Mold testing has 2 components:

• Assessment of the extent of mold growth in the building
• Laboratory testing of the samples collected during the building assessment

Assessment of the extent of mold growth

This component of mold testing is very important because the results of this assessment are used to determine the level of remediation required. Mold assessment in a building should be performed by a qualified professional.

Laboratory Testing Of Samples

Laboratory testing of samples for mold is necessary especially in situations where mold is suspected to be the cause of illness to the building occupants. The samples tested for mold include the following:

• Bulk and Surface Samples: These include samples such as pieces of carpet, carpet dust, drywall, wallpaper, swabs, tape lift samples or any other material suspected of mold contamination.
• Air Samples. Air samples may be collected on culture media or on inert non-culture media depending on the objectives of the mold investigation.