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What Is Deemed Acceptable Indoor Airborne Mold Spore Levels In Ontario?

Question: Is there any government or industry standard as to what is deemed an acceptable indoor airborne mold spore levels in Ontario? The electrical inspector refuses to come on our property even though we have had several air test performed. The qualified tester says we have samples of mold but found them to be acceptable. I was hoping for some clarity on this matter.

Answer: Currently there is no government or industry standard as to what is deemed acceptable indoor airborne mold spore levels. However, it’s generally agreed that mold in indoor environments is a health hazard. However, the higher the airborne mold spore levels in a building the higher the health risk. In 2007 Health Canada published the Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines: Moulds.

This is what Health Canada’s Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines say about exposure limits:

Health Canada considers that mold growth in residential buildings may pose a health hazard.
Health risks depend on exposure and, for asthma symptoms, on allergic sensitization. However, the
large number of mold species and strains growing in buildings and the large inter-individual variability
in human response to mold exposure preclude the derivation of exposure limits. Therefore, Health Canada recommends:

  • to control humidity and diligently repair any water damage in residences to prevent mold growth; and
  • to clean thoroughly any visible or concealed mold growing in residential buildings.

These recommendations apply regardless of the mold species found to be growing in the building.

Further, in the absence of exposure limits, results from tests for the presence of fungi in air cannot be used to assess risks to the health of building occupants.

So currently there is no acceptable or unacceptable indoor airborne mold Spore levels in Ontario.

Should I Seek Medical Attention?

Question: I have been sleeping in a damp room with a large amount of mold on the walls for about 4 months (which is in the process of being cleaned). Is this dangerous, should I seek medical attention even though I am in good health?

Answer: If you’re feeling OK then you don’t have to worry. However, I would suggest you have the mold cleaned up as soon as possible. Prolonged (long-term) mold exposure could cause health problems, including asthma, allergies or respiratory problems.

Could These Illnesses Be Related To Mold Spores?

Question: My question regards mold spores. Our basement was flooded about 2 weeks ago. Most if not all of the exterior concrete walls and floor were affected as well as an inside wall. Although we have tried to clean everything up as best as we could, we noted a musty smell shortly afterwards. All four family members have been sick with what seems to be various allergic symptoms ever since. Could these illnesses be related to the flood? Could mold spores be the reason and should we have the air quality of our duplex tested?

Answer: It’s possible that your allergic symptoms are linked to dampness in your home. Excessive dampness is a health problem by itself. Indoor dampness also indirectly contributes to health problems by supporting the growth of molds and other microbial agents in addition to initiating the release of chemical emissions from damaged building materials and furnishings. Mold spores are also known to cause allergic reactions in some people.

Research has shown that living in damp homes not only increases the risk of asthma, but also leaves residents with a greater chance of repeated colds and skin allergies. People living in damp houses have been found to require more antibiotics than others and are more likely to suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis or tonsillitis.

You may want to test the air quality in your home to determine the levels of airborne mold spores. I would suggest you hire a professional to assess the situation in your home and give recommendations on remediation.

Mold In The House And Air Quality

Question: My question regards mold in the house and air quality. I have a tenant complaining about the air quality in a house I own. It’s a very clean 15 year old home and the basement carpet is 4 years old and in excellent condition. There are no damp conditions and the climate is very dry here. I think this is a frivolous complaint giving him reason to vacate and break our lease agreement. There are no noticeable smells or signs of mold in the house or moisture anywhere in the house. In September clean water entered the basement from a broken sprinkler that was just next to the window. Within 3 hours we had thoroughly shop vaccumed about 3 gallons out of the carpet and pad, sprayed the concrete, pad and carpet with Pinesol. We then separated the layers with 2X2’s and paint cans, set up fans and opened the windows. We relaid the dry pad and carpet on the 4th day. There was no mildew stains and the musty carpet smell was minimal and had dissipated completely within 2 weeks. My tenant’s wife has Asthma and allergies. They had the house inspected and 7,553 Aspergillus/penicillium spores per cubic meter of air were shown in the basement on the report and 2071 on the main floor. Are these spores a health risk? Does this mean there is excessive mold in the house? Is this an uncommon condition for a basement? Do you think this condition was caused by the wet carpet from 4 months ago? Since there is no musty smell would these spores be dormant? Should I replace the carpet? Is the source of these spores likely to be from somewhere else in the house? Should I hire another test from a different company? I appreciate your input.

