Mold Bacteria Consulting Services

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Fungal Infections: Are You At Risk?

Are you at risk of fungal infections? Common indoor moulds are very unlikely to infect healthy individuals. However, there are some opportunistic fungal pathogens that could infect individuals who come into contact with them. These fungi include Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Although infections from these fungi are rare, they can be fatal when they occur.

More information about these fungi is available in an article entitled “Fungal Infections: Are You At Risk” which is available at http://www.moldbacteria.com/newsletter.html.

Indoor Mold Training

Training Seminar: How to Recognize Indoor Mould, Develop Effective Sampling Strategies, Interpret Laboratory Results and Perform Effective Mould Remediation
 Unique One-day training seminars on how to recognize indoor mould, how to develop effective sampling strategies, how to interpret laboratory results and how to perform effective mould remediation/abatement. If you have been considering attending a similar course, do not delay to register as we have limited spaces left!

Three Reasons Why You Should Attend

  • The course equips you to fully deal with all aspects of indoor mould sampling and interpreting laboratory reports.
  • You will have a chance to discuss and get possible solutions to some of the difficult situations or questions you encounter while doing mould investigations.
  • You will have an opportunity to learn from others experience.

Who Can Benefit From Indoor Mould Training Seminars?

  • Industrial hygienists.
  • Environmental consultants.
  • Home Inspectors.
  • General contractors.
  • Cleaning and restoration contractors.
  • Property managers.
  • Insurance, financial, and legal professionals who deal with mould issues.Other professionals or anyone interested in increasing their knowledge or developing their decision-making skills related to indoor mould.

What Topics Will Be Covered In The Mould Training Seminar?

  • An Overview of Various Types of Moulds.
  • How to Recognize Indoor Mould Growth.
    • Factors favouring mould growth.
    • Signs of mould growth.
    • Conducting a visual inspection and categorizing the extent of the mould contamination.
  • How to Develop Effective Sampling Strategies.
    • Sampling objectives.
    • When to collect samples, which ones and where to collect them.
  • How to Interpret Laboratory Results.
    • Air samples: viable and non-viable.
    • Bulk samples.
    • Swab samples.
    • Tape lift samples.
    • Dust samples.
  • How to Perform Effective Mould Remediation.
  • Quiz and Discussions.

    • What is mould and what makes it grow?
    • Which moulds are more prevalent in outdoor environment?
    • Which moulds are more prevalent in indoor environment?
    • What health effects are associated with indoor mould growth?

Be ready to share with others difficult field experiences.

Registration and Other Information

Registration: 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Course Duration: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Course Location:

1020 Brevik Place, Unit 1A,
Mississauga, Ontario
L4W 4N7.
(main intersection: Tomken/Matheson)

To get directions call (905)290-9101 or Toll Free: 1-866-813-0648.

Register today by phone at (905)290-9101 or toll free 1-866-813-0648. You can also register by e-mail at Course Registration.

If you know others who may be interested in receiving this invitation, please forward it to them.

What is the Difference between Moulds and Bacteria?

Recently one of our website visitors wanted to know the difference between moulds and bacteria.

Moulds and bacteria are very different organisms. They are genetically unrelated. Moulds are larger, complex and grow as long, multi‑celled filaments (hyphae). Those filaments can aggregate to form larger masses (referred to as mycelia) visible to unaided eye. That is why we can see mould growth, for example, on a wall surface. Bacteria are smaller, single-celled and less complex. Requirements for growth and the means of reproduction for moulds and bacteria differ in many aspects.

Do you have a mould problem? Call (905)290-9101.

Should People Be Concerned About The Black-Brown Spots On Bananas?

Recently we received the following questions:

> Questions: It is my understanding that a mould, common in the
> common, commercial banana, has carcinogenic properties. I am under
> the impression that the blackening of the banana flesh may, usually,
> be attributed to the mould, and not merely oxidization.
>
> I presume the carcinogenic chemicals would be secreted by the
> mycelium of the mould.
>
> I also presume, as found in the secretions of other fungi, that the
> chemicals are hardy and not easily degraded by cooking.
>
> If correct, then the common practice, of using discoloured bananas in
> cooking, may tend to be somewhat dangerous and should be discouraged.
>
> Have you information to support my assumptions, or can you refer me
> to other resources.

————————————————————————————-
Answer: It is true that the sunken black/brown spots on the banana fruit are due to a mould. The condition is referred to as anthracnose. The mould that causes the spots is called Colletotrichum musae. It is a post-harvest problem of banana fruits all over the world. Unless the banana is almost rotten the mould is usually restricted to the banana peel. The pulp is not affected. Anthracnose develops when dormant infections of Colletotrichum musae in the green peel resume growth as the fruits ripen.

Colletotrichum musae is not known to be carcinogenic. I have not seen any documentation of poisoning of humans or animals after eating bananas with anthracnose.

Banana with spots caused by Colletotrichum musae

Do you have a mould problem? Call us at (905)290-9101

What are the common types of indoor mould?

Often we get questions from homeowners who want know what the black mould growing in their bathrooms, baseboard, window sills or drywall is likely to be. Black mould is often erroneously thought to be Stachybotrys and also to be the most dangerous mould. However, not every mould that appears black is Stachybotrys. There are a number of other moulds that may appear black. These include Pithomyces, Stemphylium, Ulocladium, Aureobasidium, Alternaria, Memnoniella and even some species of Aspergillus for example Aspergillus niger.

Some mould species may be very common in the bathroom, kitchen, basement or on certain building materials such as the drywall, damp paint, carpet, wood, etc. Moulds that produce large amounts of the enzyme cellulase are commonly found growing on wet cellulose containing material. The best examples of moulds in this category are Chaetomium spp and Stachybotrys spp.

Generally the type of mould growing on any substrate (material) is determined by the composition of the substrate and the water activity of the substrate. For some more details on common indoor moulds visit the web page http://www.moldbacteria.com/mold/common-building-moulds-their-hazard-classes.html.

Do you have a mould problem? Call (905)290-9101.

Salmonella food poisoning and symptoms

Salmonella food poisoning has been a growing concern in recent news. It has frequently lead to recalls of beef, salads and organic products and, even peanut butter products. Salmonella food poisoning occurs when one eats raw or undercooked foods such meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. Properly cooked food can get contaminated with Salmonella if […]

Legionella pneumophila – Guidelines for Laboratory Interpretation

Legionella pneumophila is a Gram negative, aerobic bacteria that is characterized as an opportunistic pathogen. It is the cause of Legionnaires’ Disease, a severe form of pneumonia and, it is the cause of Pontiac fever, a non-pneumonic form of L. pneumophila infection. Legionella spp.’s mode of transmission is through aerosols or aspiration of contaminated water. The Public Health […]

The Indoor Mold Is An Early Warning Device

The mold (or mould, in the Queen’s English) has been the victim of a bad press. Mention the word and it conjures up an image of something rotting or in the process of decomposition. And yet, were it not for the mold that inspired the discovery of penicillin millions of lives would have been lost. […]