CMA CMA Sampling & Testing Methods 2

Question 1

A spore trap analysis report shows predominantly Cladosporium at low levels both indoors and outdoors. What does this finding most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

Normal background fungal ecology with no indoor source

Answer

Significant indoor mold amplification

Answer

Hidden water damage behind walls

Answer

Inadequate HVAC filtration

Question 2

Which mold genus is considered a strong indicator of water-damaged building materials when found in elevated concentrations indoors?

Accepted Answer

Stachybotrys chartarum

Answer

Cladosporium

Answer

Alternaria

Answer

Basidiospores

Question 3

What does the ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) score measure?

Accepted Answer

A DNA-based index comparing water-damage indicator molds to common outdoor molds in dust

Answer

The total mass of mold in a building in grams

Answer

The percentage of wall area affected by visible mold

Answer

The viable spore count per cubic meter of indoor air

Question 4

When collecting a tape lift sample from a surface, which laboratory analysis method is typically used?

Accepted Answer

Direct microscopy

Answer

Culture on MEA agar

Answer

qPCR amplification

Answer

Gas chromatography

Question 5

What minimum air volume is typically recommended when collecting an Air-O-Cell spore trap sample?

Accepted Answer

75 liters

Answer

5 liters

Answer

15 liters

Answer

150 liters

Question 6

What is the primary limitation of non-viable (spore trap) air sampling compared to viable (culture) sampling?

Accepted Answer

Spore trap sampling cannot distinguish between live and dead spores

Answer

Spore trap sampling cannot detect Aspergillus species

Answer

Spore trap sampling requires more expensive laboratory equipment

Answer

Spore trap sampling is only valid outdoors