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This article describes forensic microscopy and aerobiology test laboratory methods & services used to accept and test both mold-expert-collected mold samples and client-submitted test samples for toxic mold, allergens, gases, odors, sewage backups, other indoor particles or other indoor contaminants that may be present in buildings.

This website provides free, in-depth information and procedures for finding, testing, cleaning and preventing indoor mold, toxic black mold, green mold, testing building indoor air quality, and other sick house / sick building investigations. We give in-depth information about mold and other indoor air quality problems: causes of respiratory illness, asthma, or other symptoms such as neurological or psychological problems, air quality investigation methods, and remediation procedures such as mold cleanup, handling toxic mold contamination, and building or mechanical system repairs.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

MOLD TEST LABORATORY SERVICES - Laboratory Analysis Services

On-site field investigation services are described at FIELD INVESTIGATION SERVICE. Before hiring any onsite test or investigation expert for a field investigation, inspection, or testing, be sure to review MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE.

If you want to collect and send your own mold or other particle test samples to a lab, see MOLD TEST KITS for DIY MOLD TESTS. Readers interested in laboratory procedures should also see TECHNICAL & LAB PROCEDURES as well as DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY & the MICROSCOPE.

Mold test laboratory service includes analysis of expert-prepared field samples as well as processing of consumer-prepared adhesive-tape mail-in samples of mold or other particles.

For example, our mold testing lab provides identification services for bioaerosols such as mold, mildew, dust mites, pollen, and other allergens. We have considerable experience examining samples collected on tape, Zefon™ cassettes, MCE filter cassettes, slides, impaction air samplers, carpet, furniture, and other soft-goods vacuum samples, and in bulk material. Mold culture and bacterial surface contamination evaluation is available, and we also offer testing for carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and other gases.

Mold test laboratory education and experience include advanced indoor air quality, culture plate identification of fungal genera/species, house dust analysis, mold fungal spore quantitative analysis (spore counts in air), and qualitative analysis (particle types and what they mean), organic, and inorganic particle and fiber identification, mold culture methods and culture speciation. We have experience and special interest in identification of particles in building dust, paint failure field and lab analysis, paint sample analysis, and general forensic microscopy.

Mold test equipment education and experience include biological microscopy, forensic microscopy, particle identification using microscopic particle manipulation, microchemistry, transmitted light microscopy, polarized light microscopy, dispersion staining, determination of refractive index, interference patterns, phase-contrast, darkfield, focal screening, and other advanced techniques.

In the lab we make use of a variety of microscopes: low-power stereoscopic examination (photo at left) of samples for characterization and high-power microscopic examination (Page top photo, up to 1920x) for broad scope particle identification (not just mold) using transmitted and polarized light as well as darkfield and phase contrast microscopy.

Forensic particle identification can extend well beyond biological matter (mold spores, cat or dog dander, insect fragments, dust mites, mite fecals) to include both organic and inorganic particles and fibers.

Particle identification is supplemented by use of Cargille™ refractive index liquid particle differentiation for identification of biological particles such as mold spores, pollen grains, animal allergens, dog, cat, mouse dander, mite fecals, cockroach and other insect particles, and non-biological particles in house dust and debris such as road dust, tire particles, diesel soot, oil burner soot, copier toner, wood and paper fragments, skin cells, possible bacteria.

These methods help assure that the lab report accurately represents the character of the samples which were submitted.

Mobile Microscopy Lab: For immediate on-site particle determination where emergency response or remediation/salvage operation evaluation is necessary we offer mobile field microscopy lab service including field preparation of test samples and light microscopic examination for particle identification.

Field samples are used to prepare slides for examination by light microscope. Our own field work collects mold or biological particle samples using a variety of methods. From the public our lab also accepts mold surface samples using clear tape. Chemical treatment and mounting media are selected based on the sample type, often including potassium hydroxide, acid or basic fuchsin, Calberla's solution, lacto phenol cotton blue, or other preparations. When lab work is in support of legal proceedings or if otherwise appropriate we prepare permanent-mount slides using glycerine jelly or other media. Slides are examined at magnifications of 10x, 100x, 400x, and 1000x using tungsten and polarized light, darkfield, etc. as appropriate.

Identification of toxic, allergenic, or cosmetic mold genera/species in the Mold Test Lab

Genera/species identifications are made based on experience, education, reference texts, comparison with known samples, and when appropriate, consultation with fellow mycologists and other experts.

There are more than 70,000 mold species which have been identified and an estimated 1 million remaining to be identified, so it is common to encounter unidentified spores. (Our lab photo, left, shows an Pleospora sp., an Ascomycete, being released from its perithecium.)

