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Mold-Specific Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction

Buying a house?

This mold test can be very valuable!

Mold-Specific Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (MSQPCR) is a fast and highly accurate DNA-based analytical method for identifying and quantifying molds. MSQPCR methods can determine the genus and species level of molds. It was developed by scientists at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to detect and quantify molds associated with indoor air quality problems.

Many methods for quantifying molds rely on visually counting mold spores, a time-consuming and laborious process. MSQPCR improves upon these methods because it detects molds based on unique DNA sequences.

MSQPCR methods look for a combination of molds from two groups. One group consists of molds species associated with water-damaged homes and buildings.

Group 1:

Stachybotrys chartarum

Chaetomium globosum

Cladosporium sphaerospermum

Aspergillus versicolor

Eurotium (A.) amstalodami

Penicillium variabile

Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus restrictus

Penicillium crustosum

Aspergillus niger

Aspergillus sclerotiorum

Penicillium purpurogenum

Aspergillus fumigatus

Penicillium corylophilum

Aureobasidium pullulans

Aspergillus ochraceus

Penicillium brevicompactum

Paecilomyces variotii

Aspergillus sydowii

Penicillium spinulosum

Wallemia sebi

Aspergillus unguis

Scopulariopsis brevicaulis

Scopulariopsis chartarum

Aspergillus penicillioides

Trichoderma viride

Group 2:

Acremonium strictum

Alternaria alternate

Aspergillus ustus

Cladosporium cladosporioides v1

Cladosporium cladosporioides v2

Cladosporium herbarum

Epicoccum nigrum

Mucor & Rhizopus group

Penicillium chrysogenum

Rhizopus stolonife

The results of the test are then compared to a national database to produce a “moldiness” index specific to the property tested.

So why can this mold test be so valuable when buying a house?

If there is suspected water damage when the seller declares there has been no moisture or water events, finding any mold species in Group 1 can prove there was water damage at some point in time.

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Baxter Environmental Group, Inc.

Phone: 717-263-7341 | Email: info@baxtergroupinc.com

Baxter Environmental Group, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All conditions and privileges of employment are administered to all employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, citizenship status, disability or handicap, or veteran status.

If you are concerned about asbestos, lead, mold, and other environmental contaminants, please give this company a call. They are informative, helpful and very passionate about their work. If you are doing construction or any type of renovation or just want to find out what is in the air you are breathing, make the call.
Nathan N
Working with Baxter Environmental Group is always a pleasure! I have worked extensively with them on Mold Remediation projects, vent maintenance, Asbestos Remediation and much more! The team is extremely professional.
Chris G
We were having issues with additional dust in our home and were concerned about the additional health concerns we had for a 50-year old house. Baxter found the issues in our flex duct network and recommended solutions.
Chuck B
Baxter group is one of a kind! The service and employees are sure to exceed your expectations every time. I work for a company that has been fortunate enough to work very closely with the team at Baxter Group and we could not be more grateful to have them as a resource for our own customers!
Kelli F