Why Should I Test for Mould You may have suddenly discovered a suspicious growth appearing on your walls or ceiling, or you may have started noticing a musty smell when you walk into a particular room. If you are concerned that these may be signs of mould, it is a good idea to get mould testing done. If the tests indicate no mould, then you can move on to finding other potential causes. However, if the tests do indicate the presence of mould, you can immediately start the removal and remediation process. Mould is a type of fungus that produces spores which are invisible to the naked eye (see “Signs of Mould” below for indicators of mould infections). However, these spores can be harmful to the health of your family, pets or workers. Mould spores can be present in the air without any visible growths on property, however visible mould growths mean that the presence of mould spores is certain. When these spores are inhaled, they may lead to negative health effects. Mouldy environments have been linked with respiratory and other diseases (see this article for more information, and this article1 for an in-depth scientific review). Furthermore, mould growths may indicate the presence of underlying issues such as high relative humidity that could be causing other health or property issues. Mould growths are also simply unsightly, making buildings unattractive or repulsive to occupants or potential buyers. Please visit the qualified mould inspection company IECL for more comprehensive information:Visit Website Signs of Mould If you suspect you may have mould, but aren’t sure yet, these are the tell-tale signs that you have mould growing in your building: You smell a musty odor from certain rooms and or a chimney. You get watery eyes that sting and a runny nose when you spend time in a specific room for too long which may feel similar to an allergic reaction. You get an itchy and burning feeling in your skin along with constant tingling. Your skin may also get dry, itchy, and/or scaly. If a member of the family (or yourself) has asthma, it acts up more frequently at home or in certain rooms than outside. There is bubbling on the paint. It can be on the walls or even ceiling. If you have poster sheets instead of paint, they may also bubble. You are suffering from breathing problems and cough a lot even though you don’t have a cold. Exhaust fan or HVAC lining is getting jammed often. If you have small children at home, they may cough at night or when windows are closed and there isn’t enough fresh air. There are soft spots on the wooden floor or on the walls that feel squishy. If you suspect that you have a mould problem, keep reading to learn about the kinds of mould testing we provide. For a comprehensive overview of all our mould services, from testing to remediation, please see this page. To enquire about mould testing bookings, please call us or use our Contact page to get in touch. Our Mould Services Explained New Life Restorations offers two kinds of mould testing methods (air and surface) that are both offered within our two mould testing services (DIY and in-person). Testing Methods Air Sampling Taking air samples is an effective way to determine the presence of airborne mould spores. When testing the air for mould contamination, two samples are taken. One sample is taken of the outside air, and this provides a baseline to measure against. The second sample is taken inside the building, and when compared against the outdoor sample can give an accurate indication of whether there is a mould infestation. Both samples are analysed in a laboratory. They are stained using lactophenol cotton blue and then viewed using a Nikon Eclipse Ci microscope at 400-600x magnification. Microscopic examinations of individual mould spores identifies the mould genera. The numbers and types of mould present are recorded and a mould concentration is calculated from the data (fungal structures per cubic meter of air). Surface sampling Surface samples can capture mould spores that have settled on building surfaces. These settled mould spores may grow a visible mould colony on the surface, or be dislodged and become airborne again. If you have a suspicious mark on a surface, directly testing it with surface samples can determine whether or not it is mould. Surface samples consist of adhesive slides (Bio-Tape) that are held on a surface briefly before being repackaged and set to the laboratory. Surface samples are analysed in the same way as air samples (see above). Numbers and types of mould present on the sample are recorded, and mould concentration is calculated (fungal structures per square centimetre). Testing Services IECL DIY Mould Testing Kit (pump may differ from the one shown) DIY mould testing If you would like to test for mould without the need for a technician to come to your property, New Life Restorations’ sister company IECL provides DIY Mould Testing Kits. These kits include: 2x air sampling cassettes 2x surface sampling Bio-Tape slides 1x air pump (for hire, needs to be returned) Instruction guide Return postage satchel for sending pump and samples back to the lab Please note that laboratory fees for sample analysis are NOT included in the price. Laboratory fees can be paid for separately according to the number of samples taken and returned, and include a detailed report from our qualified laboratory technician. The guide included in these kits contains step-by-step instructions with example photos for further clarity. This video also gives a visual demonstration of the DIY mould kit. Onsite mould testing If you prefer a qualified technician to perform mould testing in your premises, NLR can provide this service. Simply call our office to discuss your needs and schedule an inspection, and we will send out a trained staff member to perform the necessary tests. Our technicians take two kinds of samples to determine the presence or absence of mould –