However fortunately, in most areas there common protagonists which have been studied and which can be identified to genera and often to species.

Because mold toxicity varies widely within a particular genera, speciation is an important step, omitted by some high-volume labs and investigators who may fail to distinguish between harmless amerospores such as basidiomycetes and potentially harmful Penicillium/Aspergillus spores in samples.

A detailed written mold test laboratory report of laboratory finding, medical information, and recommendations is provided. The lab report describes:

• "Significant/dominant particles" in each sample examined: likely to be most important in the Building
• "Other spores/particles present" in each sample at notable but not dominant frequency, possibly important
• "Incidental spores or particles detected", which in special cases may still be diagnostic even though the absolute spore count is so low that many labs and consultants ignore this data. An example is the Aspergillus niger spore-chains in our lab photo (left). The presence of these spores in chains suggests nearby active indoor growth of this toxic mold, even though the actual spore count would be reported as just 31 spores!
• Our lab reports use clear, specific definitions of "mold levels" and we explain what certain particle findings suggest about the area or surface from which the sample was collected.
  
  Study of sample contents with special understanding of mycology and building science is important: Similarly, the appearance of certain fungal structures, such as Penicillium/Aspergillus spore chains in an indoor sample may be an important indicator of a local problematic mold reservoir, even though a quantitative analysis alone would produce an apparently low spore count and would fail to detect this problem indicator.
  
• Quantitative analysis such as fungal spore or particle counts per cubic meter of air sampled are also available when such measures are appropriate.
• Significant microscopic observations are documented in our reports using microphotography. These are our tips for taking digital photographs through the microscope - photomicrographs, or microphotographs if you prefer.
• Photographic documentation of site conditions and laboratory observations are included with our site and lab reports.
• Lab reports also include a summary of contemporary medical information about particles identified.

Independent inspectors as well as many Building owners or occupants may also use our mold testing laboratory service.

If you do not want to bring a professional investigator to your property, here are instructions explaining how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab for identification, analysis, and advice.

If you wish to send samples collected by other means than described in our guidelines, such as bulk mold samples or mold culture plates, please call first for special instructions and fees.

If you have questions about our instructions for mailing a mold sample to the lab or if you need to request special field or lab services.

This Low-Cost Do-it-Yourself Inexpensive Mold Test Kit Can Provide Most Accurate Results

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to a lab

Review MOLD CULTURES to learn why a particle sample from settled dust might be more reliable than mold culture kits.

At MOLD TEST PROCEDURES we review all of the popular mold test methods, explaining the pros and cons of each method.

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Questions & answers about mold test lab services: what does a forensic particle lab do with dust or mold or paint chip test samples

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ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY

Diagnostic Building Failure & Environmental Inspection & Testing Services

Diagnostic & Forensic Building Inspections, Tests, Fees
Environmental Inspections, Tests, Fees
FORENSIC BUILDING INVESTIGATION SERVICES
FORENSIC PARTICLE LABORATORY SERVICES
MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE
MOLD TEST KITS for DIY MOLD TESTS
PAINT FAILURE Inspections, Tests, Fees

