Using the Mold Test Kit
Instructions provided by ImmunoLytics, Mold Testing & Analysis Labs.
Steps for finding mold
Preparation
Sample
Seal & Label
Analysis
Next Steps
What You’ll Need
CitriSafe Mold Test Kit
The Mold Test kit allows you to affordably test any number of rooms or areas for the presence of mold in your home, office, or vehicle. Optionally, you can send your samples for laboratory analysis.
1. Preparation
Evaluate What Needs to be Tested
Evaluate all areas that should be tested including vehicles and even pets.
Test areas that are known or suspected of having water leaks (e.g. – roof leaks, flooding, pipe leaks, etc.) If specific areas cause sneezing and coughing, they should be included. Include more than one mold plate in large areas or rooms.
We recommend testing each of the following areas:
Bathroom
Basement
Master Bedroom
Den/Great Room
Car
Kitchen
Child's Bedroom
Office (Home & Work)
2. Sample
Test Your Rooms, Cars, Pets and Surfaces for Mold
Test as soon as possible, but do not open mold plates until you are ready to use them.
Rooms
When testing a room, select an area to place a mold plate that is at least 2 feet from the wall.
Remove the mold plate lid and place bottom (contains yellow agar) on a flat surface to test for one hour.
Review this preparation checklist before sampling.
Keep windows closed for at least six hours prior to testing.
Don’t turn on air conditioning unless that is part of your normal activity. However, do turn on the central fan of the heating and air conditioning system.
Don’t sweep or vacuum just before the test.
Rooms can be used as normal during sampling including children and pets. Please ensure pets don’t touch or lick plates.
Vehicles
When testing a vehicle, keep windows and doors closed during the entire process, other than entering and exiting the vehicle.
Remove the mold plate lid and place a plate on a paper towel on the front passenger’s seat or center console.
Turn on your engine and let the air-conditioner or heater blow for 30 minutes on re-circulate (Max). Turn off the car and let the plate sit for another 30 minutes.
Pets
Tap test when testing a particular piece of furniture, rug, car seat, carpeting, pillow, sofa, pet, or any textile.
Wash & dry your hands thoroughly prior to testing.
Hold the plate so the yellow agar is facing towards the object or pet. Tap the object in 4 different representative places (The yellow agar should not touch the object). This will force the mold spores into the air and onto the plate.
Visible Mold
Swab any potential visible mold.
Swab the area to be sampled until the end of the swab is discolored. Cover as much of the swab as possible with the potential mold.
3. Seal & Label
Seal With Stickers and Label Bottom of Your Samples
Use 2 “Immunolytics Logo” stickers per sample for a proper seal on each sampling plate. Complete a “Mold Sample Label” and affix to the bottom of each sample.
Mold Sample Label
Create a label for each sample with a unique name and the date and time of testing. Place it on the swab container or on the bottom of the plates (the darker side with the agar).
Complete Lab Form
Record your samples on the Lab Analysis form, matching the information from each respective, color matching, label.
4. Analysis
Analyze Your Samples
Follow the instructions below to self-analyze your samples or to have them sent to the Immunolytics labs for a comprehensive analysis and a consultation for a small fee.
Seal and Store
Ensure all of your samples are sealed, labeled and placed in foil bags.
Store in dark place
Place foil bags in a warm (68 – 85ºF), dark place such as a kitchen cabinet or desk drawer.
Wait 5-7 days
After 5 to 7 days pull the samples out for analysis. If there is no mold growth, place the samples back in the foil packet and reanalyze after 7 to 8 days.
Check for Mold
Hold a mold plate up to a light and count the number of colonies (circles) growing on the agar. Compare to our health scale. Size of the circles is not important.
Read your gravity plates
Colony Count and Health Effects
0 to 4 total fungal colonies per area (room)
Is within a normal range for sinus health.
5 to 8 total fungal colonies per area (room)
Is cause for concern-illness is probable in individuals who are susceptible.
9 or greater total fungal colonies per area (room)
Is hazardous-illness likely in individuals who are susceptible.
Lab must receive sample within 10 days of sampling.
Ensure your shipping method will deliver your samples in time.
Place Samples in the Protective Bag and then in the box.
Only include the samples you would like analyzed.
Fill out the Lab Processing form and place in the box.
Follow the instructions on the Lab Processing Form.
Fill with packing material and send the kit to the lab.
ImmunoLytics • 5930 Midway Park Blvd. NE • Albuquerque, NM 87109
5. Next Steps
Treatment Protocols for Mold
If your mold samples show mold, your next step is a treatment plan. From our 20 years of treating mold exposure, we’ve created protocols with product recommendations for many types of mold exposure which you can find below.
If you opted for labratory analysis with ImmunoLytics, a free consultation is included with the lab fees. Contact ImmunoLytics for more informaiton.
