The indoor mold can cause health problems, especially with those suffering from asthma. A greenish-black, slimy variety known as Stachybotrys chartarum has earned the name “toxic mold” and grows wet organic material rich in cellulose such as wood or paper (but not on concrete or tile). It can cause severe problems for humans as well as pets, and is one of the causes of “sick building syndrome”. This indoor mold can produce allergic reactions like watery eyes, headaches, frequent sneezing and coughing.

The upside is that an indoor mold can serve as an early warning device. It tells you that an area of the home is not properly ventilated, has excess moisture and that the air quality is inferior. You can then take steps to reduce moisture in the area and remove materials that cause mold growth.

The mold is everywhere and can survive under all sorts of conditions, even in places like the refrigerator. Some molds are resistant to anti-fungal soap or highly-acidic solvents. Therefore, when cleaning up a mold-infested area, you should always wear proper protection like a respirator mask, rubber gloves and the right clothing.

The key to cleaning up an area with indoor mold is to solve the moisture problem. Dry up the excess moisture and remove all the materials that have been infested by the mold. Get rid of items like carpets and wallpaper that cannot be cleaned and dried. First spray the area with water to keep down the dust and debris while you are removing the items. The materials should then be sealed in a double-bag and the bag wiped clean to prevent the mold from spreading to other areas.

If the area with indoor mold cannot be removed, it should be cleaned with soap or detergent. After that, it helps to disinfect the area with a diluted bleach solution. Do not sand or scrape the surfaces and avoid using a hammer to remove drywall that is mold-infested.

If the affected area is larger than 10 square feet, you may need to turn the job over to a professional mold remediator. You can find companies that specialize in restoring homes damaged by fire and water whose services include indoor mold remediation.

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Mold Bacteria Consulting Laboratory, British Columbia, Alberta - More Than Just Laboratory Results

Bugs

We are bacteria and since we are very small and can only be seen under very powerful microscopes, people call us microorganisms. The cartoons you see above show how we could look like in your imagination.

Some bacteria are good and can be beneficial to your body; some are bad and can make you very sick…

Did you know that you can find bacteria everywhere? You can find us in the air, in the soil, on your hands, clothes, shoes, on your cell phone, or computer, on the door knobs, on money, on the handles on the bus; on the animal fur… there are so many places you can find bacteria on.

When we are grown on special media in a laboratory we may look like the pictures below :

Coliforms and other bacteria

If you would be interested in growing us for your school project MBL Laboratories can help you. Explore the amazing world of bacteria growth by doing your science project at MBL.

If you are looking for an elementary, middle or high school project ideas in the life science –environmental microbiology – MBL Laboratories are ready to help you!

MBL Laboratories can help you with bacteria testing in different matrices:

If you have any other ideas on the testing for your original project simply give us a call at 905 290 9101 (1-866-813-0648) or email us at info@moldbacteria.com.  We will be more than happy to assist you.

Hey, the cartoons for the bugs above were drawn by Daniel Gaczol. We greatly appreciate his help.

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Mold Bacteria Consulting Laboratory, British Columbia, Alberta - More Than Just Laboratory Results

The Limitations of HPC:

As stated by the Health Canada guidelines on HPC testing, “HPC results are not an indicator of water safety and, as such, should not be used as an indicator of potential adverse human health effects.” The World Health Organization (WHO) states that methods such as coliform testing are better indicators than HPC to test the sanitary conditions of water.

The HPC method does not indicate the specific heterotrophic bacteria present or their sources. Instead, HPC testing indicates the culturable organisms present, which could be as low as 1% of the total bacteria present. There are several factors that affect the genera of bacteria and their level of presence recovered by HPC. These factors include the type of medium used to grow the bacteria, what temperature is used for incubation, how long the plates are incubated, where the water sample was collected, the time of year and the age of the sample. It is also important to note that the concentrations and types of bacteria that are recovered at the same sampling location can vary over time.

Typically high levels of HPC bacteria in a distribution or plumbing system result from bacterial regrowth where bacteria that resisted treatment grow or those that were injured during treatment recover.

How do we interpret HPC results?

For HPC, regulations set out by Health Canada are followed under the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines: “No maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) is specified for heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria in water supplied by public, semi-public, or private drinking water systems. Instead, increases in HPC concentrations above baseline levels are considered undesirable.”

