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Any Input Relative To The Spore Levels Identified?

Question: My daughter and her room-mate have been housed in a room that has an elevated mold count. The outside mold count on the day of the test was 2,600 spores per cubic meter of air while the count in the dorm in the dorm room was 10,300. The preliminary test identified three different types of mold spores with readings elevated above outdoor readings. These spore types and readings were as follows:

  • Penicillium/Aspergillus:
    • Outdoor count: 907 spores/cubic meter of air
    • Dorm room count: 6,880 spores/cubic meter of air
  • Cladosporium:
    • Outdoor count: 533 spores/cubic meter of air
    • Indoor count: 3,150 spores/cubic meter of air

    • Both girls are experiencing some health issues. My daughter is currently in the hospital with some respiratory issues and an infection of the colon. Can you provide me with any input relative to the spore levels identified? Also, I realize that most problems associated with mold are of the respiratory nature, but I am concerned that the colon infection could also be a result of mold toxins. Is this possible? Any input would be appreciated.

    Answer: Currently there are no acceptable levels of airborne mold spores. However, it’s generally agreed that mold is a health hazard and should not be allowed to grow in occupied indoor environments. The common indoor molds are unlikely to cause infection to health individuals. People with weak immune system (immunocompromised), however, could be infected by opportunistic pathogens such as some species of Aspergillus and Fusarium. As for mycotoxins, it is not known whether the indoor air concentrations of airborne mycotoxins become high enough to cause any significant health effects.

Am I A Victim Of Dampness, Mould And Bacterial Infection?

Question: I’ve always been a fit and healthy individual at the age now of 32! Two years ago I moved from a bedsit, into an apartment (ground floor), during my residence here. I discovered horrible black stained walls, and it seems to be multiplying! Ever since I have lived here, I have noticed a change in my appearance. My skin seems to be dry and flakey. My nose seems to be blocked, my throat feels like something is stuck in it, and I seem to be looking paler in the face and find breathing very difficult. Also I am getting pains in my chest (heart area) and in my back!! Now I am concerned about this! Am I a victim of dampness, mould and bacterial infection?

Many thanks!

Answer: My suggestion is that you consult with your doctor regarding your condition. If possible you may also consider moving out of your current apartment. Damp conditions and mould are known to cause various illnesses. For more information read the answer to a similar question: Could Mold Be Making Us Sick?

Are The Small White Spheres Specific To One Bacteria?

Question: In your article “Significance Of Airborne Bacteria In Indoor Environments” there is a picture of bacterial growth in a culture dish. Could you tell me whether the small white spheres are specific to one bacteria or is a common presentation for many types?

Answer: The white spheres could be representing one type of bacterium or different types of bacteria. However, bacteria colonies will differ in size, texture and color. Description of a bacteria colony includes its shape, the margins or edges of the colony, the colony’s color, as well as surface texture. Some bacteria have their colonies round and smooth, others can have wavy edges and a wrinkled appearance. Differentiating bacteria based on the appearance of their colonies is unreliable, but an essential first step in isolating the different types of bacteria in a sample. Similarly bacteria cells differ in shape and size. Four of the common shapes of bacteria cells are cocci (spherical), rods, vibrio (comma shaped) and spiral.

Do You Have Information On This Type Of Mold?

Question: Last night I developed what I named “brain burn”- my brain literally felt like it was burning and the symptom progressed into my eyes, ears and throat. I discovered today that I had ingested a black mold which was in a cayenne pepper solution that I make for congestion. Do you have any information on this type of mold? I do still have mild symptoms.

Answer: It’s difficult to know what type of mold you ingested without testing it. There are many different types of molds that look black. If you still have a sample of the cayenne pepper, you could send it to us for testing. The lab will be able to test and let you the type of mold present in the cayenne pepper. Learn more about molds at www.MouldFacts.ca.

I Have Mold On My Bathroom Walls, What Can I Do?

Question: I recently moved into a new home and I am getting mold on my bathroom walls and ceiling. It appears that the last tenants have just painted over the mold, so it keeps coming back. Is there anything I can do to correct this?

Answer: Mold grows in buildings due to excessive moisture. You have to determine the source or cause of this excessive moisture and correct the problem. Some of the ways to reduce humidity inside the house include:

  • Venting showers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside.
  • Controlling humidity levels and dampness by using air conditioners and de-humidifiers.
  • Providing adequate ventilation to maintain indoor humidity levels between 30-60%.

Sources of mold indoors
Mold is found naturally in the environment. It’s found in soil and on dead and decaying matter. Outdoors, mold plays a key role in the breakdown of leaves, wood and other plant debris and hence helps in the recycling of nutrients. Airborne spores found indoors either originate from outdoors or could be from mold growing indoors on organic building materials.

How to recognize mold
Mold come in a variety of colors, including green, black, white, brown and orange. It can appear fuzzy or in slimy streaks. There is often a musty or earthy odour in buildings with severe mold growth.

What causes mold to grow inside homes?
Mold produces tiny spores just as some plants produce seeds for reproduction. Indoors, these spores move through the air and settle on surfaces. When mold spores land on damp surfaces, they may begin to grow and multiply.

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. […]