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Mold Information Center - What to Do About Black Mold and other Indoor Air Quality IAQ Contaminants
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This website answers most questions on what to do about mold, providing expert, un-biased information for owners, occupants, inspectors.

This website provides information and procedures for finding, testing, cleaning and preventing indoor mold, toxic black mold, green mold, testing building indoor air quality, and other sick house / sick building investigations. Here are research articles, inspection and testing procedures, and contact information for expert services.

We give in-depth information about indoor air quality problems: causes of respiratory illness, asthma, or other symptoms such as neurological or psychological problems, air quality investigation methods, and remediation procedures such as mold cleanup, handling toxic mold contamination, and building or mechanical system repairs. We offer advice on mold prevention and mold-resistant construction resistant to indoor problem molds such as the Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp. and Stachybotrys chartarum groups. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

Here are the BASICS YOU NEED to FIND, TEST, REMOVE & PREVENT MOLD - what to do about mold in buildings

• Mold Action Guide: follow this easy step by step outline of what to do


• Mold Detection - Articles on Mold Identification Photos and Tips - How to Find and Recognize Mold in a Building - articles describing how to find problem mold
• Mold Age Determination - how old is the mold in a building?
• Mold Test Kits - How to Collect and Send Your Own Mold Sample to our mold testing lab
• Mold Cleanup - How to Clean Up Mold or Remove Mold in Buildings
• Mold Prevention - How to Prevent Mold Growth in Buildings
• FAQs Frequently Asked Questions About Mold - this detailed list answers most questions about mold
• Mold Action Guide after Flooding: How to Minimize Mold Damage After a Building Flood
• Mold Odors, Musty Smells in Buildings: what causes moldy smells in buildings?
• Odors, Odor Detection, Smells, & Gases how to find and identify sources of noxious or toxic odors and gases
• Renters and Tenants how can a tenant deal with a moldy rental apartment or rental home
• Our Field Inspection & Testing Services
• Our In-House Mold Testing Lab Service
• Contact Us to arrange mold/IAQ Building on site mold or other IAQ inspection and testing.

If you suspect or know that there is a mold problem in a building you need to know the extent of cleanup needed, whether mold is cosmetic (inexpensive to clean), allergenic, or toxic (requiring special care). You need to know whether or not to hire a professional to inspect, test, find the mold, and write a cleanup plan, whether or not to hire a mold cleaning company, how to clean up mold, how to test to be sure the cleanup was successful, and how to prevent mold in the future. In addition, test results may be of assistance to physicians if mold related illness or other illnesses are involved. The "MOLD ACTION GUIDE" contains sufficient information to address these questions. This website offers more in-depth articles on these and related environmental and indoor air quality topics.

HIRE AN EXPERT - Do you need to hire a mold expert, bring in a mold remediator, hire a handyman, or clean up for yourself?

• When to hire a professional to inspect, test, write a cleanup plan
• Find a mold inspector A Directory of well qualified Mold/IAQ Service Providers
• Associations Sick House, Sick Building, SBS - Air Quality, Government, Private Associations and Information Resources
• Mold Clearance Inspections When & How to Perform a Mold Remediation Clearance Inspection
• Mold Reports Reporting the Results of Mold and IAQ Investigations & Clearance Inspections: what should be included
• Our Field Investigation Service our senior expert goes where no one else wanted to look, uses non-invasive tools and sophisticated testing equipment for mold, gases, moisture, air quality, contaminants, Building problem diagnosis. New York State License # 16000005303
  Contact Us to arrange mold/IAQ Building on site inspection and testing.
  
  

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

MOLD RELATED ILLNESS - Asthma, Allergies, Lung, Neurological, Other Complaints?

