Mold Bacteria Consulting Services

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Indoor Moulds: What Are They And How Many Are They?

Moulds belong to the Kingdom Fungi. The term “mould” refers to those fungi (singular fungus) that are filamentous. Also belonging to the Fungi Kingdom are yeasts (which exist as single cells as opposed to multicellular filaments) and mushrooms. The term “mildew” is also sometimes used to refer to moulds. It has been estimated that there are about 1.5 million species of fungi but only about 76 thousand species are known.

Within the indoor environment about 200 species of fungi have been reported but only a few are most frequent. These include species of:

The mould Botrytis in laboratory media

  • Penicillium,
  • Aspergillus,
  • Chaetomium,
  • Ulocladium,
  • Stachybotrys,
  • Cladosporium,
  • Acremonium,
  • Mucor,
  • Paecilomyces ,
  • Alternaria,
  • Trichoderma.

Also, not all the fungi that occur indoors are of major concern to health. However, all moulds growing within indoor environment should be treated as potentially hazardous.

Do you have a mould question? Please call us at (905)290-9101.

How to Get Rid of Mildew

Do you have mould (mildew) in your house? If you are not feeling sick already, do not panic! The mould (mildew) can be cleaned up and further growth controlled. If you are already feeling sick, you may consider leaving the building temporarily while the mould problem is being investigated or the mould is being cleaned up.

Who should particularly be concerned about mould (mildew) exposure?

  • Infants and the elderly people
  • People with a history of asthma, allergies, or other respiratory problems.
  • People with weak immune systems due to other health conditions such those with HIV infection, cancer patients taking chemotherapy, and people who have received an organ transplant.

What are the health effects associated with mould (mildew) exposure?
The health effects associated with mould exposure are varied and some are controversial. These include:

  • Allergenic Reactions
    • Non-inflammatory, unspecific symptoms, e.g., eye and skin irritation, fatigue, headache, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath, wheezing, stuffy nose, nausea and vomiting.
    • Asthma and Bronchitis
  • Mycotoxin Poisoning
    The most recognized route for mycotoxin poisoning is through ingestion. Aflatoxins produced by various species of Aspergillus and Penicillium have a long record of poisoning humans and animals and in many cases causing death.
  • Fungal infection
    People with weakened immune systems may develop invasive aspergillosis from infections by species of Aspergillus such as Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger.

What should you do when you notice mould (mildew)?
Do not disturb it. Educate yourself on how to handle mould by reading some of the informational bulletins posted on the internet by reputable organisations. If you cannot handle the problem, seek professional advice.

Mould Guidelines And Other Useful Resources

  • The University of Connecticut and USEPA has a document entitled “Guidance for Clinicians on the Recognition and Management of Health Effects Related to Mold Exposure and Moisture Indoors”. To obtain a copy click here http://www.oehc.uchc.edu/clinser/MOLD%20GUIDE.pdf.
  • Health Canada has a revised version of “Fungal Contamination in Public Buildings: Health Effects and Investigation Methods”. This document is a revision of an earlier version published by Health Canada and the Federal-Provincial Advisory Committee on Environmental and Occupational Health (CEOH)
    in 1995.
  • Canadian Construction Association (CCA) recently released its newest mould guide
    – CCA 82 – Mould Guidelines for the Canadian Construction Industry. A copy can be obtained from their web site at CCA 82 free for download or by purchasing hardcopies from your local construction associations.
  • The New York City Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Mold in Indoor
    Environments may be available online.

Do you have a mould problem? Call (905)290-9101 or visit our website at http://www.moldbacteria.com for more information.

Moulds as Indicators of Dampness in A Building

Some moulds and bacteria when found growing in indoor environment are indicative of the level of dampness in the building or potential health hazards.

Indicators of severe moisture damage in a building
Aspergillus fumigatus, Trichoderma spp, Exophiala, Stachybotrys spp, Phialophora spp, Fusarium spp, Ulocladium spp, yeasts such as Rhodotorula, Actinomycetes and Gram-negative bacteria and Phoma spp.

Indicators of moderate damp building environment
Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus sydowii, Emericella nidulans, and Cladosporium spp

Indicators of relatively dry building environment
Aspergillus versicolor, Eurotium spp, Wallemia sebi, Penicillium spp such as Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium aurantiogriseum.

