A free online listing of mould testing and remediation companies in Canada is available at http://www.moldbacteria.com/servicelist.html. The listing is intended to help Canadians locate mould testing or remediation services near their area. All companies dealing with indoor mould and bacteria are free to list their services.
Can Smelling Mold In The Air Include Mold Spores?
The person who asked this question probably wanted to know whether if one smells “earthy” or “musty” odours associated with mold, they would also be inhaling mold spores. The fact is we inhale some mold spores all the time. During summer, for example, we inhale more spores from outdoor air than from indoor air. However, in a building with mold growth problems airborne spores could be excessively high.
Smelling “musty” or “earthy” odours does not necessarily mean one is inhaling high levels of mold spores. While the smell could be due to microbial volatile organic compounds (usually abbreviated as MVOCs), some volatile organic compounds are not of microbial origin. Also, one of the MVOCs responsible for the “earthy” smell is geosmin. This compound is produced by not only molds but also by actinomycetes and other bacteria. Therefore, while the presence of VOCs may be an indication of hidden microbial contamination, they may not be a reliable indicator of microbial contamination or contamination by a specific microorganism.
What Are Acceptable Levels Of Mould Spores And What Are The Effects Of Spores On The Human Body?
After analysing air samples for total spore counts, we often get asked whether there are acceptable levels of mould concentrations in air and what effects mould spores have on human health. Unlike many other indoor pollutants, there are currently no set acceptable levels for mould spores. The scientific community including medical doctors is polarized on the effects of mould on human health. However, it is generally accepted that mould can:
- Elicit allergic reactions to sensitized (or atopic) individuals and that not all moulds are allergenic
- Infect humans especially those with weak immune systems
- Produce toxic metabolites (mycotoxins) that can kill or cause other complications if ingested in food.
While scientific evidence to prove that mould is the cause of some illnesses is lacking, there is enough evidence to support the need to remove mould from occupied environments.
Why Do Some People Get Sick From Mould And Others Do Not?
Why do some people get sick from mould and others do not? It is because of genetic and physiological differences. Sensitivity to mould in about 20 % of the human population is believed to be hereditary. Other factors that influence individual’s resistance to mould include age and general health status. For example, infants, the elderly and those recovering from diseases may be at risk of mould exposure even at levels that would otherwise be considered “normal”.
Susceptibility differences among individuals and the variability of moulds in their ability to cause health problems make it difficult to determine and set permissible exposure levels for indoor moulds.
Can You Paint Over Mould On The Shower Ceiling?
Recently we were asked whether it would be OK to paint over mould on the shower ceiling. Painting over existing mould is probably not a good idea because the mould may continue growing beneath the paint film and subsequently the paint would start peeling off. The best solution would be to clean the mould following current mould remediation guidelines such as CCA 82 – Mould Guidelines for the Canadian Construction Industry and then find a way of reducing condensation in the shower. Painting after the mould has been cleaned and the condensation problems fixed would be OK.
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