Toxic Mould in UK Buildings

Overview of Mould

Mould is everywhere on the planet and was flourishing possibly even before life as we know it. It is seen as the planet's clean up system where it can digest almost every material. It combats with bacteria to defend its food source and we use it for antibiotics (Penicillium).  While mould has many useful purposes in our lives, it is considered a health hazard by the WHO World Health Organisation. The Americans have developed WMDs from various “Toxic” moulds too. Mould has affected humans health for thousands of years and is referenced in the Old Testament (Leviticus 13-15)

Do you really need our investigative services?

If you have health concerns and can see mould they might be linked. The best solution would be to remove the mould but you should read our web site and particularly the links to CDC for detailed information on procedures.

If you have serious health  problems and cannot see the mould but can smell it you may need us to identify the mould type to assist your doctors in possible diagnosis.

We charge for investigations because we investigate the cause of mould, (building defect) provide information on possible solutions and if required, sample air or cavities for live or dead (non viable) spores to assess if mould is toxic or at levels likly to be hazardous. Please be aware that no real stsndards on mould exposure exits at present and our reports will be subjective and aimed at assisting you with information on best current practice. 

Some companies don't charge you for site visits but they make their money from selling remedial solutions such as paints or damp treatments. Treatments are not usually permanent and often only provide short term benefits.

NEWS 2010 Centre of Disease Control recognise mould health effects

The American CDC, government agency has released a new document outlining health effects caused by mold (LINK)

This follows previous CDC warnings about damp homes and buildings with lmore links to resources(LINK)

NEWS July 2009 World Health Organisation  (People get sick from mould)
The WHO have published a document "Protecting health from Home Damp & Mould"It contains the research of 16 countries into the health effects of people living in damp or buildings affected by mould. (Link to article)

Building Ventilation

Mould has, in recent years, become a significant health issue as buildings have become tighter with less ventilation or natural air leakage through chimneys or windows. This means that the average 15 litres of water per day generated by a family of four cannot escape and is invariably absorbed by porous materials. Offices can be even worse due to ventilation issues.

Porous materials

The increasing use of timber and plasterboard to replace brick and conventional plaster systems has meant that the plasterboard absorbs the moisture into its chalk like substrate and its paper facing provides the food necessary for mould growth often in cavities where it cannot be seen.

Toxic Mould

Of over 100,000 genus of mould, only 16 have been identified as pathogenic and can cause serious health concerns. Unfortunately these 16 have been identified in the homes and offices because of related illness. Toxic mould species are suspected, (not confirmed) of causing the following:

• Flu like symptoms.
• Depression.
• Heart disease.
• Liver disease.
• Sore eyes and throat.
• Spontaneous abortion.
• Various cancers and haemorrhage.
  
  Getting rid of mould
  
  Mould should only be removed after the cause has been eradicated which will be either leakage or condensation issues. Disinfectants, bleach or chemicals should never be used because they invariably release mycotoxins from dead spores. Dead mould is generally recognised as more dangerous than live mould.
  
  What we provide
  
  We undertake a building  survey to assess possible building faults likely to cause mould. We then produce a sampling protocol to match the hypothesis.Remember if you don't find the cause the problem will continue or return.
  
  Various types of sampling are undertaken which include:
• SAS
• Non Viable
• Culturable or viable
• Surface and bulk sampling
• Cassette and Allergenco
• Cavity sampling
• Air sampling
• Background and ambient for comparison
  
  Samples are sent by overnight courier to our lab for analysis.
  We provide you with a detailed report which will identify types of mould or spore fragments and assess possible cause and potential health issues from identified genus.