Air Testing for Mold and Allergens with Mycometer
APPLICATIONS
There are several typical applications of air sampling for mold in buildings:
- Discover a mold source – The Fungal to Allergen Index (FAI)
- PRV – Determine If a room is successfully cleaned – Mycometer air Fungi (MAF) or Mycometer air Allergen (MAA)
- Determine the potential exposure level to mold – (MAF)
- Determine the potential exposure level to total allergens – (MAA)
Discover a mold source.
Naturally occurring mold is present in virtually all rooms together with pollen, dander, dust mites, and other biological material containing allergens. In a study it was found that mold typically constitutes around 10% of the total level of the allergens (median value) in non-problem buildings. If in a room, mold constitutes 35% of the total allergens, the most likely explanation is that there is a mold source (mold growth) that leads to a high percentage of mold. The source could be in the room, inside construction, or in a room in the vicinity of the given room.
The FAI method determines the percentage of mold to total allergens and can tell whether the room is affected by a mold source.
With the FAI method you also get a very accurate measure of the level of mold and of the total allergens. These values are used for evaluating the potential risk of exposure.
With FAI you take two simultaneous air samples, one for determining the level of mold and one for determining the total level of allergens (incl. mold).
Post Remediation Verification (PRV)
For verification of successful cleaning the MAF or MAA can be used. If only mold is relevant use MAF if it is more about the general level of cleaning use MAA.
Determine the potential exposure to mold
The potential exposure level is determined by using Mycometer Air Fungi or MAF.
Determine the potential exposure to total allergens
The potential exposure level is determined by using Mycometer Air Allergens or MAA.
HOW TO SAMPLE
Mycometer has developed a protocol for activated air sampling where a small handheld blower is used to resuspend settled fungal spores into the air. Activated air sampling is a necessity to obtain results that are reproducible and representative of the environment.
Some of the more basic procedures of the Mycometer air protocol for activated sampling.
- The sampling time is always 10 minutes
- Flow rate interval 10-25 lpm (sample volume 100-250 l).
