Forensic Microscopy, Particle Identification & IAQ Investigation Field Equipment Specifications & SOPs
InspectAPedia^® -

Mold particle count procedures
Mold concentration count procedures
Forensic microscopy lab SOPs

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.

This document summarizes currently popular indoor air quality equipment and sampling devices and reviews methodology for their use, laboratory procedures, and proper calculating procedures to produce particle concentrations and exposure assessments for investigating the indoor environment. Our page top photo shows the Allergenco Mark II time lapse impaction air sampler in use near an indoor air cleaning machine.

© 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.

IAQ Laboratory SOP(Standard Operating Procedure) Indoor Air Monitoring and Testing Equipment - Particle Sampler Trace calculations recap

Related IAQInvestigation Lab & Field SOP's

Trace Calcs recap.doc - this document InspectAPedia.com/sickhouse/IAQEquip.htm - © 2010 Daniel Friedman - All Rights Reserved
For most-recent microscope optical measurements: field width data and calibration see: Olympus-CH-2.xls & Polam Optics.xls

Calibration is repeated no less than when an objective is removed/replaced or other microscope optical or stage components are removed/replaced, or if a new technician is employed.

For most-recent calculations of % of trace represented by n cross-scans see: Particle Counts.xls
For automated calculations of particles or spores per cubic meter of air (spores/M³) from raw airborne particle counts see: @SporeCountWork.xls
For spore count worksheets see: sheet 2 of @SporeCountWork.xls

Sampling Device	Trace length	Nom. Trace™ Width	Flow Rate in LPM	Pump timer	Calibrated
Sampling Cassettes™ used with IAQ Sampling Pumps™™™ (Microscope slides, adhesive tape, and other collection media are also used)
Air-O-Cell™ disposable cassette (Zefon)	14.4mm	1.1mm	15 recommended rate	2-10 min. typical	See indiv. Pump device d50=2.6u
Allergenco D™ disposable cassette (EMS)	14.0mm nominal	1.1 mm nominal	15 lpm recommended, (operates at 5-20 lpm)	1-10 min. typical	d50=1.7u
Cyclex-D™ disposable cassette	Round media		20 lpm	2-10 min typical	d50=0.8u
Micro 5™ disposable cassette	Round media		5 lpm	5 min. typical	1" tube if using Gilair-5 pump d50=0.8u
25mm MCE filter cassette	25mm MCE filter	Filter area	Various		0.45u (F25045)
37mm MCE filter cassette	37mm MCE Filter	Filter area	various		0.8u (F37080)
Bi-Air™ disposable cassette	Dual trace 25mm MCE filter	Trace area	3.5 lpm, ™™	10 min grab, 2-4-hr. TWA sample
Adhesive tape-clear ™"	Surface particle sampling mold or settled dust/debris Scotch™ Gloss Finish Multi Task Tape 34-8507-5365-7
Sterile swab	Culture collection
IAQ Air Sampling Pumps and Particle Collection Equipment
Allergenco Mk3™ time lapse slit-impaction sampler	14.5mm, up to 12 traces/slide	1.1mm	15 nom. lpm	1min to 24-hrs™ multi-trace	5/17/01 15.1 factory MK2 d50=0.67
Burkard PAS#1	14.0mm	2.0mm	10 lpm	0-9 min	Factory d50=2.52u
Burkard PAS#2	14.0mm	2.0mm	10 lpm	0-9min	Factory
Intermatic (used with EMS Megalite below)	NA	NA	NA	1 second to 24 hours	Factory
EMS Megalite Pump w/IAQ Options Ser #7038, Mod. 6025SE-V	NA	NA	3-30 lpm	Separate duplex timed receptacle	Factory, pump-mounted rotameter, Lab bubble tube 10/10/05 0 lab
Gil-Air-5-RC pump	NA	NA	1-5 adjustable	1 min to 8-hrs	1/15/04 Lab, Zefon bubble tube (ZBT) + (OD) in field at each use
RadioShack Pump	NA	NA	10 lpm	Manual on-off	Lab 10/10/2003™ -9/5/2005 (ZBT) in lab & (ZR) in field at each use
Notes: particle collection efficiency d50 for other common devices: (J. Tucker) AGI-30 liquid impinger ™ 0.31; SAS Slit-to-Agar™0.67; Cyclex impactor 1.80; RCS radial impactor 4.00, Andersen N6 hole impactor 6.61, Rotorod 10.0.
Gas Detection Equipment
Sensidyne Gastec pump (gas detection)	NA	NA	50 or 100 cc/ ™ /full stroke	Manual stroke, manual count indicator	Leak test 11/16/04 8/5/2005
Draeger accuro pump (gas detection) ARUK-FO13 #1-0893171516K09 exp F013 Serial 6400000	NA	NA	100 cc/stroke	Manual, stroke completion indicator, automatic stroke counter	Leak test 11/16/2004 9/5/2005
RTCA Pump#1 Rotary vane vacuum	NA	NA	14.28	11.27 min	Lab 6/11/04™ total 160.94L
RTCA Pump#2	NA	NA	Tbd	Tbd	Tbd
Other Equipment & Specifications
Tramex	electronic moisture encounter
Delmhorst	twin-point electronic resistance moisture meter
Exergen ™	Infrared scanner ™ surface temperature
OD = flow indicator on device (subject to lab calibration) ZR = Zefon rotameter, for field use, verified using ZBT in lab ZBT = Zefon bubble tube (precise), multiple timed events to measure actual LPM Factory = original calibration provided by factory or independent consultant to factory.

