Last Updated on March 1, 2016
Carrying out an inspection at home, workplace or any other building helps people to find solutions to issues that have a negative impact. A good example is the presence of mold in buildings. Research shows that the presence of molds in places that are habited by human beings causes health issues. The best way to reduce these health issues is eliminating molds at home, workplace and other buildings. Hiring mold removal experts to carry out the inspection through air sampling is a brilliant idea. Here is more on air sampling as a criterion for inspecting mold presence.
Properties of mold spores
Mold spores are microscopic and barely visible to the naked eye. These spores are responsible for causing health problems such as coughing, asthma and nausea among health issues. Moreover, there are different types of molds. This means that the spores will also vary depending on the type of molds that are growing at home. When mold removal experts visit your home, they carry out an inspection using the air sampling method. Samples of spores collected during inspection are analyzed later in laboratories. This helps determine the seriousness of the mold issue.
Significance of air sampling
Essentially, air samples help in gathering vital data concerning mold spores that are present at your home. Experts use a device to suck in air with mold spores in places that are mostly affected by presence of mold. The collection device has a sucking pump that pulls in air along with mold spores. When enough sample of mold spores has been collected using the device, it is taken to the laboratory for further analysis as mentioned earlier. After determining the type of mold spores, an appropriate action can be taken to completely remove molds at home.
Devices for air sampling
Mold removal experts use several air sampling devices to collect mold spores before taking them to the laboratory for analysis. These include cassette samplers, air-borne particle device and impaction device. The cassette sampler is the kind of device that is disposable after use. It uses forced air to suck in air with mold spores.
The air-borne device works quite differently. Unlike the cassette sampler, it involves the use of a culture dish for trapping mold spores that are usually present in the air when mold grows in a certain place. The impaction device has an air pump that is calibrated. The air pump sucks in air with mold spores sending them to an already existing micro-slide.
The sampling process
The sampling process works in such a way that allows for air sampling at certain times. That means that it would not be ideal to carry out air sampling at certain times as well. In that case, a mold removal expert will take air sample when he establishes that there are major factors that generally lead to growth of mold such as high moisture level and water damage.
Musty odor is also another factor that a mold removal expert will consider to determine the presence of mold at home. In the event there are no signs indicating presence of mold, the mold removal expert will still use air quality testing device to take air samples for use in the laboratories.
Air sampling is an integral part of mold inspection. It helps determine if there is mold present at home or workplace by sampling the air. Since mold spores are microscopic, they are usually suspended in the air. This explains why they contribute to respiratory issues. Taking air sample makes it possible for mold removal experts to identify the type mold spores that are present at certain places. Mold spores vary depending on type of mold. By determining the type of mold spores, experts can figure out the most effective way for eliminating mold at home.