WHY YOU NEED A MOLD INSPECTION AND NOT JUST SAMPLE RESULTS
Mold sample analysis is sometimes a very important part of a mold inspection. However sample analysis is not the whole picture. It should not be relied on too much. Mold spore sample analysis has it’s limitations as discussed here in part one of this two part article, we also discuss it here. One problem with sample analysis is the inherit variability in the process. By variable I mean that the same mold sample can be interpreted under the microscope differently by different lab workers.
THE TEDIOUS NATURE OF MOLD SAMPLE ANALYSIS
Sample analysis can be unbearable boring and tedious for anyone who cannot stand to stay behind a desk all day. A lab worker can easily make mistakes if the person becomes board and burnt out. Such human errors can lead to variability in mold analysis results.
AN ANALOGY
Under the microscope spores look a little like beans, and seeds, and they serve the same reproductive role. Counting and identifying mold spores under the microscope is like counting and identifying many types of beans, grains, and seeds, while viewing them from 100 yards away with binoculars. Let’s make the analogy more real. Analyzing mold spores under the microscope is more complex and challenging than just counting seeds on a gardeners table through binoculars from 100 yards away. Many other objects would have to be on the table obstructing the view. Imagine a table with seeds that you have to count, in addition you have berries, twigs, dirt, and small stones partially obstructing your view. This is what analyzing spores is like.
WHATS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
You may ask what are these microscopic particles obstructing the workers view ? In addition to mold spores, the analysist eyes and attention are distracted by other tiny particles. Dirt, dust, soot from car exhaust, air born tire rubber, synthetic fibers, and pollen are common. Such particles can and often do partially block the observers view of spores. If an inner wall air sample is being analyzed large amounts of drywall dust or plasterboard dust and insulation can be present in the sample. With inner wall samples the debris factor as they call it can make proper analysis impossible.
At the bottom of the lab report a debris factor number ranging from 1 to 5 is often given. If the level is 4 or 5 then much debris obstructed analysis. If the debri factor is low then debri levels were low.
SPORE LOOK ALIKES
Making the process more difficult is the fact that many spore look a-likes are often present. Tiny air bubbles, eroded and rounded grains of wind-blown sand, and eroded and rounded grains of wind-blown sea salt can be present in high numbers. Like many spores these tiny objects are often round and clear or opaque.
IN CONCLUSION
So, in conclusion, air samples have an important place in helping to tell how moldy your air is. They can tell you what type of spores are in your air. Labs should be appreciated, and lab analysists work is not easy, it should be appreciated as a valuable asset. However some problems with mold sample results are common, and lab report results are not absolute and concrete.
Mold spore analysis can be a subjective task that requires individual human interpretation of what one is looking at. Proper analysis requires the ability to sit for hours at a time day in and day out and weed through visual distractions and possible boredom. These factors among others provides chances for human error. Because of this it is important to not rely on an inspectors test results solely. If you do obtain a home mold test kit, or if you have a mold inspector do the testing for you, make sure you also have an inspector fully inspect your property for you. Your inspector should be able to figure out if you have a true mold problem, and why you have mold, and what to do next.
About the Author
Daryl Watters is a Florida licensed mold assessor with A Accredited Mold Inspection Service in West Palm Beach, Florida and is certified in mold spore analysis by the McCrone Research Institute. And has analyzed many samples.