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You are here: Home / Archives for sampling

Choosing a mold testing laboratory that is right for you

Jackson Kung'u

Mold testing professionals and other users should consider several factors in choosing a mold testing laboratory. This article refers to laboratories that specializes in identification and enumeration of mold and bacteria commonly detected in air, fluids and bulk samples collected from homes, schools, offices, hospitals, industrial, agricultural, and other work environments. Mold testing laboratories are generally not regulated by provincial or federal agencies. Consequently, it is important for mold testing professionals to investigate these laboratories by obtaining information about their performance, operation, and service before sending mold samples for analysis. A mold testing professional requires assurance that the test results will be of quality, be credible, and meaningful. Specific guidelines are discussed here to aid the mold testing professional in evaluating a mold testing laboratory.

Factors to Consider
Test Methods – The use of appropriate test methods is very important in order to accurately identify and/or enumerate mold spores or colony forming units (CFU) in an air sample.

Laboratory Proficiency – The proficiency of a mold testing laboratory refers to its ability to produce accurate and precise test results. It is difficult for a laboratory to independently assess this factor. Thus, reputable labs participate in AIHA sponsored EMPAT program. The Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing (EMPAT) Program is a voluntary performance evaluation program, administered by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), for environmental microbiology laboratories. A main purpose of the EMPAT is to provide proficiency testing samples to laboratories who wish to monitor and improve the quality of their mold testing data. Participating laboratories receive a summary of their performance for each field of testing (FoT). Continued self-evaluation and adjustment improves the integrity of the mold test results. A prospective client should ask the laboratory management if they are members of the EMPAT program.

Laboratory’s EMPAT Results – It is important that a representative of the mold testing laboratory review with the potential client their EMPAT quarterly test results with those summarized for all EMPAT participating laboratories. Information for each FoT of interest to the client should be included. Mold testing professionals should ask for this comparison in order to make a good decision about a laboratory. Some laboratories that participate in the EMPAT program are not proficient.

Other Customers – The potential client should ask the mold testing laboratory to provide the names and telephone numbers of some customers. This allows the mold testing professional to evaluate the laboratory from the perspective of users like themselves.

Laboratory Results – Ask a laboratory representative for copies of sample results and ask them to explain the meaning of the units if they are unclear.

Turn-Around Time – Ask how long it takes the mold testing laboratory to do the routine mold testing and return the results. In order for the results and recommendations to be useful, the turn-around time must be as short as possible. A good laboratory should be able to provide the results in two to three working days for the routine mold tests of direct microscopic examination. It is also very important to make sure the laboratory does not sacrifice accuracy by short cutting the methods to attain this turn-around time. It is a good idea to check the turn-around time with those who have used the laboratory.

Visiting the Laboratory – Where possible, it is important to visit the mold testing laboratory before submitting samples. A representative of the laboratory should not hesitate to show a potential client the testing area. During the visit, observe the orderliness and cleanliness of the work area. Ask how the samples are handled. In addition, ask how the data is handled and ask about quality control that is used.

Sampling Supplies – Most mold testing laboratories supply test media such as agar, air-0-cells, and swabs to their customers. Find out about the supplies and how they are obtained from the laboratory.

Professionals Mycologists – Find out if the mold testing laboratory has professionals who are trained in mycology (the study of molds and yeasts) or microbiology to work with the customer. Before deciding on a mold testing laboratory, visit the laboratory and meet with a professional to discuss concerns about testing mold. When visiting a mold testing laboratory, ask to review the educational credentials of the professionals. Find out about the training background of the analysts.

Laboratory Test Prices – Prices for mold testing often vary greatly from one laboratory to the next. Ask about the prices. Determine if the price for each test or test package is given in writing. Also find out if discounts are given for large numbers of samples and whether prices are negotiable.

If you’re looking for a mold testing laboratory, please call 905-290-9101.

Filed Under: Fungi, Laboratory Tagged With: sampling

Air Sampling For Total Fungal Spore Counts

Jackson Kung'u

We have compiled a short flash video demo on how to sample air for airborne fungal total spore counts. To see the video, please click Air Sampling For Total Fungal Spore Counts.

