Mould: Keep your home safe

Video produced by Cree Nation Government Capital Works Department

Mould is a common word for any fungus that grows on food or damp building materials. It often looks like a stain and comes in a variety of colours. In some cases, however, mould may not be visible but may have a musty odour. If it is allowed to grow, mould can contribute to poor indoor air quality. 

In order to reproduce mould releases spores into the air and the spores are small enough that people can actually breathe them in. Mould spores are always present outdoors. So when mould grows indoors, the number of mould spores and fragments are usually higher indoors than it is outdoors. 

High concentrations of airborne mould spores can have a number of adverse health effects. 

Since moisture promotes mould growth, dampness is one of the most common causes of poor indoor air in homes, classrooms, and public spaces.  Controlling the level of moisture is one of the best and easiest ways to improve indoor air and protect your health. Health Canada recommends that all mould regardless of the species be cleaned, and that the underlying water and humidity problem be dealt with quickly to prevent potential health issues. 

Do I need to test for mould? 

You should first look for the obvious signs of mould growth like stains or discolorations on floors, walls, window panes, fabrics, carpets and other indoor surfaces. 

In most cases, there is no need to measure an actual concentration of mould in your indoor air or to determine the specific species of mould that may be growing on indoor surfaces. Although possible to measure, the results of such tests are not really useful for a number of reasons. The concentration of mould spores in indoor air will vary widely over time. 

There are different types of mould species and each has its own level of potency or impact on human health. Different people have different levels of sensitivity to various types of mould. Not all mould is obvious. It can also grow inside walls or above ceiling tiles. So it is important to check for the presence of mould anywhere damp or moist and especially where water damage has occurred.

How to fix mould problems 

When removing mould, you should wear proper protective equipment including rubber gloves, eye protection and a dust mask. If you discover mould, clean the mouldy surface with water and dish detergent. There's no need to use bleach. 

You may also want to isolate the area by taping plastic sheeting to walls and ceiling to prevent the spread of dust and mould particles. Sensitive individuals should not be in the same or adjacent rooms during the work and may choose to leave the house until the mould is removed.

You can generally clean small and moderate areas of mould by yourself but you should consider getting professional help with an extensive mould growth.

You might consider hiring a professional if there is a large amount of mould or if the mould keeps coming back after you clean it. A large amount of mould is often also the result of a larger problem such as a leak in the foundation or a major flood which may require professional health effects.

How do I prevent mould growth? 

Fix the underlying cause, whether due to water damage or excessive humidity. Repair basement, roof and pipe leaks as soon as you notice them. Keep your house or apartment dry by always using the kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. If you don't have any fans open the windows for a short time to recirculate the air. However damp outdoor air will not help dry the inside and can spread the moisture to other parts of your home. 

Make sure that clothes dryer hoses are properly connected and vented to the outside. And ensure your tubs and sinks are properly sealed to prevent water from getting into the walls. After a flood or any type of water damage, be sure to completely dry the flooded area within 48 hours. Discard clutter and the excess stored materials. Mould can grow on fabrics, paper, wood, and practically anything that collects dust and holds moisture. Keep your house or apartment clean by vacuuming regularly. Don't over water your plants and watch for signs of mould and plant pots. 

 
What if I am a tenant? 

If you rent your home or workspace, there is a limit to what you can do to correct mould problems. Landlord and tenants rights and obligations fall under provincial and territorial jurisdiction. Ideally, you and your landlord will be able to come to an arrangement to deal with any problems. For information on Dispute Resolution and landlord tenant issues is available if required. 

 
Landlord and tenant information by province territory 

 
CMHC has information specifically developed for the people who rent if you suspect a mould problem that you cannot solve on your own. Health Canada and Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation recommend that you contact a trained indoor air quality investigator for advice on building related aspects of air quality. These investigators can do a visual inspection to identify areas of concern and make recommendations for improving the situation.
 

Video produced by Cree Nation Government Capital Works Department

Air quality problems

The air you breathe in your home should be clean. For example, as free from pollutants as possible. For your health and comfort, your home should have an exchange of air between indoors and outdoors. Without the air exchange your home can accumulate moisture. Mould can become a problem and you can experience poor air quality. Mould growing in your home can release mould spores, toxins from mould and mouldy odours. Harmful chemicals can be released from synthetic fabrics, furnishings and household products. Additional contributing sources of indoor pollutants are cigarette smoke, burning candles, prevented combustion devices such as gas, propane cooking stoves, furnaces, water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces. The exchange of stale air with fresh air reduces potential air quality problems. 

Moisture and air quality problems

Moisture is continually being released inside your home 10 to 50 litres every day. In the heating season, lasting 200 days, when your home is typically closed up 2000 to 10,000 litres of moisture can be trapped. A quart of wood stored at your home for example, can release more than 270 litres of moisture. Excess moisture can result in moisture problems, which can lead to air quality problems. 

Causes 

Condensation occurs on cold surfaces and results from excessive moisture production. Ventilating with warm outdoor air during the spring and summer can cause lots of condensation in basements. From inappropriate use of humidifiers, by evaporation from showers, washing dishes, and clothes, cooking aquariums, standing water people, pets and plants in damp basements from earth floor basements or crawl spaces. Air inside the house is not exchanged with outdoor air. In general, outside air in cold weather will help dry the air inside the house. Cold surfaces due to inadequate heat or insufficient heat provided to areas of the home. For example, spare bedroom heat blocked off if the room isn't used regularly, wide swings in inside temperature. For example, thermostat setbacks. Uneven heat distribution from use of woodstoves unheated room or air circulation within a room due to furnishings against the exterior walls. Poor quality windows or heat blocked off by blinds or drapes. Poorly insulated walls and ceilings. 

Solutions 

Reduction of moisture is the priority. Remove moisture sources. Reduce basement moisture entry. Discontinue use of humidifiers and use a dehumidifier in the basement during the fall, spring and summer. Keeping surfaces warm is the next priority. Upgrade windows with energy efficient ones. Keep walls and ceilings warm through the adequate insulation. Provide sufficient heat to all indoor areas in your home. Adequate ventilation, good air circulation and maintain adequate heat throughout your home are important and effective methods to help prevent moisture problems. The amount of moisture in the air is normally measured as its relative humidity. A relative humidity sensor can measure the moisture level of your home. Hydrorometers can be purchased at your local hardware or building supply store. In very cold weather, a level of 30% or lower may be needed to prevent window condensation. In the winter heating season, the relative humidity should not exceed 45%. Energy efficient windows can support a higher level of relative humidity without condensation occurring. 

Common symptoms of indoor air pollution

Symptoms of poor indoor air quality are very broad and dependent on the contaminants. They can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses such as allergies, stress, colds, and influenza. The most common symptoms are coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, upper respiratory congestion. If you notice relief from your symptoms soon after leaving a particular room or building your symptoms may be caused by indoor air contaminants. 

Respiratory health effects

Consult your healthcare professional to determine the cause of the particular health effects. Rhinitis, nasal congestion, inflammation of nose, runny nose, epstexis,, nosebleeds dyspnea difficulty breathing or painful breathing, laryngitis, sore throat, cough, wheezing, worsening asthma, severe lung disease. 

More severe health effects

Consult your healthcare professional to determine the cause of the particular health effects: conjunctival irritation, rashes, fever, chills, lethargy, fatigue, Molesey nausea, vomiting, anorexia Myliglial hearing loss.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your local clinic