ECOH News

Upcoming Webinar: Mould Awareness, Remediation & Prevention

January 20, 2021

Have you experienced water leaks in your properties? Received complaints of musty odours? Mould growth may be a possibility, posing risks to both employee and public health and property. The first step in reducing these risks is a knowledge of what mould is, how it grows and how it can impact our health and buildings.

What is Mould?

Mould is a type of fungi found throughout indoor and outdoor environments. Requiring both moisture and an organic food source (e.g. wood, paper, plant parts/ soil or dust etc.), mould becomes a problem when it starts to grow indoors.

With unresolved water leaks, pooling or condensation mould can start to grow on drywall, plaster, HVAC filters, paint, dust or a myriad of other substrates in as little as 24 hours. From there it is only a matter of days before mould spores are airborne and human health may be negatively impacted.

How Can Mould Impact Health?

Mould can have varying impacts on human health: from allergic reactions to infections, irritations and toxic effects. Exposure to mould can occur through inhalation, physical contact or ingestion of mould spores, fragments or compounds called metabolites released from mould.

At particular risk are elderly, young and immunocompromised individuals, but mould can impact all demographics.

What Can I Do about Mould in my Building?

A visual assessment of water damaged areas is the first step in any mould investigation. Trained and experienced technicians will then:

· Assess water intrusion sources (leaks, condensation, water pooling etc.),

· Perform moisture measurements of substrates to determine if conditions are suited to mould growth,

· Perform intrusive investigations via test cuts (if necessary) to assess for mould growth in concealed locations (i.e. wall cavities etc.),

· Collect bulk samples of building materials to confirm presence/type of mould, and

· Collect air samples for mould to determine the type of mould spores present in the air, if necessary.

Based on assessment findings, tailored recommendations will be developed for the remediation of water-damaged and/ or mould-affected materials.

But these are only the first steps!

How will remediation be completed and how can I be assured the area is safe for re-occupancy?
How do I manage my building so the risk of mould growth is minimized?
What are some best practice designs for building and renovation to minimize the potential for mould?

For answers to these questions, more information, and the opportunity to ask your own questions regarding mould, register for a complimentary webinar led by ECOH’s Rob Fernandes, CIH.