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 Guide to Using Mold Culture Plates or Settlement Plates to Collect Mold Samples
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Are mold culture tests accurate for screening buildings for mold contamination? This article explains the use and accuracy of mold culture plates, settlement plates, and mold test kits based on cultures to collect mold test samples to screen buildings for harmful indoor mold.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
A Guide to Using Mold Cultures or Settlement Plates to "Test for Mold"
15th Annual North Carolina/South Carolina
Environmental Information Association Technical Conference
Myrtle Beach, SC
Daniel Friedman 23 September 2005, Updated 4/14/2009, 2/1/2010, 2/22/2012
This study presents a summary and critique of some popular methods used to examine indoor air quality to test for presence or absence of problematic levels of toxic or allergenic mold or other bioaerosols. We describe and critique specific "testing" or "sampling" methods used to
"test" buildings for mold in the course of a building investigation. The appropriateness of testing at all is discussed on this and other pages at
our website. Also see MOLD in the PETRI DISH, PHOTOS
In this article series discuss the validity of nearly all of the popular mold testing methods currently in use, pointing out the strengths and weakness of each approach to mold sampling in the indoor environment, beginning with air sampling for airborne mold levels indoors.
The use, accuracy, and reliability of mold culture test kits for screening buildings for mold contamination are discussed at MOLD CULTURE TEST KIT VALIDITY and MOLD CULTURE SAMPLING METHOD Also see Mold Culture Plate Test Errors.
Using Mold Cultures for Home Test Kits for Mold
 Mold cultures involve the collection of particles by air sampling pump, by
gravity settlement, or by lift from a surface using a swab or tape. Some
sampling equipment (Anderson™ spore traps) can collect spores directly into a
petri dish of culture medium, and are used for "viable spore sampling in air."
The sample by pump, gravity, tape or swab is in any case applied to one or more
petrI dishes of culture media for incubation and subsequent examination of the
growth product.
Mold Culturing is useful for genera speciation once you have
collected a single or dominant sample whose importance (frequency in the
building) you already know.
As a "home test kit" for the presence of
problematic mold in a building this is an unreliable method, as we describe
below at "shortcomings."
Mold Cultures are useful for:
- Identifying the genera/species of a mold which was not readily named by (faster, cheaper)
light microscopy
- Identifying a problem genera to the species level for medical diagnostic purposes - we .e.
pass this (possibly accurate) data along to your doctor if you're sick
- Distinguishing apparently similar outdoor mold counts from indoor mold counts of
"look-alike" spores that may really be
different genera/species
Seven Serious Shortcomings of Using Cultures to Test Buildings for the Presence of Toxic Mold
While this is an important tool which has a place in our arsenal, mold
culturing is questionable as a means to characterize a mold risk in a building,
particularly if it reports the absence of a mold problem. The objections listed
below mean that field investigators must collect samples with some care and
interpret lab reports with some caution.
- Roughly 90% of all molds on earth will not
grow on any culture under any condition. Others are quite difficult to coax
into growing on culture, even with careful methods. So if you buy a "home test
kit" that uses a single culture plate, you're 90% wrong when you open the
container. To be fair, it might be that many common indoor problem-molds will
show up in certain cultures, but these numbers still hold.
- The toxicity or allergenicity of a specific
mold (genera/species/strain) may vary widely depending on what it's growing on. So even a "toxic" building mold might be low or non-toxic when growing on
certain substances. Molds that grow on cultures may produce very different
structures and have different medical characteristics than when growing in
nature or in a building.
- Cultures may name the wrong mold as "the
problem": Cultures have a high risk of both missing the problematic spore
and of indicating that some other spore is the dominant or problem in a
building. For example, to speciate one of the more than 100 members of the Aspergillus genera requires culturing the sample on four different media, simultaneously,
comparing subtle things like growth rate among morphologically similar species. We believe that virtually no lab uses that troublesome procedure outside of
university research and medical laboratories.
 Settlement plate cultures (such as "home
test kits") rely on gravity, making any comparison of
"spore counts" dead wrong - different spores
are of different sizes and masses, and settle out of the air at different
rates.
