold species, and some are more dangerous than others. Viable air sampling helps to identify mold down to its exact species—information that’s important in determining if you are being exposed to various toxic molds.

Pros and cons of viable air tests

• A viable air sample provides more detailed information about the microorganisms present in an air sample. However, because this method requires culturing, it takes longer to get results. It’s also more expensive.
• In addition, some microorganisms captured in the sample may not germinate depending on the growth media used and competition from other molds. This means that results aren’t 100% accurate.

Mold Busters works only with accredited microbiological laboratories in Canada and the United States so that you get accurate and reliable results in a timely manner.

What is non-viable air sampling for mold?

In non-viable testing, an air sample is collected and observed directly under a microscope. No culturing is required, so the results are ready much sooner.

Non-viable tests (also known as spore traps) are the industry standard for residential mold testing.

The pros and cons of non-viable air sampling

• Because no culturing is required in non-viable sampling, you get results much sooner. It’s also much cheaper than a viable test.
• The results of a non-viable test are presented in an easy-to-read list that includes the genus name and concentration of spores contained in the sample. This makes evaluating the extent of a fungal contamination much easier.
• The main drawback of non-viable air tests is that they reveal only the genus of a microorganism, not the exact species. Therefore, they cannot distinguish between, for example, Stachybotrys chartarum and any another species of Stachybotrys.

Mold Busters uses industry-recognized Air-O-Cell and Allergenco-D air monitoring cassettes and works directly with accredited laboratories to provide the fastest and most reliable results to our Ottawa, Gatineau and Montreal clients. Book your air quality test today!

Air Quality Testing and Mold Inspection

Air testing for mold is an excellent first step in determining the presence of mold in your home or workplace, but it should not be used as the sole evaluation method. While air quality testing can detect mold spores and spores suspended in the air, it is necessary to get a comprehensive picture of the extent of mold growth in your environment. A mold inspection should also be performed to get a complete and accurate picture of the mold situation.

A mold inspection involves thoroughly examining the property, including visible and hidden areas, to determine the extent and type of mold growth. A trained and experienced inspector samples mold as needed and looks for possible sources of moisture contributing to mold growth during the inspection. He also evaluates the condition of the building materials and makes recommendations for remediation as needed.

Mold testing is essential if you are experiencing symptoms such as breathing difficulties, headaches or skin irritation, as these may be signs of mold exposure. A mold expert can determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend remediation.

In summary, while valuable, air testing for mold is only one part of a comprehensive mold assessment. A mold inspection provides a more complete and accurate understanding of the mold situation and is necessary to protect your health and the health of those around you. Mold Busters performs a full visual and diagnostic mold inspection as a bonus to any air test for mold.

Common FAQ’s about air quality testing for mold

Does an air quality test detect mold?

Air quality testing is one of the most popular methods for detecting mold. This is especially effective to identify mold which is hidden, or non-visible.

Mold produces spores, which are microscopic airborne particles. The only way to identify mold spores is through microscopy.

Air quality testing draws in these microscopic particles onto sampling mediums, typically called cassettes. These cassettes are then sent to a laboratory that specialized in the microscopic, microbial analysis. Through this process, they can microscopically identify the types of mold present in the air of the tested space.

How to test for mold spores in the air?

The most common and reliable way to test for mold spores in the air is through non-viable air sampling. This is also called a “spore trap analysis”:

• A trained indoor environmental professional will collect samples of air, using a calibrated air pump. The air will be collected onto non-viable mediums, called cassettes.
• The microscopic airborne spores get pulled into these cassettes, which have an adhesively coated glass slide medium. As mold spores enter in, they become impacted into the glass slide medium.
• The cassettes are then delivered and microscopically analyzed by a trained environmental microscopist or mycologist at an accredited laboratory.

By testing for mold spores in the air, individuals and professionals can determine the presence and concentration of mold spores in an indoor environment. This information can then be used to identify the source of mold growth and determine the appropriate course of action to remediate the issue.

For example, if a test indicates a high concentration of mold spores in the air in a particular room, it may indicate an active mold problem in that area. This can help guide professionals in identifying the mold growth source, which may be due to moisture issues, water damage, or other factors. Once the source of the problem is identified, appropriate steps can be taken to remediate the mold growth and prevent further health problems.

Overall, testing for mold spores in the air is important in identifying and remediating mold problems within an indoor environment, particularly for individuals with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems.

What are the safe levels of mold in the air?

Unfortunately, there are no pre-defined “safe levels” for airborne mold in Canada.

Mold is ubiquitous and can be found in almost every environment. Each individual within these environments will have varying immune systems, pre-existing medical conditions, etc. As such, determining what is “safe” or “unsafe” will vary considerably and will determine on a wide array of variables that have not been established by exposure levels or values.

The industry standard is to determine if the environment contains a normal indoor fungal ecology. Typically, baseline or control samples are collected outside of the property, to establish the outdoor spore types and concentrations.

Indoor air samples are then compared to the outdoor baseline samples. Often, spores found indoors are identical to the outdoors, which is normal. However, if the concentration levels are higher indoors then outdoors, this can be indicative of an abnormal indoor fungal ecology and will need to be assessed further to determine causes and solutions. An air quality assessment should always be accompanied by a visual & diagnostic inspection.

If the spore types found indoors are unique to the indoor space (meaning, they were not found outdoors), or if the indoor spore types are toxigenic species, this also indicates an abnormal indoor fungal ecology, and remediation may be required to restore the environment to a normal, indoor fungal ecology.

How to test for mold in the air?

Airborne mold testing is important to determine if a building or indoor environment has elevated levels of mold spores that can harm human health

Common method to test the air for mold:

• The most common method for testing the air for mold is a mold air test kit. These kits contain a special Petri dish and a pump that collects air samples and directs them into the dish for analysis.
• To perform the test, the dish should be placed where mold is suspected, such as in a damp basement or near a leak. The pump should then be operated for a specified time, usually between 5 and 10 minutes, to collect an air sample. After the sample is collected, the dish should be sealed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

It is important to note that air testing for mold is not a comprehensive method for determining the extent of mold growth in a building or indoors. Visible mold should always be removed, and the source of moisture eliminated to prevent future mold growth. In addition, air tests may not accurately reflect mold growth on surfaces and in building materials, which can also have health consequences. For this reason, a combination of air testing, surface testing and a thorough inspection of the building is often recommended to determine the extent of a mold problem.