Florida Institute of Mold 561.577.7202

Materials:

          Blank glass microscope slides

          Scotch High Gloss Multi-task Tape

Set a clean slide on a paper towel.

Dispense a piece of tape 2 to 2 1/2" long. Try to keep your fingers only on the edge of the tape where you pull it out.

Holding the tape by the edges, bend it into a loop, with your thumb and index finger holding the two ends of the tape together, with the sticky surface facing out. Touch the center of the loop of sticky tape to the surface to be tested. When you remove the loop, you should be able to see tht you've picked up dirt, dust, or sample on the loop. If you also get some paint, that should not make the slide unreadable, but you might want to take another sample, just in case.

Place the tape on the clean slide, still holding by the edges, and lightly press down the length of tape on the slide.

Using a permanent marker (Sharpie's are excellent), label the slide. You can write on the tape itself; pearl edge (frosted) slides are much easier to label.

List the slide number, location where the test was taken, and date on a chain of custody.