How to Do Low-Cost Mold Sample Collection and Mold Laboratory Identification of Mold Species

Although any mold in elevated levels indoors canother surface;
cause severe health problems for mold-sensitive(2) Want to know whether a particular stain,
occupants, several toxic molds such as Stachybotrys,discoloration, or mystery substance on the wall or
Aspergillus, and Penicillium pose far greater health risksanother surface is actually mold growth; and/or
than others, according to Phillip Fry, Certified Mold(3) Smell mold (the digestive gas emitted by mold
Inspector and author of the book Mold Health Guide.eating the home or building) and want to test a number
Thus, many homeowners, rental property owners,of surfaces upon which elevated levels of airborne
tenants, employers, and employees in Canada, themold spores may have landed or been deposited, such
USA, and worldwide want to know, and need to know,as on walls, window sills, window and door trim,
the precise identities of the various mold speciesrefrigerator top, kitchen cabinet tops, undusted furniture,
infesting their moldy home, apartment, or workplace.heating/cooling duct registers, and the return air filter in
The accurate identification of mold species requiresthe heating/cooling system.
two steps: (1) physical collection of mold samples fromThe easy steps involved in tape lift sampling are---
the moldy building; and (2) mold laboratory analysis of1. Cut a three-inch (3”) long strip of one-inch (1”)
the collected mold samples.wide, transparent sticky tape.
For the first step, a property owner, manager, tenant,2. While wearing rubber gloves and a breathing
or employee usually hires a certified mold inspector, anrespirator mask (with organic vapor filters) from the
industrial hygienist, or an environmental hygienist forlocal hardware or home improvement store, press the
mold inspection and collection of mold testing samples,tape strip firmly (sticky side down) onto the visible mold
at a typical cost of US $500 to $2,000 for a 2,000growth or onto the surface being tested.
square foot (186 square meters) home.3. Remove (peel back) the tape from the surface.
This inspection and testing fee usually includes mold4. Open up a small ziplock bag (a transparent, easily
laboratory analysis and mold species identification for asealable plastic storage bag), and press lightly the lift
small number (3 to 10) of collected mold samples.tape sample sticky side onto the inside sidewall of the
Alternatively, if the available funds for mold testing andziplock bag.
mold lab analysis are low, it is possible to achieve the5. Close [zip shut] the ziplock bag completely. Tape it
same accurate mold testing results for just $60 toshut if necessary to make sure no airborne mold
$200 by using---spores can escape.
(1) inexpensive, transparent, sticky, adhesive tape6. Attach to the outside of the ziplock bag a large
(“lift tape sampling”), such as Scotch® brandadhesive label with the tester’s name, date of
tape, to collect the mold samples; andsampling, property address, the precise testing location
(2) a low-cost Asian mold analysis laboratory (e.g., $20at that address (e.g., “air conditioning duct register in
per sample for mold species identification andliving room”), testing method (“lift tape sampling”),
quantification, compared to the usual $50 to $150 perand the name, postal address, email address, phone
sample in North America or Europe).number, and fax number (if any} of the person
Lift tape sampling and testing is an easy,submitting the sample to the mold laboratory.
practically-free (except for the cost of the tape), and7. Mail or express the collected lift tape samples
an effective way to collect mold test samples when(including payment of the lab’s analysis fee} to
you---the mold analysis laboratory for mold species
(1) Can see mold growing on a wall, ceiling, floor,identification and quantification.
carpeting, furniture, heating/cooling duct register, or