Measurement of mould spores
(impaction method)

Measurement of mould spores
(impaction method)

Sampling

For sampling mould spores the following sampling system is available at the GSA:

• MBASS sampler with sampling head (impaction principle) (stationary sampling).

The air loaded with mould spores is sucked in means of a volume flow-controlled pump
(MBASS sampler) with a volume flow of 100 l/min. We recommend a measuring time of 1,5 min. The corresponding sampling head is based on the impaction principle. Here, the microorganisms in the air are impacted onto a 90 mm standard Petri dish filled with agar. Two impaction agar plates are sampled per measuring point.

Analysis

In the laboratory, the sample is incubated directly with the sampled dish and the colonies formed are quantified and evaluated.

Measurement of mould spores (total particulate collection)

Sampling

The following sampling system is available at the GSA for sampling mould spores:

• MBASS sampler with particle collector (stationary sampling).

The air loaded with mould spores is sucked in with a volume flow-controlled pump
(MBASS sampler) with a volume flow of 30 l/min. We recommend a measurement period of
7 min. The particle sampler, PS30, records the total spore content (cultivable and non-cultivable) in the air. During particle sampling, airborne particles are made to impact fluidically via a slot jet onto a transparent object slide coated with adhesive. The particles are deposited on a compact collection gauge 1,1 mm wide and 16 mm long.

Analysis

The slide loaded as described can subsequently be stained directly after the sampling (without cultivation) and evaluated using a light optical microscope.