 |
|
WHAT IS MOULD
AND WHERE IS IT FOUND? Mould (fungi) is present everywhere, indoors and outside. There are more than 100,000 species of mould of which at least 1,00 are common in Canada. Some of the more commonly found species include Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. Mould is most likely to grow in places where there is water or dampness - such as in bathrooms or basements. While the majority of moulds do not have identified health effects for humans, a small number of species are known to have toxic health effects.
HOW CAN MOULD AFFECT
YOUR HEALTH? Most types of mould that are routinely encountered are not considered hazardous to healthy individuals. However, exposure to high concentrations to any types of mould may cause or worsen conditions such as asthma, hay fever, or other allergies. Some of the most common symptoms of overexposure are cough, congestion, runny nose, eye irritation, skin irritation (rashes), and aggravation of asthma. Depending on the level of exposure and a person's individual vulnerability, more serious health effects, such as fevers and breathing problems can occur, but are less frequent.
Moulds can also cause infection in immuno-compromised individuals (i.e. Aspergillosis, Histoplasmosis). As well, some mould species can produce chemicals called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins may cause illness in people who are particularly sensitive to them or if they are exposed to high airborne concentrations.
HOW CAN YOU BE EXPOSED
TO MOULD? When mouldy materials get damaged or disturbed, spores (reproductive bodies similar to seeds) can be released into the air.
Exposure routes include:
HOW DOES MOULD GROW?
All moulds need water and a food source to grow. Mould can grow almost anywhere there is water damage, high humidity, or dampness. Most often moulds are confined to areas near the source of water. Removing the water source through repairs or dehumidification, is critical to preventing mould growth. However, spores spread through the air may remain dormant until conditions are right for growth.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Increased indoor mould concentrations can affect anyone, but those who are most at risk are asthmatics, immuno-suppressed individuals, people with allergies, old and/or young people alike. Renovation / demolition workers may be at a higher risk for exposure than the average person.
Facilities that have a high risk if hazardous moulds are present include:
WHAT IS STACHYBOTRYS CHATARUM?
Stachybotrys chartarum, also know as Stachybotrys atra, is a hazardous (known to have toxic health effects) mould that has received widespread publicity due to its presence in portable classrooms. It is a greenish-black mould that can grow on materials with high cellulose content, such as drywall sheetrock, ceiling tiles, and wood that becomes chronically moist or water damaged, due to excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, or flooding.
HOW CAN YOU TELL
IF STACHYBOTRYS CHARTARUM IS PRESENT? Many moulds are black in appearance but are not Stachybotrys. For example, the black mould commonly found in bathroom tiles is not Stachybotrys. Stachybotrys can be positively identified only through microscopic examination by trained mycologists.
WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH
A HAZARDOUS MOULD INVESTIGATION? A hazardous mould investigation involves a thorough visual survey of all accessible areas, including above ceilings and inside of ducts, of the building along with specific mould sampling. The sampling may include bulk samples of affected materials, tape lift samples from visually noted affected surfaces, swab samples from suspected contaminated surfaces, and air samples in affected areas or where health related symptoms have been recorded. Potentially hazardous moulds are indentified microscopically. A follow-up investigation may also be required to address sources of moisture which contributed to the mould growth.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO
IF MOULD IS PRESENT IN YOUR BUILDING? Mould should be cleaned s soon as it appears. Persons cleaning mould should be free of symptoms and/or allergies. Small areas of mould can be cleaned using a detergent/soap or bleach solution or an appropriate household cleaner. Rubber gloves should be worn during the cleaning. Goggles are also recommended. Avoid skin contact. The cleaned area should then be thoroughly dried. Dispose of any sponges or rags used to clean mould.
If the mould returns quickly or spreads, it may indicate an underlying problem such as a water leak. Any underlying water problems must be indentified and fixed to successfully eliminate conditions for mould growth. If large areas are affected by mould growth or building occupants have experienced symptoms identified as potentially related to mould exposure a detailed investigation by a qualified consultant is recommended. The detailed investigation will allow for identification of the problem(s) and a plan, including detailed technical specifications, for corrective measures can then be established. Areas of significant mould growth should only be remediated by properly trained and qualified contractors in order to avoid wide spread contamination of a building with airborne mould spores. Air tests should be run during and following abatement of mould to ensure the problem has been eliminated and that other areas have not been contaminated.
MOULD SERVICES
At Air Earth and Water we endeavour to understand the unique requirements of each project through in-depth communication with the client. We then utilize expertise to best fit the needs of the client in a cost effective manner.
Services available include:
EXPERIENCE
Air Earth and Water staff have been involved with all aspects of mould related projects since 1990. We have worked with all levels of government, the military, school boards, hospitals, private industry, banks, property management, real estate, and private individuals.
Please feel free to call if you have any questions regarding Mould or other environmental concerns.
|
Cladosporium - Colonies dark greenish to black, black in reverse, and relatively slow-growing. The dark spores are 1- or 2-celled and occur in long, branching chains that arise from a dark conidiophore. The youngest spore is at the top of the chain. The slightest movement will disrupt the chains, making microscope mounts of the whole structure nearly impossible. The best way to recognize the genus is by the prominent scars on the spores where the adjacent ones were attached. Very common on decaying plants; the fungus most commonly isolated from air, both indoors and outdoors.
Penicillium - Species of Penicillium are recognized by their dense brush-like spore-bearing structures. The conidiophores are simple or branched and are terminated by clusters of flask-shaped phialides. The spores (conidia) are produced in dry chains from the tips of the phialides, with the youngest spore at the base of the chain, and are nearly always green. Branching is an important feature for identifying Penicillium species. Some (top figure) are unbranched and simply bear a cluster of phialides at the top of the stipe. Others (bottom left) may have a cluster of branches, each bearing a cluster of phialides. A third type (bottom right) has branches bearing a second order of branches, bearing in turn a cluster of phialides. These three types of spore bearing systems (penicilli) are called monoverticillate, biverticillate and terverticillate respectively. Penicillium is a large and difficult genus encountered almost everywhere, and usually the most abundant genus of fungi in soils. Aspergillus - Recognized by its distinct conidiophores terminated by a swollen vesicle bearing flask-shaped phialides. The phialides may be borne directly on the vesicle (a) or on intervening metulae (b). Some species may form masses of thick-walled cells called "hülle cells" (c). The spores come in several colours, depending upon the species, and are produced in long chains from the ends of the phialides. Commonly isolated from soil, plant debris, and house dust; sometimes pathogenic to man. Stachybotrys chartarum - Characterized by clusters of colourless to brown swollen phialides at the tips of colourless to brown, sometimes branched, conidiophores. The dark brown 1-celled spores (conidia) are produced successively from the tips of the phialides and collect in wet masses. Species with spores in chains are referred to Memnoniella. A strong decomposer of cellulose and thus usually associated with decaying plant materials. Species of Stachybotrys have earned a considerable notoriety in recent years due to their production of potent toxins in indoor environments. They have been linked to some cases of infant death in mouldy buildings. Rarely pathogenic for man. |
| © Copyright 2002 - 2006, Air Earth and Water Environmental Consultants Ltd. |