Canadian Residential Indoor Air Quality Guideline For Moulds

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Sunday, April 08, 2007

Canadian Residential Indoor Air Quality Guideline For Moulds

By Kung'u( Kung'u

http://www.moldbacteria.com/myblog/default.html

Whenever mould testing is performed people want to know whether the

levels of mould detected are harmful or not. While there is enough

evidence to suggest exposure to indoor mould result in an increased

prevalence of asthma-related symptoms such as chronic wheezing,

irritation symptoms, and non-specific symptoms it has proved

difficult to set exposure limits for mould. Health Canada has issued

a residential indoor air quality guideline for moulds as quoted

below:

" Health Canada considers that mould growth in residential buildings

may pose a health hazard. Health risks depend on exposure and, for

asthma symptoms, on allergic sensitization. However, the large

number of mould species and strains growing in buildings and the

large inter-individual variability in human response to mould

exposure preclude the derivation of exposure limits. Therefore,

Health Canada recommends:

to control humidity and diligently repair any water damage in

residences to prevent mould growth; and

to clean thoroughly any visible or concealed mould growing in

residential buildings.

These recommendations apply regardless of the mould species found to

be growing in the building. "

Any visible mould should be removed safely. There are mould

guidelines that outline safe procedures for mould removal. Most of

these guidelines are available on the internet.

If you are a homeowner or an occupant of a house and you see visible

mould growth, you may want to send samples to a laboratory for

testing. The lab report would tell you the types of mould species

growing in the house and whether they are known to be of health

concern. But remember, regardless of the types of moulds present,

the mould has to be cleaned.

posted by Kung'u at 12:53 PM

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Saturday, March 24, 2007

Mold Testing Services In Alberta

Diagnostic Engineering Inc., is the outpost in Alberta for Mold &

Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc. The microbiological team

at MBL is actively directed by Dr. N. Kung'u, B.Sc., M.Sc.,

Ph.D. In 18 years of practicing his profession, Dr. Kung'u has

analyzed thousands of mold samples from across Canada and the USA.

MBL is rated proficient by AIHA for EMPAT fungal culture and fungal

direct microscopic examination of air, bulk and surface samples. The

Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing (EMPAT)

Program is a voluntary performance evaluation program, administered

by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), for

environmental microbiology laboratories.

Mold Testing Services In Alberta

Diagnostic Engineering Inc. provides mold assessment and testing

services in Alberta for individuals who are concerned about possible

mold contamination. These clients have included homeowners, property

mangers & landlords, restoration & construction contractors, and

many others.

Mold Testing services offered By Diagnostic Engineering In Alberta

Indoor Air Mold Testing of Residences Affected by Flooding and Water

Damage: Air samples may be taken to identify the presence of hidden

mold. Water damage and flooding issues that have not been remediated

soon enough, or in some cases not at all, can possibly lead to mold

growth in hidden areas such as drywall and insulation.

Indoor Air Mold Testing Of Residences Involved in Marihuana Grow

Operations: Mold testing services are provided to confirm that mold

remediation and environmental restoration were performed properly

and that acceptable conditions have been met. Testing is performed

as required by the Calgary Health Region's May, 2006 Revision

of " Fungal Air Testing, Investigation and Reporting Requirements for

Residential Marihuana Grow Operations " .

Mold Assessment Services and Supplies For Contractors and

Consultants: Instrument rentals and small quantities of sample media

are supplied to contractors and consultants interested in performing

their own mold assessments. The sample media is then taken to the

microbiological laboratory for analysis and statistical

interpretation.

Mold Testing Strategies Employed By Diagnostic Engineering

Residences are inspected for visible signs of mold and water damage,

followed by interviews of the homeowners, to establish a guild line

for the development of effective sampling strategies individual to

each residence. Air samples are taken from both inside the house and

outside to establish a comparison for results. Other samples may be

taken if visible mold is suspected, such as bulk, tape or swab

samples, to confirm mold growth and to identify the mold species

present. Both the results from samples taken and statistical

interpretation are provided to the client to assist them in what may

possibly be further mold investigation.

If you have a mold problem click Diagnostic Engineering for contact

information. Their Phone numbers are (403) 253-4856 or (403) 542-

4600 (Emergency).

Labels: Mold_Testing

posted by Kung'u at 12:37 PM