Dr Jackson Kung'u- Mold Specialist

Helping People Resolve Mold Problems

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Black Mold Question

Question: We have black mold in our basement along the wall where water damage occurred 5 years ago. It has been there for some time and the basement smells terribly musty.

I have developed an allergic reaction in my eyes, and my father’s coughing has worsened.

We would like to have the black mold tested as soon as possible. Since the black mold is in the concrete wall, how would we extract samples?

Thank you for your help.

Answer: To get a sample of the black mold, please get clear scotch tape. Cut about 3 inches and stick the tape on the surface with mold. Peel the tape and stick it on a plastic bag (e.g., ziplock bag). Put the sample in an envelope and send it to us by mail or you can bring it to the lab. If the concrete surface is wet, use a cotton swab to get the sample since the mold may not stick to the tape. To use a swab, roll the tip of the swab several times on the surface with visible mold. Put the swab in a plastic bag and mail it to the lab.

If you suspect that you have a serious mold problem, I would suggest you get a professional to come and assess the extent of mold growth, determine the underlying cause(s) and then recommend the best way to remove the mold. You may find a mold testing company near your area listed on the following web pages:

1.  http://drjacksonkungu.com/business-directory/
2.  http://www.moldbacteria.com/servicelist/index.html

Green and black mold

Question:  In my basement in the corner wall we have a large amount of green and black mold growing. It has been raining a lot lately and has been very damp.  We have a finished basement, chip rock painted and the mold is growing on that. Can you tell the type of mold by the color? Is this a real bad thing? Is the mold growing in the walls or just on the out side? What should be done to fix this problem?

Answer: It’s difficult to identify mold on color alone especially when growing on say a drywall. A number of molds look alike and the only way to differentiate them is to examine them under a microscope. However, an experienced mycologist (one who studies molds and yeasts) can identify a few species such as Stachybotrys and Chaetomium if they see the actual mold growth in the house.

As to whether the mold is bad, I would say all moulds are potentially a health hazard and should not be allowed to grow in homes or any environment where human beings spend a significant a mount of time. That does not mean people should panic whenever they see mould in their homes or offices. Most indoor molds will not infect humans or animals and therefore can only affect us through inhalation of airborne spores or if we ingest toxins produced by some molds during growth. Also, whether an individual is to be affected by mold or not will depend on other factors such as the amount of mold, the type of mold, duration of exposure and the individual’s immune system. Scientists estimate that only about 20% of the human population is susceptible to developing allergies, and is easily sensitized by normal spore concentrations (up to 106 spores/m3).

Growth of most indoor moulds is restricted to the surface of the materials they are growing on. It’s very likely that the mold growing in your basement is just on the outside. With damp conditions in the basement, mold will continue growing. You could try to use a dehumidifier to see if this could help to keep the basement relatively dry.

Mold in basement

Question: We think we may have mold in our basement. Is there a company in Manitoba to contact to have our home checked?

Answer: You can check our online directory for mold testing companies in Manitoba. Click Listing of Mold Testing and Remediation Companies in Manitoba.

Penicillium-Aspergillus in basement

Question:  I purchased a home here in Hamilton in July ’06. I found out from neighbours that my home had been a grow-op. This was never disclosed to me. I have had air quality testing done and I am showing high levels of penicillium/aspergillus spores in the basement (2800). Outside is over 11,500.

There is no visible mold and alot of renovation was done to the home. I just don’t know how to get rid of something that is not visible. I also do not know of the dangers involved in living here. Please advise.

Answer: Most basements are damp and majority of them will show high counts of airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium spores. Some species of Aspergillus such as Aspergillus versicolor require relatively very little moisture for growth and that’s why basements will almost always have some Aspergillus/Penicillium spores. It’s possible that the growth of Aspergillus/Penicillum in the basement of your home is not due to the grow-ops. 

From the information you’ve provided, it doesn’t sound like there is any mould related danger in your home. The basement had 2,800 spores per cubic meter of air compared to over 11,500 spores from the outside. In this case I would think your basement is not terribly bad (compared to the outside!) but you may want to find a way of keeping it relatively dry if it’s already damp. Also, keep monitoring for any visible mould growth, musty smell, and excessive moisture.

Basement mold

Question: I suspect we have basement mold. We moved in to our townhouse almost a year ago. In the past several months I have noticed that my daughter’s allergies are acting up a lot more, especially when we are in the basement. I too have been experiencing a lot of congestion and sneezing etc. when in the basement. I can smell a musty smell (nobody else can, but I can) and I cannot locate it. I can’t see mold, I’ve torn apart the house. My only guess is it’s in the carpets or walls. I notice you have a mold test kit to measure mold in the air. How accurate is it at picking up positive results i.e. does there have to be a lot of mold to pick up a positive (as I am the only one who can smell this musty smell so it would have to be a very sensitive test). Do you know of any professional companies that can come in and determine if we have basement mold?

Thank you!

Answer: Thank you for your question regarding basement mold. Our mold test kit is basically a DIY kit using the same air sampling equipment that a professional would use. However, the kit is not intended to replace the services of a professional. By a professional we mean someone qualified who will not just come and take air samples (which anyone can take) but will also troubleshoot the problem and offer solutions even if air samples are negative. By “negative” we mean having very low fungal counts since very rarely would there be no spores in the air at all. Basement mold is very common due the dampness found in most basements.

The equipment samples for airborne spores (and other particulates) and not for Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs). These are volatile chemicals produced by the metabolism of fungi and bacteria and are responsible for the musty smell. As for the accuracy of the equipment, there are a number of factors that can influence the results. For example:

  1. The type of mold present: some molds produce spores either enclosed in fruiting structures or in “wet” form which means these kinds of spores do not readily become airborne until disturbed during renovation or when they completely dry out. If these are the dominant types of molds present in your house the air samples could be negative.
  2. The time of sampling: the concentration of airborne spores at time of sampling could be low and hence the results could be misleading.

Basement mold can be controlled by reducing humidity in the basement. You can find professional companies listed on the following web pages http://www.moldbacteriaconsulting.com/business-directory/ and also http://www.moldbacteria.com/servicelist/index.html. You can also give us a call at 905-290-9101 for more information.

Contact Information

Dr. Jackson Kung'u, PhD.
Phone: 905-290-9101
Fax: 905-290-0499