Mycology & Mold Testing Lab
Our dedicated mycology lab provides independent, expert-led testing for fungal growth, spore viability, and mould-related risk across surfaces, textiles, air, and materials. We work with BSL-1 and BSL-2 filamentous fungi to support antifungal efficacy claims, mould resistance validation, and indoor fungal air quality assessment.
Core Mycology Testing Capabilities
Fungal culture and spore viability analysis in Airmid Healthgroup’s mycology laboratory
Our mycology lab supports antifungal and fungicidal testing across a broad range of filamentous fungi and yeasts relevant to indoor air quality, antimicrobial claims, building materials, and consumer product validation.
Filamentous Fungi & Yeasts
- Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus brasiliensis, Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., Chaetomium globosum, Trichoderma viride, Candida albicans, and others.
- BSL-1 and BSL-2 containment as required by species and protocol
- Spore viability quantification via plate count, haemocytometry, and qPCR
- High-accuracy inoculation, recovery, and enumeration methods
Testing Capabilities of Airmid’s Mycology Lab
- Antifungal and fungicidal efficacy testing to BS EN 1275:2005
- Fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants — BS EN 1650:2008
- Antifungal activity of photocatalytic materials — ISO 13125:2013
- Resistance of synthetic polymeric materials to fungi — ASTM G21
- Yeast and mould enumeration in cosmetics — ISO 16212:2011
- Microbial strikethrough and fabric penetration testing
- Indoor fungal air quality assessment and airborne spore quantification
- Qualitative fungistatic testing and mould resistance claims for materials
- Antifungal persistence and durability studies under simulated use conditions
Airmid’s Mycology Lab & Environmental Chambers
Unlike traditional bench tests, our walk-in environmental chambers allow simulation of real-world conditions that drive fungal growth and mould colonisation:
- Controlled temperature, relative humidity, and airflow — replicating high-risk indoor environments
- Bioaerosol challenge conditions using aerosolised fungal spores
- Replication of typical indoor product use and exposure scenarios
- Test-to-failure protocols for mould resistance durability studies
This capability is particularly valuable for assessing antifungal persistence in treated textiles and coatings, mould control in building materials, and fungal filtration performance in air cleaning devices — all under dynamic environmental conditions that static bench testing cannot replicate.
Let our mycology team help you validate, innovate, and differentiate your product. We welcome direct collaboration with R&D, regulatory, and product marketing teams.
Related Services
Aerobiology Chambers
Our GLP-compliant bioaerosol chambers enable real-world fungal spore challenge testing under controlled environmental conditions — essential for air cleaner efficacy claims and antifungal surface assessments.
Learn more about our GLP-compliant environmental chamber testing
Microbiology Lab Services
Our microbiology lab provides bacteriology and mycology testing for a wide range of microorganisms relevant to air, surfaces, textiles, and antimicrobial claims — operating in conjunction with our mycology capabilities for comprehensive microbial validation.
Explore our microbiology testing services
Allergen Laboratory
Airmid Healthgroup is an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 INAB-accredited testing laboratory for allergen analysis. Our allergen lab works alongside our mycology capabilities for products where mould allergen exposure is a clinical concern.
Explore our allergen testing and GLP-compliant allergen removal efficacy services
Cleaning Products Testing
We validate the fungicidal and antifungal efficacy of disinfectants, sanitisers, and cleaning formulations — providing the independent test data needed to substantiate label claims in a regulated market.
Explore our cleaning product efficacy testing services
Related Articles
- Why Use an Accredited Laboratory (ISO 17025)?
- Evaluating Antibacterial Treated Surfaces and Textiles: Overview of Standard Testing Methods
- Contamination of Bed Linen — Factors in Microbial and Allergen Accumulation
Related Case Studies
- Airmid Validates Light-Activated Antibacterial Tiles by VitrA as 99.9% Effective Against MRSA, E. coli, and Athlete’s Foot Fungus
Airmid Healthgroup validated VitrA’s light-activated antibacterial tiles as 99.9% effective against MRSA, E. coli, and Athlete’s Foot fungus — supporting their market entry for healthcare and swimming pool environments. - Airmid Validates the HygieneShield™ Range by Beko for Eliminating 99.9% of Bacteria and Viruses
Beko’s HygieneShield™ range, validated by Airmid Healthgroup, eliminates bacteria and viruses using UV light and high-temperature technology — testing that included fungal organism assessments.
Other Mycology & Mould Testing Capabilities
- Analysis and culture of airborne or dust samples with molecular methods (PCR/real-time qPCR) for mycology studies
- Antifungal biocide and antimicrobial assessment for treated materials
- Fungal spore inactivation and viability quantification
- Bioaerosol penetration and containment for fungal aerosols
- Characterisation of fungal populations from air, dusts, and materials
- Fungicide and sanitiser efficacy testing against filamentous fungi and yeasts
- Fabric fungal penetration and mould barrier testing
- Isolation, identification, and enumeration of fungi from solids, liquids, and air
- Microscopy and photomicrography of fungal morphology
- Measurement of total viable fungal count from air, surfaces, and materials
- Qualitative fungistatic testing and mould inhibition assessments
- Mycological testing for cosmetics and personal care products
- Mycological testing for building materials and surface coatings
- Inter-laboratory cross-checking and comparison studies
- Customised contract mycology research for novel materials and products
- View Accreditation Scope (ISO Airmid INAB.ie)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes Airmid’s mycology lab different from standard mould testing?
Unlike standard bench-based mould testing, Airmid Healthgroup’s mycology lab operates alongside walk-in environmental chambers that simulate real-world temperature, humidity, and airflow conditions. This allows us to assess antifungal persistence under dynamic conditions, conduct controllable bioaerosol challenge conditions using fungal spores, and replicate typical indoor product use scenarios — including test-to-failure protocols for durability studies. The result is performance data that reflects how a product will actually behave in use, not just under ideal laboratory conditions.
2. Which fungal species does Airmid test against?
We work with BSL-1 and BSL-2 filamentous fungi including Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., Chaetomium globosum, Trichoderma viride, and Candida albicans, among others. Species selection is guided by the product type, intended use, and the applicable test standard. We advise on appropriate organism selection as part of every engagement.
3. What ISO and ASTM standards does Airmid follow for mycology testing?
Our mycology testing is conducted to internationally recognised standards including ISO 13125 for antifungal activity of photocatalytic materials, ASTM G21 for resistance of synthetic polymeric materials to fungi, BS EN 1275:2005 for basic fungicidal and yeasticidal activity, ISO 16212 for yeast and mould enumeration, and BS EN 1650 for fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants. Custom protocols are available for novel materials and emerging product categories.
4. Can Airmid test both surface mould resistance and airborne fungal spores?
Yes. Our integrated approach covers both surface mould resistance and airborne fungal spore assessments. We conduct antifungal surface efficacy testing, airborne fungal spore viability studies, fabric and filter mould resistance evaluation, and indoor fungal air quality assessments — all within our co-located laboratory and environmental chamber infrastructure. This means results across exposure routes are directly comparable and produced under consistent environmental conditions.
5. What types of mould-related claims can Airmid validate?
We validate mould resistance claims for coatings, textiles, and building materials; antifungal efficacy for treated surfaces and fabrics; fungicidal activity of disinfectants and sanitisers; spore viability reduction claims; and indoor fungal air quality improvement data. Our testing supports regulatory submissions, retailer compliance requirements, and consumer-facing label claims — with independent, ISO 17025-accredited test data that holds up under scrutiny.
