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Mould Growth In Houses

Mould growth occurs much more easily within a structure than most people may realize.  Conditions in many buildings, particularly those in warm, humid climates, provide a perfect environment for mould to flourish.  Leaking roofs & windows, poor caulking, and inadequate insulation & vapour barriers create dampness in exterior walls.  Heating & air-conditioning systems spread microscopic spores to other parts of the house, enabling the mould to launch an all-out assault upon the structure.  This form of spore travel is particularly dangerous to humans, as ductwork may harbour mould, creating yet another place for it to grow and be dispersed.

Until recently many people were unaware of the dangers of mould growth, or even the possibility that it might occur in their own home.  A few extreme and very tragic cases have brought the problem to public attention.  Small children have developed pulmonary hemorrhage and hemosiderosis, severe lung conditions caused by inhalation of toxic microbes.  This has proved fatal in several cases.

Sick Building Syndrome

While mold-related illness is not often fatal, especially to adults, it is certainly wide-spread and very harmful.  Many people have heard of "sick building syndrome", but few realize its connection to the presence of mold in a structure.  Victims can suffer from symptoms like temporary sinusitis, causing headaches and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat - symptoms which disappear once they have left the building.  In extreme cases, some may contract hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs which can flare up from the slightest presence of an airborne irritant, and may be permanent.  Other effects include asthma or other recurring allergic conditions.  Unfortunately, many who have these symptoms have no idea that the cause of their illness is spore inhalation, and it may be misdiagnosed.

What To Do

Moulds have been an under-recognized health problem, but that is changing.  Health-care professionals now know that moulds cause allergies, trigger asthma attacks and increase susceptibility to colds and flu.  If you believe you have a mould-related illness, consult an allergist or an environmental-health specialist.   (If you can see or smell mould, that's a good clue - but mould can also be odourless and invisible.)  They will at least be able to confirm the diagnosis and proceed accordingly.  The best remedy of all is simply to get rid of the mould, however this may or may not be possible depending upon how badly the building is infected.  Small blooms on the surface of walls can be removed with a weak solution of chlorine bleach.   Wear rubber gloves, open the windows for ventilation and throw out the sponge afterward.  A face mask could also be a good idea.  "Dead or alive, mould still contains the proteins that provoke allergies," says J. David Miller, a mould specialist at Carleton University in Ottawa.

If your home has more extensive water damage, remediation may be the only answer.  Seek professional help.  You need to fix leaks, replace mouldy drywall and improve ventilation.  Have your ductwork cleaned by professionals, and beware of furnace-mounted humidifiers.  Moulds and slime build up in humidifier pans and never get cleaned out.

More Info

Health Canada has published a number of pamphlets and reports dealing with indoor air quality in the home and in the office:  www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) also has several publications on how to reduce and avoid excess humidity and condensation in the home, and improve indoor air quality, as well as clean-up procedures for mold in houses: 
http://www.cmhc.ca/en/burema/gesein/abhose/abhose_ce08.cfm

StartRemodeling.com  (USA)
http://www.startremodeling.com

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