Foldscope mold evaluation after repeated roof leaks

Suspected mold growth on sheetrock after repeated water events - N. Carlson

A rental property had sustained repeated water damage from a roof leak.  Suspected mold growth was noted behind the vinyl baseboard.  Tease tapes were taken from the surface and clear nail polish was used as a mounting fluid for clear transparent tape on a microscope slide.  Click on any photo to enlarge.

Foldscope image of Chaetomium spp. spores  from Samsung S-5 camera -click to enlarge - N. Carlson

Cropped photo of Chaetomium spp. spores with Adobe Photoshop elements - N. Carlson

Foldscope photo of Chaetomium spp. perithecia - N. Carlson

Cropped photo of Chaetomium spp. perithecia with Adobe Photoshop Elements - N. Carlson

Suspected mold growth in the adjacent room behind the vinyl baseboard - N. Carlson

Foldscope image of Stachybotrys spp. using Samsung S-5 camera - N. Carlson

Cropped photo of Stachybotrys spp. using Adobe Photoshop Elements - N. Carlson

These samples were taken after a weekend water event.  These particular organisms typically growth on paper products receiving repeated water damage.  The growth observed is unlikely to be as a result of a single water event.

The Foldscope images were clear enough to allow me to identify the organism to the genus level.  After taking the picture, I used the zoom feature of the camera to make the field identification.  I used an overhead fluorescent light bulb to back light the microscope slides.