This morning I received a call from a very reputable environmental consultant in Arkansas. Her request was typical of they type of calls I field - "people are asking me to do mold evaluations. What can I do to help them?" My answer to her was simple - Mold Screening.

A Mold Screen is designed to quickly and cost effectively evaluate an environment for the type of mold present. Direct surface samples are easily collected by using Surface Microscopy Preparations (scotch tape on microscope slides).  Samples of airborne particulates, including fungal elements, are collected using Air-O-Cell cassettes attached to a calibrated pump.

The laboratory methodology used is Direct Microscopy. Direct Microscopy will provide information on the quantity and quality of mold to the genus level expressed in Counts per Cubic Meter. No culturing is required for this technique so turn around times can be as rapid as 12 hours.

Even though Screening is not the most conclusive type of test available, it is the quickest, easiest and least expensive way to obtain preliminary data on an environment that is suspected to be contaminated.

For more information on Mold Screens, Contact me at:

Vik Ahuja
VAhuja@PureAirControlServices.com
Ph: (800) 422-7873, ext. 804
Fx: (727) 592-0665