Air Monitoring

A certified inspector, trained in appropriate sampling methodology, performs air monitoring. Air samples are collected via an Anderson style bioaerosol sampler. This type of sampler imparts viable spores on potato dextrose agar petri dishes placed in the apparatus at a rate of 28.3 cubic liters of air per minutes. After a three minute sampling period, the impacted fungi petri dishes are incubated in a special incubator that is high in humidity and void of all ambient light. The impacted fungi petri dishes are incubated at a temperature suitable for fungal growth. The most accurate mold identification is only possible after seven days of live culturing for the mold cultures to reach their maximum identification growth. After seven days of incubation, the fungi samples are removed and identified down to genus and to species where possible through visual identification under the microscope. Results are provided in colony forming units per cubic meter of air.

     Air monitoring should be performed if there is evidence from a visual inspection that the ventilation systems may be contaminated. The purpose of such air monitoring is to assess the extent of contamination throughout the building. Sampling should be conducted while ventilation systems are operating.

     Air monitoring should be performed if the presence of mold is suspected in a particular are of the structure (e.g. a microbial volatile is detected) but cannot be identified through a visual inspection or bulk sampling. The purpose of such air monitoring is to determine the location and or extent of mold contamination. Air monitoring should also be performed if the building inhabitants are suffering from health problems, which are or may be associated with fungal exposure. If air monitoring is performed, for comparative purposes and at a location representative of outdoor air. The outdoor control test is very helpful in evaluating whether there is an internally generated mold problem. Such a problem may exist if indoor mold tests report mold levels are either (a) higher than the outdoor air test. (b) present indoors but absent from the outdoor control air test.

     For all sampling methodologies, to prevent cross-contamination, a new pair of rubber gloves are donned before collecting each sample. The samples are sealed, labeled and delivered to the laboratory within twenty-four hours.