This over-states the presence of big heavy spores (like Stachybotrys chartarum) and under-states
the presence of small light spores (like Aspergillus
versicolor) in a given sample.
These small spores (2-3u) tend to stay
airborne due to very slight indoor convection currents (e.g. heat from lighting
and natural building stack effects).
Our lab photo shows two different mold colonies growing on a culture plate where individual spores settled out of the air onto this surface.
 Swab and tape samples for cultures may
collect the wrong mold. Swab or tape samples used for culture for
identification of what's on a surface have the same viable-non-viable question we have already raised. Everything depends on where you collected the swab or tape
sample.
Moving a tape or swab over as little as one inch on a surface, and
certainly moving it a few feet, can collect a completely different mold genera
and species!
An "expert" should know what's probably representative of the building
and should know where the important genera/species are likely to be growing.
Many investigators are quick to sample the highly-visible "black" mold on a
surface and under-sample very important but hard to see light colored molds
often found higher on a wall, for example, where the surface was less wet.
- Cultures are probably not really being done
with full accuracy in some labs, especially for Aspergillus: Culturing on
one or even two media risks that the important genera/species in the sample
does not grow at all on the medium, that it grows in a different form and is
identified differently than it appears in the building, or that it is overgrown
by another genera/species present which likes the culture more than the target
species.
We have demonstrated this culture-media variation in a study we am
pursuing about mold in tea. In a problem-tea sample cultured on the most
commonly used culture media, MEA, the culture produced an overwhelming growth
of Cladosporium sp., while a parallel culture (from the identical
sample) made on DG-18 produced a single Cladosporium colony and grew an
overwhelming collection of Aspergillus niger!
 Non-viable spores, that don't grow on
culture may still be toxic or allergenic particles which are a problem for
some people exposed to them.
The Penicillium sp. at left was growing nicely in this culture sample, but we have no idea what other molds may have been present but that simply would not grow on this culture media even if they settled on or were placed onto the culture plate.
While we enjoy growing mold cultures in our lab (it makes for nice,
photogenic mold colonies), it is less often useful than direct microscopic
examination of a field-collected surface or vacuum sample. Without the added
step of mold culturing, from a good surface sample using adhesive tape, a
trained microscopist can identify mold genera and mold species as well in many
cases.
In many instances, knowing the mold genera is enough to decide on a
course of cleanup action without further expense. For example, if we agree that
there are no harmless Aspergillus species or Penicillium species that
grow indoors, then for purposes of deciding on the need for remediation, only
the size of the reservoir is important. P.
notatum, used for making the drug Penicillin, has not to our knowledge been found growing on
building materials.
For more discussion about mold cultures from settlement plates or swabs
see "The Validity of
Cultures at InspectAPedia.com/sickhouse/cultures.htm
Mold Photos in Petri Dishes - Not so Useful for Environmental Sampling and Mold Identification - What Level of Magnification is Needed to Identify Mold?
Why Can't I Find More Photos of Mold in Petri Dishes?
 Question:
I was disappointed as there were no photos at all of petri dish examples of mold, and this is the way most of us out here will be testing for mold. So, how do I explore what mold I have in my petri dish test? I have quarter sized discs of black/dark green mold growing. I did the airborne mold test.
My dog is always coughing and we are in pretty good health but feel a slight "tug" in my breathing, a slight heaviness in my lungs but not bad. I rent my apartment and my landlord has not been responsive to my concerns.
What can I do financially and health wise to explore my situation? Thanks for any tips!!!
- Tony K |
Reply: Microscopic Examination of Mold is Necessary for Reliable Identification
By Eye Examination of Culture Plates or Petri Dishes to Identify Mold?
The short answer is that you cannot reliably identify what mold is found in a petri dish simply by looking at some photos or color charts. Some mold genera or species might be ruled "out" or "possible" but expert examination of the sample using high-powered microscopy (or another definitive method) is needed. About what you can do about mold, take a look at MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE - for help in deciding if your situation honestly merits hiring an expert. Then see MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD.
We do have some photos of mold in petri dishes posted just above and online, at other of our online articles about the role and limitations of using mold cultures as "home test kits" at Cultures to "Test for Mold". (You'll see there that what grows in culture is not necessarily the dominant or most significant mold that is present in a building.)