This document supports our General Lab Procedures and Particle Trace Count Procedures.
SeeInspectAPedia.com/sickhouse/TraceCalcs.htm

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...

Recommend / Share this Article

...

Technical Reviewers & References

InspectAPedia.com^® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY

ACCEPTABLE MOLD LEVEL
ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD
ACTIVITY of MOLD in buildings
AIRBORNE MOLD SPORE COUNT ACCURACY
AIRBORNE PARTICLE ANALYSIS METHODS
  Particles per Cubic Meter
  Equipment Calibration
  Microscope calibration
  Quantitative Particle Counts
  Lab Chemicals for Particle Samples
  Qualitative Vacuum Sample Analysis
  Qualitative Surface Analysis
  Sample Microscope Calculations
  Example Count w/ Allergenco Sampler
  Alternative count procedure
  Counting Airborne Mold Concentrations
  Airborne Mold or Level Reporting
  Equipment Trace Dimensions
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings
ATTIC MOLD

BASEMENT MOLD
BASEMENT MOLD WATER IMPACT
BATHROOM MOLD
BIBLIOGAPHY for ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, MOLD, IAQ
BIOGAS PRODUCTION & USE
BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS
BLACK MOLD, HARMLESS COSMETIC
BLACK MOLD, TOXIC & ALLERGENIC
BLEACHING MOLD, Advice about
BOOK MOLD, Moldy Book Cleaning
BOOKSTORE - ENVIRONMENTAL
BROWN HAIRY BATHROOM MOLD

CACTUS FUNGI / MOLD
CAR MOLD CONTAMINATION
CARPET DUST IDENTIFICATION
CARPET MOLD CONTAMINATION
CARPET PADDING ASBESTOS, MOLD, ODORS
CARPET STAIN DIAGNOSIS
CARPET & other STAIN TESTS
CARPET TEST PROCEDURE
CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY
CARPETING, SELECTION & INSTALLATION
CAT DANDER in buildings
CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS - MOLD CLEANUP

EFFLORESCENCE, Salts & White / Brown Deposits

FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD
FIBERGLASS PARTICLE CONTAMINATION TEST
FIELD INVESTIGATION SERVICE
FIND MOLD, ESSENTIAL STEPS
FIND MOLD in BUILDINGS, HOW TO
FIRE DAMAGE vs MOLD DAMAGE
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-mold
FUNGICIDAL SPRAY & SEALANT USE GUIDE

GAS EXPOSURE EFFECTS, TOXIC
GAS DETECTION & MEASUREMENT

HOUSE DUST ANALYSIS
HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
HIDDEN MOLD, HOW TO FIND
HUMIDITY CONTROL & TARGETS INDOORS

INDOOR AIR HAZARDS TABLE
INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INDOOR AIR QUALITY METHODS COMPARED
INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
INSULATION MOLD
ITCHY FABRICS

LAB & FIELD IAQ EQUIPMENT SOP
LAB PROCEDURES MICROSCOPE TECHNIQUES
LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION

