Genus identification — the answer to 'what is it?'
Laboratory identification of mould genera by direct microscopy and culture from swab, tape-lift and bulk samples — Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys, Cladosporium and others — with health-based interpretation.
- UK-wide since 2013
- Independent assessments
- ISO 9001 accredited
- Practical control advice
What this means for you
Evidence you can act on and defend.
Measured exposure evidence
Data suitable for HSE, insurers and audits.
Independent assessment
Occupational hygiene review of real exposure risk.
Practical control recommendations
Prioritised actions based on risk and operational practicality.
Compliance support
Evidence to support COSHH and internal governance.
Speak with a mould identification specialist
0800 433 7914
sales@sysco-env.co.ukMon–Fri · 08:00–18:00 · Independent advice · Fixed-price scope
Typical response: same working day
What happens next
Send the samples; we do the rest.
Standard turnaround is 3–5 working days from sample receipt; rush turnaround is available. We'll confirm receipt and send you a clear, interpreted report.
No unnecessary disruption. No generic paperwork. No unnecessary complexity.
Whether exposure is controlled
A clear yes or no, backed by measurement.
Where the highest risks are
Locations, tasks and roles ranked by exposure.
What actions matter most
A prioritised plan you can budget and schedule.
What you get
Four answers. One clear plan.
You need to know what your workforce is exposed to, whether your controls are effective, what actions matter most, and how to demonstrate control confidently.
That is exactly what we deliver.
Direct microscopy
Genus identification from spore morphology — fast turnaround for live samples.
Culture identification
Selective media for slower-growing or borderline genera, with confirmation reporting.
Health-relevance
Commentary distinguishing common environmental moulds from health-significant or amplifier genera.
Clear lab report
Photographs, identification rationale and contextual interpretation.
Why clients call
If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place.
- 01
An auditor is asking
HSE, your insurer or a client wants evidence — not assurances
We provide measured mould identification data and a clear technical report that resolves the issue quickly.
- 02
Your team is worried
Operatives are reporting concerns or symptoms
We attend site, quantify workforce exposure and provide clear evidence of current risk levels.
- 03
You suspect a problem
You know there's a risk and you want measured data before it becomes a crisis
We quantify exposure, assess it against current limits and provide a prioritised corrective action plan.
What we answer for you
Three questions, settled.
- Where your people are exposed
- We map the tasks, areas and shifts where mould identification matters, then sample what your team actually breathes — not a generic site average.
- Whether your controls are working
- An independent review of your LEV, ventilation, PPE and work practices — what is effective and what requires improvement.
- What you need to fix first
- A prioritised, costed action list — the smallest set of changes that gets you compliant and measurably safer.
How we work with you
From your first call to your action plan.
- 1
We listen first — your site, your concerns, your deadline.
- 2
We walk the workplace with your team to see exposure as it actually happens.
- 3
We sample on the people most at risk, using validated occupational hygiene methods for mould identification.
- 4
We assess your existing controls honestly — what's working, what isn't.
- 5
You receive a clear technical report suitable for operational, compliance and regulatory readers.
- 6
We hand you a prioritised action plan you can budget, schedule and defend.
Typical survey outputs
What you receive at the end of the engagement.
- Sample receipt log
- Microscopy genus identification
- Photographic evidence
- Culture results (where applicable)
- Health-relevance commentary
- Standard interpretive notes
- Chain-of-custody record
- Defensible laboratory report
Client testimony
“Sysco's mould lab gave me a genus ID and a clear interpretation — exactly what I needed for the housing case file.”
— Independent surveyor
UK building consultancy
Typical environments we assess
Wherever mould identification risk affects your people.
- Lab analysis service
- Culture work
- Property surveys
- Healthcare estates
- Schools
- Hospitality estates
Background
Mould genus identification, in detail.
Methodology
Direct microscopy from tape-lift and swab samples allows rapid identification of common genera by spore and conidiophore morphology. Culture on selective media — typically MEA, DG18 and CzapekDox — is used for confirmation, low-density samples or genera that do not microscopy reliably.
Genera of interest
Stachybotrys (associated with chronic water damage), Aspergillus (clinical and amplifier species), Penicillium (very common, some species clinically significant), Cladosporium (the dominant outdoor genus), Chaetomium (cellulose-degrading water-damage indicator) and other less common genera.
Interpreting the result
Genus alone is not a diagnosis — context (sample type, location, indoor/outdoor ratio for air samples) is needed. Our reports always include interpretive commentary so the result supports a sound surveyor or restoration decision.
Related services
Often assessed alongside mould identification.
Common questions
Mould Genus Identification — FAQs.
Quick answers to the questions we hear most from operations, HSE and procurement teams.
- What sample types do you accept?
- Tape-lift, swab, bulk and air samples (Air-O-Cell and similar).
- Turnaround?
- 3–5 working days standard; same-week and rush turnaround available.
- Do you identify to species?
- Genus is reported by default; species-level work available for clinical or specialist contexts.
- Do you provide interpretive commentary?
- Yes — every report includes context for the surveyor or duty holder.
- Sample submission?
- Pre-paid sample bags and standard chain-of-custody forms supplied.
- Where are you based?
- UK-based laboratory with national post-in service.
Speak with a mould identification specialist
Send us the samples. We'll identify the genus.
Tell us
- sample types and quantity,
- approximate building / situation context,
- turnaround required,
- and your reporting deadline.
We will provide
- a clear scope,
- fixed quotation,
- proposed attendance strategy,
- and expected reporting timeframe.
Send us a brief
Outline the sites, tasks and timelines of concern — we'll reply with a clear scope and fixed quotation.
Sample lab report
Our report at a glance.
Every Sysco laboratory report is short, hierarchical and actionable. Here is what you'll find on the first page — and you can preview the full PDF below or request the worked example by email.
- 01
Sample & site context
Why we sampled, the locations chosen and the method used — at a glance.
- 02
Headline result table
Total spores per cubic metre by location, with indoor / outdoor ratios.
- 03
Dominant genera
Plain-English call-out of any water-damage indicator organisms found.
- 04
Priority actions
Three-step action plan with owners — what to do next, in order.
Anonymised — based on a real Sysco assessment, signed off by a BOHS-qualified hygienist.
For download
Free laboratory resources for your team.
Print-ready references and forms — no sign-up required. Updated whenever methods or guidance change.
- Reference
Spore-count interpretation guide
How to read total counts, indoor / outdoor ratios and water-damage genera in a Sysco spore-trap report.
- Field guide
Sampling collection guide
Field-ready instructions for collecting spore traps, tape-lifts, swabs, bulk samples and pumped media for lab analysis.
- Form · A4
Chain-of-custody form
Printable A4 form for sample IDs, custody transfers and dispatch — send with every batch of samples to the lab.
Need a specific method, sampling kit or chain-of-custody tailored to your project? Call 0800 433 7914 or email sales@sysco-env.co.uk.
From the field
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