Risks of Mould & FAQs Is Mould a Health Hazard?
Please take some time to read the reports below from respected worldwide organisations:
World Health Organisation Guidelines on Dampness and Mould 2009 National Health Service Centre of Disease Control - Mould after flood damageEnvironmental Protection Agency - USAUS National Library of Medicine/Institute of health BBC News - National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris
How can I kill mould?
Dead mould is more of a health hazard than live mould. DON T KILL IT, REMOVE IT!.
The action of killing a mould causes the relatively large spore to fragment into tiny pieces often less than 5 microns which are inhaled deep into the lung or alveoli where blood oxygen transfer occurs. This means in effect any allergenic or toxic effect of the mould spore may be carried directly into the blood stream. These small particles (less than 7.5micron) bypass all human defences to enter lower respiratory system.
This is the advice of The World Health Organisation and most international bodies. The WHO have stated the greatest risk from mould is from inhalation and in particular the smaller fragments of mycelia and fragments of dead or dormant mould and of course live spores. If you kill mould by drying, fungicides, bleach and other methods you will create a cloud of contaminates. One cubic inch of mould can contain 1 billion spores, generally counts of single genus over 500, are recognised as a potential health hazard. Mould must be removed carefully and the air should always be decontaminated. The NHS have now provided a link to best practice(see more ) and a new mould decontamination process is now available to economically remove the biggest health hazard from inhalation(see more ).
If you have had mould removed or killed you may still have invisible sub-micron particulates in the air which you are constantly exposed to. Check our health symptoms page to assess your risk. Principal Consultant (Jeff Charlton) is often called upon by news channels for his expertise on disaster recovery.
Why do some organisations offer to kill or destroy mould with ozone or "Fogging" process?
Basically because they don t know it's ineffective but it does make them money. You only have to read the Wilson paper in our library to see that no single method can destroy mould.
Is black mould dangerous or toxic?
The colour of a mould is no gauge of its toxicity. You can have white, blue, green and red moulds and all are equally dangerous or allergenic. Even toxic moulds such as Penicillium Aspergillus , and others may be capable of producing toxins but usually only do so when under attack typically from drying out, application of bleach or biocides and bacteria.
I have been told to wash off the mould with bleach or fungicide and paint, is that safe?
NO. A cubic inch of mould can contain 1 billion spores. Brushing off mould will likely release hundreds of thousands of spores into the air you breathe.
I have a little mould on my wall is it dangerous?
This is difficult to answer. Some toxic moulds that are producing toxins can have devastating health effects from just a few square inches while some toxic moulds can fill a wall but do not have serious health effects. Much will depend on whether the mould is under attack or growing actively. Bottom line is all mould is allergenic but some are extremely toxic.
I am going to get a swab taken of mould how accurate is this?
Almost useless. If you can see mould get rid of it don t identify it. Swab results invariably overgrow and the most dominant spore will cultivate the plate often obscuring the more difficult to grow toxic moulds. The process of culture based sampling is complex and may require several different agars to replicate the required growth conditions.
Are culture petri dishes useful to assess mould levels?
The WHO answered this in their Guidelines of IAQ Dampness and mould publication 2009 (available from our library)and state this techniques has serious limitations International opinion recognises this technique may underestimate the true count by a factor of 100.
What is the difference between mould removal and decontamination?
Almost anyone suitably protected can remove mould but the airborne release may cause contamination to spread widely and create a serious inhalation risk. Decontamination is the actual removal of surface and or the removal of airborne contamination.
What is the main risk of mould?
According to the WHO the main risk of mould growth is the inhalation of spores and their fragments together with associated contaminates.
What is the recommended procedure for mould removal/decontamination?
This will depend on your health and wealth. If you have an area smaller than 10 square feet the NHS recommend YOU wear suitable PPE and simply wash it off. (Take NHS info from the following https://www.mouldbusters.co.uk/ ) However if you are debilitated and or have hidden mould you may need professional help. Typically if mould is visible on one side of a plaster board wall it is invariably present on the other side and may require removal by experts.
Wearing suitable PPE erect critical barriers to the contaminated area. Install Negative air pressure to contain airborne contamination. Carefully remove porous substrates and or clean hard surfaces with HEPA vacuum systems. Wash down with soapy water and dry. Clean the air with a suitable air scrubbing technique. Provide third party independent clearance certification.
What is toxic mould?
Toxic mould is a name coined by the Institute of Medicine to describe the toxic effects known to be produced by moulds producing cytotoxic and neurotoxic effects. The toxins originally thought to be ingested are now known to be released into the air on inhalable fragments where they can travel to the lower respiratory system.
Is mould the main hazard?
No, bacteria grows before mould and they release toxins too typically streptomycin which kills yeast (mould infections). The mould will battle with bacteria and other moulds all releasing powerful toxins and some will die. The dead bacteria, spores and spore casing will produce allergens, may contain toxins and some are known to combine to create significant challenges to the human immune system.