• Allergen Tests in Buildings advice about how to test, what to look for, in evaluating the level of dog, cat, or other animal allergens in a building
• Animal Allergens: Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Cleanup & Prevention Information for Asthmatics and regarding Indoor Air Quality.
• Atlas of Mold Related Illness Symptoms & Complaints - incredibly long list
• Cat Dander: how to inspect and test a building for past or current presence of cats, cat hair, cat dander, and cat allergens
• Clinical Atlas of Mold Toxicity - An Online Description of Toxic, Pathogenic, Allergenic Fungi, Fungal Diseases
• Fiberglass Insulation Contains Mold© 2005 comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation - DJF
• Odors, Odor Detection, Smells, & Gases how to find and identify sources of noxious or toxic odors and gases
• Other environmental risks, Our much longer list: Asbestos, carbon monoxide, electromagnetic fields, etc.
• Pollen Allergens: identification,
• Products to Reduce Mold & Allergy Problems to reduce indoor mold or allergen levels: air cleaners, air purifiers, dust mite covers, vacuum cleaners, crawl space vents
• Recognizing Allergens: What various indoor allergens look like - identification photos to help identify pollen, dust mites, animal dander, toxic or allergenic mold - Common Mold and other Allergens, Irritants, Remedies & Advice
• Rodent control issues, including dander, fecal, and urine contamination of Buildings and Building insulation are discussed at our Mold Action Plan page.
• Sewage and Septic backup contamination in Buildings: inspection, testing, remediation, & references to expert sources

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

PREVENT MOLD - How to Prevent Mold Growth and Avoid Mold Problems in Buildings

• Building Floods: quick steps after a building flood or plumbing leak can prevent costly mold contamination
• Mold Action Guide after Flooding: How to Minimize Mold Damage After a Building Flood
• How to Prevent Mold: how to avoid mold growth in buildings: priorities, repairs, products
• Humidity Control to Avoid Mold: How Low Should You Keep Indoor Humidity to Avoid a Mold Problem
• Mold-Resistant Building Practices some detailed suggestions from an expert on preventing mold growth indoors
• Ozone Warnings - Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
• Meruliporia incrassata - "Poria" the house eating fungus Meruliporia incrassata or perhaps a different mold, Serpula lacrymans - which one is the "house eating fungus" - what it house rotting mold like in a building and under the microscope

MOLD DETECTION - Mold Identification Photos and Tips

These articles explain how to find and recognize mold in a building. The articles include mold recognition photos, methods of visual inspection for mold, and explanation of how to cut your mold investigation cost and trouble by learning to recognize stuff that is not mold at all. We also explain that not all black mold is harmful. Some is cosmetic only. Visual inspection can answer some of these questions without mold testing.

• How to Find and Test for Mold in Buildings - Looking for Mold - A "how to" photo and text primer on finding and testing for mold in Buildings
• Choosing a Sampling Point to conduct a mold test
• SAMPLING DRYWALL for mold
• Sampling Mistakes when conducting a mold test
• Attic Mold how to recognize mold in an attic, when is it a problem?
• Basement mold how to recognize mold in a basement, is it a problem?
• Crawlspace mold how to recognize mold in a crawl space, where will it be, is it a problem?
• Mold on Dirt Floors in basements and crawl spaces
• Moldy Carpets where to look for mold on and under carpeting
• Hidden Mold a list and photos of other places to look for hidden or hard to spot mold contamination in buildings
• Hidden Mold: photo guide shows how to find hidden toxic or even simply cosmetic mold in buildings
• Do-It-Yourself-Warnings for people inspecting and testing for toxic mold
• What Does Mold Look Like? Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens
• Stuff That is Not Mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Not all "black mold" is toxic or harmful.
• Lighting: Proper use oflighting discloses hard to see but toxic light or white mold colonies on building surfaces - read this if you're doing your own tape sampling for mold.
• Lighting, using to find mold - proper use of a flashlight can help spot mold on paneling and other building surfaces
• Hidden Mold how to find hidden and hard to see mold in buildings and on building contents
• Mold Investigation Tips for Home Inspectors how to find mold, where to look, what is likely to be important. Advice to Building inspectors intending to inspect or test for toxic or problematic mold indoors, mold inspection methods, and mold test methods which are valid or invalid
• Most Common Indoor Molds Found in Buildings, A Table of
• Meruliporia incrassata the house eating fungus or "poria" may be mistaken for wood rot.

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

MOLD TEST PROCEDURES - Valid and in-valid mold testing methods & protocols. Are some mold test kits junk science?

