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`tµ•Mrc 5 <br /> so;i <br /> colony forming units per swab because the actual raw counts have to be <br /> multiplied by the dilutions used, in this case 10,000 dilution. While this technique <br /> is generally used in microbiology (generally bacteria counts due to their <br /> exponential growth and extremely high numbers), one has to be very cautious <br /> interpreting the results. To a non-technical person,these huge numbers may <br /> cause fear that individuals may be exposed to extremely high levels when in <br /> reality that is not the case. The presence of mold on surfaces or the results of <br /> surface samples cannot be used to estimate air mold spores or estimate exposure <br /> via inhalation. Air sampling methods are used to estimate the airborne <br /> concentrations of mold spores and mold particles, that is,the relevant exposure <br /> pathway in humans to indoor mold is inhalation. The analyses of the spore trap <br /> air samples collected by AMEC in July 2014 and March/April 2015, analyzed by <br /> EMSL Analytical, Inc. and EMLab P&K,respectively(AMEC, Reports of <br /> Limited Inspections and Indoor Air Quality Assessment,Indian River County Fire <br /> Stations 1, 7, 10, and 11,reports dated September 10 and18,2014, with EMSL <br /> Analytical,Inc.test reports),clearly indicates that very little spores were <br /> aerosolized in the air when compared to the outdoor data. <br /> It is noteworthy to mention that the growth of actual mold, such as those <br /> reported here(e.g. Stachybotrys, Cladosporium,or Penicillium)on surfaces <br /> (EMLab P&K,Direct Microscopic Examination Reports, dated April 6, 2015), <br /> does not correlate with the amount of mold spores in the air. None of these molds <br /> forcibly discharges their spores into the air. They require wind or some <br /> mechanical disturbance to dislodge their spores and then may become airborne. <br /> In the case of Stachybotrys mold,the chances of spores becoming airborne are <br /> even much less, as this mold forms sticky masses of spores and are not air <br /> dispersed and may be insect or rain splash dispersed. <br /> 74 <br />