Surface vs Air Testing for MOLD

Surface vs Air Testing - How do you know what method to choose for your clients?

Surface aka Swab testing is commonly used when there is suspected visual mold. Choose this option when the client needs to know if the stuff you are seeing is active growth or not. You can use a cotton swab or bio tape to obtain a sample for surface testing. Priority Lab will also tell you what kind of mold it is in addition to whether or not the growth is active.

Air testing is typically chosen when a client wants to know if the air quality is effected. This does not necessarily mean visual mold is present. There are invisible mold spores floating throughout the air we breathe. The air test gives a count of how many spores are in a room and whether or not those levels are elevated or a problem. Priority Lab will also identify what kinds of spores were found in the air sample. This may help determine where the spores are coming from if elevated. This info is also helpful to remediators. It's also important to note that air testing isn't typically done in attics or crawlspaces due to the fact that occupants do not habitat these areas but there is always THAT customer that insists

In some cases you may want to chose BOTH methods to give more complete information.