Microbial Express Labs

Great time at the “learn and earn” making new connections.

A special thanks to Beth Stevens from Microbial Express Labs for giving an awesome presentation today on Mold and Air Sampling for home inspectors. We had a great group of inspectors taking advantage of InterNACHI's partner school Casa Training Academy learn and earn seminar. and shop local and check out Microbial Express Labs for a personal touch on your mold and air sampling tests. www.microbialexpresslabs.com

SIZE MATTERS: A very simplified image showing how deep mold spores 🦠of different sizes can pe*****te into the lungs 🫁 and the resulting type of illness 🤒 that can follow in susceptible people.
•
Microbial Express Labs
1622 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29607
☎️: 864-203-7355
•

BULK SAMPLES: 🔬🦠😷
Bulk sampling is a method of sampling that involves the removal of a piece of suspected mold contaminated material to submit for testing to an environmental laboratory.
•
Examples of materials commonly submitted for testing include, carpets, insulation, wood materials, or sheetrock. The sample should be small enough to easily bag and transport. A 4”x 4” sample should effectively represent the area of concern.
•
To determine if the mold detected on the bulk material is releasing into the inhabited space and exposing the occupants, the inspector may also want to take an air sample in conjunction.
•
However, be aware that when sampling to this degree, you are disturbing the mold colony. This level of destruction could cause the release of 100’s of 1000’s of potentially toxic mold spores. Extreme caution should be exercised during the process to help minimize the potential for exposure.
•
Method:
While wearing gloves and other protective gear, cut around or gently break off a piece of the suspected area. Only a representative portion is necessary. Next, carefully bag the sample or seal within an appropriate sized clean container. Lastly, submit to the laboratory for analysis.
•
Microbial Express Labs
1622 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29607
☎️: 864-203-7355
•

Surface sampling is a fast and effective way to gather possible fungal 🦠material for laboratory 🔬analysis. A TAPE LIFT is an excellent non-destructive method of sampling and should be used instead of a swab, if the surface is dry and flat enough that your thumb can be depressed easily to it.

Method: select an area of most concern. This area will preferably have visible discoloration of mildew or water damage.

An easy inexpensive method that can be substituted for Bio-Tape will require a roll of clear scotch tape and a ziplock baggie.

Obtain a 3-4 inch piece of tape. Fold one end of the tape (about an inch in length) onto itself, sticky side to sticky side. This will give you something to hold onto as you sample. Leave the remaining portion of the tape exposed.

Next, gently press the sticky side of the tape against the area you are testing. You will only need a sample about the size of your thumb.
Note: It is important to only press the tape against the mold one time. Multiple samples from the same area on the same surface of tape will create an inaccurate detection of the amount of mold present.

Lastly adhere the sticky side of the tape to the inside of a ziplock baggie, seal baggie, label, and deliver to the laboratory for analysis.
•
Microbial Express Labs
1622 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29607
☎️: 864-203-7355
•

CLADOSPORIUM:

Cladosporium produces olive-green to brown or black colonies. Conidia (aka: spores) of this genus represent one of the most common fungal components isolated from indoor and outdoor air.

Cladosporium can easily grow and spread within your home when spores come in contact with hospitable damp surfaces. Inadequate ventilation and high humidity levels will also contribute to the growth of this type of mold.

Cladosporium is most often found on moist window frames, in dirty refrigerators, bathrooms, under or around sinks, and on fiberglass duct liners in the interior of supply ducts. It can grow on surfaces like carpets, curtains, upholstered furniture, on or behind wallpaper, under floors, and on wood or drywall.

The distinction between Cladosporium and other black molds is virtually impossible without microscopic technique.

Even in healthy individuals, prolonged exposure can cause allergies or asthma-like symptoms. People with preexisting respiratory issues are most vulnerable and at the greatest risk for more severe complications.
•
Microbial Express Labs
1622 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29607
☎️: 864-203-7355
•

SURFACE SWAB SAMPLES are best utilized during your mold investigation when a suspect mold-like growth is discovered.
•
Swabs are an excellent choice for sampling if the area in question is difficult to reach or if it is too wet for a tape sample to adhere.
•
Microbial Express Labs
1622 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29607
☎️: 864-203-7355
•



📸: Mira Photographs

📍With sufficient humidity, Penicillium sp. 🦠 can be found growing on a large variety of substrates in an indoor environment.

