How to Collect Physical
Mold Growth Samples for Low-Cost Mold Laboratory Identification of Mold
Species
March 28, 2005 — By Phillip Fry
VANCOUVER, CANADA. Many
property owners, apartment landlords, renters, employers, and employees
want to know, and need to know, the precise identities of the various mold
species infesting their moldy house, rental unit, or place of employment,
according to Phillip Fry, Certified Mold Inspector and author of the book
Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, & Remediation.
The accurate identification
of mold species requires two steps: (1) physical collection of mold
samples from the moldy building; and (2) mold laboratory analysis of the
collected mold samples.
The least costly way to
collect mold samples is the do-it-yourself approach carried out by
gathering actual samples of mold growth to submit for mold laboratory
analysis ($20.00 or more fee per sample analyzed).
Bulk Physical Mold
Sampling
If a property owner or
occupant sees mold growing on a wall, ceiling, floor, heating or cooling
duct register, or any other surface, he can scrape mold particles off the
mold growth area into a small ziplock bag. Collecting such a physical
sample is “bulk mold sampling” or “physical mold sampling.”
During such scraping of the
mold growth, the tester needs to wear rubber gloves and a full-face
respirator mask with organic vapor filters (such as the 3M brand from a
large hardware, home improvement, or safety store).
To do the scraping, use a
new or thoroughly disinfected (with ethyl or rubbing alcohol) paint
scraper. Disinfect the scraper after each individual sampling to remove
any possible mold contaminants, and thus avoid mold cross-contamination in
the sampling process from one source or location to another.
Print clearly and neatly on
a large pressure sensitive label the property owner’s name, the property
address, the precise test location at that address, the testing date, and
the type of sampling method (“bulk sample”), along with the tester’s name
and contact information.
The label should also
include each individual test number, as listed on the mold chain of
custody form, available free from the mold laboratory. Attach the label to
the ziplock bag containing that respective, numbered mold sample.
Alternatively, the tester
can scrape the mold particles directly into a mold test kit (Petri dish)
to start the growing (“culturing”) of the mold sample. This “viable
testing” growth process takes 5 to 7 days for accuracy in mold species
identification.
The tester can then either
watch the test kits for mold growth, or send the mold test kit to the mold
lab immediately, or after the self-observation growth period.
Another bulk physical
sampling technique is to cut out a small section (no larger than 2 inches
by 2 inches) of a building material or home furnishing that contains
significant mold growth. Then, put that cut piece into a small ziplock
bag, or press firmly the moldy side down into a mold test kit. Follow the
same labeling instructions explained above.
Examples of moldy materials
from which bulk samples can be cut for mold lab analysis are wood timbers,
drywall, plasterboard, wallpaper, ceiling tile, carpeting, padding,
heating/cooling system filters, clothing, furniture upholstery, and any
other favorite mold food.
Scotch® Brand Tape Lift
Sampling
The easy steps involved in
tape lift sampling to collect physical bulk mold samples are---
1. Cut a three-inch (3”)
long strip of one-inch (1”) wide, transparent sticky tape, such as Scotch®
Brand Tape.
2. While wearing rubber
gloves and a breathing respirator mask (with organic vapor filters) from
the local hardware or home improvement store, press the tape strip firmly
(sticky side down) onto the visible mold growth or onto the surface being
tested.
3. Remove (peel back) the
tape from the surface.
4. Open up a small ziplock
bag (a transparent, easily sealable plastic storage bag), and press
lightly the lift tape sample sticky side onto the inside sidewall of the
ziplock bag.
5. Close [zip shut] the
ziplock bag completely. Tape it shut if necessary to make sure no airborne
mold spores can escape.
6. Attach to the outside of
the ziplock bag a large adhesive label with the same types of sample
identification information specified above, except that the type of
sampling method is “lift tape sampling.”
For more information about
bulk physical mold sampling, lift tape mold sampling, mold laboratory
analysis, and mold species identification, please visit---
http://www.moldlab.biz
http://www.moldinspector.com
http://www.moldmart.net
Contact: Phillip Fry, author
Phone: 11-63-921-352-1287
Email:
moldinspector@yahoo.com |