If you have a mould problem in your premises, you will want to remove the mould immediately. Nevertheless, before you set off to remove the mould in the facility, there are some key mistakes that you should avoid, otherwise you are only likely to worsen the problem and end up just wasting your time. Read the tips below to avoid these common mistakes. If you choose to hire a professional to remove the mould for you, we offer high quality turn-key mould remediation solutions. Please contact our office to enquire or book a mould removal. Tips to Avoid Common DIY Mould Removal Mistakes Tip 1: Firstly, a dangerous mistake is not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when removing mould. Mould spores are invisible to the naked eye, but can be very harmful when inhaled. If there is mould in a building, there is guaranteed to be mould spores in the air, and removing visible mould may cause more spores to be dislodged and released into the air. Protective equipment such as masks should be worn when handling mould. Wearing gloves, skin protective suits and enclosed shoes will also help prevent contact with skin so that mould spores are not later inhaled or transmitted to other areas of a building. Tip 2: Secondly, avoid using the wrong mould removal chemicals. When trying a DIY mould removal procedure, there is the possibility that you will encounter numerous types of cleaners and chemicals that you can use. More often than not, people use bleach in an effort to kill mould, which is can be a mistake. As much as bleach might be effective in the dissolution of mould on hard surfaces, it would be ineffective in textured and porous surfaces. Even more important to be aware of is the fact that some concentrated chemicals tend to be corrosive, in which case you might end up causing more damage to the facility. Some chemicals would even pose a risk to family, pets or workers. It is advised that you talk to professionals for recommendations on the appropriate chemicals for your particular mould problem and condition. Tip 3: Thirdly, you should avoid the mistake of not eliminating the source of the moisture that causes the development of mould. Mould usually develops as a result of high humidity levels in a particular facility coupled with lack of proper air circulation in the facility. Spillages, leaks, dripping faucets or over-watered plants could create opportunities for mould to continue growing. Key among the steps in the effective removal of mould is to eliminate the sources of moisture and ensure that there is proper air circulation in the facility. (See “How to Stop Mould Coming Back After Removing It.”) Tip 4: Fourth, you should avoid the mistake of cleaning only the mould that you can see. The moment you see any evidence of mould on the ceiling, floor and wall, it is reasonable to deduce that there is mould in parts that cannot be seen. Mould often grows in areas in damp, dark and undisturbed parts of the house, in which case you can expect it to grow in the inner parts of the wall, old flow panels and a wide range of places that may not be visible until they are opened up and examined carefully. In this case, simply removing the mould that is visible would only end up getting you tired without solving the real problem. Effective removal of mould necessitates a comprehensive preliminary inspection that will allow for the determination of the extent of the infection. Once the inspection has been completed, the cleanup process can start. Comprehensive inspection of the mould will provide insights into what should be cleaned and what should be completely removed. As much as cleaning is seen as the first line of defence as far as mould infestation removal is concerned, it is certainly not the last. In some cases of mould infestation, even the most comprehensive and advanced cleaning method will be ineffective in the elimination of the problem. For example, this is the case when the mould has aggressively colonised a surface that is made of pores such as wallpaper, wood, insulation or fabric. No matter how much cleaning is done, the pores cannot be effectively eliminated until the material itself is removed completely. Such cases necessitate that the materials are carefully and properly removed and possibly replaced with materials that are less vulnerable to mould. Tip 5: This is a tip for mould prevention: do not make the