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Testing For Black Mold Growth

Black mold and associated health effects are frequently on the news making the public more concerned about mold health effects. People are worried whenever they see black mold growth either in their home, school or office. We often get questions such as “Is black mold or toxic mold making me sick?” or “How can I tell if black mold in my house is toxic or not?” As we have mentioned before, the colour of mold does not determine whether a mold is a health hazard or not. Not all molds (regardless of colour) are toxigenic or allergenic. The only way to tell if a mold is toxigenic or not is to have it tested by a qualified mycologist (someone who has specialized in mold biology).black mold on ceiling

Health Effects Associated With Black Mold

Some of the illnesses associated with mold growth in homes or offices include:

  • lower respiratory symptoms
  • respiratory infections such as aspergilloses
  • allergic diseases, including allergic asthma and bronchitis
  • non-inflammatory, nonspecific symptoms, such as eye and skin irritation, fatigue, headache, nausea, and vomiting.


An Inexpensive Method to Test if You Are Exposed to Toxic Black Mold or Not

If you see mold growth you may want to have it tested so that you are sure of the type of mold you are dealing with. It doesn’t have to be black mold. Testing for visible mold growth is easy and inexpensive. To have the mold tested you can use the Mold Tape Slide™. The procedure for taking the samples is simple and takes very little time. If you would want to order these tape slides and test the mold growth in your home or office, click Mold Tape Slide™.


Taking mold samples using the MOLD TAPE SLIDE™

Mold Tape Slide

  • Wear suitable gloves. If you are likely to disturb the mold, you should also wear a mask since you don’t want to inhale excessively high amounts of spores.
  • Record the sample number on the slide label. For example:
    • Sample #1 or Tape #1.
  • Peel off seal from slide to expose adhesive (see the words “Peel Here”).
  • Place sticky side of slide onto the surface with visible mold growth and press gently.
  • Place slide back into plastic snap-case (remember you don’t need to replace the seal).
  • Repeat the same procedure for any other sample you wish to take.
  • Once you have taken all the samples, complete the Mold Analysis Request Form.Provide information on where the samples were collected, for example:
    • Tape #1: Basement, west wall
    • Tape #2: Windowsill, kids bedroom
    • Tape #3: Ceiling tile, kitchen
    • Tape #4: Under counter, bathroom.
  • Enclose samples in an envelope for sending by post or courier. Click Mold Testing Laboratory for more details about the Mold Tape Slide™ and for where to send the samples.

Black Mold: How Do You Know If It Is Toxic?

Black mold is generally thought by the general public to be toxigenic. But what is black mold? There are a number of molds that grow indoors and they appear black. Some of these are not even known to produce any significant amounts of toxins. Stachybotrys chartarum, which is incorrectly referred to as black mold is known to produce toxins. However, even the toxigenic molds do not produce toxins all the time. Several factors including substrate composition, water activity, pH and temperature influence production of mycotoxins.

It is difficult to know whether a toxigenic mold has produced toxins or not unless the material on which the mold is growing is tested for mycotoxins.

If you are a home owner worried about black mold in your house visit this web page Mold Testing Kits For Homeowners And Property Managers.

What Do You Do With Clothes If You Have Black Mold In Your House?

What do you do with clothes if you have black mold in your house? The first thing is to find out which mold it is and whether the mold is growing on the clothes. There are many molds that can appear black and not all of them are toxigenic. The next thing is to assess the level of mold contamination on the clothes. If the mold was growing on the clothes for sometime, such clothes would probably have to be disposed off since they would be damaged in the first place. However, if no mold has been growing on the clothes, it is not advisable to dispose such clothes. If one is concerned about settled mold spores, the clothes can be washed thoroughly before they are worn again. Some people argue that cleaning the clothes would not remove mycotoxins and those toxins would still bee harmful to the person wearing those clothes. The level of mycotoxins (if any) would be insignificant.

If you have a mold problem, please contact us at (905)290-9101. We can help or refer you to the right people.

What Are the Health Effects of Black Mould (Stachybotrys chartarum)?

Many times people tell us they have seen black mould in their houses and they want to know the health effects associated with it. There are a number of moulds such as Alternaria, Cladosporium, Memnoniella, Ulocladium and a few others that may appear black. However, when people talk of black mould they often refer to Stachybotrys chartarum. In many cases black mould that people see in their kitchens, bathrooms, window sills, and ceiling tiles is not Stachybotrys chartarum. The only way to tell whether the black mould is Stachybotrys is through laboratory mould testing. In the laboratory the mould is examined by a qualified microbiologist or mycologist and identified. After identification, the lab may give information (if available) on the health effects associated with the identified mould. It is important that a laboratory with a qualified mycologist is used because if the mould is incorrectly identified, then the information provided would be misleading.

Health Effects Associated with Black Mould (Stachybotrys chartarum)
The scientific community is still divided on the health effects of indoor moulds. Some believe there is insufficient scientific evidence to prove Stachybotrys chartarum is the sole cause of health problems reported in various publications. Health effects often associated with Stachybotrys chartarum and a few other species of moulds include:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Fatigue,
  • Headaches,
  • Chest tightness,
  • Irritation of the mucous membrane,
  • Pulmonary haemorrhage (breeding of lungs) in infants,
  • Sore throats,
  • Flue symptoms,
  • Recurring colds,
  • Diarrhoea,
  • Dermatitis,
  • General malaise

Regardless of the health effects, extensive mould growth indoors could be an indication of an unhealthy living environment.

If you have a question regarding the health effects of black mould (Stachybotrys chartarum) please give us a call at 905-290-9101.

 

What Type of Black Mold is Growing in My Home?

If a house is constantly damp due to leaks or condensation black mold can sometimes be found growing on paper of dry wall, windowsills, wood, behind wall paper, baseboards, carpets or on ceiling tiles. A number of molds are potentially toxic fungi and have been associated with adverse health effects in some individuals. Current Canadian recommendations advise building occupants to clean-up and/or remove visible mold growth. The Canadian Construction Association has provided guidelines on how to deal with indoor mold growth. The key to control mold growth is to reduce or eliminate moisture.

If you see visible mold growth, you may submit tape or bulk samples directly to the laboratory to determine what type of black mold is growing in your house. The laboratory report will include health effects (if known) associated with the identified mold. It is also recommended that you contact a mold professional or a public health inspector in your area who may help to assess the level of mold contamination and advise on clean-up.

For information on how to collect and send a tape or bulk sample to the lab click Mold in Home. For a list of mold testing companies in your area, click Mold Testing Companies Directory.

Salmonella food poisoning and symptoms

Salmonella food poisoning has been a growing concern in recent news. It has frequently lead to recalls of beef, salads and organic products and, even peanut butter products. Salmonella food poisoning occurs when one eats raw or undercooked foods such meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. Properly cooked food can get contaminated with Salmonella if […]

Legionella pneumophila – Guidelines for Laboratory Interpretation

Legionella pneumophila is a Gram negative, aerobic bacteria that is characterized as an opportunistic pathogen. It is the cause of Legionnaires’ Disease, a severe form of pneumonia and, it is the cause of Pontiac fever, a non-pneumonic form of L. pneumophila infection. Legionella spp.’s mode of transmission is through aerosols or aspiration of contaminated water. The Public Health […]

The Indoor Mold Is An Early Warning Device

The mold (or mould, in the Queen’s English) has been the victim of a bad press. Mention the word and it conjures up an image of something rotting or in the process of decomposition. And yet, were it not for the mold that inspired the discovery of penicillin millions of lives would have been lost. […]