Dr Jackson Kung'u- Mold Specialist

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Dr. Jackson Kung’u (PhD)- Mold Specialist.
Phone: 905-290-9101
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How To Get Rid Of Mold Growth

Many people and even institutions would be happy if they could find a way of getting rid of mold. Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to get rid of mold completely. However, if we understand the conditions that support mold growth, we could then try to manipulate those conditions so as to control mold growth. Mold growth has the following requirements:

1. Presence of spores or mold fragments that are capable germinating (viable) and developing into new mold growth.

2. Moisture. Like any other living organism mold requires water for growth.

3. Nutrients. Nutrients are readily available as some components of building materials are made of easily degradable organic materials. Nutrient are also available in dust.

4. Suitable temperature. For most indoor molds the optimal temperature for growth is between 20 and 25 oC.

The last two mold growth requirements would be difficult to manipulate. As mentioned above some materials in buildings are readily degradable by microorganisms. As for the temperature, mold can grow at a wide range of temperature and it’s optimal temperature is similar to that required in buildings for human comfort.

To control mold growth, therefore, we need to try and reduce or eliminate spores/mold fragments and water in our buildings. We could reduce the amount of spores and/or mold fragments settled on interior surfaces in buildings by HEPA vaccum cleaning all surfaces that are prone to dust on a regular basis.

To be able to control moisture, we need to understand the sources and also the mechanisms by which moisture moves through the building. The primary sources of moisture in buildings include:

1 . Liquid water, from precipitation (rain and melting snow) or plumbing leaks;

2. Water vapor (condensation), from the exterior and from activities and processes within the building;

3. Liquid and vapor from the soil adjoining the building;

4. Moisture built-in with materials of construction or brought in with goods and people

 Controlling moisture in the building may require the help of a professional who understands the processes by which moisture moves in and through the building. To completely get rid of mold growth in a building is difficult.

 

Air Quality Mold Testing Kits

Air quality testing should be conducted by a qualified professional. However, there are basic tests that a homeowner or a property manager can perform by themselves and save money. Air quality testing for mold does not require any special training. Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories has been renting air quality testing equipment to homeowners, property managers or professionals who are just starting their businesses.

To perform your own air quality testing for mold it’s important to plan ahead. For example you need to decide how many rooms you want to test as this will determine the number of air samples you will collect. ideally, one should test all the rooms but if the budget cannot allow you can test areas of concern. In addition to the samples you collect from indoors, an outdoor sample is also required. The outdoor air sample helps to determine which of the mold spores detected indoors had likely originated from outdoors.

Interpreting air sample results can be difficult. However, after comparing indoor samples with outdoor sample, if the types of spores detected from the indoor sample are the same as those detected from outdoors and the indoor counts are significantly lower than those of the outdoors, then we can conclude that the tested areas had no mold problem at the time of testing. This conclusion is only valid if we cannot visually see mold growth and the building is not damp. It’s important to note that while the spore counts could be low, presence of certain types of molds could be an indication of major moisture damage and possibly hidden mold growth.

 How to perform air quality testing

As indicated previously you’ll require to rent an air sampling pump. You’ll also need to purchase air sampling cassettes. Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories provides instructions on how to operate the pump. After sampling the samples are sent to the laboratory for identification and counting of spores. The results are reported as the number of spores per cubic meter of air. Click air sampling instructions to watch a video on how to perform air quality test for mold.

Mold Spores Contribute To Respiratory Disease And Allergic Reactions

It’s well established that airborne mold spores contribute to respiratory disease and allergic reactions in humans. Mold spores are everywhere and we inhale them every minute both when we’re indoors and outdoors. In cold countries airborne mold spores is highest during summer. During winter, the spore concentration outdoors is very low or absent altogether. In warm countries concentration of airborne spores may vary with the season (rainy or dry season) but there are spores present outdoors throughout the year. Usually the spore concentration indoors is lower than outdoors. However, in buildings with mold problem, the spore concentration could be very high.

Allergic reactions caused by mold spores

Inhaled mold spores can cause a number of health problems. Susceptible individuals react to proteins in the spore wall resulting in development of runny nose and eyes (allergic rhinitis) and asthma-like symptoms. Prolonged exposure to unusually high levels of spores can result in the development of allergic alveolitis.

Allergenic mold Spores

Spores commonly associated with allergy outdoors include spores of Cladosporium, Sporobolomyces, Didymella, and Alternaria. In buildings without mold problems, the same spores found outdoors would be present indoors but in lower levels than in outdoors. In buildings with mold problems a mix of species commonly found indoors and outdoors would be found. The indoor species would be in higher concentrations indoors than in outdoors.

In an indoor occupational environment the types of molds present would be determined by the indoor conditions and the work being carried out. For example in a compost facility thermotolerant fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus would be present. Mold spores of some species such as Cladosporium and Penicillium may be detected in high numbers in air samples while others such as Eurotium, Wallemia, and Penicillium may be abundant in dust.

Black Mold Symptoms Explained

The phrase “black mold symptoms” is one of the most searched phrases regarding health effects of mold. The general public believes that black mold is dangerous. However, the term “black mold” does not refer to a specific type of mold. Similarly there are no symptoms specific to “black mold”. A number of molds that grow indoors may appear black. Generally all molds regardless of their color are potentially a health hazard if allowed to grow indoors.

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

The term “black mold symptoms” is rather misleading. People who are sensitive to molds, regardless of the color of the mold, may experience various symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay, demolition workers tearing down a moldy building, and even people working near or in composting facilities. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. People with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

These symptoms are not restricted to mold exposure. They could also be caused by other airborne polutants. Therefore, the fact that someone is experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily mean they are caused by mold exposure. It’s also important to remember there are no “black mold symptoms” and “black mold” could be any of the several types of molds that appear black.

Mold Growth, Moisture, and Your Home

Moisture is one of the key requirements for mold growth in homes. There are different types of mold. Some molds require relatively very low levels of available moisture for them to grow. These types of mold are referred to as xerophilic and are likely to be found in almost every home. The common xerophilic fungi belong to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Wallemia. Some other molds require wet or highly damp prolonged conditions. These are referred to as hydrophilic (“water loving”) fungi and their presence in homes is an indication of moisture damage. Examples of indicators of moisture damage include Chaetomium, Stachybotrys and Fusarium.

Mold growth: Penicillium on wood
Mold growth: Penicillium on wood

 

Mold Growth Control

The best way to control mold growth is to eliminate moisture. Strategies to control mold growth involve:

  • Reducing humidity. It’s recommended that relative humidity be maintained at or below 60%.
  • Inspect the building regularly for signs of mold, moisture, leaks, or spills and take appropriate action
  • Respond promptly when you see signs of moisture and/or mold, or when leaks or spills occur
  • Reduce potential for condensation on cold surfaces such as windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors by adding insulation
  • Frequently clean floor, carpet, and remove dust on surfaces. This reduces the amount of spores that would otherwise start new mold growth when moisture becomes available.