In other words, sudden increases in HPC above levels typically seen may indicate a change in the quality of raw water or, that bacterial regrowth has occurred in the distribution system or plumbing. When steady increases of HPC are seen over time, this indicates a gradual decline in raw water quality.

As stated by the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations established by the U.S. EPA a “lower concentration of heterotrophic bacteria in the drinking water is linked to a better maintenance of the treatment and distribution systems.” According to these regulations, treatment techniques should aim to control HPC concentrations in surface waters and groundwaters influenced by surface waters to less than 500 CFU/mL (using standard methods). Note: “This is not a health-based standard, but reflects the concern that at concentrations above 500 CFU/mL, heterotrophic bacteria can interfere with some total coliform and E. coli recovery methods.”

Importance of HPC counts:

High HPC counts indicate ideal conditions for bacterial regrowth and should be corrected. Bacterial regrowth can lead to pipe corrosion, encourage slime growth, increase the need for disinfectants, cause foul-tasting water, and harbour secondary respiratory pathogens (ex. Legionella). Thus, HPC can be used as a marker for the underlying causes of some aesthetic problems (WHO, 2002).

Does having a positive HPC results mean the overall water quality is poor?

No, not necessarily.

Unlike other indicators, such as Escherichia coli or total coliforms, low concentrations of HPC organisms will still be present after drinking water treatment. In general, water utilities can achieve heterotrophic bacteria concentrations of 10 colonyA group of hyphae (fungal colony) or cells (bacteria colonies) which arise from one spore (or hypha) or cell. It's possible to have mixed colonies of different organisms.-forming units (CFU) per millilitre or less in finished water.

What are the health effects associated with HPC levels?

At an international meeting of experts in Geneva, Switzerland, it was concluded that heterotrophic bacteria in drinking water is not a health concern to the general public. However, some bacteria present in a heterotrophic population are opportunistic pathogens that could infect individuals with weakened immune systems.

“Heterotrophic bacteria belonging to the following genera have been associated with opportunistic infections: Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Chryseobacterium (Flavobacterium), Klebsiella, Legionella, Moraxella, Mycobacterium, Serratia, Pseudomonas, and Xanthomonas. These organisms have been mainly associated with nosocomial (hospital acquired) infections, including wound infections, urinary tract infections, post-operative infections, respiratory infections, and infections in burn patients.”

What methods can be used to measure HPC?

There are 3 methods used for routine testing of heterotrophic bacteria:

1. Pour plate method (least desirable method because embedded colonies are slower growing and microaerobic environment is not ideal for growth and, bacteria could undergo heat shock during plating).
2. Spread plate method (heat shock is eliminated by using solidified agar but only a small volume (0.1-0.5 mL) can be tested).
3. Membrane filtration method (most flexible method because volumes upto 10L can be tested, heat shock is eliminated by membrane filter, and  it is ideal for HPC less than 10 CFU/mL but multiple dilutions may be required to count colonies on filter).

Here at MBL, we use membrane filtration to measure heterotrophic plate count. If you need to determine the level of heterotrophic bacteria, fecal coliforms, E.coli, total coliforms, Legionella or other type of bacteria in water call our Mississauga office at 905-290-9101 or our Burnaby office at 604-435-6555 or,  our toll free number at 1-866-813-0648.

References:

Health Canada (1996) Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, 6th edn. Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

Heterotrophic plate counts and drinking-water safety: The significance of HPCs for water quality and the human health. Edited by J. Bartram, J. Cotruvo, M.Exner, C. Fricker, A. Glasmacher. Published on behalf of WHO by IWA Publishing © WHO 2003: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/HPCFull.pdf

Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality: Guideline Technical Document: Heterotrophic Plate Count (Prepared by the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Health and the Environment (February 2006).  http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/heterotrophic-heterotrophes/index-eng.php

For access to the BC Drinking Water Protection Act and the BC Drinking Water Protection Regulation, please refer to the following website: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/protect/dw_index.html

Guidance on the Use of Heterotrophic Plate Counts in Canadian Drinking Water Supplies (Document for Public Comment Prepared by the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water – Consultation period ended May 27, 2011): http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/consult/_2011/Heterotrophic-heterotrophes/Heterotrophic-heterotrophes-eng.php

US EPA (1989) 40 CFR Parts 141 and 142 Drinking Water; National Primary Drinking Water Rules and Regulations; filtration, disinfection; turbidity, Giardia lamblia, viruses, Legionella, and heterotrophic bacteria; final rule. US Environmental Protection Agency. Fed. Regist. 54(124), 27486–27541.