MICROSCOPE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
MICROSCOPE SLIDE PREPARATION
  Slide Preparation Procedure
  Slide Stain & Media Recipes
  Permanent Slide Mounts
  Gelvatol
  Meltmount
  Mowiol
  The Stains File
MICROSCOPE SLIDE PREP - PERMANENT MOUNTS
  Required materials
  To use meltmount slides
MICROSCOPE TECHNIQUES for the LAB

MEDIA BLASTING for MOLD REMOVAL
METHANE GAS SOURCES
MICROSCOPE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
MILDEW in BUILDINGS ?
MILDEW ERRORS - MOLD PHOTOS
MILDEW REMOVAL & PREVENTION
MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS

MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE to TEST CLEAN PREVENT
MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD
MOLD ACTIVITY in buildings
MOLD AGE - Old is the Mold?

MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD
MOLD on or in CARPETS
MOLD ON DIRT FLOORS
MOLD CLASSES, HAZARD LEVELS
MOLD CLEANERS - WHAT TO USE
MOLD CLEANUP COMPANIES
MOLD CLEANUP, DO IT YOURSELF
MOLD CLEANUP GUIDE- HOW TO GET RID OF MOLD
MOLD CLEANUP with BLEACH
MOLD CLEANUP - WOOD FLOORING
MOLD CLEANUP - WOOD FRAMING & PLYWOOD
MOLD CLEANUP HEALTH RISKS
MOLD CLEANUP MISTAKES to AVOID
MOLD CLEANUP - SAFETY WARNINGS
MOLD CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS
MOLD CULTURES
MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION GUIDE
MOLD DOCTORS - ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE

MOLD or INDOOR AIR EMERGENCY RESPONSE
MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE
MOLD EXPOSURE, FOOD HAZARDS
MOLD EXPOSURE RISK LEVELS
MOLD EXPOSURE STANDARDS
MOLD on or in CARPETS
MOLD ON DIRT FLOORS
MOLD FREQUENCY in buildings
MOLD GROWTH ON SURFACES, PHOTOS
MOLD GROWTH on SURFACES, TABLE OF
MOLD INSPECTORS & MOLD TESTERS
MOLD INSPECTION HOME BUYERS GUIDE
MOLD INSPECTION SERVICE
MOLD INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE TIPS
MOLD INVESTIGATION REPORTS

MOLD KILLING GUIDE
MOLD LAB REPORTS
MOLD LEVEL REPORTS
MOLD LEVELS IN buildings
MOLD by MICROSCOPE

MOLD ODORS, MUSTY SMELLS
MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE
MOLD RELATED ILLNESS
MOLD SAFETY WARNINGS
MOLD SPRAYS, SEALANTS, PAINTS

MOLD TEST KITS for DIY MOLD TESTS
MOLD TEST METHODS, ACCURACY
MOLD TEST PROCEDURES
MOLD TEST REASONS
MOLD TEST SAMPLE POINT CHOICES
MOLD TESTING & SAMPLING MISTAKES
MOLD TESTING SERVICES

ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE
OZONE for MOLD OR ODORS

PAINTS & COATINGS ODORS IN BUILDINGS
PAINT ANALYSIS, DIAGNOSTIC USES
PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR
PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION
PAINT FAILURE CHECKLIST
  PAINT FAILURE - EXTERIOR CLUES
  PAINT FAILURE - INTERIOR CLUES
  PAINT FAILURE - SITE HISTORY of
  PAINT FAILURE INDICATORS
PAINTING MISTAKES
  PAINTING MISTAKE - BAD SURFACE PREP
  PAINTING SHORTCUT ERRORS
  PAINTING OVER MOISTURE
  INCOMPATIBLE PAINTS
  PAINTING in SUN or WIND
  PAINT on STUCCO, FAILURES
PAINT FAILURE DICTIONARY
PAINT FAILURE ANALYSIS LAB PHOTOS
Paint Failure Case Photographs-SITE
Paint Failure Case Photographs-LAB
PAINT LAB SAMPLE PREPARATION
PAINT SURFACE PREPARATION
PAINTS & COATINGS ODORS IN BUILDINGS
PARTICLE SIZES & IAQ
Particulates & Allergens Indoors
Pesticide Exposure Hazards
PET ALLERGEN REMEDIES
PLASTIC CONTAINERS, TANKS, TYPES
PLASTIC HEATER VENT
PLASTIC ODORS-SCREENS, SIDING
PLUMBING SYSTEM ODORS
POLLEN Photographs