How do I know if I have toxic mould?
If you have a long term water or moisture issue (weeks/months) this can include flooding, leaks and even condensation. While moisture is necessary for mould growth it doesn t always follow that toxic mould will form. Your best gauge of toxic mould is if you suffer symptoms associated with it. See our health check.
Why am I sick but my partner isn't?
This depends on many issues including age, personal health, exposure levels. So often we see a housewife sick and the partner who goes to work unaffected. This is due to extended periods of exposure. But often the main reason is Genetics and typically people with an HLA gene difference are affected most.
Why do I feel better when I leave the property?
This is a typical marker for toxic mould. Exposure to any toxic substance may reflect symptoms, but beware. The human body can remove toxins to some extent but there may be a tipping point where even going out into the natural environment may not see health improvement. It has been found that those affected quickly often return to health quickly whereas some who take longer to react may find they develop chronic symptoms despite leaving the exposure.
I rent my property and my landlord blames me for the mould, but I don't think it's me, what should I do?
To blame a tenant when it s a building fault invariably leads to loss of tenant, rental income and decay of the property, increased maintenance and reduced value. Increasingly mould and its perceived health issues leads to litigation which is invariably settled before court appearance when all the facts and evidence is made available.
Tenants can cause mould growth but in the majority of cases they simply want to live in a healthy environment which they chose to live in.
The issue here is that both tenant and landlord should work together to resolve the issues in a timely manner and to the benefit of both parties.
At Building Forensics we provide sole joint expert witness appraisal where our investigation looks at the cause and effect of moisture damage and possible contamination. We identify the cause with repeatable scientific investigation and leave little or no doubt with regard to causation and responsibility.
More importantly we can provide independent non conflict solutions as we don't sell fans, paints or any other process.
This approach brings an end to conflict or threat of litigation. Where a contamination issue exists we can measure the issues of concern and provide risk and hazard assessments together with consultancy on restoration and decontamination clearance.
In 2019 new legislation was introduced which allows tenants to take landlords directly to court without the need for third parties as long as they have reasonable evidence.
My rental property has mould what should I do?
Landlords who rent out properties that have mould, are at risk of being prosecuted and facing a large fine or even imprisonment. Landlords of tenanted properties are legally obliged to treat mould. If they fail to do so, they face being prosecuted under Section 11 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1988 or Sections 79, 80 and 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. These acts classify mould as a statutory nuisance.
What are the health risks of flooding?
This depends on time. It is accepted that a clean water escape of water from inside a home is a low hazard. Grey water from a washing machine which contains some organic soiling is a slightly higher risk. Black water from outside sources is grossly contaminated and is assumed to carry 120 bacterial and 1200 viral infections. All of these categories escalate over hours and within 48 hours even clean water could amplify the normally present biological loading to unacceptable levels.
What s the best way to sanitise my flooded home?
Soap and water and jetting if a major flood.
Many promote sanitizers but all have to be applied to clean surfaces to remove organic loading which effectively neutralises almost all sanitising agents.
Is there a standard for flooded home restoration?
Yes the British Standards Institute published PAS 64 which is a route to satisfactory and proven restoration. Building Forensics were part of the technical committee that wrote the guidance.
How long before mould will grow after a flood?
Mould will grow within 48 hours and at almost any temperature including in a fridge.
The extent of mould growth will often depend on environmental conditions with temperature over 20c and humidity over 75% key triggers.
Do Building Forensics have economic safe solutions?
Yes. As leaders in this industry we can provide a variety of low cost options to assist the homeowner and business all of which have proved to provide required results. Solutions are geared to requirements and levels of hazard and risk and no one single answer exists.
What are the health issues of fire damage?
Chlorides which are the result of burning PVC (Plastic ) are chemicals which combine to form hydrochloric acid. These acid residues can form on metal parts causing corrosion but are a significant health hazard when inhaled.
Other hazards include the release of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which may include formaldehyde and other potential carcinogens. Of equal importance are the particles of incomplete combustion (soots) which are carbon rich particles which can be inhaled and cause lung issues. Of course water from fire brigade and extinguishing are other considerations as per water damage.
I have a complaint what do I do?
We always endeavour to provide the best service and products for our customers. However, on rare occasions, we recognise that there may be times where our customers may not be completely satisfied. To ensure we are able to put things rights as soon as we can, please read our complaints procedure below and we will respond promptly to ensure complete satisfaction. As soon as possible after the completion of the works, please inspect the work to ensure everything has been carried out to our usual high standards.
In the unlikely event there is anything you are not completely satisfied with, please contact us as soon as you can in order that we can rectify any problems as soon as possible. Either call us on 0800 0843 033 info@buildingforensics.co.uk .