US EPA (2001) National Primary Drinking Water Standards. EPA 816-F-01-007, March, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (www.epa.gov/safewater).

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Mold Bacteria Consulting Laboratory, British Columbia, Alberta - More Than Just Laboratory Results

There’s no doubt that water is important.  Water covers 70.9% of the earth’s surface, and is vital for all known forms of life which depend on water.

Life on earth has been distressed by the growing number of ecological problems that are mostly caused by humans themselves (factories, sewage treatment plants, underground mines, oil wells, oil tankers and agriculture, acid deposition from the air, traffic, pollutants that are spread through rivers or pollutants that enter the water through groundwater).  Water pollution takes place when pollutants are released directly or indirectly into bodies of water without sufficient treatment to eliminate damaging compounds.

Water pollution

• affects drinking water, rivers, lakes and oceans all over the world. This consequently harms human health and the natural environment.
• is the second most imperative environmental concern along with air pollution.
• is any change or modification in the chemical, physical or biological quality of water that has a harmful effect on any living thing that drinks or uses or lives (in) it.
• may not damage our health immediately but can be harmful after long term exposure.
• can also make water unsuited for the desired use.
• involves the contamination of surface waters and groundwater which may set off a series of diseases referred to as water pollution diseases.

Water can become contaminated in many ways. There are two main sources of contamination – bacterial and chemical.

Bacterial contamination is usually measured by the fecal coliform levels in the water. Fecal coliform is an indicator organism; it is easily measured and can signal the presence of other harmful bacteria in water. This sort of bacterial contamination can occur as a result of improper water treatment (for example, not chlorinating water from a wastewater treatment plant properly), as a result of rotten or corroded piping allowing bacterial growth in pipes, or as a result of poor water storage.

Polluted water is unfit, unhealthy, and dangerous for drinking and for other consumption processes. It is also not suitable for agricultural and industrial assistance. This water pollution is harmful to human beings, plants, animals, fish and birds. Contaminated water also houses and contains viruses, bacteria, intestinal parasites, and other harmful microorganisms, which can originate waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, and typhoid.

MBL Laboratories can help you to determine the level of bacterial contamination in the water. Our laboratory specializes in bacterial analysis of waters – wastewaters, lakes, rivers, ponds, storm waters, ground waters. If you need to determine the level of fecal coliforms, E.coli, total coliforms, heterotrophic plate count, Legionella or other type of bacteria in the water call our Mississauga office at 905-290-9101 or our Burnaby office at 604-435-6555.

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Mold Bacteria Consulting Laboratory, British Columbia, Alberta - More Than Just Laboratory Results

Public awareness of the bacterium Listeria, an opportunistic pathogen, has been on the rise in recent years as the number of reported cases of listeriosis continues to grow. Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The number of reported cases in Canada rose from 85 in 2003 to 239 in 2008.

In 2008, a widespread outbreak of listeriosis originated from a Maple Leaf Foods Bartor Road facility in North York, Ontario which caused infection in 57 people and took the lives of 23 of them (Table 1). In other words, 40% of the people affected in this outbreak died of this serious illness. 119 meat products produced by Maple Leaf Foods Bartor Road plant were recalled. It is believed that contamination with L. monocytogenes likely occurred during packaging.

Prevention

Everyone has a role to play in ensuring the consumption of safe foods. Manufacturers of foods such as the Maple Leaf Foods Bartor Road plant must go above and beyond to ensure the necessary measures are taken to prevent another outbreak. From the CEO to the night janitor, all involved have a part to play. Ensuring proper sanitation and removal of all possible sources of Listeria growth and, monitoring and auditing of safe practice procedures must be performed daily. Manufacturers of food processing equipment are responsible for the proper design of food processing equipment that will enable thorough cleaning and disinfection as well as efficient and complete disassembly and assembly for effective cleaning.

Preventing Listeria growth requires effective sanitation of food contact surfaces. The four main types of sanitizers used in the meat industry are hot water, chlorine, iodophors and quatnerary ammonia. Quaternary ammonia and iodophors are the most effective when combined with post-processing steam and heat treatments. Alcohol alone is also effective against Listeria. Increasing the duration of contact time on food contact surfaces will improve sanitization procedures.

