Indoor Air Quality

At Biodet we can analyse the microbial air quality using a variety of different methods to compare areas that have suspected microbial growth to ‘normal and unavoidable’ flora typically found in the built and local environment.

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Culturable air sampling methods detect viable microorganisms in a known volume of air. This method is suitable where recent water ingress issues have been detected as we can distinguish between different bacterial types and see whether the types that typically grow in damp conditions are in high levels. Fungal types can also easily be classified to genus level as they are actively growing on the plates. The use of this methodology can also include looking for specific organisms in the air such as Escherichia coli or pathogenic fungi.

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Biodet has investigated air quality issues in many different environments including air-conditioned buildings, dwellings, hospitals, waste treatment plants and poultry farms.

 

If moisture issues have been on-going for a prolonged period, it is recommended that non-culturable methodologies be used. The ‘black mould’ commonly known as Stachybotrys is not easily aerosolised when viable and will usually be outgrown by faster growing fungi using a culturable method. Spore trapping is a much more effective method for the analysis of this fungus in air, and more information can be found on our leaky buildings tab.

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As a microbiological consulting laboratory, we are not limited to these standards and are willing to explore new methods, therefore we welcome any enquiries regarding other testing methodologies.