Mold Assessment Technician Practice Exam

What type of air samples are cultured on growth media to detect mold propagules?

1. Viable air samples

2. Non-viable air samples

3. Direct air samples

4. Passive samples

The correct answer is: Viable air samples

Viable air samples are specifically designed to detect mold propagules by using growth media to culture them. The process involves collecting air samples that contain living mold spores, which are then placed on a growth medium that provides the necessary nutrients for mold growth. This method allows for the identification and quantification of viable spores present in the air. The cultured samples can provide insights into the species of mold present and their potential health impacts. In contrast, non-viable air samples capture mold spores but do not involve culturing them, hence they cannot provide information on living organisms. Direct air samples refer to a method of collecting air directly from the environment but do not indicate growth or viability. Passive sampling captures mold spores over time but does not utilize active culturing techniques. Thus, viable air samples are unique in their ability to assess the presence of living mold through culture growth methods.