Mold testing will determine what types of molds exist in a dwelling and the amount of those particulates that are in the air at the time of testing. Testing will show the presence of allergenic and toxic molds and the elevations, if any, in which they exist. Testing should be considered for the following reasons:

To assess the air quality of a dwelling

To determine if remediation is needed and to what extent

To ascertain if a remediation project was effective in returning the dwelling to a normal fungal ecology.

3D Environmental Industries, Inc. certified inspectors can perform a wide range of test types to assess your situation. Mold testing falls into one of two groups: Non-Viable or Viable.

Non-viable testing counts all spores collected by the test media. There is no distinction made between viable and non-viable spores. The collection media does not need a food source and is generally less costly than viable testing. Mold spores have the same allergenic or toxic properties whether they are viable or non-viable. Therefore, for overall air quality assessment and practicality, non-viable testing is generally more valuable for the consumer. Because of this 3D Environmental Industries, Inc. will typically perform non-viable testing to obtain total spore counts and expedite results; however, we do have the ability to perform both types of tests.

A viable test counts only living (viable) mold spores that are actively reproducing. It will not count the dead (non-viable) spores in the air. Viable testing must use a culturable media (Petri dish with agar), or food source, for which the spore can grow on then be analyzed for identification at the lab. This test type takes time for the culture to incubate and generally costs considerably more than non-viable testing. In addition, if all the spores collected in the media are non-viable they will not grow and therefore cannot be analyzed on this type of test media.

3D Environmental Industries, Inc. can take either surface or air samples. Air samples reveal mold types at the genus level and the counts of those types present in the air. Surface samples are used for identification of visual growths and should be used in conjunction with air samples. Surface samples will not yield counts. Some mold spores, such as Stachybotrys sp. (a toxic mold), will not readily appear in air tests because of their size and moisture content. Therefore surface sampling becomes valuable for proper identification of these types of molds.

Samples are analyzed by our third party laboratory and then returned to 3D Environmental Industries, Inc. Results may be available in 24 hours. Results are delivered to you accompanied by a report with recommendations and a summary of your conditions. In addition, one of our team professional from 3D Environmental Industries, Inc. will review your results with you.

 
 

 

 

 

Copyright ©2008 3D Environmental Industries, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.