Dr Jackson Kung'u- Mold Specialist

Helping People Resolve Mold Problems

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Dr. Jackson Kung’u (PhD)- Mold Specialist.
Phone: 905-290-9101

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Public Questions

Mold In The Crawlspace: Is It The Source of Strong Mold Smell?

Question: Could we be having mold in the crawlspace? I just moved into my apartment in June and I am surrounded by trees and I have a crawlspace. Well, I smell a strong mold smell in my Kitchen, bath and bedroom and they are along the same wall. I suspect the smell could be due to mold in the crawlspace. I have had several people tell me that they smell mold and I need to get it checked. My elderly mother lives with me and if I have a problem then I want to know how to deal with it. I am a renter and I did contact my landlord and he said that he would send someone out, but that’s been two weeks ago. And the first time that I complained, he told me that the vents were closed and the smell should go away but it’s still there.. I need some advice, please.

Mold in the crawlspace

Mold growing on wood in the crawlspace

Answer: Mold in the crawlspace or basement often relates to improper drainage that leaves standing moisture under a property. Checking for and removing mold in the crawlspaces of your home is a good preventative measure. Mold is believed to play a part in numerous health problems, including allergy symptoms like watery eyes and skin rashes, disorientation, dizziness, respiratory conditions and headaches. Though the living spaces are isolated from the crawlspace, mold in the crawlspace produce small spores that could be carried in air currents, rising up into the living area. The strong moldy smell that you’re experiencing is highly likely being caused by microbial growth and it’s an indication of moisture problems. You may have to continue talking to your landlord so that they could bring in a professional to determine where the mold is located and the source of moisture and give recommendations on how to correct the problem. The extent of mold growth, if any, should also be determined and an appropriate level of mold remediation recommended.

Asthma and other Mold Related Illnesses

Question: Approximately 7-9 years ago, I worked in a building in which I may possibly have been exposed to mold and developed asthma. Prior to being in the building, I used to run up to 7 miles, almost every other day, almost religiously.

In reviewing my health records, it appears that prior to being in the building, I never had a breathing problem, or went to the doctor much. It seemed that after being in that building, the breathing problems persisted.

For my undergrad practicum, I was in the building beginning in Fall, around September. Then by end of year, when I finally went to the doctor, I was told I was suffering with breathing problems. The doctor diagnosed that I had asthma, which I could not believe. I had been running for over 20 years at that time, and could not believe that asthma came on just like that.

When I did my graduate practicum in the building, I was congested all the time. Later, when I started working in the building on June 9, 2003, by Friday, June 13, 2009, I was sick. I went to my doctor, and was again told by the doctor that I had asthma….

My story continues,…. But, to make it short, I have been to medical doctors, specialists, naturapathic doctors, etc., etc., etc., who continue to treat the symptoms, and have not been able to tell me the cause of my ailment.

I have submitted to two allergy tests: one early on, and the latest completed in December 2009, which showed I tested high for several types of mold, including Stachybotrys. I have been on sick leave, and decided to look on line to research the molds, other allergens I appear to be highly sensitive to, and came to your site.

On that note, too, when I was working in the building, I used to clean my work area. I kept some of the paper towels used to clean and dust, which were soiled with blackened dusts. My question is: can those towels be tested even though much time has passed, since I last worked in that building at end of 2003?

I just want to be cured, and to be able to run again.

Answer: Thank you for your email. I can feel for you having experienced something similar to what you have described. Fifteen years ago I had what doctors called bronchitis and others called Asthma. No doctor was able to tell me the cause of this problem. I was not sure whether the cause(s) of my asthma was from home or my place of work. At work, I was working as a plant pathologist and used to culture a lot of fungi (yeasts and molds).

Almost 15 years ago when I left my place of work and the house where I used to live, I have not had even a single attack. I still work with molds including Stachybotrys almost every day.

As for your question regarding testing of paper towels, I am not sure if that would be of any help. First, are those paper towels still there? Secondly, what would the towels be tested for? If mold, 7 years is a very long time!

Black Mould

Question:  My tenants are saying that there is black mould in my rental townhouse. I’ve replaced fixtures in the bathrooms, stopped leaks and spent thousands of dollars but they are still bringing in the local public health inspector.