📍It is often found growing on carpets, old mattresses, upholstery, clothing, wallpaper, books, and many other cellulose materials.

📍This mold group is typically green, blue-green, or grey-green, but can also be white, yellow or pinkish. It’s texture ranges from velvety to powdery.

📍Like many molds, Penicillium sp. can threaten those with weak or compromised immune systems, causing allergic reactions or infections. Some species produce mycotoxins which are known carcinogens.

📍Common health symptoms include: headaches, itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, congestion, coughing, sneezing, and rashes.
•
Microbial Express Labs
1622 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29607
☎️: 864-203-7355
•

Settling Plates for 🦠 Mold. YAY or NAY?
While settling plates are very limited in their application, they are often marketed as an easy and inexpensive alternative to professional indoor air sampling.

To best discuss why this method is inferior and never good practice among the well trained for an indoor mold test, many points are made.

📍Passive Technique- settle plates rely on the physical principle of the downfall of the particle on a surface. In contrast, active air sampling requires the use of an air sampler to physically draw a known volume of air over, or through, a particle collection device. This preferred method allows for quantitative results.

📍Particle Size Dependent- because the plates will only grow what lands on them, smaller particles suspended in the air are neglected and cannot be sampled.

📍Airborne Dependent- settle plate will only capture molds that have become airborne and then settle downward by way of gravity. Molds located in areas with little to no airflow or molds with specific adhesive characteristics will remain connected to their fruiting structure and will not make it into the airspace in numbers great enough to then settle to the plate.

📍Only Viable Spores Detected- fungal parts and dead spores, while still allergenic will not grow on the plates and therefore will go unnoticed in the sample.

📍Preferred Media- not all types of spores will grow on all types of media. Therefore, molds that are media specific will not be detected in the settle plate sample.

📍Plates are Sensitive in Structure and Vulnerable to Contaminants- If left exposed for too long, the media or agar within the plate risks drying out and deteriorating. In addition, the likelihood for contamination and overgrowth is great and in result, the interpretation of data is difficult and not as precise.

For more information on this topic or if you’d like to be put in touch with a IAQ specialist that we trust, give us a call today.
•
Microbial Express Labs
1622 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29607
☎️: 864-203-7355
•

How much are you paying a month in shipping charges for your mold analysis?
•
Depending on how many projects your doing a week, it can add up quickly💰😬
•
When Microbial Express Labs processes your mold samples…..
ALL SHIPPING IS FREE!!!
•
Microbial Express Labs
1622 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29607
☎️: 864-203-7355
•

Unfortunately symptoms from mold 🦠 exposure are very similar to the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies; sneezing, itching, runny nose, congestion, watery eyes, fatigue. 🤧
To help pinpoint the cause, take the following into account.

📍Consider Timing: Most seasonal allergies typically occur between late-February through early September, while mold allergies can occur year-round.

Note: Outdoor molds are most prevalent on warm humid days and mold growth typically peaks during July in warmer states and October in colder states.

📍When are your symptoms worse: If your most affected after spending time outside it’s probably seasonal, but if you feel your symptoms worsen in certain indoor spaces, mold may be the culprit.

Like any allergen, If you think you have a sensitivity, the best defense is reducing your exposure.

If you suspect indoor mold is the cause, call into the lab today and we can put you in touch with a specialist we trust.
•
Microbial Express Labs
1622 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29607
☎️: 864-203-7355
•

Clean-up 🧹 is only part of the solution. To prevent mold 🦠 from RE-GROWING, it is essential that the moisture 💦 source be eliminated.
A strong 💪 offense is your BEST DEFENSE!


Microbial Express Labs
1622 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29607
☎️: 864-203-7355
•

Contact Us Today for More Information!

Microbial Express Labs
1622 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29607
☎️: 864-203-7355