Airborne mould testing
Airborne mould testing for UK commercial buildings
Spore-trap sampling, direct microscopy and indoor/outdoor comparison — quantify and identify airborne fungi in workplaces, schools and healthcare estates, with defensible reporting.
Why test
Total airborne spore bands we report
Outdoor spores enter every building. The diagnostic question is whether indoor counts and species composition match outdoor air or differ from it — an elevated indoor count of a moisture-loving species is a strong signal of indoor amplification.
<500 spores/m³
Within typical outdoor variation.
500–1500
Indoor source suspected.
1500–3000
Active amplification likely.
>3000 or Stachybotrys
Investigate and remediate.
Spore-trap sampling
Air-O-Cell or Allergenco-D cassettes capture spores onto an adhesive slide.
Species identification
Microscopy resolves Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Stachybotrys and more.
Indoor / outdoor ratio
Outdoor reference samples isolate true indoor amplification.
Hidden growth localisation
Pair with thermal imaging and moisture meters to find concealed sources.
Use cases
When to commission airborne mould testing
After visible damp, water ingress or floods, when occupants report musty odours or unexplained respiratory symptoms, for insurance and tribunal evidence, or as part of pre-purchase due diligence on commercial buildings with damp history.
Combine with indoor air quality testing, indoor environmental monitoring and indoor particulate monitoring.
Benchmarks
Guidance thresholds for indoor airborne mould
| Indicator | Concern level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total indoor spores | >1000 spores/m³ and > outdoor | Indoor source likely |
| Stachybotrys (any indoor) | Investigation trigger | Chronic moisture indicator |
| Aspergillus / Penicillium | >500 indoor, > outdoor | Common amplifiers |
| Indoor:outdoor ratio | >2 for water-indicator species | Diagnostic of growth |
| Species diversity | Indoor << outdoor diversity | Suggests single indoor source |
Commission airborne mould testing
Spore-trap sampling, lab identification and a defensible report — typically delivered within 5 working days.
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