• How to Send A Mold Sample to Our Lab: 6 Easy Steps for a Mold Test: How to Collect Mold Samples Using Adhesive Tape and Plastic Bags - a low-cost high-quality and very easy method to send a mold sample to a mold laboratory for analysis Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to a lab
  
  
  
  


• Validity of Common Indoor Mold Sampling Techniques
• Examining the Validity of Current Indoor Mold Sampling Techniques, Daniel Friedman, (Illustrated Power Point Presentation) 15th Annual North Carolina/South Carolina Environmental Association Technical Conference
• Tape: Mold Testing by Tape of a Moldy Surface "bulk" or "tape" samples and their interpretation - a brief tutorial
• Tape: How to Report Mold Levels in Tape Samples of Surfaces in Buildings
• Air: Mold Testing by Air Samples & their interpretation - a brief tutorial on indoor air sampling for mold - are spore counts per cubic meter of air accurate and valid? Using air sampling to determine if a mold problem is "present" or "absent" and the role of cultures for "viable spore sampling" are criticized. Air sampling used alone is an unreliable way to look for mold and is highly questionable as a means of characterizing a precise mold exposure level indoors.
• Carpet Mold Inspection how to look for mold in carpets
• Carpet Mold Test Guide suggestions for alternative methods to test carpeting for mold
• Culture: Mold Testing by Cultures & "Home Test Kits for Mold" - Validity of Settlement Plates or Swabs to test for toxic mold in Buildings - a brief tutorial
• Mold Sampling Methods in the Indoor Environment a critique of popular mold testing methods - Is your "expert" using valid methods? Is your mold test kit worth the bother? (Technical Paper.)
• Toxic Mold Testing Methods Compared, also Toxic Gas Testing Methods and MVOC's - valid vs. invalid methods, recommendations compares air sampling for mold, surface or tape sampling for mold, culture or swab sampling for mold, and gas MVOC sampling methods for mold or other toxics, and organizes links to papers on each of these topics.
• A Comparison of Some Indoor Air Sampling Devices - simultaneous application of popular sampling cassettes and slide samplers allows comparison of typical particle collection variation by device in actual field use. A field study in process by DJF, 2008 - 2005 (Technical Paper)
• Burkard personal air sampler used by many residential investigators (we use multiple units simultaneously in some investigations). We also employ other residential building sampling equipment for surface, air, vacuum, and bulk sample collection methods as well as for gases.
• Alternative, low-cost air sampling equipment and methods such as the mini-vacuum pump and Zefon Air-o-Cell or Allergenco-d cassettes or MCE filter cassettes for viable, non-viable or other forensic particle identification in Buildings. A field study in process by DJF, 2005 - 2006 (Technical Paper)
• Allergenco Mk-III time-lapse impaction air sampling equipment - study changes in particle dispersion under varying conditions (furnace on/off) A field study in process by DJF, 2004 - 2006 (Technical Paper)

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

MOLD TEST KITS - Home Test Kits for Black or "Toxic" Mold using Clear Scotch Tape: Bulk & Surface Sampling Protocols for Mold Testing

Useful, inexpensive tools which are reliable for characterization of Building conditions include the adhesive tape method described below. Questions about the validity of alternative "home test kits" based on mold cultures are discussed below. Questions about and limitations of air tests and virtually every other mold testing method are discussed at our in-depth "Mold Sampling Methods" article.

• How to Send A Mold Sample to Our Lab: 6 Easy Steps for a Mold Test: How to Collect Mold Samples Using Adhesive Tape and Plastic Bags - a low-cost high-quality and very easy method to send a mold sample to a mold laboratory for analysis
• Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to a lab
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Mold Testing: Bulk or Tape Surface Samples and their interpretation - a quick tutorial A brief introduction to using adhesive tape to collect particle samples such as from mold-covered surfaces; scrapes onto microscope slide and other methods also used by do-it-yourselfers and by experts
• Vacuum Samples of Building Cavities: Wall Check� type vacuum pump and canister permits "sampling" of mold and allergens in wall, ceiling, and floor cavities but our direct field testing indicates that this method is highly unreliable. Working with Louis Relle, a Louisiana mold remediation expert on a New Orleans Building which was to be demolished we collected wall-check samples from every suspect Building cavity. When the Building interior surfaces were demolished we then performed a visual inspection and collected bulk surface samples using tape. The wall check samples were completely unable to detect large and significant mold contamination in the cavities of this Building. We postulate that even with mechanical agitation (banging on the wall during wall check sampling) the flow rate of the sampling method does not move enough air to reliably pick up surface contamination unless the mold genera/species happens to be at a particularly high state of active sporulation. The tool remains in the professional's arsenal, to be used with discretion.
• Vacuum samples of Soft Goods of carpeting, drapes, furniture, clothing permits testing for mold contamination. We use this method for screening of areas where mold is not visible, and in clearance testing.

