It is good to know not all molds that occur in homes are hazardous. However, current Canadian mold guidelines advise building occupants to clean-up and/or remove visible mold growth. To control mold growth, moisture should be eliminated or reduced. To learn more click Mold In Your Home.
It Is Good To Know mold growth in houses is controllable
It is good know that mold growth in houses is controllable. For more information about mold growth and control visit this page http://www.moldbacteria.com/topic_1.html
Mould Growth: When Should One Be Concerned?
People are today more aware of health effects associated with mould than they were 10-15 years ago. When should one be concerned with indoor mould growth? The simple answer is that mould should never be allowed to grow indoors. Apart from being unsightly and a potential health hazard, mould breaks down the materials it is growing on thus reducing their value and structural integrity.
If one happens to find mould growth in their homes or offices, my advice would be not to panic but to seek professional help. There are close to 200 mould species that have been reported from indoor environment and most of these are quite rare indoors. Also, only a few of these would be considered a health risk. The amount of mould growth, the types of mould present, individual health status and for how long one has been exposed to airborne mould (spores and hyphal fragments) are some of the factors that would determine if one is at risk or not. A professional would be able to determine some of these factors and be able to advise occupants if they were possibly at risk of mould exposure.
Should you have a mould problem or question, please call (905)290-9101.
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.
Mold Testing: Is It Necessary?
It is widely accepted that mold growth in occupied places should not be allowed because of health risks. However, it is always debated as to whether mold testing is necessary in situations where growth is visible. Both mold assessment and mold testing are necessary as discussed below.
Mold Assessment
Mold assessment involves a qualified professional who would conduct a thorough inspection of the building. The key objectives of a mold assessment are to determine the underlying cause of mold growth and the extent of contamination. Mold assessment does not tell the investigator the types of molds growing in the building and whether these molds have contaminated the air.
Mold Testing
Would doctors prescribe antibiotics to patients with bacterial infection without testing to know which bacterium is causing infection? Similarly, a mold investigator requires to know whether the building is contaminated with toxigenic molds such as Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, Fusarium, or any of the close to 200 molds likely to be found in a water damaged building. The investigator may also want to know whether the air is already contaminated with spores from the visible growth and hence, they have to collect samples and send them to a reputable mold laboratory for testing.
From laboratory results and the visual assessment data, the investigator is able to give recommendations on the level of mold abatement required and the necessary protection for the workers and the building occupants. Read more about why test for mold at http://www.moldbacteria.com.