What are the advantages of tape-lift surface sampling?
Advantage over testing by culture method: The tape lift method is analyzed by direct microscopy. You do not need to grow the fungus in culture media to identify it. Thus, you are able to detect both the viable (living) and non-viable (dead) spores, both of which are important because mold spores continue to be allergenic and toxigenic even when dead (even after being treated with a disinfectant). Additionally, some types of mold grow much faster than other types. Slower-growers (like the black mold Stachybotrys) may be overgrown by molds that grow much more rapidly and thus may not be found by the culture technique. The method we use enables all spores in the sample to be observed. As opposed to air sampling: Air sampling gives you a snapshot view of what is in the air at the time of testing. Intermittent or past problems may not be found. Surface sampling gives you a better picture of what has occurred in the past and over time. As opposed to petri dishes or settle plates: Scientists
