What You Should Know About Mould Allergies And Other Related Illnesses

Written by Jackson Kungu


Continued from page 1

Is Sampling And Testing For Indoor Mould Necessary?

Yes. The building occupants need assurances that they are not being exposed to moulds that may cause health problems. Testing is important so as to: * to determinerepparttar presence or absence of airborne spores, their composition and concentration in situations where occupants experience mould related ill health but with no obvious mould growth, * to determine if spores from visible mould growth sources had become airborne,

* to detect and quantify certain mould species,

* to determinerepparttar 113908 efficacy of mould remediation.

How Can We Control Mould Growth?

Mould growth can be controlled by maintaining indoor relative humidity withinrepparttar 113909 range of 30-60 % and ensuring that any water leakage or flood is attended to immediately. Use of biocides to control mould in indoor environment is generally not recommended due to associated health risks andrepparttar 113910 fact that these chemicals may not be effective against all moulds and are effective for only a limited period of time.

Dr. Jackson Kung'u is a Microbiologist who has specialized in the field of mycology (the study of moulds and yeasts). Dr. Kung'u provides how-to advice and laboratory analytical services on indoor mould and bacteria to homeowners, environmental consultants, institutions and indoor air quality professionals across Canada. Get more information about indoor mould and bacteria at http://www.moldbacteria.com.


Facts Concerning Indoor Moulds And Their Health Effects

Written by Jackson Kungu


Continued from page 1

* Mould Contamination Can Affect Businesses. Mould growth inrepparttar work place can affectrepparttar 113907 productivity of employees either directly or indirectly. A business affected by microbial contamination problems can soon see its market share fall and incur huge costs in liabilities. For example in food processing plants such as bakeries, bread can develop mould even before it leaves forrepparttar 113908 market.

What Should You Do When You Find Mould?

If you are an indoor mould consultant * Assessrepparttar 113909 extent ofrepparttar 113910 mould problem, * Discussrepparttar 113911 problem with your client and reassure them,

* Haverepparttar 113912 dominant moulds identified preferably to species level. However, before sampling, prepare a sampling plan that details how and when samples would be collected,repparttar 113913 type of samples to collect, collection requirements for each type of samples,repparttar 113914 criteria to use to interpret results, andrepparttar 113915 benefits expected from sampling, i.e., what question(s) would be answered byrepparttar 113916 laboratory results and what actions would be taken. Sharerepparttar 113917 sampling plan withrepparttar 113918 client,

* Discussrepparttar 113919 lab results withrepparttar 113920 client. Ifrepparttar 113921 client is concerned about their health, advise them to seek medical opinion from their family doctors,

* Discussrepparttar 113922 remediation plan (or options if any),repparttar 113923 remediation costs andrepparttar 113924 expected results with your client.

If you Are a Property Manager or Homeowner * Do not panic! The presence of mould does not necessarily mean that you orrepparttar 113925 building occupants could have adverse health effects or that they have even been exposed. * Do not disturbrepparttar 113926 mould since this could helprepparttar 113927 mould in shedding more spores intorepparttar 113928 air. * If what you suspect to be mould covers more than 10 square feet, seekrepparttar 113929 advice of a qualified consultant immediately. If unsure of how to handle mould covering less than 10 square feet, seek professional advice. Avoid exposing yourself or others to mould.

* Ask forrepparttar 113930 mould to be identified to reassure yourself orrepparttar 113931 building occupants that it is not among those that cause serious health effects. * Discussrepparttar 113932 problem with your family doctor or if you arerepparttar 113933 property manager reassurerepparttar 113934 occupants and let them knowrepparttar 113935 actions you are taking.

* If you find a professional who seem to concentrate more on howrepparttar 113936 mould could or have affected you orrepparttar 113937 building occupants, seek a second opinion. A good professional should provide facts and avoid causing fear.

Dr. Jackson Kung'u is a Microbiologist who has specialized in the field of mycology (the study of moulds and yeasts). Dr. Kung'u provides how-to advice and laboratory analytical services on indoor mould and bacteria to homeowners, environmental consultants, institutions and indoor air quality professionals across Canada. Get more information about indoor mould and bacteria at http://www.moldbacteria.com.


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