Precautionary measures need to be taken when preparing foods likely to contain Listeria such as ensuring raw vegetables are thoroughly washed before eaten. Those especially at risk should avoid consumption of refrigerated pâtés, smoked seafood, unpasteurized milk and milk products. Risks groups should also avoid eating luncheon meats, deli-meats and hot dogs unless they are steaming hot. Listeria can even survive and grow in vacuum-packed products. Thus, refrigerated foods in the home should be kept below 4 ºC to discourage Listeria growth.

The fluids from packages such as hot dogs contain more Listeria than hot dogs themselves. Steps should therefore be taken to avoid the fluid from coming into contact with other foods, cutting boards, utensils, dishes and food preparation surfaces. Hand washing can greatly reduce the spread of contamination.

Sampling of Listeria

Testing for Listeria is typically done using a swab, environmental sponge or the Microbial-Vac system((R)). Food contact surfaces (dairy board, stainless steel) or other non-food contact areas suspected of Listeria growth (such as brick, doorways, hall drains, floors, equipment panels, and aprons) can be tested. Specimens for sampling can also be taken from solid foods (such as cheese). Water from sources containing chlorine must be collected in a pre-sterilized bottle containing sodium thiosulfate. Samples must be collected and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible.

Sample Handling and Storage

Optimal temperature conditions during transport and storage is below 4˚C. The holding time between collection and analysis must not exceed 48 h for water samples. All samples must be labeled according to the chain of custody.

Test Methods

Here at MBL we detect and enumerate Listeria spp. in environmental samples by the 3M^TM petrifilm technique. 3M^TM petrifilm plates are a thin, film, dehydrated, version of the conventional petri dish agar plate. Once a result is positive for Listeria spp., a confirmation step is performed. Benefits of this method are:

1. It is a cost effective tool for the detection of environmental Listeria.
2. Its quantitative results allow identification of hot spots in plant and you can track Listeria over time.
3. Rapid turnaround time of results from sample collection; as little as 2-4 business days. Other methods of Listeria testing can take up much longer because of the increased number of steps and longer incubation times.
4. It is safer and more reliable than other methods because it does not require an enrichment step which would increase exposure to potentially pathogenic Listeria and, it requires no culture transfers.

For more information on our Listeria testing or for a complete list of microbiological tests performed at Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories, please call our Ontario, Mississauga Office at 905-290-9101 or the British Columbia, Burnaby Office at 604-435-6555.

References

“Controlling Listeria Contamination in Your Meat Processing Plant”. Government of Ontario. 27 February 2007. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/meatinsp/controllinglisteria.htm. Retrieved 2011-12-12.

Health Canada. Sept 2006. MFLP-11: Enumeration of Listeria Species in environmental Samples using 3M Petrifilm environmental Listeria plates.

Maple Leaf Foods assessing Listeria-killing chemical. ctv.ca (ctvglobemedia). 2008-10-12. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081012/maple_leaf_foods_081012/20081012?hub=Health. Retrieved 2011-12-15.

“More About Listeria”. University of Florida Medical School. http://www.med.ufl.edu/biochem/DLPURICH/morelist.html. Retrieved 2011-12-18.

Pagotto, Franco, Karine Hébert and Jeff Farber. Feb 2011. Isolation of Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria spp.from foods and environmental samples.

Weatherill, Shiela. July 2009. Report of the independent investigator into the 2008 listeriosis outbreak. http://www.listeriosis-listeriose.investigation-enquete.gc.ca/index_e.php?s1=rpt&page=tab. Retrieved 2011-12-12.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/29/listeria-outbreak-us-cantaloupe-melons?newsfeed=true. Retrieved 2011-12-14.

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Mold Bacteria Consulting Laboratory, British Columbia, Alberta - More Than Just Laboratory Results

•  Bacteria testing: All environmental bacteria including coliforms testing, E. coli testing and Legionella testing
• Mold testing: Culturable air samples collected using BioCassette, Andersen, SAS, RCS, etc.
• Mold testing: Direct Microscopic Examination including tape, bulk, swab, water and soil samples
• Mold testing: SporeA spore refers to a reproductive structure (similar to a seed in plants) in fungi, bacteria and cryptogams. trap (or non-viable) samples such as Air-O-Cell, BioAire, and Micro5 cassettes, Allergenco, Burkard and BioSIS slides.
• Algae: Water samples, etc.

