Frequently Asked Questions
Our staff has fielded many questions about our Home Air testing kits over the years. Here are some common questions and answers.
How accurate is this pectin gel test?
By following the easy step-by-step instructions the test will be accurate. By holding over a flowing air vent or leaving opened on a coffee table any spores or bacteria that land on the nutrient surface will grow into a colony unless they are dead.
How long does it take to perform this test?
It depends on how it is done. If the open plate is placed over a flowing air vent, then five minutes exposure is probably plenty. If it is put open in a room, 1-2 hours may be a proper exposure time.
What Liquid test culture medium do you use for your home air tests?
We us a patented technology pectin gel medium develop by Micrology Laboratories, LLC. The pectin gel culture media provides temperature independent results and is trademarked as Redigel® and Easygel® . The HealthProO2 pectin gel is formulated as a liquid, which is poured into the provided petri dishes where it solidifies and is virtually indistinguishable from a standard pre poured petri dish used in scientific lab tests. PharmaTropic Labs has utilized the Easygel® technology in their simple to use home air test kit for either free standing air exposure or swab testing of specific surfaces. Each HealthProO2 air test kits makes for inexpensive "before and after" tests and no additional equipment or materials are needed.
What specifically will the test show me?
The HealthProO2 will detect the presence of mold, yeasts & bacteria. It will give you a good idea of the different things in your air and also an idea of the prevalence or concentration. It will also show whether you have predominantly one or two things or a varied mixture. If you have a lot of one or two things, that is an indication that these may be growing somewhere in your home environment system.
How often should I perform this test?
It depends on the conditions in your home environment. If you know you have a mold problem the HealthProO2 will help you to locate the source of the problem. It is up to you to take action and remove the microbes from the breeding source. Many of our customers retest their home after they have found a solution to the problems they have.
How many tests are included in the basic starter and can I get a multi kit discount?
Three individual tests. We offer quantity discounts and free freight on all kit purchases.
- Starter kit: 3-test kits and free shipping for $16.99 (apartments. offices, smaller homes)
- Level-2 kit: 6-test kits and free shipping for $29.99
- Level-3 kit: 9-tests and free shipping for $45.99
- Level-4 kit: 12-tests and free shipping for $56.99 .. click here to purchase air test kits
How many tests will I need to test my home?
This depends on the size of your home. We recommend that if you have central air/heat you do the test at the room level as well, as from the vent, while the air/heat is running and windows are closed. This will help you to narrow down the areas that require the most attention. For older homes that have baseboard or radiant heat that do not use a central heat/cool system we recommend 1-test per/each 500 square feet of living space.
What types of mold will the test detect?
Black, brown and green molds. Each mold will have its own characteristic appearances. Molds generally grow slower than bacteria and yeasts and it may take several days for them to be easily visible at room temperatures. Use our general mold results guideline in our site for a better understanding of your mold issues in your home. [How to perform test]
What types of bacteria will the test detect?
Most of the common aerobic types including Bacillus species, Staphylococcus species, Coliforms, Pseudomonas and many others. The viable propagule must be present in the air for growth to occur. Many bacteria cannot survive drying out, but the spores of Bacillus species produce endospores which are ver y resistant to drying and heat and are often found floating in the air.
What types of yeasts will the test detect?
All of the common types of yeast known to populate a home environment.
How can the presence of mold affect my health?
You may be allergic to the spores or mycelial fragments of colonies, or if you breathe live spores into your respiratory system, or introduce them into body cavities, they may grow in your body and cause infection. If you think you have these colonies growing we recommend that you alert your physician as well as remediation for the source of the growths.
How can the presence of yeasts affect my health?
You may be allergic to yeast colonies and if you breathe yeasts into your respiratory system, or introduce them into body cavities, they may grow in your body and cause infection. If you think you have these colonies growing we recommend that you alert your physician as well as remediation for the source of the growths.
How can the presence of bacteria affect my health?
Penetration of skin or body cavities may result in infections. Eating or drinking materials containing them may cause illness or toxic reactions. If you think you have these colonies growing we recommend that you alert your physician as well as remediation for the source of the growths.
How many tests should I perform within my home, apartment or office?
