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1.1 This practice describes the protocols for collection of surface samples using tape lifts and their delivery to the laboratory.

1.2 The purpose of this practice is to support the field investigator in differentiating fungal materials from non-fungal material such as scuffs, soot deposits, stains, pigments, dust, efflorescence, adhesives, and water stains.

1.3 The samples collected by this practice are appropriate for either qualitative or quantitative analysis by direct microscopy.

1.4 This practice does not address building occupant exposures, or occupant health risks.

1.5 This practice does not address the development of a formal hypothesis or the establishment of sampling objectives.

1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

4.1 This practice defines a consistent procedure for collecting surface material using clear, transparent, single sided adhesive collection medium, typically tape (also known as tape lift).

4.2 A tape lift sample collected according to this practice is intended to be used to assess the material present at one specific location on a surface for fungal content.

4.3 A tape lift sample collected from a point of interest can be used for qualitative analysis or to quantify fungal material per sample or per unit area. Note that the recovery efficiency of material from the surface sampled is unknown and a likely source of uncertainty for quantitative analyses.

4.4 A tape lift sample collected according to this practice can be analyzed by direct microscopy.

4.5 This practice may help supplement consistency in mold sampling during an indoor air quality investigation.