In the first article of this series, our discussion highlighted the need to redefine the expectations of what a mold assessment should be and the need to consider the competence of the professionals performing the assessment. In this article, we will discuss the limitations associated with sampling and the overreliance of sampling in lieu of an informed physical inspection. Informed inspections are based on facts and data that are collected to determine the extent, origin, and cause of the mold growth and contamination.

Mold sampling options

While there are a variety of different sampling methods available to sample mold in the indoor environment, air samples, and in particular spore trap samples, are commonly used to determine the extent that visible mold growth is degrading the indoor air quality, the presence or location of hidden mold growth, or as part of a post-mold remediation verification assessment. Based upon an informed physical inspection, a site-specific sampling plan can be developed, and an informed interpretation of the laboratory analysis can then be made to determine whether the indoor environment is "normal," or characteristic of a well-maintained and dry structure, or whether the interior air is similar to the outside air.

Figure 1. (Credit: SKC Inc.)