Moisture promotes mold growth, as one of the leading causes of poor indoor air quality, it is important to understand why our homes are having moisture problems and what we can do to fix the problem. Controlling the moisture levels is the easiest way to prevent mold, improve our indoor air quality and protect our health.
Molds are microscopic fungi. There have been over 270 species of mold found in Canadian homes. Molds can also be harmful, damaging materials such as papers , photos, fabrics and wood, causing wood rot and structural damage. Not all mold is obvious, it can grow inside walls and above ceiling tiles. Mold can be black, red, white, orange, yellow, blue or violet in colour.
Molds release chemicals and spores. Pregnant women, infants, the elderly and those with health problems such as respiratory disease or a weakened immune system , are more at risk when exposed to mold.
Health Canada recommends that all molds, regardless of the species, be cleaned and that the underlying water or humidity problem be dealt with quickly, to prevent potential health issues.
C.M.H.C, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the American Industrial Hygiene Association do not recommend testing the air for molds in a single family residence, as a first step. The recommended first step is having a trained investigator check your house for mold.
You should seek professional help with mold when:
- there is a lot of mold ( more than 1 square meter)
- the home is very damp,
- mold comes back after repeated cleaning,
- a family member suffers from asthma,or respiratory problems or other health problems that appear to be aggravated inside the home.
- you have a musty smell or odor
Bleach is not recommended for cleaning up mold. Bleach can not be relied upon for disinfection. The fumes are harmful and cancer-causing substances can be formed by the reaction of bleach with organic materials.
Should I have my house air tested for mold?
This is the question most frequently asked by homeowners who think their home may have a mold problem. Testing is generally not recommended for homeowners. Testing of moldy materials or an air sample identifies the types of molds that may be present but does not identify the cause/source of moisture. The type of mold does not change the procedures for cleaning up areas of mold less than 3 square meters. You have to clean up the mold and correct the problem irrespective of the type of mold. The cost of testing may be better spent hiring a professional investigator or fixing the problem.
Testing of a moldy material involves sending a swab, an imprint on a Scotch tape or a piece of the material to a competent laboratory. Air sampling requires specialized equipment. An air sample typically captures mold spores in a period of minutes. Since replicate samples must be taken due to variations in the airborne molds over time (even hours) and compared with outdoor samples, air testing is both expensive and time-consuming. Interpretation of test results may not be very useful, since there are no advocated "safe levels" of indoor molds and the results will not tell the health risks from the molds.
If you suspect a mold problem that you cannot solve on your own, Health Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recommend that you contact a trained Indoor Air Quality Investigator for advice on building-related aspects of air quality. These investigators can do a visual inspection to identify areas of concern and make recommendations for improving the situation.
WHO publishes first indoor air quality guidelines on dampness and mould
Copenhagen and Bonn, 16 July 2009
Today, WHO publishes its first guidelines on indoor air quality, addressing dampness and mould. They are the result of a rigorous two-year review of the currently available science by 36 leading experts worldwide, coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The authors conclude that occupants of damp or mouldy buildings, both private and public, have up to a 75% greater risk of respiratory symptoms and asthma. The guidelines recommend the prevention or remediation of dampness- and mould-related problems to significantly reduce harm to health.
“As people spend most of their daily lives in homes, offices, schools, health care facilities or other buildings, the quality of the air they breathe indoors is critical for their health and well-being,” says Dr Srdan Matic, Unit Head, Noncommunicable Diseases and Environment at the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/air/in/poll/mould-moisissure/rid-debarrasser-eng.php
