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Recording soon Rod is filming this one. Until it is up, the written guide below has the essentials.

Swabs, tape lifts and bulk, choosing a surface mould method

IRIS laboratory team · NVLAP accredited · 6:50

Free

When a tape lift beats a swab, how to sample a non-porous versus a porous surface, and what to write in the location field so the report makes sense.

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Surface and bulk samples answer a different question from air: is this growth fungal, which genera are present, and how dense is it?

Pick the method

What you seeSampleMethod
Staining or suspected growth on walls, ceilings, floors or HVAC registersSurface tape liftASTM D7658-17(2021)
Water-damaged drywall, insulation or ceiling tile, before demolition or during remediationBulk: tape lift, or a piece of the material in a containerASTM D7658-17(2021)
Post-remediation clearanceAir spore trap plus surface tape liftASTM D7391-20 and D7658-17(2021)

Both surface and bulk are AIHA-LAP EMLAP accredited, with results in 3 to 5 business days.

A surface tape lift confirms whether visible growth is fungal, identifies the genus and documents the contamination for the remediation scope. Bulk examination confirms the contamination level and genus before workers disturb the material.

Taking a tape lift

  1. Use the tape lift slide the lab supplies.
  2. Apply it following the protocol in your kit.
  3. Record the sample type and exact location on the COC.

Bulk samples

Send either a tape lift taken from the material, or a physical piece of the material in a container.

Swabs

The mould COC also covers swab samples. If you are deciding between a swab and a tape lift, contact the lab or email support@irislaboratories.com and they will recommend the right approach for your job.

Sending samples

Tape lift samples need no refrigeration. Ship overnight with the COC inside, or drop off at 2333 US-22 West, Union, NJ, Monday to Friday before 4 PM ET.

Start the mould COC, or download the mould COC (PDF).

Mould

Spore traps, swabs, tape lifts and bulk. Air and surface on one form.

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What you need for this test

Open in supplies
Bio-Tape surface lift TAPE-BIO
Direct surface lift for visible growth. No pump needed.
Sterile swab with transport medium SWAB-STER
Surface swabs for mould and biofilm sampling.
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