I’m allergic to black mould myself and have been in while damaged drywall was being removed. I handled it myself with no ill effects and observed the joist cavities being treated with mould inhibiting sprays and ‘killex’.

Should I be worried that my tenants are still pursuing this investigation? I’ve taken every remedial step I can think of and the only stuff I saw was dried up and the rest looked like shower mildew to me. All the discoloration spots on the bathroom ceiling stuff came off with a cleaner called BAM and the paint was unaffected once the ceiling was wiped down.

Answer: Shower mildew is actually mould though it may not be what people call black mould (Stachybotrys chartarum). I would suggest you hire a qualified professional such as an industrial hygienist who is experienced in indoor microbial contamination. This person should be able to assess the extent of contamination, possibly determine the underlying cause, and then advise on the most appropriate level of remediation. They may also be able to advise you whether the tenants’ lifestyle could be contributing to mould growth. For instance, if they don’t switch the fan on (if there is one) when showering or bathing, then there will be mould growth due to condensation on the walls and the ceiling.

If you have further questions regarding black mould, please contact us at 905-290-9101.

Mold On Books

Question: My question regards mold on books. I’ll try not to make this too long but I’m not sure how short it can be. Three questions:

  1. I found mold on books in my home and wiped it clean. It seems to have gone away and we feel fine. We do have allergies but these are due to the area we live in. It’s probably hard to say but….are we safe?
  2. I’m a comic book collector and I’m worried about the mold we found spreading to my comics. The mold is gone now and my books are not near the spot where the mold was found. Can my comics be in danger? I was told mold has a sweet smell….these comics seem to smell fine. It would be a shame to have to get rid of them.
  3. Another batch of comics I placed in storage does smell funny, though they were never wet while in storage and I don’t live in a humid environment (I live in California. It’s really hot and really dry, high humidity is rare). Should I be worried?

Mold on books

Sorry about all the questions, thanks for taking time to read this.

 

Answer: As you pointed out, it’s hard to say whether you’re save or not. I would suggest you consult a qualified local professional who may come to your home and assess the level of mold contamination and then recommend an appropriate level of mold remediation. Wiping out mold on books is a temporary solution if the underlying cause (moisture problem) is not addressed. If mold growth was extensive, it’s possible you’re inhaling millions of airborne fungal spores.

As for your second and third questions regarding the comics, I suggest you keep the books in a dry environment. Damp books will develop mold over time. Remember that mold produces chemicals (enzymes) that break down the material on which the mold is growing. So, eventually you may have to discard the books if they are badly damaged. Mold on books can be removed if the books are not damaged.

If you have further questions regarding mold on books please call 905-290-9101 in Ontario or 604-435-6555 in British Columbia.

Tinea Capitis or Scalp Ringworm

Question: My friend has been to a dermatologist and a family Doctor due to the fact that she was losing hair in large areas of the scalp. I told her maybe it was Ringworm (Tinea Capitis) as I have seen it before in a class I took in Cosmetology. Well the Dermatologist finally told her to stop taking the Griseofulvin that the GP had her on and said it was Alopecia areata. She continued to lose large amounts of hair and is still losing it! Her pathology came back as Fusarium species. So…where did this come from and is it contagious? How is it treated? She was concerned as she lives in a recreational vehicle (RV) that she may have a problem in there or from her boyfriend who lives in a place where the water is really stinky and she has showered there. Please let me know your take on this as the Dermatologist said the water would not affect hair loss but from what I’m reading this fungus can be in water pipes or damp places. Thank you for your time!

 Answer: Tinea capitis (TC) or scalp ringworm is a common dermatophyte infection of the scalp in children. The Fusarium species isolated from your friend’s scalp is highly unlikely the primary cause of the hair loss. Fungi that are well documented as causes of hair loss are species of Trichophyton and Microsporum. They cause a condition referred to as tinea capitis. Although primarily affecting children between the ages of three and seven years of age, tinea capitis also afflicts adults and more commonly women than men. Most cases of tinea capitis are caused by Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton violaceum, and Trichophyton verrucosum.

Tinea capitis is spread via infected persons, shed infected hairs, animal vectors, and fomites.