We specialise in the identifcation and certified decontamination of toxic mould which may cause building related illness.
We don't remove mould from surfaces but do investigate the presence of toxic mould, its cause and can remove the greatest hazard which according to WHO is the inhalation of released spores and their fragments. We also provide state of art sampling and third party clearance certification
Many people, in fact the majority, think “Toxic mould” is a fallacy. The following link shows a paper from World Health Organisation (WHO) on the hazards of dead mould, its fragments and the extremely toxic nature of mould, mycelia and their fragments. (WHO bulletin 77)
Whether you have historic or current water damage the biological amplification will remain for years unless professionally removed. No medical treatment is likley to work if you are constantly exposed to triggers.
Typically people at the top end of toxic mould exposure sensitivity sometimes live in tents in an attempt to remove themselves from home exposure and chronic fatigue, some divorce and many don't understand the issues. and suffer for years with ME, Chronic fatigue and other possibly related illness. Few understand the devastating consequences unless they are personally affected.
If you are suffering building related illness or have concerns for building occupants I hope you will find some answers to the questions you have on this web site.
If your just looking for mould removal for aesthetic reasons, sorry, your on the wrong site.
The following are key points in assessing mould related illness or risk:
1. All mould is allergenic but some can produce toxins
2. Even those that can produce toxins, rarely do unless under stress or attack
3. Some people are genetically prone or may have a poor immune system, or sensitised.
4. The WHO state mould is the great masquerade of the 21st century with many diseases and symptoms being misdiagnosed by the medical profession
5. The term toxic mould is derived from Cytotoxic and Neurotoxic and was coined by the Institute of Medicine and can affect the endocrine and central nervous system together with various organs (see health impact)
6. We’re not doctors, have no medical training but have worked with thousands of people over a twenty year period and have developed many unique options which may help you.
7. There is a small chance that you may have to move and replace all home contents but this is extremely rare but recognised as a possibility by the Institute of Medicine and insurers.
8. One cubic inch of mould contains one billion spores but you could be affected by 100 and they may be invisible in the air.
9. Toxic mould is more harmful when dead and in in fragments because these tiny contaminated particles mpass through all normal human defences to enetr the blood through the lungs.
10. Mould growth releases thousands of spores every day and removing mould from any surface can release thousands of spores.
11. When you are affected by Toxic mould you must remove the highest hazard and risk, which is invisible airborne contamination which you inhale with every breath.
12. Before you contemplate mould removal , you must identify the cause and rectify, otherwise it will return. The process is find the moisture source, prevent , dry and then decontaminate surfaces and air
Trust the expert?
Yes we have all been there, spent money and time on worthless solutions.
Lets make this very clear. Mould is everywhere and most people can live with it in normal conditions. Unfortunately the following issues have changed the risk and hazard of mould.
- The building environment we live in is warmer and less ventilated than years ago encouraging the growth of mould indoors
- The additives in paint , fire retardents and use of biocides and perhaps even weed killers has altered the natural ecology
- Of the 100,000 plus different species of mould only 30 have so far, been identified as toxic but they all grow indoors..
- Unfortunately these toxic moulds tend to grow in water damaged property
- These toxic moulds are usually below detection levels in outside air.
- We use a lot of cellulose materials in building materials such as plasterboard, wallpaper and this is great mould food. This coupled with heat and poor ventilation in a damp property will result in biological amplifiction and sometimes toxic mould
- Approximately 20% of the world's population appear to be genetically prone to mould and damp building related illness
- Mould is only one of several contaminates found in damp buildings
- The toxicity of mould has increased over recent years
With over 30 years expereince in contaminated and damaged building restoration and over 10 years as a qualified Indoor Environmental Hygienist certified by Chartered Institute of Environmental Health you will struggle to find a comparative consultant.
See us providing expert opinion on TV
Help my House is Falliing Down
What is mould?
Mould is a specific life form and digests dead organic material such as paper and wood products.
Mould can be harmless at normally expected levels but sometimes when conditions are right it grows and can become allergenic and sometimes toxic.
The toxins produced by mould are their natural defence against other mould and bacterial colonies and they are used to defend their areas of growth.
Not all people are affected in the same way and generally the atopic population, estimated at between 5 and 40% of the population can experience serious health effects ranging from respiratory problems to skin and physical or neurological symptoms.
Typical symptoms range from asthma, a recognised consequence of mould exposure, to respiratory and skin problems and even Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. See list of health effects below.
The very young, old and generally those with reduced immune systems are most vulnerable although exposure levels may dictate health effect’s over time.
Mould growth in buildings is always the result of water or moisture and this issue should be resolved as a priority. Moisture can be from leaks, poor insulation, rising or penetrating damp and condensation or simply poor or inadequate ventilation
Some mould species can produce toxins when challenged by other moulds, bacteria or by the application of biocides such as bleach. Approximately 30 mould species out of 100,000 plus are known to be capable of producing toxins and they all grow in damp buildings.
You cannot identify toxic mould by colour and even toxic moulds do not always produce toxins.
We provide inspection, investigation and where necessary mould sampling to provide you with the evidence and information you require. Mould sampling is uncessary if you can see it because all mould is a health hazard and must be removed. Our mould sampling is usually undertaken if you cannot see mould but can see water damage and or detect odours or have building related illness.
How to identify mould risks?
If you think you have a mould problem this will usually be based on one or all of the following:
• Visible mould
• Water damage or staining
• Mould odour
• Unexplained health problems which often disappear when leaving the property
• Family health issues
Even with visible mould the true extent may be hidden and you should read our page on mould detection and remember that dead or non-viable mould can be 40 times more hazardous as live mould growth.
If you can't see mould it may be hidden behind cavity walls or behind wallpaper
What to do with mould.
If you have mould you should follow these guidelines:
• Identify the source of moisture
• Control and remove moisture
• Remove the mould
• Decontaminate surfaces and the air
What is building related illness
Builiding Related illness is similar to Sick Building Syndrome. In both cases the occupants of a sick building develop health symptoms which may reduce or even disappear when they leave the building for a few days or weeks. Typically at work exposure symptoms become worse towards the end of the week or going on holiday and staying in a unaffected property for a few days may helath improvement.
Remember if you dont sort out the mould and contamination issues no medical treatment is likley to work because you are constantly re exposing yourself to the trigger.
Can we help you?
We can assist you in providing assessments of moisture and causation of mould growth. We can identify the potential of and risks of mould and why its caused, how to remediate and solve future or re occuring problems.
