Dr Jackson Kung'u- Mold Specialist

Helping People Resolve Mold Problems

Contact Us

Dr. Jackson Kung’u (PhD)- Mold Specialist.
Phone: 905-290-9101
Mobile: 437-556-0254

Home | MBL Blog

MBL Blog

AIHA Expo 2009

Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) is participating in the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo. The Expo Days are JUNE 1 – 3, 2009.

You’ve heard about MBL and probably we’ve heard about your company too. We would like to learn more about your company. Come and see us at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo., booth no. 311 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. You’ll not only learn more about MBL but you’ll also experience the exciting world of microbes.

Our friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions regarding biological sampling and results interpretation. And, you could be the winner of some exciting prizes.

For a free show pass or for more details please call 905-290-9101.

Air sampling for Airborne Mold Spores

Question: I’ve looked at the report and I’m very surprised. There is hardly any results. Have I done something wrong when I did the air sampling?

 We had a company selling air cleaners offer to test our air. They did air sampling for for two viable air samples. Then they said we had Aspergillus versicolor. Is it possible that a mold will show up on a viable test and not on a non-viable test?

Thank You

Answer: I don’t think you did anything wrong in your air sampling. The analysis of the air samples indicated there were some mold spores in your house BUT that is normal for almost every home. Air in every home or building is highly likely to contain some amount of mold spores and other fine particulates. Therefore, air sampling is not used to determine whether there is mold in a building but it is rather used to determine the amount of mold spores present in the air. The reason why one would want to know how much mold is there is because it’s the amount and the types of mold that the building occupants are exposed to that matter.
 
The air sampling you did and the one that other company did are different in many aspects and hence results from the two tests can be difficult to compare. Unlike the viable sampling method, the test you did does not allow for identification of moulds to species. That’s why we did not report Aspergillus versicolor. However, this method generally gives a better idea of how contaminated the air is because identification and enumeration of spores does not depend on whether the spores are viable (i.e., alive) or not.
 
I would like to know a little bit more about the viable air sampling conducted by the other company. Did they use an air sampler or just opened the agar plates and left them open for some time? The latter (called the settle plate method) is generally not a very efficient method for air sampling but it’s less expensive to perform and can at times provide useful information regarding the air quality in the home. The second question is, if they used the settle plate method, how many colonies were reported and how long were the plates exposed? The amount and not the presence is very important when it comes to indoor molds. Aspergillus versicolor is one of the most common molds indoors and presence of a few spores/colonies is not an indication of a mold problem. If you have not experienced any moisture problems in your home, it’s very unlikely that you have a mold problem worth worrying about.

As to whether a mold can show up on a viable test and not on a non-viable test, yes, it’s possible.

Mould in the fridge

Question: I wonder if you can tell me about mould that was in my fridge in my summer trailer. I went to my trailer today and did not realize that the hydro was off during the winter months.  There was mould in the freezer and also all over the inside of the fridge. Of course I threw all of the food and contents out. I washed it with Tilex which was the only thing I had on hand.  The fridge is now absolutely spotless but I am afraid to use it. Would I be better off to buy a new fridge or can I clean it with vinegar, bleach, or some other cleaner. Many Thanks.

Answer: I wouldn’t advise you to throw away your fridge simply because there was mould growing inside. I would suggest you wash it with ordinary dishwashing detergent. Rinse it thoroughly well and it should be safe to use.

PLEASE HELP ME!

Me and my babies have been exposed to Mold Toxins for approximately 5 years (I believe 99% chance that I’m correct). I have all the severe serious level symptoms, plus have been exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning for approximately 8-9 months. I have been deteriorating very quickly. My 2 babies who are Lovebirds also have been deteriorating with severe symptoms which have gone to partially blindness. Please advise me on all the Medical Tests that can be done to confirm and determine my suspicions to Mold Toxin Poisoning Exposure.

Thank you in advance for your quick response as I’m in a desperate need of this information ASAP. I am in a crisis and I have no support. In addition, due to my destabilizing health conditions my finances have been exhausted and I have been unable to work for months or hardly functions at home with no income support.  The Doctors are baffled so I need to inform them what steps to take immediately. Note: EEG, MRI tests have been completed however MRI results are not known at this time and EEG apparently was normal.

Sincerely,
P.S. An elderly woman has already died in this rental unit with similar symptoms. Autopsy results concluded death by natural causes.

Answer: Your story is rather sad. Perhaps the first test that should be performed is to assess the building for both biological and chemical pollutants. While presence of mold does not necessarily mean you have been exposed to mold toxins (mycotoxins), its absence could suggest that the possibility of significant mycotoxin exposure is very low. For medical tests, I would suggest you discuss this with your family doctor or request them to suggest other medical professionals who could help you.

Stachybotrys

Question:  Hello there. I work in a boat and recently we discovered that we had a lot of mould on our ceiling. A company came and tested the mould and it came back to be Stachybotrys or some thing similar (sorry about the spelling…). They are planning to clean the area with air cleaners and filters etc. They say that the mould is only in two of the five crew rooms and nothing in the other rooms. Is it possible to have mould so confined, or is this just my superior’s explanation. Also, I have been living here for the past year. What effect can this mould have on me? Should I be worried about any thing..?? Thank you for your help…, It’s always hard to know the truth when you work in a boat. Every thing goes through the captain, and he decides what we should know.

Again thank you for your time.

 Answer: Yes, it’s Stachybotrys or what the general public refers to as black mould. As, to whether mould can be confined to some areas, yes, it can. Generally, mould, and especially the type that requires excessive moisture such as Stachybotrys will only grow in those areas that are extremely wet.

If you’re not feeling sick, I would think there is no need for you to be worried. Not everybody is susceptible to indoor mould. Also, the effect of indoor mould is only likely to persist if an individual who is susceptible to mould continues to be exposed. Exposure to molds such as Stachybotrys is mainly through inhalation. Fortunately spores of Stachybotrys do not become airborne easily unless they are disturbed.