Do you have a mould question? Contact Jackson at (905)290-9101

Indoor Mould Training Seminars

MBL is now offering One-day training seminars on how to recognize indoor mould, how to develop effective sampling strategies, how to interpret laboratory results and how to perform effective mould remediation/abatement. If you have been considering attending a similar course, do not delay to register as we have limited spaces left!

This course is now offered online ONLY. Check Online Courses.
 

Click Current Course Dates

Mould problem due to leaking pipes

  • Three Reasons Why You Should Attend
    • The course equips you to fully deal with all aspects of indoor mould sampling and interpreting
      laboratory reports.
    • You will have a chance to discuss and get possible solutions to some of the difficult situations or questions you encounter while doing mould investigations.
    • You will have an opportunity to learn from others experience.

    Who Can Benefit From Indoor Mould Training Seminars?

    • Industrial hygienists.
    • Environmental consultants.
    • Home Inspectors.
    • General contractors.
    • Cleaning and restoration contractors.
    • Property managers.
    • Insurance, financial, and legal professionals who deal with mould issues.
    • Other professionals or anyone interested in increasing their knowledge or developing their decision-making skills related to indoor mould.

    What Topics Will Be Covered In The Mould Training Seminar?

    RCS Samples: viable analysis

    • An Overview of Various Types of Moulds.
        • What is mould and what makes it grow?
        • Which moulds are more prevalent in outdoor environment?
        • Which moulds are more prevalent in indoor environment?
        • What health effects are associated with indoor mould growth?

       

    • How to Recognize Indoor Mould Growth.
      • Factors favouring mould growth.
      • Signs of mould growth.
      • Conducting a visual inspection and categorizing the extent of the mould contamination.
    • How to Develop Effective Sampling Strategies.
      • Sampling objectives.
      • When to collect samples, which ones and where to collect them.
        • Air samples: viable and non-viable.
        • Bulk samples.
        • Swab samples.
        • Tape lift samples.
        • Dust samples.
    • How to Interpret Laboratory Results.Mould on bread
      • Air samples: viable and non-viable.
      • Bulk samples.
      • Swab samples.
      • Tape lift samples.
      • Dust samples.
    • How to Perform Effective Mould Remediation.
    • Quiz and Discussions.
      • Be ready to share with others difficult field experiences.

    Registration and Other Information

    Registration: 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

    Course Duration: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Course Location: Check current date here.

    Register today by phone at (905)290-9101 or toll free 1-866-813-0648. You can also register by e-mail at Course Registration.

    If you know others who may be interested in receiving this invitation, please forward it to them.
    Course Fee
    Please call for the fee schedule. Registration fees must be paid at least two weeks before course date. Payment can be made by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or by cheque. Please make cheques payable to Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc.

    Information About Mould and Bacteria

    Get more information about indoor mould and bacteria at http://www.moldbacteria.com/

Indoor Mould Testing Services

Save Money for the Next Four Months on Laboratory Mould Testing

Send 5 or more samples and take advantage of our special offer for the following types of samples:

  • Spore traps: $50.00 per sample.

  • Bulk, tape-lift, swabs, etc for direct microscopic examination (DME): $35.00 per sample.

You will get your results in 1-3 working days!
To take advantage of this special offer download our Chain of Custody (Analysis Request Form).

Mould Testring Services

A culture of Aspergillus sydowii Our Services include analysis of:

  • viable air samples (Andersen, RCS, etc) for mould and
    bacteria
  • viable bulk and surface samples (Wipe, swabs, bulk,
    dust, etc) for mould and bacteria
  • non-viable air samples (Air-O-Cell, Allergenco, Micro-5,
    Cyclex D, etc) for mould spore counting and identification
  • bulk samples (tape-lift, bulk material, dust, etc) by
    direct microscopic examination (DME) for mould testing.

For information on how to collect and send mould samples to the laboratory please click Collecting and Sending Samples to the laboratory.

How to pay:

  • By cheque: Send a cheque together with your samples (remember to include 7% GST). Cheques are payable to Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc.

  • By VISA or MasterCard: Sign the credit card authorization form (it is attached to the Chain of Custody form) and send it together with your samples.

Send your samples by courier or bring them to:

Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc.
1020 Brevik Place, Unit 1A
Mississauga, ON L4W 4N7
Canada.
Attention: Dr. Jackson Kung’u.

Offer valid until December 31, 2005.

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