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Do I Vacate The Property Until The Mold Is Remediated?

Question: If penicillium/aspergillus-like spore counts are 4,700 and outdoor is 100, does this warrant vacating the property until the mold is remediated? I believe the mold has been there for close to 2 years and I have symptoms such as chronic yeast infections of armpits and rash on face, open sores on arms and severe chemical sensitivities.

Answer: Currently there is no set safe or unsafe number for airborne fungal spores. You have indicated that you have symptoms such as chronic yeast infections of armpits and rash on face, open sores on arms and severe chemical sensitivities. In that case you may consider to vacate the place during remediation.

Can Houses Suffer From Bacterial Infestations?

Question: Hi, I recently bought and moved into a new build property.  Having suffered with increasingly sensitive skin (became very red when bathing, touching skin) I moved out after 6 weeks.  Having removed carpets and repainted I am still getting a very clear skin reaction after having spent time in the house, unless I wash my skin almost immediately. Could this possibly have a bacterial component- for example if the drains haven’t been fitted properly- the house does have, what I would term, a ‘dirty plastic’ smell upstairs. I have also tried a powerful air-purifier which hasn’t really helped. Can houses suffer from bacterial infestations? Any advice would be much appreciated. This has been a very stressful situation. I live in England.

Answer: Yes, a house can be infested with bacteria. It’s difficult for me to know whether your skin condition is due to bacteria or other biological or chemical irritants. I would suggest you seek advice from a dermatologist.

Can I Install New Drywall?

Question: I have just purchased a house in which the basement wall had what looked like mold behind it and dryrot in the 2x4s supporting the drywall. I removed all 50 ft of drywall, 2x4s and insulation back to the cinder blocks and trusses. I have bleach washed the cinder blocks twice and sprayed the trusses with mold removal/prevention solution. I believe I have removed the reason for the moisture (grading and evetroughs). Can I install new 2x4s and drywall or might there still be an issue?

Answer: As long as the moisture problem has been corrected, all the contaminated material removed and the place is dry, you can install new 2X4s and drywall without a problem.

Hope this helps. Should you have more questions or need more information please contact by phone or use our online form to send your questions. Thank you.

If The Smell Of Mold Is Strong, Could There Be Health Hazards?

Question: If the smell of mold is very strong in an office trailer/building, could there be health hazards? How can we tell if it could be harmful?

Answer: The smell is indicative of microbial growth which could include mold and bacteria. Microbial growth is an indication of moisture problems. The only way to tell whether there is a serious problem is for a professional to come over and conduct an investigation.

Should you have more questions or need more information please contact by phone or use our online form to send your questions. Thank you.

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. […]