mistake of keeping cardboard boxes, woody items or other porous material in humid areas. Places such as cold rooms and bathroom areas are likely to have higher than normal moisture levels. Cardboard, wood, papers and other porous materials are likely to retain the dampness for longer periods, in which case they could become a breeding ground for fungus in case of high humidity or if the items become wet. It is possible to reduce the potential for the growth of mould through repairing any ground and roof leaks particularly in areas where the wooden items are situated. Alternatively, substituting those boxes with metallic and plastic boxes would be recommended to prevent the growth of mould. This can be complemented by the separation of the boxes to ensure that adequate air circulates between them. The moisture in such places may also be controlled through the placement of several buckets of activated charcoal in the room. Summary Mould removal is not as easy as it is often made out to be. As much as DIY tutorials make it look considerably easy, there are numerous mistakes that could, in fact, exacerbate the problem. Indeed, it is often advisable that you contact mould removal professionals to assist in the comprehensive and professional removal of the mould. If you choose to remove mould yourself, then it is imperative that you take caution when removing mould to ensure that your efforts bear fruit and that they do not end up exacerbating the problem in the

At its most basic, mould underlines tiny fungus that is known to consume dead matter, in which case it plays the natural role of decomposing items. As much as it is natural, its destructive nature on every item or object makes it considered undesirable. This is compounded by the fact that mould reproduces through the production of microscopic spoors that float in the air (Polygon, 2019). This harms humans as it is a known allergen and can cause respiratory conditions like asthma among others. This underlines the need for effective control of the mould and implementation of preventative measures in the same regard. One of the most effective ways of preventing mould in the cold room is ensuring that they control and keep moisture to a minimum. Home situated in humid or wet climates stands higher risks of suffering mould damage, particularly in cold winter months. These periods are characterised by high precipitation and significant temperature gaps from outdoors to indoors, which create conducive conditions for condensation. This also comes to the fore in the case of flooding. Of particular note is the fact that, contrary to widespread notions, cleaning and eliminating mould will be unlikely to completely solve the problem rather it will simply prolong it. The effective prevention of mould necessitates that the source of the moisture is determined and eliminated (University of Toronto, 2016). This would involve fixing and drying any spills or leaks, as well as other unintended cases of moisture. In addition, proper ventilation and safeguarding air circulation would be imperative. In addition, fans must be used effectively in the facility. This necessitates proper utilisation and maintenance of fans. Improver ventilation is one of the major causes of mould in any cold room. In this case, you must ensure that the flow of cold air in the cold room is not interrupted. This will involve the maintenance of uniform airflow to ensure that the cold room has the right temperature (Polygon, 2019). In instances where you are storing items, care should be taken to ensure that the cold room fan is not blocked. This is complemented by averting the possibility of overloading shelves using closely stacked items. The storage space in the facility can be maximised using shelving (Guild et al., 2004). On the same note, items should be stored and packed above the floor level to ensure proper circulation of air in all parts of the cold room. Proper circulation of air ensures effective refrigeration and averts the possibility of deterioration of food products or the formation of mould. On the same note, hot or warm food items should not be stored in the cold room since this would cause the fan to work excessively in which case the cold room would be likely to consume too much electricity to keep the low temperature. This should be complemented by ensuring that the door is kept tightly shut and reducing the number of times it is opened since warm air gets into the cold room every time the door is opened (Aktas et al., 2018). The gasket should be checked regularly to ensure that it is in place and good condition, thereby ensuring that the cold room is tightly sealed. The cold room would have a hard time or even be unlikely to grow in cold rooms that are dry and that maintain uniform cold temperatures. Further, the cold room should be cleaned with 1;10 bleach solution or 70 percent ethanol. Keeping the cold room clean eliminates the dirt while sanitisation comes in handy in the decontamination of surfaces. Mopping and sweeping a cold room’s floor enhances its cleanliness and ensures that the flow of air is enhanced. A 70% ethanol solution should be used to wipe