RENTERS & TENANTS GUIDE TO MOLD

SICK HOUSE IAQ QUESTIONNAIRE
SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO
SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP
SEWAGE BACKUP PREVENTION
SLIDE PREPARATION, MICROSCOPE
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS
STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE
STAINS & Thermal Tracking

TECHNICAL & LAB PROCEDURES
THERMAL TRACKING Indicates Heat Loss
TRAPPED MOLD BETWEEN WOOD SURFACES

VENTILATION in buildings

More Information

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.
Environmental Health & Investigation Bibliography - our technical library on indoor air quality inspection, testing, laboratory procedures, forensic microscopy, etc.
Adkins and Adkins Dictionary of Roman Religion discusses Robigus, the Roman god of crop protection and the legendary progenitor of wheat rust fungus.
Kansas State University, department of plant pathology, extension plant pathology web page on wheat rust fungus: see http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/path-ext/factSheets/Wheat/Wheat%20Leaf%20Rust.asp
"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
US EPA - Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building [Copy on file at /sickhouse/EPA_Mold_Remediation_in_Schools.pdf ] - US EPA
US EPA - Una Breva Guia a Moho - Hongo [Copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Moho_Guia_sp.pdf - en Espanol

Allergies, Allergens, Allergy Testing in buildings - References & Products

Air Conditioning System Blower Fans & Filters Cascading for Optimum Indoor Air Quality
Allergen Tests in buildings advice about how to test, what to look for, in evaluating the level of dog, cat, or other animal allergens in a building
"IgG Food Allergy Testing by ELISA/EIA, What do they really tell us?" Sheryl B. Miller, MT (ASCP), PhD, Clinical Laboratory Director, Bastyr University Natural Health Clinic - ELISA testing accuracy: Here is an example of Miller's critique of ELISA http://www.betterhealthusa.com/public/282.cfm - Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients
The critique included in that article raises compelling questions about IgG testing assays, which prompts our interest in actually screening for the presence of high levels of particles that could carry allergens - dog dander or cat dander in the case at hand.
http://www.tldp.com/issue/174/IgG%20Food%20Allergy.html contains similar criticism in another venue but interestingly by the same author, Sheryl Miller. Sheryl Miller, MT (ASCP), PhD, is an Immunologist and Associate Professor of Basic and Medical Sciences at Bastyr University in Bothell, Washington. She is also the Laboratory Director of the Bastyr Natural Health Clinic Laboratory.
Allergens: Testing for the level of exposure to animal allergens is discussed at http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/animalallergy/diagnosis.shtml (lab animal exposure study is interesting because it involves a higher exposure level in some cases
Allergens: WebMD discusses allergy tests for humans at webmd.com/allergies/allergy-tests
Animal Allergens: Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Cleanup & Prevention Information for Asthmatics and regarding Indoor Air Quality.
Atlas of Mold Related Illness Symptoms & Complaints - long list of both documented, studied mold related illness, and complaints ascribed to mold contamination or allergens in buildings
Cat Dander: how to inspect and test a building for past or current presence of cats, cat hair, cat dander, and cat allergens
Clinical Atlas of Mold Toxicity - An Online Description of Toxic, Pathogenic, Allergenic Fungi, Fungal Diseases
Fiberglass Insulation Contains Mold© 2005 comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation
Humidity: What indoor humidity should we maintain in order to avoid a mold problem?
Mold Action Guide detailed guide on finding, removing, and preventing indoor mold contamination
Odors, Odor Detection, Smells, & Gases how to find and identify sources of noxious or toxic odors and gases
Other environmental risks, Our much longer list: Asbestos, carbon monoxide, electromagnetic fields, etc.
Ozone: The Use of Ozone Indoors for Control of Odors and Mold Removal in buildings: A Summary of Hazards and False Claims.
Pollen Allergens: identification, plant pollen and indoor air quality
Products to Reduce Mold & Allergy Problems to reduce indoor mold or allergen levels: air cleaners, air purifiers, dust mite covers, vacuum cleaners, crawl space vents
Recognizing Allergens: 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
Rodent control issues, including dander, fecal, and urine contamination of buildings and Building insulation are discussed at our
Sewage and Septic backup contamination in buildings: inspection, testing, remediation, & references to expert sources
Action Guide: What to do about mold, mildew, and other indoor allergens
...