MOLD CULTURES - Validity and Usefulness of Mold Cultures & Culture-Based Home Test Kits for mold

• For a quick to understand overview of the validity and usefulness or perhaps not-usefulness of culture tests for mold, see Validity of Cultures (settlement plates or swabs) to find toxic mold in Buildings which is an overview and critique of using mold cultures, settlement plates, petri dishes, and cultured swab samples, and air sample testing limitations for determining what's in a Building, and which tests are useful in different situations.
• For more thorough detail see Shortcomings of cultured mold samples which lists a number of detailed concerns about viable spore traps and culture media for Building problem detection

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

MOLD CLASSES, LEVELS - Mold Hazard levels, Mold Spore Count Validity, Intrepreting Mold Counts, and Classes of Mold

• Airborne Mold Spore Counts: Airborne Mold Spore Counts - are indoor fungal spore counts valid?
• Mold Exposure Standards: Exposure Standards for Mold, Levels of Severity of Indoor Mold Contamination - Various Published Standards of Permissible Mold Exposure Limits: at what level is toxic or allergenic mold a problem? - What does your "spores per cubic meter of air" or "spore count" really mean - if anything?
• Mold Risk Levels: How to Determine Mold Contamination Probability or Mold Exposure Risk Levels in Buildings Based on Visual Inspection
• Mold Count Validity: Mold Spore Counts - are indoor fungal spore counts valid?
• Mold Hazard Levels: Mold Classes, Levels of what types of cosmetic, allergenic, or toxic mold are a problem? Can mold be cleaned-up successfully?
• Mold Reporting: How to Report Mold Levels in Mold Test Samples of Surfaces in Buildings
• Mold Spores Per Cubic Meter: airborne density counts of mold spores per cubic meter of air - how to interpret low mold spore trap count results

MOLD REPORTS - Mold and IAQ Investigation Reports

• Indoor Air / Toxic Mold Field Investigation & Lab Reports - what to look for in a toxic mold field investigation report and mold test laboratory report ©
• Indoor Air / Toxic Mold Test Lab Reports - what to look for in a toxic mold test laboratory report ©
• How to Report Mold Levels in Mold Test Samples of Surfaces in Buildings - suggested non-quantitative definitions
• Sick House Investigation Questionnaire used to collect occupant and Building information that may aid the investigator ©

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

TECHNICAL PROCEDURES - Technical & Laboratory Procedures

Good Laboratory and Microscope Procedures are critical in making sense of field samples. Competent, trained, experienced aerobiologists, mycologists, and microbiologists can identify sample contents with good accuracy. Depending on the experience of the laboratory, it is also possible to interpret the meaning of the sample for the Building and its occupants. Laboratory professionals who have also performed the field inspection can make useful extrapolations from lab results. Hasty work by disinterested parties may be less useful for Building occupants and owners.

• Air Sampler Specifications Required for Airborne Particle Calculations
• Airborne Particle Concentration Calculations - Spores per Cubic Meter for airborne mold or other particles - Lab SOP and Examples
• Bibliography of Mold Identification, Aerobiology, Forensic Microscopy - References used in our Laboratory for Aerobiology, Mycology, Indoor Air Quality Investigations, Particle ID, Forensic Microscopy, etc.
• Digital photography for microscopists - getting the image from the microscope slide to the computer to the database or printer
• Light-microscope examination methods, education, references, suppliers
• Museums & Restorations: Cultural Heritage and Aerobiology Mandrioli, Caneva, and Sabbioni (English version), museum artifact preservation from mold, acid gases etc. - book review in Pan American Aerobiology Association Newsletter
• Slide preparation methods, formulas, suppliers
• Slide Preparation - Permanent Slides, A Method For Preparing Cargille meltmountTM Permanent Microscope Slides for Rapid Field or Laboratory Use
• Tape Sample Analysis for Mold - How to Report Mold Levels in Mold Test Samples of Surfaces in Buildings

