Mould Testing and Cleaning

Black mould is probably the most common indoor air quality concern from the public at large. At the same time mould is probably the one indoor air contaminant that is regarded as not too serious. This is because we see some of it in the shower on a regular basis and are quite used to it. Mould in fact has the potential to be a very serious health issue. There have been reported deaths in infants where the cause has been linked back to mould.

There are many species of mould and a portion of those may be harmful while the rest may not be. When you see mould you are almost certain to be seeing a number of species of mould and not just one kind.It is possible to take air and surface samples of the mould and have it analysed in a certified laboratory. Mould testing and sampling requires specific meters, flow rates and agar plates. It is critical that an experienced mould sampler assist in this regard. A lab report of the sampled mould is generated detailing the concentration and types of mould present. This is very helpful because it is then possible to determine the species that are harmful and the concentrations in which they are present. These types of reports are very common when proving that mould is a problem and can be linked to the adverse health effects being experienced by the inhabitants. Once again very common in rental properties when cleaning the mould is pushed onto tenants without addressing the source of the problem. By taking samples in various rooms or offices it can easily be determined whether cross contamination has taken place and how serious the contamination may be in different areas.

Just because you cannot see mould does not mean that it is not there. Airborne mould can spread to other areas and will bloom when conditions are good (high humidity, lack of ventilation, moisture and a food source are present). When you can see the mould and you are experiencing recurring colds, skin rashes, watery eyes and other respiratory symptoms it often indicates that mould is prolific. Mould dampens the immune system and besides giving you respiratory problems can render you more susceptible to other more serious health issues.

Moisture meters (Protimeter) can determine whether a building material has enough moisture in it to maintain mould growth. By using these instruments it may be possible to trace the moisture path back to the source and determine the cause. Once the cause is established it can be addressed and the clean up can begin. Mould remediation can be a very complicated and costly exercise depending on the extent of the problem and professionals must be consulted.