How To Take And Send Samples For Mold And Bacteria Testing
How To Collect Tape Samples For Mold Testing
- Cut 2-3 inches of clear tape. Avoid touching the sticky side by holding the piece of tape by the edges.
- Press the tape gently onto the surface you wish to test for mold growth.
- Peel the tape off surface holding the tape by the edges only.
- Apply sticky side of tape to the inside of the ziplock bag. Do not fold the tape.
- Close bag and label the sample appropriately (put only one sample per bag.)
- Fill in the chain of custody form and send it together with the samples to MBL.
How To Collect Bulk Samples For Mold Testing
- Wear suitable gloves
- Cut a small piece (about 4 square inches) of the suspect material (e.g., carpet, drywall, wallpaper, wood)taking care not to disturb the mold.
- Place the sample inside a clean plastic bag (for example ziplock).
- Close the bag and label the sample appropriately.
- Fill in the chain of custody form and send it together with the samples to MBL.
How To Collect Swab Samples For Mold Or Bacteria Testing
Dry swabs are recommended for wet surfaces and wet swabs for dry surfaces.
- Wear suitable gloves
- Remove swab from tube (NB- If using swabs with a wetting agent, drain most of it on the sides of the tube before sampling)
- Swab the test surface by rolling the swab lightly back and forth. For quantification of the amount of mold or bacteria on the test surface, swab a known surface area (for example, 100 square centimeters)
- After swabbing, insert the swab in the tube. Firmly close cap and label the sample appropriately.
- Fill in the chain of custody form and send it together with the samples to MBL
How To Collect Air Samples (Non-Culture) For Airborne Mold Testing
Various sampling cassettes can be used. Should the manufacturer’s instructions differ from the one linked below, use the manufacturer’s instructions. Also ensure the pump has been calibrated to the appropriate flow rate for the type of cassette to be used. We rent a sampling pump (Quick Take15) and provide cassettes at a small fee.
Click QuickTake15 Manual for instructions on how to take air samples.
Note: replace stickers on Air Sampling Cassettes once sampling is completed to prevent contamination.
How To Collect Air Samples For Culture Analysis
Settle Plate Samples
- Select suitable agar media for sampling
- Place the plates at table-top level and remove the lids
- Leave the plates open for 0.5-4 hours
- Cover the plates and secure the lids with clear tape
- Label the plates with appropriate information
- Place the samples in a cooler/box ensuring the samples are not in contact with ice packs (to avoid having the samples frozen)
- Fill in the chain of custody form and send it together with the samples to MBL for incubation and identification of the resulting mold or bacteria
How To Collect Air Samples (culturable) For Mold Or Bacteria Testing
Volumetric air samples for culture analyses are taken by impacting a known volume of air onto a suitable growth medium. Commonly used samples are Reuter Centrifugal Sampler (RCS) or the Anderson Single Stage Sampler. Please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on how to take samples using your sampler.
Where and How to Send the Samples
General points to remember
- Use a permanent marker to label the samples
- Complete a chain of custody form (sample submittal form) with the relevant information.
- For air samples, record the flow rate and sampling time or the total air volume collected on the form.
- Secure the samples and the chain of custody in a shipping container.
- For samples that do not require culturing, refrigeration is usually not needed when submitting the samples to the laboratory for analysis.
- When collecting samples, write down and include with the sample(s) the following information, or download and fill out our Analysis Request Form:
- Name
- Company (if applicable)
- Mailing Address
- Telephone Number (voice) and fax number (if applicable)
- Email address (if any)
- Date sample taken
- The type of analysis required (if not sure call the lab)
- Turnaround time required for non-viable analysis: regular (1-3 days) or rush (24 hours
If you are within the GTA region, you can either deliver the samples to the laboratory by hand or send them by courier or post. Samples from anywhere else in Canada (outside the GTA) may be sent by courier or post to:Note: It is recommended that wet and/or culturable samples be sent to the laboratory on the same day if possible) or by overnight courier, and should be shipped under cool conditions (but not frozen).
Our turnaround time for all culture analyses is 10-14 days. Non-culture analyses takes 1-3 days for regular service and 24 hours for rush service. Please call if you need sampling information or a list of our prices.
Download our Chain of Custody (Analysis Request Form)
Click here for our current prices.
Should you have a question concerning either our services or any mold/bacteria and their health effects, please send your question to our Help Desk, or fill out our Question Form and submit for priority attention. Your questions will be answered within 48-72 hours. For immediate assistance call 905-290-9101.