Traditionally, petri dish or culture plate photos were included in early mold taxonomy texts, where color and texture of mold growth at that scale assisted in identification of cultures of a known genera down to species level.
These were photos of mold cultured in laboratories where it is sometimes possible to separate a genera of mold (Aspergillus sp.) into species or groups of species (Aspergillus niger) based on color and other macro-characteristics. |
In the closeup of a mold culture petri dish growth shown in our photo at above-right, high-powered microscopic examination was necessary to identify Penicillium sp as one of the several mold genera growing among these green, gray,and dark gray colored mold colonies.
Sometimes we can make a pretty good guess about mold identification by the naked eye, if we see a particular color and texture of mold on a particular surface. For example this photo of mold on an orange is showing what is most likely a species of Penicillium. But in general that's not reliable.
Stereoscopic Microscope Photos of Mold to Identify It?
An "in-between" level of magnification, between using the naked eye to look at mold culture growing in a petri dish and using a high powered microscope is the use of a stereo microscope to magnify mold growth on surfaces such as on culture media in a petri dish.
For example, our stereoscopic microscope photo of Fuligo septica (left) is characteristic of that particular fungus.
Stereoscopic mold photos are often beautiful (like this stereoscopic photo of Stemonitis mold growth structures taken in our lab) and may be helpful in identifying a mold genera. Here, for contrast, is a high power microscope photo of Stemonitis mold spores.
But stereoscopic magnification is inadequate for reliable mold identification.
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High Powered Microscopic Identification of Mold Spores
For environmental samples in which we need to identify mold genera/species or other particles, it's a different story.
As we operate a forensic lab that processes lots of materials including mold, collected by various means, we see that while petri dish photos are pretty, they are not diagnostic, nor can they be used alone for mold identification at that scale.
We need to examine mold structures and spores at 300x to 1200x to actually identify genera/species reliably. See MOLD BY MICROSCOPE for examples.
The Fuligo septic mold spores in our photo provide very different information than what we can get by eye looking at a mold culture plate or petri dish.
Also see more photos at MOLD ATLAS & PARTICLES INDEX and our Alphabetic Index to Mold Genera or Species
At MOLD "TESTING" vs. MOLD "PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION" we discuss the question of what sorts of mold testing are most useful and which are actually diagnostic, giving information about the presence of a mold problem with enough information that you know what to do about it.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. (727) 595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
- Thanks to Tony K for discussing mold in petri dishes and indoor sampling or mold testing using cultures - July 2010.
6 atlases or indices of building mold
- MOLD ATLAS & PARTICLES INDEX - A-to-Z Mold Atlas of Indoor Clinical Mold, Pathogens, Allergens & Other Indoor Particles
- MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE - What Does Black or Dark Indoor Mold Look Like? Black Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library. What toxic black mold or other indoor mold looks like in buildings.
- MOLD GROWTH ON SURFACES, PHOTOS - What Does Mold Look Like on Various Materials & Surfaces? An extensive photographic guide to mold as it is found growing on various building materials & surfaces.
Also see MOLD GROWTH on SURFACES, TABLE OF - a Table of Kinds of Mold Growth Found on Building Surfaces, lists mold genera/species most often found on specific building surfaces, materials, or contents
- MOLD in the PETRI DISH, PHOTOS. - Photographs of Mold Growing on Petri Dishes or Mold Culture Plates or Settlement Plates
- MOLD BY MICROSCOPE - Mold spores under the Microscope - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of toxic or other mold
- MOLD RELATED ILLNESS SYMPTOMS - Mold Related Illness: Index of Symptoms. Readers should not rely on this document for medical diagnosis and instead should consult with their physician or with a specialist such as a medical toxicologist
- 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
- "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
- 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-
- US EPA: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building [Copy on file at /sickhouse/EPA_Mold_Remediation_in_Schools.pdf ] - US EPA
- Mycology, Fundamentals of Diagnostic, Fran Fisher, Norma B. Cook, W.B. Saunders Co. 1998, ISBN 0-7216-5006-6 (buy this book at Amazon)
- ...
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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