Thanks.

Answer: Thank you for your question(s). It’s common to have mold in the house. Currently there are no permissible levels for airborne mold spores. The large inter-individual variability in human response to exposure to different mold species and strains makes it difficult to set exposure limits. Therefore, 7,553 aspergillus/penicillium spores per cubic meter of air could be a problem to some people and not to others. Health risks depend on exposure and, for asthma symptoms, on allergic sensitization.

You have mentioned that your tenant’s wife has a history of asthma and allergies. This suggests that she could be at risk. Growth of mold in the house is due to presence of moisture. It’s possible that there were some areas that didn’t get completely dry within 48 hours and hence the growth of species of Aspergillus and/or Penicillium. These molds do not require a lot of moisture for growth. You may consider hiring a qualified professional with experience in mold investigation to come and try to determine the source of those spores and also determine whether there are still some moisture issues that you’re not aware of. They should also be able to advise you whether it’s necessary to replace the carpet or not.

Spores of Aspergillus and Penicillium species could remain dormant for many years. It’s known that even dead spores can cause allergic reactions to those who are sensitive to mold. As for your tenant, I would suggest you let them go. While the tenant’s asthma and allergies may have nothing to do with mold in the house, it’s perhaps better to let them go for their peace of mind and as a show of good will on your part.

I hope you found my comments useful. Please feel free to contact me again if you have any other questions.

Dr. Jackson Kung’u.

Mold Removal: when to use a mold removal company

When to call a professional mold removal company

Mold removal is the process of removing  all moldy or contaminated material from a building. Generally material that can be cleaned are cleaned and dried. Although it’s tempting to remove any mold you see, it’s not always practical or safe to remove it yourself. Removing mold before you know whether it’s toxic can make your family feel ill. And sometimes there’s simply too much mold for you to remove safely yourself.

What mold removal guidelines say

You may clean small areas of mold (less than 1 square meter or 3 square feet) yourself. If you do choose to clean small areas of mold yourself, please follow mold guidelines for your safety and that of your family.

Mold growth covering an area less than 10 square feet is categorised as level 1 mold growth. Level 1 mold growth can be one single area of mold or it can include several patches of mold which together would be less than 10 square feet. Remember! Cleaning the mold without fixing the moisture problem, doesn’t solve the mold problem.

If visible mold growth in your house covers more than 10 square feet or if you are not sure how to clean the mold safely, it is recommended you seek professional advice. Cleaning large areas of mold growth releases high concentrations of mold spores into the air, which could make your family feel sick.

Therefore, extensive areas of mold growth should be cleaned by a professional. Heavy concentrations of mold spores can cause or worsen health problems.

Molds don’t have to be toxic to cause health problems. Even a common, usually harmless mold can be a health issue if there is a lot of it. However, always consult a professional if your house mold is a toxigenic mold, or if you even suspect a toxigenic mold.

How Do You Tell If A Mold is Toxigenic?

If you need to know whether your house mold is toxic or not, you may want to send a sample to our lab for testing. To send a sample, download the Order Form, complete it and send it together with your samples.

Remember! – please call a mold remediation professional when:

    • You the area covered by mold growth is greater than 10 square feet
    • You’re not sure of the extent of your mold problem
    • Mold comes back after repeated cleaning
    • The home is very damp
    • A family member suffers from allergies or asthma
    • You think the mold may be a toxic mold because a family member is suffering from unexplained symptoms that may be related to exposure to toxic mold

 

If you need a professional mold removal company, please visit this mold remediation professionals directory for a comprehensive list of mold remediation specialists listed by province. We also work closely with some mold removal companies and we may be able to direct you to the right people. Give us a call at 905-290-9101.

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