Different questions require different sampling methods. We help you choose the right test for your specific situation — not a default package that applies regardless of context.
Non-Viable
💨Spore Trap Air Sampling
The workhorse of mold air testing. Fast turnaround (24–48hr), genus-level ID, quantified indoor vs. outdoor comparison. Appropriate for most routine Elgin residential and commercial testing scenarios.
Viable
🏭Viable Culture Air Sampling
Viable culture plates capture live, culturable mold spores that grow on culture media — allowing species-level identification and colony-forming unit counts. Results take 5–7 business days but provide species-level data that spore traps can't. Used when species-level identification matters: Stachybotrys confirmation, occupational health documentation, or situations where genus-level data from spore traps isn't sufficient for your Elgin, MN use case.
Surface
🎖Surface Swab & Tape Lift Sampling
Surface swab samples from visible growth areas are sent to an accredited lab for culture analysis or direct microscopy — confirming whether visible discoloration is mold and identifying the genus/species. Tape lifts provide a faster direct-microscopy option for surface assessment. Used when the presence of mold on a specific surface needs to be confirmed and identified before committing to a removal scope.
ERMI
🔋ERMI Floor Dust Sampling
Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) sampling uses qPCR analysis on settled floor dust to identify and quantify 36 specific mold species — providing a historical picture of mold accumulation in a Elgin, MN property rather than a snapshot of current airborne levels. Used for post-remediation verification, long-term occupant health investigation, and situations where previous mold activity may have settled into dust but isn't actively airborne.
HVAC
🏢HVAC Register & Return Air Testing
Testing directly at HVAC supply registers and return grilles identifies whether the air distribution system is distributing mold spores throughout the property. Elevated counts at registers compared to room-level samples confirm the AHU or ductwork as the amplification source — critical before any duct cleaning or coil remediation decision in your Elgin building.
Clearance
📄Post-Remediation Clearance Testing
Independent post-remediation testing compares treated zone air samples to outdoor baseline — confirming indoor spore counts returned to acceptable levels before re-occupancy. Our Elgin, MN clearance testing uses the same accredited lab protocol as pre-remediation sampling, producing directly comparable data that demonstrates the remediation achieved its objective.
