Surface Sampling

What Is Surface Sampling and Testing?

Surface Sampling and Testing: An Overview

Why surface sampling is important.

It is important that whenever mould cleaning or remediation is completed, a record is kept of the remediation that has taken place, and to confirm the efficacy of the process. It is a waste of resources if mould cleaning or remediation has not been effective, especially when sensitised individuals are suffering from mould exposure.

Testing for the presence of mould is the only way to confirm that mould treatments have been effective. Testing will confirm that the spores, hyphae and other fragments have been removed and that there is no active mould growth. In addition to surface sampling and testing, air sampling and testing may be necessary.

Surface Sampling and Testing is a robust methodology that has been meticulously developed over a decade in partnership with mould remediation consultants, contractors, and the Danish Building Research Institute. This method has consistently demonstrated its effectiveness and value.

The results are categorised empirically into three distinct classifications: clean, dirty, and contaminated. A ‘clean’ status signifies a background level typically found on visually clean surfaces in well-maintained buildings devoid of mould and moisture issues. ‘Contaminated’, on the other hand, refers to samples that contain mould concentrations exceeding those found on dusty and dirty surfaces in similar well-maintained buildings.

The interpretation criteria align with the guidelines set forth by leading international bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the New York City Department of Health, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA).

It is important to note that all mould growth, regardless of species, can potentially impact health and should be promptly removed. To facilitate this, protocols have been established to measure mould contamination within porous materials. These materials, which include insulation materials, cement-based materials (such as concrete, plaster, and mortar), and other porous materials commonly found in buildings, can harbour mould growth deep within.

The Mycometer technology, a cornerstone of this methodology, has undergone rigorous daily testing for over 15 years by consultants and contractors across tens of thousands of mould remediation projects.

Several independent scientific papers have documented the principles underpinning the Mycometer technology. Furthermore, the technology received verification from the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) in 2011, further cementing its credibility and effectiveness.