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

How Toxic is the Mould?

I have a question regarding mould. Thank you first off for someone that is passionate about what you love to do; its great how much you share about all that you know. I’ve been contacted by a young lady that needs information. She lives in Vancouver, BC in a rancher home built in the late 80’s, or early 90’s and she is having mould problems. She just discovered on a window sill, a yellow golfball-sized fungus, that has orange dots on it. When she touched it to clean, it burst and had green goo inside. She has had a persistent cough for several months now and when she talked to the landlord about the fungus, plus black staining in the bathroom, he threatened to evict them, as he just told them that he will paint over it and not to bother him again.

The Mould Stachybotrys

The Mould Stachybotrys is know to be toxic (toxigenic)

Question: Just how much should they be concerned and/or how toxic is the mould? She is an employee of mine and she had approached me as of today of the incident(s). I thank you in advance for your time.

Answer: It’s hard to tell the type of mould and whether it’s toxigenic or not from the description only. However, all moulds are potentially a health hazard and should be removed (not painted over). The source of moisture that is promoting mould growth should be identified and corrected otherwise mould will continue growing. As for your employee, the best thing to do if the landlord is not willing to remove the mould is to move out or to seek help/advice from the public health department who may compel the landlord to remove the mould. Before reporting to any authority she should be sure that the mould is growing due to the landlord’s negligence and not her own lifestyle.

Coliform Testing As An Andicator Of Sewage Contamination

Coliform testing is routinely used as an indicator of sewage contamination. Sewage contamination is a concern because it may contain potentially infectious organisms such as such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Shigella. Exposure to sewage contamination increases the risk of gastrointestinal infections and other related illnesses. Sources of sewage contamination may include raw sewage overflows, severe flooding and leaking sewer lines or septic tanks.

To determine the potential health risks from sewage contamination swab samples could be collected and tested for sewage contamination indicators. Indicator organisms include Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform and Enterococcus.

Coliform

Total Coliform

Surface Sampling Method for Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform and Enterococcus.

Sampling Procedure

  1. Measure the area of the surface to be sampled (both in the suspected area and a control in an area where low or no contamination is expected) with a tape measure and record the area in square centimetres (a 100 cm2 is recommended);
  2. Collect swab samples by removing a sterile, rayon (non-cotton) swab from a sterile tube, moisten it by inserting it into a second tube which contains a sponge soaked with sterile 1.5 mL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.2;
  3. Swab the selected surface by moving the swab back and forth across the surface with several horizontal strokes, then several vertical strokes. Rotate the swab during sampling to ensure that the entire surface of the swab was used.
  4. After sampling, return the swab to the sterile tube (with the sponge);
  5. Before collecting another sample, label the sample appropriately;
  6. On the chain of custody clearly indicate what indicator organisms you want tested, i.e., total coliforms, fecal coliforms, E. Coli and/or Enterococcus. Submit the samples to Mold & Bacteria Laboratories for testing.

Results Interpretation

Total Coliform

Coliform are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals including human beings and hence they end up in sewage. However, they are also present in the environment as part of the natural microflora. These naturally occurring coliforms can potentially cause false positive results when testing environmental samples. For environmental samples, positive tests for total coliforms must be interpreted with caution and always be confirmed by more specific testing.

Fecal Coliform

Fecal coliform include bacteria such as E. coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Citrobacter. The fecal coliforms test is more specific than the total coliform test in indicating potential sewage contamination. However, this test is also subject to giving false negatives since these bacteria with the exception of E. coli could also be associated with plants. Therefore, as with the total coliform test, the results of the fecal coliform assay must be interpreted with caution, and positive results should be confirmed.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Presence of E. coli has been demonstrated to be a very specific indication of fecal or sewage contamination. E. coli has also been isolated from soil suggesting that it may not be 100% reliable indicator of fecal or sewage contamination.

Enterococcus

Alternative indicator organisms are the enterococci. The enterococci, belong to the genus Enterococcus. They are less ubiquitous than the coliform in the environment and are always present in the feces of warm-blooded animals. Although research has indicated that enterococci might be a more stable indicator of sewage contamination than E. coli and fecal coliform, some species of Enterococcus are also associated with Plants.

Conclusion.

No single indicator organism on it’s own is 100% reliable to demonstrated sewage or fecal contamination. Some experts therefore recommend use of 3 or more indicators, i.e., total coliforms, fecal coliforms, E. coli and/or enterococci.

For additional information or if you have any questions please contact us by phone at 905-290-9101.

Mold Exposure Limits

Question: My question regards mold exposure limits. I just had a mold count done in my home. The spore count levels in the basement were 5X and 6X outside air in the bedroom. Are these levels high enough to make someone sick? What are “high” levels? In other words are there mold exposure limits? Molds found were Penicillium, Aspergillus and ascospores. I spent a good deal of money on the testing and just would like someone else’s point of view, other than the guy wanting to sell me the remediation. Thank you.

Answer: Due to the large number of mold species and strains commonly found in buildings and the large inter-individual variability in sensitivity to mold exposure it has been difficult to set mold exposure limits. In other words there are no safe or unsafe levels of airborne mold spore counts that have been established. In absence of mold exposure limits, results from tests for airborne fungal spores cannot be used to assess risks to the health of building occupants. However, individuals who are immunocompromised are at higher risk of mold exposure than healthy individuals.

To minimize the risks of mold exposure it’s recommended to:

  • control humidity and diligently repair any water damage to prevent
    mold growth; and
  • clean thoroughly any visible or concealed mold growing in
    residential or office buildings.

These recommendations apply regardless of the type of mold found to be growing in the building.