PRV by using PCR [was Normal Fungal Ecology]

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Group, It seems reasonable to monitor the remediation progress/result by what you discover during investigation. However, it is very common that many hidden mold growth is only discovered during remediation but not investigation. Not to mention, there are some never identified, but however stirred up during remediation. For example, high level of Aspergillus vesicolor was found in the air and small area of surface growth of A. vesicolor was confirmed by lab results (culture or PCR). However, unidentified mold which also look greenish (a much larger area of Penicillium) was stirred up during remediation. If you only test for Aspergillus vesciolor by PCR during PRV, you are not seeing everything. None of the Penicillium spore will be detected. Total (non--viable plus viable, see note below) spore count using "high efficiency" spore traps is the only way to see every spores. "Clean"

means low spores, not low in A. vesicolor spores. Unless you use blasting method, then use particle counter plus spore count. Also, surface mold growth is not homogenous. Even if you take 9 different samples of swabs (1 in2 each) out of a 3 by 3 feet mold growth, how representative is that to the whole area (less than 1%?). There is a way (two, actually) to correlate surface (source) mold to air samples, but I would only recommend it to more senior consultants due to liability issue. Email me if interested. Note: There is no such thing as "non-viable" spore count. Both viable and non-viable (thus total) are being counted. The sooner the term is correctly used, the better. If you said "non-fecal" coliforms when you meant "total" (fecal plus non-fecal" coliforms, that is a mistake. Wei Tang QLab

Wei Tang, Ph.D. Lab Director QLab5 DriveCherry Hill, NJ 08003www.QLabUSA.com