| How to Collect Physical Mold Growth Samples for | | | | label to the ziplock bag containing that respective, |
| Low-Cost Mold Laboratory Identification of Mold | | | | numbered mold sample. |
| Species | | | | Alternatively, the tester can scrape the mold particles |
| VANCOUVER, CANADA. Many property owners, | | | | directly into a mold test kit (Petri dish) to start the |
| apartment landlords, renters, employers, and | | | | growing (culturing) of the mold sample. This |
| employees want to know, and need to know, the | | | | viable testing growth process takes 5 to 7 days |
| precise identities of the various mold species infesting | | | | for accuracy in mold species identification. |
| their moldy house, rental unit, or place of employment, | | | | The tester can then either watch the test kits for mold |
| according to Phillip Fry, Certified Mold Inspector and | | | | growth, or send the mold test kit to the mold lab |
| author of the book Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold | | | | immediately, or after the self-observation growth |
| Prevention, Inspection, Testing, & Remediation. | | | | period. |
| The accurate identification of mold species requires | | | | Another bulk physical sampling technique is to cut out a |
| two steps: (1) physical collection of mold samples from | | | | small section (no larger than 2 inches by 2 inches) of a |
| the moldy building; and (2) mold laboratory analysis of | | | | building material or home furnishing that contains |
| the collected mold samples. | | | | significant mold growth. Then, put that cut piece into a |
| The least costly way to collect mold samples is the | | | | small ziplock bag, or press firmly the moldy side down |
| do-it-yourself approach carried out by gathering actual | | | | into a mold test kit. Follow the same labeling instructions |
| samples of mold growth to submit for mold laboratory | | | | explained above. |
| analysis ($20.00 or more fee per sample analyzed). | | | | Examples of moldy materials from which bulk samples |
| Bulk Physical Mold Sampling | | | | can be cut for mold lab analysis are wood timbers, |
| If a property owner or occupant sees mold growing | | | | drywall, plasterboard, wallpaper, ceiling tile, carpeting, |
| on a wall, ceiling, floor, heating or cooling duct register, | | | | padding, heating/cooling system filters, clothing, furniture |
| or any other surface, he can scrape mold particles off | | | | upholstery, and any other favorite mold food. |
| the mold growth area into a small ziplock bag. | | | | Scotch® Brand Tape Lift Sampling |
| Collecting such a physical sample is bulk mold | | | | The easy steps involved in tape lift sampling to collect |
| sampling or physical mold sampling. | | | | physical bulk mold samples are--- |
| During such scraping of the mold growth, the tester | | | | 1. Cut a three-inch (3) long strip of one-inch (1) |
| needs to wear rubber gloves and a full-face respirator | | | | wide, transparent sticky tape, such as Scotch® |
| mask with organic vapor filters (such as the 3M brand | | | | Brand Tape. |
| from a large hardware, home improvement, or safety | | | | 2. While wearing rubber gloves and a breathing |
| store). | | | | respirator mask (with organic vapor filters) from the |
| To do the scraping, use a new or thoroughly | | | | local hardware or home improvement store, press the |
| disinfected (with ethyl or rubbing alcohol) paint scraper. | | | | tape strip firmly (sticky side down) onto the visible mold |
| Disinfect the scraper after each individual sampling to | | | | growth or onto the surface being tested. |
| remove any possible mold contaminants, and thus | | | | 3. Remove (peel back) the tape from the surface. |
| avoid mold cross-contamination in the sampling | | | | 4. Open up a small ziplock bag (a transparent, easily |
| process from one source or location to another. | | | | sealable plastic storage bag), and press lightly the lift |
| Print clearly and neatly on a large pressure sensitive | | | | tape sample sticky side onto the inside sidewall of the |
| label the property owner’s name, the property | | | | ziplock bag. |
| address, the precise test location at that address, the | | | | 5. Close [zip shut] the ziplock bag completely. Tape it |
| testing date, and the type of sampling method (bulk | | | | shut if necessary to make sure no airborne mold |
| sample), along with the tester’s name and | | | | spores can escape. |
| contact information. | | | | 6. Attach to the outside of the ziplock bag a large |
| The label should also include each individual test | | | | adhesive label with the same types of sample |
| number, as listed on the mold chain of custody form, | | | | identification information specified above, except that |
| available free from the mold laboratory. Attach the | | | | the type of sampling method is lift tape sampling. |