1.Tape lift.

2 Swabs.

3. Bulk.

Advantage of surface sampling:

1. Inexpensive method

2. Quick Turn around time.

3. Good for Initial IAQ Fungal survey especially if visible Fungal seen.

Disadvantage of surface sampling:

1. Ignoring the spores in the air, which can be harmful.

2. Tape lift cannot be cultured.

Tape Lift sampling guide

1.Choose the area of most concern for testing. We suggest testing any areas with visible mildew or water damage.

2.Wear a sterilized glove.

3. Take a three-inch piece of clear scotch tape, do not use frosty     tapes. Fold one end over, sticky side to sticky side, to make a 1/2-inch tab handle (this will give you something to grasp). Leave the rest of the sticky side exposed but not for a long time.

4. Gently depress the sticky side of the tape against the area you are testing, and lift the tape off. You should try to get a sample about the size of a postage stamp. More is not necessarily better as it will be observed through a powerful microscope.

5. Adhere the sticky side of the tape to the inside of the zip lock bag.

6.Tape the piece of paper with your information and sample location inside the zip lock bag. Place the zip lock bag inside a mailing envelope and mail it to the lab.                           

Mycotoxin sampling guide

Air sampling

for mycotoxins has important limitations. Concentrations must be at least 100,000 spores or greater to ensure accurate detection of any mycotoxins. For all practical purposes, mycotoxin sampling should be done through bulk, surface or dust sampling.

Bulk samples

should be cut and aseptically removed from the source and placed in a clean, sterile container of pre-sealed zip lock bag. Proper identification of the sample should include date, time, location, temperature and humidity at the time of collection. A sample size of 25-50 grams is normally sufficient.

When possible, bulk samples should be collected that have visible fungi contamination. Bulk materials that can be used for the determination of mycotoxins include such items as wallpaper, cardboard, wood, plasterboard, paper covered gypsum board, mineral wool, plaster, sand, linoleum, polyurethane insulation, pipe insulation and paint chips. There is a wide possibility for a sample source.

Sterile swab samples

should be collected from an area approximately 4” x 4”. This will allow the laboratory to calculate a concentration based on a specific area. The sterile swab should be placed back in the sterile container so that the seal is a positive one. It is a good idea to seal the vial with a piece of tape to ensure that it doesn’t come apart during transport to the lab. Any cross contamination will render the sample useless. Surface sampling with sterile swabs is a good technique. It is non destructive. It is easily accomplished and the laboratory can get good results.

Dust samples

for mycotoxin identification are another good method of collection. With this technique it is important top collect a second sample from an area assumed to be non contaminated for comparison. A vacuum pump pulling approximately 15 liters per minute will do the task nicely. The sample should be collected from a location where obvious dust has accumulated.

It will be necessary to allow 2 to 5 minutes of sampling in order to collect enough material for proper identification. A clear filter is preferable because you can see if it starts to get overloaded with material. Too much material in the sampling cassette can actually hinder the process.

Multiple samples

should be collected fro comparison studies. At the current time there are no governmental or industrial regulations concerning allowable mycotoxins or toxigenic mold spores in indoor environments. Your best insurance against problems is to address the problem when the compliant come sup, identify any actual or potential fungal issues and address a remediation plan.