For more information on our air quality testing laboratory or for a complete list of  microbiological tests performed at Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories, please call our Ontario, Mississauga Office at 905-290-9101 or the British Columbia, Burnaby Office at 604-435-6555.

MBL, your indoor air quality testing laboratory. 

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Mold Bacteria Consulting Laboratory, British Columbia, Alberta - More Than Just Laboratory Results

How To Control mould Growth

1. Reduce Indoor Humidity By:
   • Venting showers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside.
   • Controlling humidity levels and dampness by using air conditioners and de-humidifiers.
   • Providing adequate ventilation to maintain indoor humidity levels between 30-60%.
   • Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
2. Inspect the home regularly for signs of mould, moisture, leaks, or spills. The following suggest possible mould growth:
   • Mouldy or musty odours.
   • Water stains or discoloration on ceiling, walls, floors, and window sills.
3. Respond promptly when you see signs of moisture and/or mould, or when leaks or spills occur:
   • Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours of occurrence to prevent mould growth.
   • Fix source of water problem or leak to prevent mould growth.
   • Clean mould off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely.
   • Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are mouldy, may need to be replaced.
4. Prevent moisture condensation:
   • Reduce potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
5. Frequently clean floor and carpet :
   • Remove spots and stains immediately, using the flooring manufacturer’s recommended techniques.
   • Use care to prevent excess moisture or cleaning residue accumulation and ensure that cleaned areas are dried quickly.
   • In areas where there is perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting.

If you live in British Columbia and have a mould problem, contact our office at 604-435-6555. We may be able to help you or direct you to people who can help.

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Mold Bacteria Consulting Laboratory, British Columbia, Alberta - More Than Just Laboratory Results

I worked at a beauty salon for 1 1/2 years. I started to have back to back urinary tract infections (Escherichia coli). I’ve had these infections a couple of times in my 40+ years on earth but nothing like I was experiencing this time around. It felt like someone lined my bladder with vicks vapor rub and added some pins. The antibiotics I was prescribed made the pain worse. A client of mine (she came every week and spent a long time under the dryer) was experiencing the same thing. About 2 weeks after the bladder pain started, I started having difficulty breathing (I was diagnosed with moderate lung obstruction) and I was placed on an inhaler. I then noticed a fungal rash on my arms I had to treat with Monistat (it cleared up in 6 days). My symptoms started in early June after a flood in the shop which I suspect could have caused mold growth. Dehumidifiers were bought in and ran all day for a couple of days. By August I had to leave because it was just too difficult to breath, take a flight of stairs etc. My urologist couldn’t find the cause of the pain and an internal view of my bladder found nothing. Can mold, yeast, and non-specific bacteria found in these reports cause bladder problems? The pain got significantly better a week after I left. The pain went away completely after about 2 months away from the salon.

The owner decided to have an air quality test for mold done because a girl that rented the room prior to me complained of breathing difficulties only when she was at work. I attached the mold report for you to look at.

Thanks!

Answer: Escherichia coli (E. coli in short) is a bacterium commonly found in the lower digestive tract of warm-blooded animals including humans. Most E. coli strains are harmless, but some strains, such as serotype O157:H7, can cause serious food poisoning. E. coli is also a common cause of urinary tract infections. Infection occurs when E. coli from the digestive tract find their way into the urethra and begin to multiply. The bacterium can move to the bladder and multiply there causing infection of the bladder. I have looked at the lab report that you had attached. The molds reported are unlikely to cause infection. A possible fungal infection of the bladder especially when one has been using antibiotics is Candida infection (candidiasis). Candida can infect other areas of the body including the mouth, throat, skin, scalp, genitals, fingers, nails, bronchi, lungs, and the gastrointestinal tract.

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Mold Bacteria Consulting Laboratory, British Columbia, Alberta - More Than Just Laboratory Results

Sampling for airborne fungal spores may be conducted for a number of reasons including assessing the air quality, detection of pathogenic organisms, epidemiological surveys and predictions, detection of mycotoxin producing fungi, or detection and measurement of exposure to allergenic fungi and actinomycetes. Before sampling for airborne fungal spores it’s important to have a clear objective and the data that would meet that objective. Some of these objectives require counting and identification of the airborne fungal particulates. A well calibrated pump is therefore required. The method of sampling, the equipment and the media are determined by the data required. For example if one is interested in species identification, then they would collect culturable air samples using an Andersen or RCS sampler.

