Inspection Detail
Limited Mold Inspection
Premier Partners
Quantity and concentration of Penicillium/Aspergillus spore types:
This score indicates the likelihood that spores of Penicillium or Aspergillus present in the indoor sample originated from indoor sources. A high score suggests that there is a high probability that Penicillium or Aspergillus is originating indoors, such as from active mold growth. A low score indicates that the spores present are more likely to have originated from outdoor sources and come inside through doors and windows, carried in on people’s clothing, or similar methods. Penicillium and Aspergillus are among the most common molds found growing indoors and are one of the more commonly found molds outside as well. Their spores are frequently present in both outdoor and indoor air, even in relatively clean, mold-growth-free, indoor environments. Additionally, their levels vary significantly based upon activity levels, dustiness, weather conditions, outside air exchange rates, and other factors.
We recommend that you consult with an EPA certified mold mitigation company if you are not familiar with how to locate and safely remove mold growth or how to identify and correct moisture problems that may exist.
Recommend contacting a qualified mold mitigation company for further evaluation of the moderate or high levels of Penicillium/Aspergillus that were identified in the air sample that was taken at the time of the inspection. A recommendation for a local company is Spectrum Cleaning and Restoration at 720-316-6850.
Quantity and concentration of “marker” spore types:
This score indicates the likelihood that certain distinctive types of mold present in the indoor sample originated from indoor sources. Certain types of mold are generally found in very low numbers outdoors. Consequently, their presence indoors, even in relatively low numbers compared to Penicillium, for example, is often an indication that these molds are originating from growth indoors. When present, these mold types are often the clearest indicator of a mold problem. Note, however, that the absence of marker spore types does not mean that a mold problem does not exist in a house; it just means that if a problem is present, it either involves types of mold that are more commonly found both indoors and outdoors, or that the spores from these molds were not airborne at the time of sampling.
Stachybotrys:
Distribution: Stachybotrys is ubiquitous in nature. This genus contains about 15 species.
How it is spread: Stachybotrys produces wet slimy spores and is commonly dispersed through water flow, droplets, or insect transport, less commonly through the air.
Where it is found outdoors: Stachybotrys is found in soils, decaying plant debris, decomposing cellulose, leaf litter and seeds.
Where it is found indoors: Stachybotrys is common indoors on wet materials containing cellulose such as wallboard, jute, wicker, straw baskets, and other paper materials.
We recommend that you consult with an EPA certified mold mitigation company if you are not familiar with how to locate and safely remove mold growth or how to identify and correct moisture problems that may exist.
Recommend contacting a qualified mold mitigation company for further evaluation of the moderate or high levels of “Marker” spore types – Stachybotrys, that were identified in the air sample that was taken at the time of the inspection. A recommendation for a local company is Spectrum Cleaning and Restoration at 720-316-6850.
Quantity and concentration of “other” spore types:
This score indicates the likelihood that other types of mold present in the indoor sample originated from indoor sources. This score includes a heterogeneous group of genera that are not covered by any of the scores discussed above, and so it is difficult to make generalizations about this group. Molds in the “other” category are generally found outdoors in moderate numbers, and are therefore not considered markers of indoor growth. They are frequently found indoors but in lower numbers compared to Cladosporium and Penicillium/Aspergillus spores.
The most common types of mold in the “Other” category is smuts, periconia, and myxomycetes. The spores of smuts, periconia, and myxomycetes look similar and cannot generally be distinguished by spore trap analysis. Smuts are plant pathogens and are not likely to be on indoor surfaces. Periconia is rarely found growing indoors. However, myxomycetes, the spores of which look similar, can occasionally grow indoors. Because there is a small probability of indoor sources, these spore types are indicated in the “other” spore types category. False positives may result if the spores are smuts, not myxomycetes.
We recommend that you consult with an EPA certified mold mitigation company if you are not familiar with how to locate and safely remove mold growth or how to identify and correct moisture problems that may exist.
Recommend contacting a qualified mold mitigation company for further evaluation of the moderate or high levels of “Other” spore types that were identified in the air sample that was taken at the time of the inspection. A recommendation for a local company is Spectrum Cleaning and Restoration at 720-316-6850.