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

OTHER IAQ CONCERNS - Other Indoor Air Quality Concerns

• Animal Allergens: Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Cleanup & Prevention Information for Asthmatics and regarding Indoor Air Quality.
• Asbestos: visual identification of asbestos-suspect materials in Buildings - a photo guide
• Carpet Dust or Dust from HVAC? An Investigation of Indoor Dust Debris Blamed on a Heating/Cooling System Reveals Carpet Dust
• Cat Dander: how to inspect and test a building for past or current presence of cats, cat hair, cat dander, and cat allergens
• Environmental Hazard Main Web Page: Environmental Hazard Detection, Testing, Repair, Illness, Symptoms, & Prevention in Buildings - research and "how to" articles
• Enviro-Scare: Electric Power Lines, Electromagnetic Fields, Cancer Risk, & "Enviro-Scare" - The Normal Curve Cycle of Public Fear of Environmental Issues
• Fiberglass hazards in Buildings: fiberglass HVAC duct work and fiberglass Building insulation, topic outline and references to expert sources regarding this carcinogen
• Toxic gases, indoor exposure levels, testing, identification
• Toxic Gas Testing: A Sampling Plan for Residential Buildings lists some of the toxic indoor gases for which we test, depending on the Building complaint and Building conditions
• Gas Exposure Hazard Levels: for Toxic Gas Exposure to Ammonia, Arsine, Arsenic, Bromine, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Hydride, Ozone - allowable exposure levels and hazard levels
• Carbon Dioxide Gas Toxicity hazard levels & testing
• Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity hazard levels & testing
• Formaldehyde: US EPA. UFFI (Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation) was previously considered a hazard (formaldehyde outgassing). Subsequent research virtually closed concern regarding this material; however formaldehyde appears to remain a health concern for sensitive individuals.
• Ozone Warnings - Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
• Sampling for gases in air such as VOC's, MVOC's, toxic chemicals, and combustion products.
  Unfortunately no single test or tool can detect all possible Building contaminants. We use methods and equipment which can test for common contaminants. If the identity of a specific contaminant is known in advance we can also test for a very large number of specific contaminant gases in Buildings.
  We use gas sampling equipment provided by the two most reliable companies in the world, Draeger-Safety's detector-tubes and Drager accuro� bellows pump, the Gastec� cylinder pump and detector-tube system produced by Gastec or Sensidyne, and we also use Sensidyne's Gilian air pump. For broad screening for combustibles and a number of other toxic gases and for leak tracing we also use Amprobe's Tif8850. All of these instruments, their applications, and sensitivities (minimum detectable limits) for specific gases are described in our Gas Sampling Plan online document.
• Radon Gas U.S. EPA Radon level maps
• Legionella sp. Health Concerns and advice, cleaning air conditioning systems, when to test for Legionella

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

Mold Services: Site Inspection & Lab Testing

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

OUR FIELD SERVICES - Field Investigation Services by Daniel Friedman, American Home Service Co.

Our Field Investigation Service our senior expert goes where no one else wanted to look, uses non-invasive tools and sophisticated testing equipment for mold, gases, moisture, air quality, contaminants, Building problem diagnosis. New York State License # 16000005303

Our Building investigation services include thorough on-site studies for residential and commercial Buildings in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. We also provide expert 24-hour mold testing lab service for our clients and the public. The result of field and lab work is a complete field investigation report indicating our field findings, laboratory test results, and detailing just what remediation or other actions are appropriate. Basic medical information about allergenic or toxic mold or other contaminants is also included when available. (New York State License # 16000005303)

We investigate complaints of respiratory illness, asthma, allergies, neurological and other health concerns, and we identify sources of these and other hazards that may contribute to a wide range of health complaints associated with Buildings. To identify and address indoor air quality problems, we identify conditions which may cause or contribute to allergy, asthma, "sick Building syndrome -- SBS," other respiratory illness and distress, as well as possible neurological or other health problems which may be caused or aggravated by mold or other particles in the air.

Field investigation methods include taking site and client history, visual inspection of the property and Building and its mechanical systems, bulk/surface/vacuum sampling, calibrated air sampling combined with light microscopy and laboratory analysis to identify common bioaerosols, allergens, pet dander, dust mites, fleas, mold, pollen, fibers, and other potential irritants. We also are equipped to test for specific contaminant gases such as produced by Building fires or heating equipment as well as mold or other contaminants. Our Indoor Gas Sampling Plan for Residential Buildings describes gas testing procedures, instruments, detection limits, and it lists some of the toxic (or other) indoor gases for which we can test, depending on the Building complaint and Building conditions. No one needs to wield an axe to investigate a Building. And no one needs to bury important findings among pages of vague language. We use special equipment such as this borescope permitting examination of hidden wall/ceiling/floor cavities using non-destructive methods. We may use other equipment to actually obtain particle samples from wall/ceiling/floor cavities by the Wall Check� method, When conditions warrant and permission is obtained, we also are equipped to make modest test cuts or to perform other more invasive inspection methods. A variety of non-invasive infra-red and moisture measuring tools may also be employed if recent or current leaks are suspected.

