Certified Mould Inspector and Indoor Air Quality Consultant.

613-926-0892

Mould, You and Your Home

http://www.nachi.org/mold.htm

There are over 200 known and recorded mycotoxins and the number is continually growing as more research is being done. Many of these mycotoxins are harmful to humans and animals when inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin. The mycotoxins can produce both long term and short term health effects depending on the type. These health effects include dermatitis (skin rashes), sore throats, head aches, dizziness, diarrhea, fatigue, cold and flu like symptoms, coughing, asthma and breathing difficulties, nose bleeds and infections. Mycotoxins have also been linked to medical conditions such as Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, Pulmonary Hemosiderosis and Cancer

Mycotoxins are produced by some species of moulds as part of their natural defence mechanism which gives them a competitive edge in nature. The mycotoxin adheres to the outside of the spores that the moulds produce as part of their reproductive process. Whether the spore is viable (alive and able to start growing if put into the right environment) or is non-viable (dead) does not make a difference to the toxicity of the spore from a health prospective. This is one of the main reasons why remediation using chemicals does not remove the health risks.

IGNORING POSSIBLE MOULD HEALTH SYMPTOMS
If one or more occupants in your home or building is suffering from unexplained health problems this may be an indicator that you have a hidden mould contamination. Symptoms such as ongoing itchy eyes, nose congestion, runny nose, skin rashes, skin sores, coughing, bloody nose, sinus problems, headaches, breathing difficulties, memory loss and not thinking clearly, and/or chronic fatigue can all be as a result of inhalation, ingestion or absorption of mould spores from a hidden problem. Remember that some people may experience mould health symptoms, while others may have none whilst all living or working in the same mould contaminated building. The young, old and individuals with compromised immune systems will typically be the first to show symptoms.
 

IGNORING MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS & MOULD CLUES
If you ignore roof leaks, water stains on ceilings, plumbing leaks, sewer line leaks, a wet or damp basement, a wet or damp crawl space, the indoor smell of mould, visible mould growth and high humidity you are exposing yourself to a potential mould problem that could be very costly to remediate. Keep indoor relative humidity between 30 to 40% and if necessary use a programmable dehumidifier to prevent possible mould growth from starting.

USING CHLORINE BLEACH TO KILL MOULD
Do not use ineffective chlorine bleach to try to kill mould growth and mould spores. Bleach is often too weak even when freshly manufactured to kill mould. Bleach that sits on store shelves and in your home continually gets ever weaker over the passage of time. In addition, if you read the manufacturers usage directions on the bleach container. The manufacturer does not recommend its use to kill mould. Bleach is NOT an EPA-registered fungicide.

If mould is a problem in your home, you must clean up the mould and eliminate sources of moisture. If the mould is more than a localized topical growth such as around a window frame you should have a Certified Mould Inspector perform a complete inspection and you may need the services of a Certified Mould Remediator to perform the remediation.

a) Wash topical mould off hard surfaces and dry completely. Absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be replaced by a professional if they are contaminated with mould.

b) Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water.

c) Keep drip pans in your air conditioner, refrigerator, and dehumidifier clean and dry.

d) Use exhaust fans or open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when showering, cooking, or using the dishwasher.

e) Vent clothes dryers to the outside.

f) Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally between 30-50% relative humidity. Humidity levels can be measured by hygrometers which are available at local hardware stores.

g) Maintain the exterior of your building. Check flashings, roofing, caulking, drainage, etc. on a regular basis and repair any deficiencies immediately.

One of the most important things you need to understand is that mould is present everywhere.

Mould is spread when spores become airborne. Spores cannot be seen with the naked eye; Being so small, it takes very little air movement for the spores to relocate and begin the growing process.

Preventing mould spores from entering your home or business is almost impossible. You can however take steps to keep the spores from growing into mould inside your structure.

Mould requires organic material and water to grow. Porous surfaces like drywall and wood are easily susceptible to mould and therefore more difficult to protect.

While mould does not typically grow on surfaces such as glass, Formica, tile, or metal, it will grow on dirt or other organic debris on these surfaces. It is important to keep these surfaces clean in order to keep them free of mould.

If you suspect that you have or may have had any type of moisture problem, such as a leak, then you may already have a mould contamination issue.

There are a number of reasons why mould contamination is becoming more common in our society. One of the main reasons is that more research has been done into the Health Effects of moulds and more links have been found to such things as Asthma. This has also prompted more media coverage and more people are aware of the dangers. Another reason is that there has also been a change in the way that buildings are constructed. Generally buildings are much more air tight today than they have ever been, insulation levels have been increased, but there is often little attention paid to the mechanical system and in particular to the supply of fresh air. This means that it is difficult to control humidity levels and condensation and this small amount of moisture is often all that it takes for mould growth to start. Once the growth begins, extreme colonization can occur very quickly if the conditions are optimized. One other reason is that the general quality of construction in a booming economy often produces an inferior product because time and profit are paramount. Well designed, well built and well maintained buildings rarely have mould contamination problems.

Mould Needs Four Things to Grow Indoors

Spores - these are always present in our environment whether indoors or outdoors. There is no such thing as a mould free environment.