Services - Additional Detailed Sampling and Testing

Microbial Surface Sampling

Bulk/ Surface Sampling is necessary if the building inhabitants are suffering from health problems, which are or may be associated with fungal exposure. Bulk/ Surface Sampling is also necessary to identify the presence or absence of mould if a Visible Inspection is equivocal (e.g. if discolouration and staining are noted but no active mould growth).

Surface Samples

Tape Lift samples are collected using a 3” strip of clear adhesive tape.  The tape is placed over the area of suspected growth to be sampled and the surface of the tape is lightly pressed.  After collection, the Tape Lift Samples are placed into a sterile, sealable plastic bag (in some instances the tape sample is applied to a glass slide).  The sample bag is then labeled using our standard labeling protocol and is submitted to an Independent Laboratory.  The Tape Lift Samples is then analyzed under the microscope by a Mycologist and the genus and, where possible, the species were visually identified. 

Bulk Samples

Bulk Samples are collected from visibly mouldy surfaces by scraping or cutting materials with a clean tool and placing the sample into a clean plastic bag or sterile container. The sample bags are then labeled using our standard labeling protocol and were submitted to an Independent Laboratory.  A portion of the Bulk Sample is then weighed. Samples are cultured for mould growth (and bacteria if specified) by a mycologist. The results are Reported in CFU’s per gram.

Swab Samples

Swab Samples are collected by wiping a measured area with a moist sterile swab.  The sample is then labeled using our standard labeling protocol.  In the Laboratory, the Sample is transferred from the swab to a petri dish containing a suitable agar (growing media) for mould or bacteria.  Malt Extract (MEA) or Potato Dextrose (PDA) agars are typically used for mould and Trypticase Soy (TSA) agar is typically used for bacteria.  The petri dish is then incubated in a special incubator that is high in humidity and void of all ambient light and at a Temperature suitable for fungal/mould/bacterial growth. The most accurate mould identification is only possible after a minimum of seven (7) days of live culturing for the mould cultures to reach their maximum identification growth.  After incubation, the fungal samples were removed and identified to the genus and species level, where possible, through visual identification under the microscope by a Mycologist.