What is the difference between mould spore trap analysis and mould air sampling?

Mould air sampling refers to the process of collecting airborne fungal spores using specialised equipment — for example, drawing air through a spore trap cassette that captures particles on a sticky medium. This step is all about collecting the sample from the environment.
Mould spore trap analysis, on the other hand, is what happens after the sample is collected. In the laboratory, a trained analyst examines the cassette under a microscope to identify and quantify the spores present. This analysis provides information on the types of moulds and their concentrations in the air at the time of sampling.
While spore traps are a specific method of air sampling, other methods exist — such as culturable air sampling, where air is collected on a growth medium to see what fungi grow. Spore traps provide quicker results and detect both viable and non-viable spores, while culturing focuses on viable organisms and can allow species-level identification. The appropriate method depends on the specific needs of the investigation.