Dear Martin, It is possible to carry out sampling to determine the presence of mould spores, even if they are not visible. This testing is usually used for environmental health purposes to identify the presence of mould harmful to humans (e.g. Aspergillus). Testing can be done by swabbing the area and using either a home testing kit or laboratory analysis to determine the results, though the accuracy and usefulness of the former is probably dubious.
Mould spores are pretty much everywhere. Even if testing returns positive this doesn't mean there is a risk to the furniture; it is the environmental conditions such as damp, high RH and room temperature that will enable the mould to grow and cause damage. As there are no visible signs of mould, it would seem that conditions in the room are not conducive to growth. What makes your client think that mould is present, and is it a recent concern? If it's not visible but there is a smell of mould/damp then there a may be a hidden problem under the floor or in a wall cavity as they have suggested. If this is the case then it would potentially indicate a problem with damp or a leak somewhere. If there is no smell and no visible mould then again the risk would seem to be quite low. Best wishes, Tom ------------------------------ Tom O'Keeffe Collections Management and Exhibitions Coordinator Westminster Abbey London 0207 654 4935 ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 10-16-2019 06:56 From: Martin O'Brien Subject: Mold Detection Other than seeing actual mold present on wooden surfaces, is there any inspection technique or analysis that would reveal the presence of mold? A client of mine suspects mold presence on both furniture and architectural woodwork in their home. No mold is present, but they are concerned with mold that might be behind paneling and under flooring. Other than a visual inspection, I am at a loss as to how to advise them to proceed. ------------------------------ Martin O'Brien PA-AIC Wooden Artifact Conservator in Private Practice Winston Salem, NC 336-773-1334 ------------------------------ Reply to Sender : https://community.culturalheritage.org/eGroups/PostReply/?GroupId=481&SenderKey=efb6a9d9-7749-4ec8-b3b2-03bdd5741e01&MID=9126&MDATE=756%253e46546%253c&UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e Reply to Discussion : https://community.culturalheritage.org/eGroups/PostReply/?GroupId=481&MID=9126&MDATE=756%253e46546%253c&UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions&MDATE=756%253e46546%253c&UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
