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Yes, you can identify the source of contamination. Mold spores, the tiny particles that you are inhaling when you detect a mildew odor, arrive from areas of significant concentration of thriving organisms. Because air currents in your bathroom are generally constant, the settling patterns of spores can provide you with a wealth of information including strain type and migratory vectors (i.e. movement away from the source).
In laboratory testing, sterilized glass dishes containing a nutrient such as agar (gelatin) are placed in multiple areas of the bathroom. Mold growth levels on each test dish indicates level of exposure to mold concentrations.
Outside of a laboratory environment, the easiest method for you to narrow down the source of mildew spores is to identify the vector of habitation once the spores settle and germinate. This can be accomplished simply by looking for indications of mold growth on bathroom paint or tile grout, and then carefully tracing the direction of growth based on the shape, color and contrast (i.e. blackness relative to a white background) of the particular strain.
While mapping spore migration and settlement patterns, is important to exclude areas that are not condusive to mold habitation, for example on smooth enamels or polished steel surfaces.
Upon completion of your own testing, we expect you'll find that mildew growth on your tub, tiles and curtain is increasingly concentrated approaching the bathtub or shower drain — the most significant source of contamination by household mildew, mold and other fungi. |
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