Mould Removal
Introduction to mould
Mould has been around since the beginning of creation. To begin, moulds are part of the Kingdom Fungi and are divided into Yeasts, Mushrooms and moulds.

Moulds are ubiquitous, meaning that they are everywhere. Unless you are in a sterile environment, you can sample the air or the surface of anything and always find mould present. You would generally expect to see the same types of moulds, in equal or fewer numbers, in the inside of a home or building as you would see in the outside air.

Mould outdoors, plays an important role in nature by breaking down organic matter such as toppled trees, fallen leaves and dead animals. “But Indoors”, mould growth should be avoided at all times.

The problem arise when mould starts eating away at materials, affecting the look, smell, and possibly with the respect to wood framed buildings, affecting the structural integrity of the building.
How does mould live and exist.

Most moulds are saprophytic, which means that they feed on dead, decaying matter. Some are parasitic in that they derive their nutrition from living organisms.

In the indoor environment, there is always a food source available. Mould will feed on many building materials such as wallpaper, gyprok, paint, carpet, woods, fabrics, and other organic materials. No doubt you have seen mould grow on the tiles in your shower stall or shower curtain. The mould is not feeding on the tile or plastic curtain, but on the biofilm that is on the surface. Moulds are microscopic and until a large enough mass has accumulated they can only be seen with the aid of a microscope. Because they are so small, even a very thin film of dust and debris will yield an abundance of food.

Mould cannot grow without moisture. First, moisture is required in order for the mould spore (the reproductive seed like structure of many moulds) to germinate. After germination, the mould hyphae (or root like structures) secrete digestive enzymes that break down organic materials. Moisture is necessary for the enzymes to be effective. The hyphae absorb the nutrients by bathing in the digested mixture. Although fungi also need oxygen, removing moisture is the most effective method for halting growth.

Indoor environment – Food + moisture =mould growth
Indoor environment – Food – moisture = no mould growth

How long does the environment have to be wet for before mould will grow?
When the equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) of a surface is above 70% some mould spores begin to germinate. There are a few moulds that can start to germinate at an even lower ERH. Depending on the species of mould, germination can take place within 4 – 12 hours. After germination occurs, it takes time for the mould to develop, create spores and begin to colonize. Once again, depending on the species, colonization can occur in 1 – 2 days.

What are the health effects of moulds growing in the indoor environment?
When mould is allowed to grow in a wet – damp indoor environment, there is a likelihood that they can develop into enough volume to cause both damage to the building materials and harm to some people. Whether or not someone will have an adverse reaction to mould exposure depends on many factors that include but are not limited to: 1) the amount of moulds present. 2) the type of moulds present. 3) How long the exposure may take place and 5) how sensitive the individual may be to the exposure.

As moulds feed on their food source, they produce a by product of digestion that results in a musty odour with is a “Microbial Volatile Organic Compound”, (MVOC) When you smell that odour, you know that mould is present, or has recently been a wet-damp environment that has allowed mould to start growing.

Fungi also produce agents that can be toxic depending on exposure. Moulds can produce mycotoxins which are usually cytotoxic, which means that they cause cell disruption and interfere with essential cellular processes. Some mycotoxins are considered carcinogens such as Aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus. Others may result in adverse health effects to the nervous system, the liver, kidneys lungs, blood, skin and other body parts.

Mould can grow on virtually any substance, as long as moisture or water, oxygen and an organic source are present. Mould reproduces by creating tiny spores, (Viable seeds) that usually cannot be seen without magnification. It’s these spores that continually float throughout the indoor and outdoor environment.

Prevention
Moisture control is the key to mould control. When water leaks or spills occur indoors – act promptly. Any initial water infiltration should be stopped and cleaned promptly. A prompt response (within 24 – 48 hours) and thorough cleaning, drying and or removal of water damaged materials will prevent or limit mould growth.

Remediation Plan
Remediation includes both the identification and correction of the conditions that permit mould growth, as well as the steps to safely and effectively remove mould damaged materials.

The remediation plan should include steps to permanently correct the water or moisture problem. The plan should cover the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, (PPE). It also should include steps to carefully contain and remove mouldy building materials in a manner that will prevent further contamination. The remediation plan may vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the job, and may require revision if circumstances change or new faces are discovered.

Remediation contractor
Selecting the right contractor to handle the remediation who has the training and knowledge in their field of expertise is critical to the success of the clean-up.

A reputable contractor such as Juvenaire will ensure the appropriate steps have been put in place to assist in minimizing disruption, containing the environment to prevent the spread on contamination and apply the necessary procedures to ensure the mould doesn’t come back.