How do I Count Mold Spores?

High mold counts are often evidenced by a rise in human allergies due to the spread of mold spores during the summer months. Though you can sometimes see mold, determining a mold count is an not obvious task. The counting involves the number of spores or "seeds" of the mold that are spread through the air. Common mold spores are identified and counted using a technical method involving scientific apparatuses and formulas. In order to accurately count mold spores yourself, there are training and certification programs available through the National Allergy Bureau (NAB).

Things You'll Need

• Clinical/Classroom training course
• NAB Certification
• Membership to NAB
• If you operate a counting station in your area:
• Station Manual - The NAB has a station manual is in PowerPoint format. Contact Jerome Schultz at [email protected] to get an emailed copy.
• Burkard Sampler - NAB stations counting molds and pollen grains operate with Burkard samplers, which may be purchased from Burkard UK. Their web address is www.burkard.co.uk.

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Instructions

• 1

  Complete an aeroallergen or spore identification course. Suggested programs include:

  - AAAAI Basic Aeroallergen Course

  - ACAAI Basic Aeroallergen Course

  - Courses administered by Harriet Burge, PhD

  - Courses presented by Mike Muilenberg or Christine Rogers (www.aerobiologylab.com)

  - Courses presented by the Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 800-778-9353

  Contact the NAB to discuss the eligibility of other courses in your area.

• 2

  Take a online multiple choice exam. The exam is 70 questions and is accessed with a web username and password. Content in the exam is drawn from the NAB Operations Committee's "Knowledge Base for Counters."

• 3

  Complete a slide test. Once you have initiated the testing process, the NAB will send you a slide containing mold spores to identify and count. The package will come through the mail with a return envelope to send back your findings. If you pass the exam and the slide test, you are considered a certified NAB mold counter, with access to report your counts on the NAB aeroallergen network.