Compare MOLDetect®
to Other Mold Test Kits:
Authorities say:
Tape-Lift Surface Samples Provide
Valuable Mold Information!!
“Surface sampling
may be used to (a) confirm the nature of suspected microbial growth on environmental
surfaces, (b) measure the relative degree of biological contamination, and (c) identify
the types of microorganisms and other biological agents present. Surface sampling is
preferred over bulk sampling when a less destructive method of sample collection is
desired.”
Bioaerosols, Assessment and Control, [ACGIH 1999], Section 12.2.1
[Surface tape sampling] “may help investigators decide if further sampling is
indicated and may help them formulate recommendations for remediation.”
Bioaerosols, Assessment and Control [ACGIH 1999], Section 12.1.3.3
Settle Plate Techniques Are Not
Considered Scientific!!
“Settle plates do
not collect airborne particles in a representative manner and do not reliably measure
bioaerosol concentrations.”
Bioaerosols, Assessment and Control [ACGIH '99], Section 2.3.2.2
“The settling of particles by gravitation onto a culture plate or a microscope
slide depends highly on particle size and is influenced strongly by air movement. Given
the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of ambient particle movement, investigators
cannot directly relate the number of CFUs [mold colony forming units] on a settling
plate…to the concentrations of the corresponding particles in the sampled environment
Gravity samples should not be used even to determine the relative air concentrations of
different microorganisms because of the method’s collection bias.”
Bioaerosols, Assessment and Control [ACGIH 1999], Section 11.3.1
Cultures May Not Detect Important
Molds!!
Culture-based methods
allow detection of only those organisms that are alive, in a condition to grow in
culture, and able to successfully compete with the organisms in an environmental mixture.
It is possible (and perhaps likely) that the majority of microorganisms in a particular
sample are not identifiable with culture-based methods. The species most readily cultured
from a given environment may not be the most prevalent or the most important species
present.”
Bioaerosols, Assessment and Control [ACGIH 1999], Section 6.1.2.2
“Viability of spores is not essential to toxicity, so that the spore as a dead
particle can still be a source of toxin.”
Harriet M. Ammann , Ph.D., D.A.B.T., Senior Toxicologist, Washington State
Department of Health Is Indoor Mold Contamination a Threat to Health?
|
KIT |
Price |
Identifies Mold Types
|
Total Spores
(living
& dead
) |
Only
Detects Viable Spores
(Culture)
|
Settle Plate technique
(Unreliable information)
|
Easy
To
Use |
Pros/
Cons |
|
MOLDetect®
|
3 tests $99
2 for $79
1 for $45
Includes Lab Analysis |
YES |
X
|
|
|
YES
|
HIGHLY QUALIFIED LAB. INCLUDES ALL MATERIALS. Lab Report
is easy to understand.
2 to 3 days for results |
|
OTHER
KIT-1 |
$9.95 - 23.95 per kit,
without lab analysis. |
NO
[ add $30 each sample for lab analysis] |
|
X
|
X
|
|
Media can get contaminated before testing leading to
inaccurate results (false positives) |
|
OTHER
KIT-2 |
$99.95
2 rooms/ kit
|
Only measures 4 molds: Alternaria, Cladosporium,
Penicillium, Aspergillus |
X
|
|
|
Vacuum dust on upholstered furniture or carpet for 2-3
minutes |
Does not test for molds like Stachybotrys.
Results in 2 weeks. |
|
OTHER
KIT-3 |
1 test for $129.95 |
|
X
tape
lift |
|
|
Yes |
Results in 7-10 days. Only identifies 5 fungi. Not
standardized. |
|
OTHER
KIT-4 |
1 test for $24.95 |
Yes |
|
X |
X
|
Must make up media. |
Media can get contaminated before testing (false
positives). Company says accurate results in 48 hrs;
however, Stachybotrys and many molds require
much longer to grow. |
|
OTHER
KIT-5 |
$14.95 |
NO
[additional cost of $39/ sample] |
|
|
|
Attach unit to vacuum wand and vacuum all floors in
house |
Cannot determine which area(s) is contaminated since
only 1
sample from all rooms combined. |
|
OTHER
KIT-6 |
~$50 per tape |
Yes |
X
tape
lift
|
|
|
|
Must obtain a piece of transparent tape and baggie. |
| Be sure that
the kit you choose-- |
Provides useful information
(identifies mold types; detects total spores present, not only viable)
Uses a method approved by the the
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). See info below
regarding settle plates.
Is analyzed by a qualified lab
knowledgeable about biocontaminants
|
Select the BEST!!
Call 1-866-225-MOLD
Order MOLDetect
|