After seeing the video, please be kind enough to suggest how we could improve the video.

Filed Under: Microbial Sampling Tagged With: air quality, air sampling, sampling, spores, total count

How To Take Bacteria Samples

Jackson Kung'u

Sampling Air For Bacteria
Bacteria air samples are taken by impacting air onto some suitable growth media. Two of the commonly used samplers are Andersen (N6 Single Stage) and Reuter Centrifugal sampler (RCS). The Andersen sampler uses petri-dishes while the RCS uses agar strips. For environmental bacteria, a general purpose media such as Tryptic (Trypticase) Soy Agar (TSA) can be used.

Sampling Surfaces For Bacteria
Sterile cotton swabs can be used to sample for bacteria contaminating surfaces. The swabs are then sent immediately to a laboratory for culturing and identification of the bacteria to genus or species.

Filed Under: Bacteria, Indoor Air Quality, Microbial Sampling Tagged With: air samples, Andersen, Bacteria, RCS, sampling, surface bacteria

How To Collect Swab Samples For Microbiological Testing

Jackson Kung'u

Sterile swabs can be used to test the level of microbial contamination on various surfaces such as air conditioning units, kitchen equipment, hospital wards, spas or any other place. Swab samples can be analysed for total viable counts (usually referred to as colony forming units) or specific indicator organisms for food spoilage or sewage contamination. Swab samples are easy to collect.

How To Collect Swab Samples

  • Wear gloves
  • Select a sampling area of about 10 cm X 10 cm (or 20 cm x 20 cm)
  • Break the seal round the tube containing the swab
  • Remove the swab from the tube and rub and roll it firmly several times across the sampling area.
  • Return the swab into the tube and label the sample
  • Send the sample to the laboratory for analysis.

If one is sampling a dry surface, it is recommended that a wet or moistened swab is used. The swab test method has proved a popular testing method with flood damage insurance claims, where there may be sewage contamination. If swab samples are collected for culture analysis, they should be sent to the laboratory within 24 hours after collection. If the analysis of the swab samples involves enumeration of the microbial contaminants, the size of the area sampled should be provided to the lab.

Filed Under: Microbial Sampling Tagged With: sampling, sterile swabs

How To Collect Mold And Bacteria Samples From Air

Jackson Kung'u

Collecting mold and bacteria samples from air is very easy. The first thing to decide is the kind of results you want and for what purpose. This will help you to decide on the sampling equipment and the media to use. For example, if sampling for a specific bacterium or fungus, you would want to use a sampling agar media that is suitable for the growth of the target organism. The efficiency of the air sampling pumps for the collection of the target organism has also to be considered.

Sampling equipment can be expensive. However, for a company that does not collect air samples every other week, renting the equipment is a better option. Sampling media can be obtained directly from the manufacturers or their resale agents. For companies collecting only a few samples in a month, sampling media can be obtained from a good mold testing laboratory.

Filed Under: Bacteria, Fungi, Microbial Sampling Tagged With: air, Bacteria, samples, sampling

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Salmonella food poisoning and symptoms

Salmonella food poisoning has been a growing concern in recent news. It has frequently lead to recalls of beef, salads and organic products and, even peanut butter products. Salmonella food poisoning occurs when one eats raw or undercooked foods such meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. Properly cooked food can get contaminated with Salmonella if […]

Legionella pneumophila – Guidelines for Laboratory Interpretation

Legionella pneumophila is a Gram negative, aerobic bacteria that is characterized as an opportunistic pathogen. It is the cause of Legionnaires’ Disease, a severe form of pneumonia and, it is the cause of Pontiac fever, a non-pneumonic form of L. pneumophila infection. Legionella spp.’s mode of transmission is through aerosols or aspiration of contaminated water. The Public Health […]

The Indoor Mold Is An Early Warning Device

The mold (or mould, in the Queen’s English) has been the victim of a bad press. Mention the word and it conjures up an image of something rotting or in the process of decomposition. And yet, were it not for the mold that inspired the discovery of penicillin millions of lives would have been lost. […]

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