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Testing for Black Mold

Confirming the presence of black mold requires an investigative approach involving several tests. Some companies use several methods in one mold test kit.

  1. Humidity

    • Mold might be suspected if simple tests show relative humidity of 60 percent or higher.

    Samples of Material

    • Physical samples of drywall, flooring, wood or insulation containing suspected mold are collected and sent to a lab for analysis. Specific species of mold can be determined through this method. This method may require some destruction in order to gather specimens.

    Swab

    • A cotton swab swiped over the mold then sent to a lab to be cultured and identified is less invasive. This method does not work well on porous or dry surfaces.

    Tape

    • Simple household tape can be used to collect suspected mold, and then sent to a microbiology lab for analysis.

    Bioaerosol

    • Air samples taken over three to five minutes with a high volume aerosol device and a prepared petri dish may show airborne spores. This type of test can analyze more than one species of mold.

    Spore Trap

    • Another mold test for airborne spores also tests for pollen and insect parts.

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