This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have health concerns, please consult a medical professional.
What is Air-O-Cell mold testing?
Air-O-Cell is a brand of spore trap cassette — a small sealed cartridge used for mold air sampling. A calibrated pump draws a measured volume of air through the cassette, and airborne particles stick to a coated slide inside.
The laboratory examines the slide under a microscope and reports the types of spores found and an estimated count per cubic meter of air.
Five steps from question to answer
- 1
Inspect
Room-by-room visual check
- 2
Measure
Moisture, humidity, thermal
- 3
Sample
Indoor + outdoor air
- 4
Lab
Independent analysis
- 5
Report
Clear next steps
Why the outdoor control sample matters
Mold spores are present in outdoor air everywhere. That's why sampling usually includes an outdoor sample taken at the same visit.
Indoor results are read against that baseline: indoor types and levels that look very different from outside air can point to an indoor source worth investigating.
Compare every room with the outdoor sample
Illustration only. Similar or lower than outdoors is generally expected; noticeably higher, or a different mix of spore types, points to an indoor source worth investigating.
A measured volume of air, a sticky slide and a lab microscope. Simple, and it gives answers you can act on.
AirCare 365 · Bay Area
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What spore trap results can't tell you
Spore traps capture a snapshot of a few minutes of air. Counts change with weather, activity and time of day, so one sample doesn't describe every condition in the home.
They also don't show whether spores were alive and don't identify every species. That's why results are read together with the inspector's moisture findings.
Frequently asked questions
How long does air sampling take?+
Each sample typically runs a few minutes. The full visit, including the inspection, usually takes 1.5 to 3 hours.
How do I read my report?+
See our guide on understanding a mold air sample report for a walkthrough of each section.
Want measured information about your home?
AirCare 365 provides mold air sampling and mold and indoor air quality testing across the Bay Area.
Sources
Serving San Francisco, San Mateo, Menlo Park, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Oakland, Fremont and the rest of the Bay Area.