Our mold and air quality investigation report includes field observations, laboratory test results, medical information regarding toxic or allergenic mold or other contaminants identified, and remediation advice including both mold cleanup and Building repairs which are necessary to help avoid future problems. Technical documentation is accompanied by photo documentation of field and lab findings. A simple report summary provides a "guide to action" for each property we inspect.

Our Laboratory Procedures are described below at Laboratory Services. More information about our indoor air mold testing and field and laboratory investigation methodologies and a description of some of our equipment is at Investigation methodology.

Principal investigator & website author: Daniel Friedman, Member: American Industrial Hygienists Assoc. AIHA#149892, American Society of Home Inspectors ASHI#00577, BOCA, IAEI, ICBO, NPCA Mr. Friedman offers sick Building, air quality, and mold investigations and home inspections and for problem diagnosis, research, expert witness, legal documentation, & failure claims assistance.

Schedule an appointment for a mold or indoor air investigation or see a published fee schedule (Inspection fees and fees for other services will be reviewed with you and committed before any work is performed. The fees in this table are subject to change without notice.)

Our Laboratory Services - Our Mold Testing Laboratory Services -- Contents

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

OUR LABORATORY SERVICES - Laboratory Analysis Services by Daniel Friedman, American Home Service Co.

Our laboratory service includes analysis of our own expert-prepared field samples as well as processing of consumer-prepared adhesive-tape mail-in samples of mold or other particles. Our mold testing lab provides identification services for bioaerosols such as mold, mildew, dust mites, pollen, and other allergens. We have considerable experience examining samples collected on tape, Zefon cassettes, MCE filter cassettes, slides, impaction air samplers, carpet, furniture, and other soft-goods vacuum samples, and in bulk material. Mold culture and bacterial surface contamination evaluation is available, and we also offer testing for carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and other gases.

Our laboratory education and experience include advanced indoor air quality, culture plate identification of fungal genera/species, house dust analysis, mold fungal spore quantitative analysis (spore counts in air), and qualitative analysis (particle types and what they mean), organic, and inorganic particle and fiber identification, mold culture methods and culture speciation. We have experience and special interest in identification of particles in building dust, paint failure field and lab analysis, paint sample analysis, and general forensic microscopy.

Our equipment education and experience include biological microscopy, forensic microscopy, particle identification using microscopic particle manipulation, microchemistry, transmitted light microscopy, polarized light microscopy, dispersion staining, determination of refractive index, interference patterns, phase-contrast, darkfield, focal screening, and other advanced techniques.

In the lab we make use of a variety of microscopes: low-power stereoscopic examination of samples for characterization and high-power microscopic examination (up to 1920x) for particle identification using transmitted and polarized light as well as darkfield and phase contrast microscopy, supplemented by use of Cargille(TM) refractive index liquid particle differentiation for identification of biological particles such as mold spores, pollen grains, animal allergens, dog, cat, mouse dander, mite fecals, cockroach and other insect particles, and non-biological particles in house dust and debris such as road dust, tire particles, diesel soot, oil burner soot, copier toner, wood and paper fragments, skin cells, possible bacteria. These methods help assure that the lab report accurately represents the character of the samples which were submitted.

Mobile Microscopy Lab: For immediate on-site particle determination where emergency response or remediation/salvage operation evaluation is necessary we offer mobile field microscopy lab service including field preparation of test samples and light microscopic examination for particle identification.

Field samples are used to prepare slides for examination by light microscope. Our own field work collects mold or biological particle samples using a variety of methods. From the public our lab also accepts mold surface samples using clear tape. Chemical treatment and mounting media are selected based on the sample type, often including potassium hydroxide, acid or basic fuchsin, Calberla's solution, lacto phenol cotton blue, or other preparations. When lab work is in support of legal proceedings or if otherwise appropriate we prepare permanent-mount slides using glycerine jelly or other media. Slides are examined at magnifications of 10x, 100x, 400x, and 1000x using tungsten and polarized light, darkfield, etc. as appropriate.

