Air and tape-lift samples answer different questions.
Air sampling evaluates fungal spores suspended in the air during a specific sampling period. It can help identify unusual indoor airborne concentrations or differences between indoor and outdoor environments.
Tape-lift sampling evaluates a specific surface and can help confirm whether visible staining or growth is mold.
In many investigations, using both methods provides more useful information than either method alone. A room may have visible localized mold but relatively normal airborne concentrations, or elevated airborne spores may be detected even when the source is not immediately visible.
The appropriate sampling strategy depends on the conditions observed at the property.