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More Information

• Allergen Detection What various indoor allergens look like - identification photos to help identify pollen, dust mites, animal dander, toxic or allergenic mold - Common Mold and other Allergens, Irritants, Remedies & Advice
• Animal Allergens: Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Cleanup & Prevention Information for Asthmatics and regarding Indoor Air Quality.
• Associations: A Directory of IAQ, Sick Building, Mold Allergen Testing, Building Investigation Service Providers
• Associations: Sick House, Sick Building, SBS - Air Quality, Government, Private Associations and Information Resources
• BASKETBALL MOLD SYNDROME - BBMS- sudden attention to old clues in buildings makes them seem brand new to some observers
• Bibliography of Mold Identification, Aerobiology, Forensic Microscopy - References we use in our Laboratory
• Directory of Building Air Quality and Mold Investigators: field and lab work, sick Building syndrome, air quality measurements, cleanup
• Indoor Air Pollution : Introduction for Health Professionals- IAQ Indoor Air Quality Concerns - US CPSC Book
• Indoor Air / Toxic Mold Field Investigation & Lab Reports - what to look for in a toxic mold field investigation report and mold test laboratory report ©
• Indoor Air / Toxic Mold Test Lab Reports - what to look for in a toxic mold test laboratory report ©
• How to Report Mold Levels in Mold Test Samples of Surfaces in buildings - suggested non-quantitative definitions
• Sick House Investigation Questionnaire used to collect occupant and Building information that may aid the investigator ©
• FAQs on Mold - Frequently Asked Questions About Mold -- check this FAQ List & Site Map to see if you can find a quick answer to your mold concern
• FAQs on Accuracy - Website/Author credibility
• Mold Test Kits - How to Collect and Send Your Own Mold Sample to our mold testing lab
• House Dust from an HVAC system frightened building occupants unnecessarily
• Lighting, using to find mold - proper use of a flashlight can help spot mold on paneling and other building surfaces
• Mold Detection - What Does Mold Look Like? Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens
• Mold Detection - Lighting Proper use of lighting discloses hard to see but toxic light or white mold colonies on building surfaces - read this if you're doing your own tape sampling for mold.
• Mold Detection - How to Find and Test for Mold in buildings - Looking for Mold - A "how to" photo and text primer on finding and testing for mold in buildings
• Mold Detection - Stuff that is Not Mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Not all "black mold" is toxic or harmful.
• Mold Detection - in Fiberglass Insulation Moldy fiberglass building insulation © 2005 comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation - DJF
• Mold Detection - Investigation Tips Mold Investigation Guide for Home Inspectors how to find mold, where to look, what is likely to be important. Advice to Building inspectors intending to inspect or test for toxic or problematic mold indoors, mold inspection methods, and mold test methods which are valid or invalid
• Meruliporia incrassata the house eating fungus or "poria" may be mistaken for wood rot.
• Prevention of Mold Mold-Resistant Building Practices some suggestions from an expert
• Products - Mold & Allergy Products: Allergy/Asthma, Air Quality, Cleaning, Filtering, Ventilating, Dehumidification
• Standards for Mold Cleaning, Remediation, & Clearance Testing Standards list of documents

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
• Aerobiology, Building Science, Microscopy, & Laboratory References, an extensive technical bibliography
• Atlas of Clinical Fungi, 2nd Ed., GS deHoog, J Guarro, J Gene, & MJ Figueras, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, 2000, ISBN 90-70351-43-9
• Atlas of Mold Related Illness: Index of Symptoms and health, physical, neurological, psychological, and other complaint which people suspect may be mold or building-related.
• Atlas of Indoor Mold, Online Clinical Mold Atlas, Toxins, Pathogens, Allergens and Other Indoor Particles - Medical Health Effects of Mold (separate online document)
• Building Floods: quick steps after a building flood or plumbing leak can prevent costly mold contamination
• Classes of Mold: what types of cosmetic, allergenic, or toxic mold are a problem? Can mold be cleaned-up successfully?
• Clinical Mold References - Detailed bibliography of mold reference texts
• "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency US EPA - includes basic advice for building owners, occupants, and mold cleanup operations. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.htm
• "Disease Prevention Program for Certain Vegetable Crops," David B. Langston, Jr., Extension Plant Pathologist - Vegetables, University of Georgia (PDF document) original source: www.reeis.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/209797.html
• "Disease Prevention in Home Vegetable Gardens," Patricia Donald, Department of Plant Microbiology and Pathology, Lewis Jett
  Department of Horticulture, University of Missouri Extension - extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6202
• "Management of Powdery Mildew, Leveillula taurica, in Greenhouse Peppers," Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, British Columbia - Original source: www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/peppermildew.htm
• Environmental Health & Investigation Bibliography - our own technical library on indoor air quality inspection, testing, laboratory procedures, forensic microscopy, etc.
• Fifth Kingdom, Bryce Kendrick, ISBN13: 9781585100224, is available from the InspectAPedia online bookstore - we recommend the CD-ROM version of this book. This 3rd/edition is a compact but comprehensive encyclopedia of all things mycological. Every aspect of the fungi, from aflatoxin to zppspores, with an accessible blend of verve and wit. The 24 chapters are filled with up-to-date information of classification, yeast, lichens, spore dispersal, allergies, ecology, genetics, plant pathology, predatory fungi, biological control, mutualistic symbioses with animals and plants, fungi as food, food spoilage and mycotoxins.
• Fungi, Identifying Filamentous, A Clinical Laboratory Handbook, Guy St-Germain, Richard Summerbell, Star Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0-89863-177-7 (English)
• Mold Action Guide: Step-by-Step Instructions, What to do about mold, mildew, and other indoor allergens
• US EPA: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building US EPA
• US EPA: Una Breva Guia a Moho - Hongo - en Espanol
• Most Common Indoor Molds Found in buildings, A Table of
• Mycology, Fundamentals of Diagnostic, Fran Fisher, Norma B. Cook, W.B. Saunders Co. 1998, ISBN 0-7216-5006-6
• ...