Sampling terms

Spore trap
A cassette that captures airborne particles when a pump draws a measured volume of air through it. The lab counts and identifies spores under a microscope.
Outdoor baseline
An air sample taken outside at the same time as indoor samples. Indoor results are usually judged against it.
Tape lift
Clear tape pressed against a surface and sent to the lab to see whether growth is present.
Swab
A sterile swab rubbed on a surface, used like a tape lift, sometimes for culture.
Wall cavity sample
Air drawn from inside a closed wall through a small hole to check for hidden growth.
Chain of custody
The form tracking who collected, handled and received each sample.

Result terms

Spores per cubic meter
The concentration of spores found in a measured volume of air.
Hyphae
Thread-like fungal structures. Seeing many of them suggests active growth nearby, not just settled spores.
Raw count
The number of spores actually counted before the lab converts it to a concentration.
Limit of detection
The smallest amount the method can reliably find; results below it are reported as not detected.
Water-damage indicator
Mold types often associated with materials that stayed wet, such as Stachybotrys and Chaetomium.
Penicillium/Aspergillus
Common molds whose spores look alike under a microscope, so labs often report them together.
Cladosporium
A mold very common outdoors; often dominant in outdoor baselines.

Reading a report: what to check first

  • Is there an outdoor baseline, and was it taken the same day?
  • Which rooms were sampled, and do they include the area of concern?
  • Are indoor types similar to outdoor types, or different?
  • Does the lab note hyphae or water-damage indicator molds?
  • Does the assessor's written interpretation match the numbers?
  • Is the lab named, and does it state its accreditation?

Common questions

Is "toxic black mold" a lab term?

No. It is a popular phrase, usually referring to Stachybotrys. Many molds look dark, and color alone does not identify a species. Labs report genus names, and assessors interpret what they mean for your home.

Why does my report show more spores outdoors than indoors?

That is common, especially in summer and fall. Outdoor air naturally carries many spores. What draws attention is an indoor sample that is higher than outdoors, or that contains different types.

Who should explain the report to me?

The person who collected the samples. Ask them for a written interpretation and recommendations, not just the lab sheet.

General information for Highlands Ranch, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.