Methods for Sampling for Airborne Fungal Spores

Culturable Air Samples

If the air was sampled by impaction onto a growth media, then the samples are first incubated at suitable temperature followed by counting and identification of resulting colonies (if any). A number of factors may affect the reliability of the colonyA group of hyphae (fungal colony) or cells (bacteria colonies) which arise from one spore (or hypha) or cell. It's possible to have mixed colonies of different organisms. counts data. These include the suitability of the agar media used for sampling, colonyA group of hyphae (fungal colony) or cells (bacteria colonies) which arise from one spore (or hypha) or cell. It's possible to have mixed colonies of different organisms. density, and presence of fast growing isolates. Some agar media are highly selective and therefore would not suitable when the objective was to determine the diversity of fungal species in the air. If the colonyA group of hyphae (fungal colony) or cells (bacteria colonies) which arise from one spore (or hypha) or cell. It's possible to have mixed colonies of different organisms. density is very high, then counting becomes difficult. In the presence of fast growing isolates, slow growing isolates are masked and hence difficult to count.

Non-culturable Air Samples

The second method of air sampling is where the air is impacted on inert medium, usually a filter membrane or adhesive-coated slide. The collection medium is then analyzed by transmitted light microscopy (popularly known as direct microscopic examination), typically at 600–1000 × magnification. A number of different collection devices may be used for sporeA spore refers to a reproductive structure (similar to a seed in plants) in fungi, bacteria and cryptogams. trap sampling of which the most common are slit or circular impactors such as the Air-O-Cell®, Allergenco D, Micro 5, Cyclex D and other similar cassettes. Mixed cellulose ester membrane (MCEM) filters are also occasionally used.

Choose Your SporeA spore refers to a reproductive structure (similar to a seed in plants) in fungi, bacteria and cryptogams. Trap Analytical Labs Wisely

Identification of airborne fungal spores to species can only be accomplished by an experienced mycologist. Similarly, sporeA spore refers to a reproductive structure (similar to a seed in plants) in fungi, bacteria and cryptogams. trap analysis requires considerable skill and experience on the part of the analyst to identify spores accurately, and to differentiate them from other airborne particulate. In most cases identification of airborne fungal spores by direct microscopic examination is limited to genus. In some cases identification of spores to specific genus is difficult. A good sporeA spore refers to a reproductive structure (similar to a seed in plants) in fungi, bacteria and cryptogams. trap analyst requires several years of experience. A recent multi-laboratory comparative study of sporeA spore refers to a reproductive structure (similar to a seed in plants) in fungi, bacteria and cryptogams. trap analyses found that only 75% of commercial accredited labs could consistently identify correctly Cladosporium spores and only 50% could identify Aspergillus/Penicillium-like spores consistently. The level of experience required for species identification or sporeA spore refers to a reproductive structure (similar to a seed in plants) in fungi, bacteria and cryptogams. trap analysis cannot be attained in a short time, and it cannot easily be acquired by individuals lacking advanced training in mycologyMycology is the study of fungi (yeasts and molds). or plant pathology.

Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories is accredited by CALA to the Internationally recognized ISO/IEC 17025:2005. For a full scope of accredited tests click Scope of Accreditation.

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Mold Bacteria Consulting Laboratory, British Columbia, Alberta - More Than Just Laboratory Results

ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Standard

When a laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005, the laboratory and its clients are assured that the lab has met defined standards for performance based on examination of a variety of criteria.  CALA assess participating laboratories to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard in accordance with the ISO/IEC 17011 standard. Granting of CALA accreditation requires a laboratory to successfully complete an initial site assessment and to maintain accreditation the laboratory must successfully complete a site visit a year following the initial visit and every two years thereafter.

Scope of Accreditation

MBL Certificate of Accreditation

MBL is accredited for specific analyses of fungi and bacteria in culturable and non-culturable air samples, water samples, surface samples, and bulk samples. We’re also accredited for Legionella testing. For the full scope of our accreditation, please click MBL Accreditation.

Canadian Accrediting Bodies

There are two Canadian based accrediting bodies, the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation Inc.(CALA) and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). Both of these accrediting bodies are recognized by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) as equally competent accreditors of testing and/or calibration laboratories. Read more…Joint SCC/CALA Statement – References to Laboratory Accreditation in Requests for Proposal / Bids

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Mold Bacteria Consulting Laboratory, British Columbia, Alberta - More Than Just Laboratory Results