Really depends on what type of heating/cooling system is in your house. For those homes that have central air/heat and have a living space of up to 2000 sq ft we recommend 4-5 tests at opposite ends of the home and one more centralized. Generally with heating/cooling systems that do not create airflow throughout the house such as electric baseboard or radiator style we recommend 1-test per each 250-350 Sq ft or 1-per/every 3-rooms.
If I own an air purifier how close to the purifier should I perform the test?
5 to 15 feet away. as a quality air purifier should be effective at this distance.
What is the best temperature to perform the tests?
70-90 degrees Fahrenheit in darkened area. Most microbes will grow best in this range, but some like it hotter or cooler. There is no one exact range that is optimum, but most will grow at 70-90 F.
Will test results vary based on the time of the year the test is performed?
If you are introducing high amounts of outdoor air the mold counts will be higher in the spring and summer. You will generally see a larger variety of microbes in outdoor air than in indoor air.
How long will it take to get the results?
Bacteria will be seen on the plate within 24-30 hrs whereby molds and yeasts will show up in 36-72+ Hrs. Read about how to analyze your test results ...click here.
Are there any safety issues regarding the test?
None. The HealthProO2 air quality test is approved for home, condo and apartment use
Should I keep the windows open when performing the test?
No. Windows should be closed in the space where you are performing the test for 10 hours prior to pouring the pectin gel solution into collection dish.
If I have allergies or asthma could the presence of mold, yeast and bacteria aggravate or trigger the symptoms?
Yes. The presence of any air pollution and contaminants can aggravate these symptoms.
Where should I place the test within my home?
We recommend that you place the initial petri collection dish in areas that you would generally occupy throughout the day or night that's away from open doors and windows and HVAC vents. Place petri dish where common household dust collects. If your testing air quality after placing an Air Purifier/filtration into test area be sure to control external contamination of the air space.
Do you provide any guarantees with the test?
Yes. We guarantee that the test will detect the presence of mold, yeasts & bacteria within your living space.
If I find heavy contamination on the test what should I do?
Find the appropriate remediation solution at the source. If need be retest but collecting samples from air flowing directly from heating/air conditioning vents. Consider an air purification system that will remove the specific contamination at the HVAC unit source. If you have microbes, molds, growing in your home in wet walls, etc, you must get to the source to cleaned it up. [Solutions]
Why have other web sites mentioned that the Petri dish test for air quality evaluation is a waste of money?
They are trying to sell you a more expensive air sampling electronic unit test, which will virtually give you the same information. Then you pay for lab test results. Other "fancy" approaches may be impressive, but will not necessarily give more useful information. Following our easy step by step instructions you need not spend more money to test your air quality.
What type of research backs the performance of your air quality tester?
Our product was researched and developed by a 40 year veteran and university professor of microbiology who is on our staff. Our collection growth medium is a Patented pectin gel solution and much more reliable then the cheaper agar based kits.
Do the NanoO2 air purifiers emit ozone like many competitive ionic type units??
The NanoO2 air purification process does not release into the air any dangerous levels of Ozone (O3). Our exclusive Nano PCO chamber immediately converts any produced Ozone into negatively charged ions, super Oxide and hydroxide ions to attack pollutants in your homes air. Our recommended purifiers product Ozone levels well below the maximums of the EPA, or any State regulatory ozone production output levels of home air purifiers.
Are there any lab fees or additional charges?
Unlike many “mold only” test kits available at home improvement centers HealthProO2 indoor air quality test kits are completely do-it-yourself with no lab fees or gotcha charges of any kind. We have been told that these send-to-lab test kits generally come with unwanted solicitations to unsuspecting customers from mold remediation companies using scare tactics to sell expensive remediation services.
What about payments?
We accept all major credit cards and PayPal for immediate purchased units. Freight Shipments are charged at actual FEDX or USPS package mail service published rates to the specified ship to location. Choose USPS shipping for PO Box and military APO box deliveries. Choose USPS Priority Mail shipping for Overseas destinations, and we will have to add the actual USPS charge to your order.. Our shopping cart is on a secure server, which encrypts all email sales confirmations and PharmaTropic protects your privacy every step of the way.