ABSTRACT
Mold is the most common of biological hazards. Molds can survive in the most hazardous of environments in the form of spores, which are shells that protect the mold from harm until they find an environment in which they can thrive, at which point they shed their shells and begin to live. Health effects caused by mycotoxins vary significantly by individual susceptibility. Populations most impacted by mold include the elderly, people with allergies or asthma, or people who are immuno-compromised. The lack of a dose-response health impact relationship has prevented the scientific and regulatory communities from developing permissible exposure limits and maximum permissible concentrations for mycotoxins. There are several reasons for conducting a mold survey, which involves the identification of mold and conditions conducive to mold growth. Two types of analysis can be performed on bulk samples: viable analysis and non-viable analysis.