Mold Contamination Testing, Cleanup, Prevention: references & products

The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
Aerobiology, Building Science, Microscopy, & Laboratory References, an extensive technical bibliography
Allergens: what they look like in buildings
Associations: Sick House, Sick Building, SBS - Air Quality, Government, Private Associations and Information Resources
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 (you can buy this book at Amazon) - The Atlas of Clinical Fungi is also available on CD ROM
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)
Black Mold that is Harmless Photos of recognizable, usually harmless black mold on wood, bluestain, ceratocystis, ophistoma
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.
Fiberglass: Mold in Fiberglass Insulation© 2005 comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation - DJF
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) (buy at Amazon)
Looking for Mold Procedure: what mold is often found where in buildings - simple technical presentation
Meruliporia: the house eating fungus or "poria"
Mold Action Guide: Step-by-Step Instructions, What to do about mold, mildew, and other indoor allergens
MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE Photos of what mold looks like in buildings
MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD Photos of NOT-mold material that is sometimes mistaken for mold
MOLD ATLAS & PARTICLES INDEX, Pathogens, Allergens and Other Indoor Particles - Medical Health Effects of Mold (separate online document)
MOLD BY MICROSCOPE Mold under the microscope - photo identification of the most common indoor molds found in buildings
Mold FAQs Answers to Most Questions about Indoor Mold, Mold Related Illness, Mold Cleanup, Mold Prevention
US EPA: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building [Copy on file at /sickhouse/EPA_Mold_Remediation_in_Schools.pdf ] - US EPA
Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens
Mold Test Kits - How to Collect and Send Your Own Mold Sample to our mold testing lab or to any mold lab you wish
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 (buy this book at Amazon)
Ozone Warnings - Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
Rot concerns in buildings-some building mold such as Meruliporia incrassata "Poria" risks serious rot and hidden structural damage
US EPA: Una Breva Guia a Moho - Hongo [Copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Moho_Guia_sp.pdf - en Espanol

OTHER IAQ ISSUES: How To Find and Address Other Indoor Air or Indoor Environment Contaminants Besides Mold

Mold or allergens may not be the only or even the main indoor environmental contaminant. Don't let media attention to mold cause so much enviro-scare fear that other, possibly more urgent hazards go un-addressed.

Fiberglass building insulation and HVAC duct work insulation hazards
Sewage and Septic backup contamination in buildings: inspection, testing, remediation, & references to expert sources
Other environmental risks: Asbestos, carbon monoxide, electromagnetic fields, environmental illness, fiberglass, MCS - multiple chemical sensitivity, toxic gases, etc
Indoor Gas Sampling Plan for Residential buildings lists a number of toxic indoor gases which we test for, depending on the building complaint and building conditions
Ozone Warnings - Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
Pet control - if you can't say goodbye to your bird, cat, dog, guinea pig, hamster, tropical fish, then limit the areas they occupy and limit the airflow from that area to sleeping or other areas of the building, use allergenic bedding, eliminate wall-to-wall carpeting, improve housecleaning including use of a HEPA-rated vacuum cleaner. For more details see our article Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Information for Asthmatics and Indoor Air Quality
Rodents, Mice, Squirrel Control - I find high levels of mouse and rodent dander, fecal dust, and urine-contaminated dust in some buildings, and high levels of these materials in building insulation in those locations. If you have a mouse problem, particularly if mice and their waste (fecals or urine) are contaminating the building HVAC or building insulation, may need both steps to clean up or remove infected materials and steps to stop an ongoing rodent problem. If squirrels are a problem, the cleanup needs to include closing off entry openings into the building. Get some help from a licensed pest control expert.

Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

IAQ Laboratory SOP(Standard Operating Procedure) Indoor Air Monitoring and Testing Equipment - Particle Sampler Trace calculations recap

Related IAQInvestigation Lab & Field SOP's

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

Technical Reviewers & References

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

Allergies, Allergens, Allergy Testing in buildings - References & Products

Mold Contamination Testing, Cleanup, Prevention: references & products

OTHER IAQ ISSUES: How To Find and Address Other Indoor Air or Indoor Environment Contaminants Besides Mold