What is Mold?
Molds are microscopic fungi that reproduce by spores just as mushrooms do. In the outdoor environment, mold helps break down decaying material. Indoors, mold growth can cause health problems for some sensitive individuals, particularly those that have allergies or respiratory problems, and damage to buildings. Mold requires moisture and oxygen to grow. Most mold problems in a house come from a build-up of moisture inside either due to a water leak or improper ventilation. Both fixing the moisture problem and removing the moldy materials are necessary to prevent further damage or mold growth . 

What are applicable EPA regulations to Mold?
Currently, there are no EPA regulations concerning airborne mold contamination. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf for a guide to mold problems. Also visit www.epa.gov/mold for other information concerning mold.

How to find out if you have Mold problem in your home?
If you are concerned about a mold problem in your home and would like to have a lab report generated for mold analysis, then our lab can do that for you. There are three different ways you can collect mold samples from suspect areas.

1. Mold Bulk Samples
Bulk samples should be limited to 2-3 square inches of infected material. See How to collect a Bulk Mold Sample.
2. Mold Tape Lift Samples
Tape samples may also be used for identification purposes or to check for contamination remainders after removal as well. See How to collect a Mold Tape sample
3. Mold Air Samples
To check for the presence of mold spores in the air, gather an air sample using an Air-o-cell (or similar type) cassette attached to a personal pump. The staff at AIH Laboratory can answer all of your questions about mold contamination.

How to collect a Bulk Mold sample:

1. Identify location of moldy material
2. Gather tools:
   1. Re-sealable plastic bags (or small disposable containers with air-tight seals)
   2. Sharp cutting or scraping tool (utility knife)
   3. Sharpie (to write sample id, location, and date on bag)
   4. Rubber disposable gloves (should be worn during sample gathering)
   5. Cleaning supplies (dampened paper towels)
3. Shut down forced-air heating or cooling systems
4. Cut 2-3 square inches of suspect material into bag and seal bag
5. Write sample type, location, and date on bag or container with Sharpie; place inside another bag
6. Wipe sample bag with moistened paper towels
7. Dispose of paper towels and rubber gloves by placing them in a re-sealable bag and placing it in trash container
8. Clean tools and hands.

How to collect a Mold Tape sample: (Also used to check for leftover contamination after removal)

1. Identify location of moldy material
2. Gather tools:
   1. Re-sealable plastic bags (or small disposable containers with air-tight seals)
   2. Clear plastic sticky tape in 4 inch sections; fold over small piece on each end
   3. Aluminum foil
   4. Sharpie (to write sample id, location, and date on bag)
   5. Rubber disposable gloves (should be worn during sample gathering)
   6. Cleaning supplies (dampened paper towels)
3. Shut down forced-air heating or cooling systems
4. Place sticky side of tape down on surface and gather dust particles of suspect material
5. Place sample tape sticky side down on aluminum foil. Repeat steps 4 & 5 with other surfaces and pieces of tape
6. Fold aluminum to cover samples and crimp edges. Place into bag and seal bag.
7. Write sample type, location, and date on bag or container with Sharpie; place inside another bag
8. Wipe sample bag with moistened paper towels
9. Dispose of paper towels and disposable rubber gloves by placing them in a re-sealable bag and placing it in trash container
10. Clean tools and hands.