Identification of toxic, allergenic, or cosmetic mold genera/species:
Genera/species identifications are made based on experience, education, reference texts, comparison with known samples, and when appropriate, consultation with fellow mycologists and other experts. There are more than 70,000 mold species which have been identified and an estimated 1 million remaining to be identified, so it is common to encounter unidentified spores. However fortunately, in most areas there common protagonists which have been studied and which can be identified to genera and often to species.Because mold toxicity varies widely within a particular genera, speciation is an important step, omitted by some high-volume labs.

A detailed written mold test laboratory report of laboratory finding, medical information, and recommendations is provided. The lab report describes:

• "Significant/dominant particles" in each sample examined: likely to be most important in the Building
• "Other spores/particles present" in each sample at notable but not dominant frequency, possibly important
• "Incidental spores or particles detected, which in special cases may still be diagnostic,
  Using clear, specific definitions of "mold levels"
• Quantitative analysis such as fungal spore or particle counts per cubic meter of air sampled are also available when such measures are appropriate.
• Significant microscopic observations are documented in our reports using microphotography. These are my tips for taking digital photographs through the microscope - photomicrographs, or microphotographs if you prefer.
• Photographic documentation of site conditions and laboratory observations are included with our site and lab reports.
• Lab reports also include a summary of contemporary medical information about particles identified.

Independent inspectors as well as many Building owners or occupants may also use our mold testing laboratory service. If you do not want to bring a professional investigator to your property, here are instructions explaining how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab for identification, analysis, and advice. If you wish to send samples collected by means other than described in our guidelines, please call first for special instructions and fees. If you have questions about our instructions for mailing a mold sample to the lab or if you need to request special field or lab services, contact us to request onsite mold inspection and testing services.

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to a lab

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

More Information about Mold, Testing the Indoor Environment for Hazards, & Building Diagnosis & Repair

Mold Field or Lab Services - - Mold Information Center

• Allergen Detection What various indoor allergens look like - identification photos to help identify pollen, dust mites, animal dander, toxic or allergenic mold - Common Mold and other Allergens, Irritants, Remedies & Advice
• Animal Allergens: Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Cleanup & Prevention Information for Asthmatics and regarding Indoor Air Quality.
• Associations: A Directory of IAQ, Sick Building, Mold Allergen Testing, Building Investigation Service Providers
• Associations: Sick House, Sick Building, SBS - Air Quality, Government, Private Associations and Information Resources
• Bibliography of Mold Identification, Aerobiology, Forensic Microscopy - References we use in our Laboratory
• Directory of Building Air Quality and Mold Investigators: field and lab work, sick Building syndrome, air quality measurements, cleanup
• Indoor Air Pollution : Introduction for Health Professionals- IAQ Indoor Air Quality Concerns - US CPSC Book
• FAQs on Mold - Frequently Asked Questions About Mold -- check this FAQ List & Site Map to see if you can find a quick answer to your mold concern
• FAQs on Accuracy - Website/Author credibility
• Mold Test Kits - How to Collect and Send Your Own Mold Sample to our mold testing lab
• House Dust from an HVAC system frightened building occupants unnecessarily
• Lighting, using to find mold - proper use of a flashlight can help spot mold on paneling and other building surfaces
• Mold Detection - What Does Mold Look Like? Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens
• Mold Detection - Lighting Proper use of lighting discloses hard to see but toxic light or white mold colonies on building surfaces - read this if you're doing your own tape sampling for mold.
• Mold Detection - How to Find and Test for Mold in Buildings - Looking for Mold - A "how to" photo and text primer on finding and testing for mold in Buildings
• Mold Detection - Stuff that is Not Mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Not all "black mold" is toxic or harmful.
• Mold Detection - in Fiberglass Insulation Moldy fiberglass building insulation © 2005 comments about a field study in process, & more about health hazards from fiberglass insulation - DJF
• Mold Detection - Investigation TipsMold Investigation Guide for Home Inspectors how to find mold, where to look, what is likely to be important. Advice to Building inspectors intending to inspect or test for toxic or problematic mold indoors, mold inspection methods, and mold test methods which are valid or invalid
• Meruliporia incrassata the house eating fungus or "poria" may be mistaken for wood rot.
• Prevention of Mold Mold-Resistant Building Practices some suggestions from an expert
• Products - Mold & Allergy Products: Allergy/Asthma, Air Quality, Cleaning, Filtering, Ventilating, Dehumidification
• Standards for Mold Cleaning, Remediation, & Clearance Testing Standards list of documents
• Contact Daniel Friedman, (author of this website) for expert field and laboratory investigative services

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The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

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Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.

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