Reading and Understanding Lab Reports
Accessing Your Mold Report
Lab analysis for a mold samples include a detailed report and consultation with an indoor environmental professional (IEP). Buy Analysis.
In Your Inbox
As soon as it is ready you’ll receive your report as a PDF attached to an email.
In Your Account
You can also find the report by logging into My Account and clicking on “My Reports”.
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Understanding Your ImmunoLytics Lab Report
Watch the video or follow the steps below.
1
Cover and
Summary Page
On the very first page, you’ll see the information that you provided to the lab on your lab processing form, followed by how your samples were handled, and a summary of your results.
Get a Snapshot of All Your Mold Samples
The most important information to note on this page is the Total Count number for each sample. The Total Count is the number of colonies (circles), regardless of size, growing on the agar of your sample. This number is compared to the health scale in the third section, Interpreting Your Results, to understand the impact it has on your health.
Tap any of the images in the instructions below to view larger.
2
Sample Details
The second section lists the details of what was found on your samples and pictures of the samples for reference.
Reading Plate Samples
Each of your samples is listed with the genera of mold that was found, and how many colonies of each genera was present on your plates.
Bacteria in Your Sample
We list bacteria if it was found on your sample. However, we do not include that number within the total mold count. Our plates deter bacteria growth, so the presence of bacteria is an additional indication of the biological condition of the sampled area.
Pictures of Each Sample
On the last page of this section, we include a picture of your sample plates so that you can see exactly what we analyzed. While seeing these plates can be disturbing, it is extremely helpful to see what was present in each sample. Please note that your picture results are in the same order as your reported samples —read left to right, top to bottom.
Reading Swab Samples
Any swab samples will be listed as well. Swab samples, or “bulk” samples don’t include counts but rather percentage present. We’ll cover how to interpret swab samples in just a moment.
3
Interpretations
of Results
The third section is on interpreting your results. This section has a table that includes a health scale for interpreting your air sample results and an explanation on how to use it.
Understanding Air Sample Results (Gravity Plates)
Use the health scale table on this page by comparing to the “total counts” found on the cover page of your lab report. This indicates how someone’s health could be impacted by the mold detected in the areas sampled. The instructions below explain how to read the health scale.
How to Read the Health Scale
0-4 Colonies
On the health scale, a total colony count of zero to four is considered normal or within acceptable range for most of the population.
5-8 colonies
A total colony count of five to eight could be causing illness to any the occupants that are mold susceptible.
9+ Colonies
A total colony count of nine or more could be hazardous to someone that is mold susceptible.
Please note that any total listed as “TNTC” or Too Numerous to Count, is far above the listed health scale.
Recommendations for Treatment
If any of your samples have five or more total colonies within the sample, we can provide you with recommendations as to how to lower that overall number during the consultation.
Interpreting Swab (Bulk) Sample Results
Refer to the swab results on the samples detail pages. The “% Surface Area Observed to have Mold Contamination” is an estimation of the amount of the swab surface that is covered by mold. If the entire swab came into contact with the area sampled, then a value of 10% or greater typically indicates mold contamination of the sampled area.
The “Composition of Mold Contaminated Area” estimates the amount of the observed mold that was present as spores and mycelial fragments. Although interesting, these values are not important in the determination if mold contamination is present, or the types of mold present, which are our primary concerns.
“Organism” & “Percentage” indicate the type of mold found and the percentage of the total mold observed and will always total 100%. If these show any amount of Alternaria, Chaetomium, or Stachybotrys it indicates water damage and potential health effects.
4
Found Mold Details
The final section has information for each of the mold that was present in your samples. This information includes a description of the mold genera and where it is commonly found, amongst other things.
Details About the Mold
For each mold organism found in your plates we include a description of the mold, its health effects, and where it is commonly found.
Candida, Nocardia, Rhodotorula found in your samples?
If Candida, Nocardia, or Rhodotorula are found, those are usually indicative of pet or human contamination.
High levels of candida? Talk to your provider.
If there are high levels of Candida you may want to talk to your health care provider. Yeast infections are common in both men and women. The most effective treatment method for yeast infections is to lower the overall candida count within the body as well as within the environment.
Associated Mycotoxins
Finally, any known mycotoxins are listed in this section. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring organic compounds produced by mold and are categorized as biotoxins. Mycotoxins are some of the most carcinogenic naturally occurring compounds and thus should be minimized in your environments.
5
The Next Steps
We encourage you to review all the parts of your report thoroughly. And also to contact ImmunoLytics for a consultation to review the details of what was found as well as what steps to take next.