down the metal posts shelving, floors and walls (Guild et al., 2004). While bleaches can be used abrasive and caustic cleaners should be avoided as they can damage cold room panels. Using mild cleaners should do the trick. Similarly, ensure that the cold room storage shelving is made of plastic or metal among other non-porous materials. Wooden furniture should be avoided in cold rooms as it will be likely to hold moisture and, essentially, increase the potential for mould in the cold room (University of Toronto, 2016). As much as there have been cases of mould developing on plastic shelves, it is possible to scrub plastic shelving units clean using water and soap. It is advisable, however, that one takes plastic shelving units that do not have a pitted design as they can be difficult to clean or dry completely. Even more noteworthy is the importance of ensuring that the items used to store foodstuffs are either in plastic or metal packaging (University of Colorado, 2018). This necessitates that cardboards, wooden packaging, or paper packaging or even books are not kept in the cold room as they are all porous and could attract moisture and cause the development of mould in the long-term and the short-term. In cases where the cold room requires frequent access, you might be better off installing a plastic curtain close to the door. This will significantly reduce the potential of cold and warm air to mix or get into the cold room in cases where the door is open. In conclusion, preventing the development of mould in the cold room is imperative as it averts the potential for destruction of foodstuffs and the varying health complications that may emanate from mould spores. It is noteworthy that mould causes varying respiratory complications including asthma, in which case ensuring that it is eliminated in good time is imperative. This necessitates ensuring that the cold room has no wooden shelving or material, with foodstuffs being put in plastic or metallic cases. On the same note, air circulation must be allowed, and moisture in the facility kept to a minimum. References Aktas, Y. D., Shi, J., Blades, N., & D’Ayala, D. (December 01, 2018). Indoor mould testing in a historic building: Blickling Hall. Heritage Science, 6,

For mould to thrive, moisture, oxygen, warmth, and organic matter that will serve as food are necessary. Mould growth is generally a symptom of the main issue. Among the numerous conditions that mould need to grow, the only thing that you can control is moisture. Mould feed off this moisture and begin to spread. In a report released by the World Health Organization, they mentioned that in Europe alone, almost ten to 50% of their indoor environments are damp. Such a condition is enough for mould to grow. This becomes a health risk because this is the same environment where most people work, live, or play. Mould and its health risks There are many contradicting views when it comes to mould-linked illnesses. Though there were countless worldwide reports of mould-linked fatalities, however, health authorities claim that there is no direct or causal link that was proven. What the NHS and WHO agreed on now is that mould exposure can leave one susceptible to asthma, allergic rhinitis, infections, and other respiratory symptoms. Touching or inhaling mould spores are also said to trigger allergic reactions like skin rashes, red eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Mould was even cited as one of the most potent asthma triggers. There are other symptoms that have been reported to be linked to mould spores exposure and these include the following: Nosebleeds Difficulty in breathing Tightness of the chest Nausea Rashes Skin irritation Headaches Throat irritation Eye irritation Constant tiredness Sneezing Coughing Fortunately, while there are thousands of mould varieties, only ten of them are actual causes for health concerns. The health concerns associated with these mould varieties are allergies, bronchitis, sinusitis, and other respiratory conditions. Infants, young children, people with respiratory problems, people with skin conditions, and the elderly are highly vulnerable to mould. Also, people who are immunocompromised share the same vulnerability as those mentioned above. Mould and structural damage Mould also feed on soap, fabrics, cardboard, paper, wood, and other organic matter. As they thrive, they can also cause damage to the surface. This damage can, later on, devalue and compromise the building’s interior. As mould prefer more nutritious materials than wood, they can also feed on lumber. The mould will not eat the wood or cause it to rot, however, it can indicate a bigger and deeper problem — a high level of surface moisture. If such conditions are not remediated, wood-decaying fungi will also grow on the surface. This can lead to additional damage. In fact, brown rotting is viewed as the most destructive kind of fungi-related deterioration. If the fabric of the building becomes excessively damp, surface damage in the form of paint and paper peeling follows. In severe cases, it might end with blister plaster and masonry decay. And if the timber rots, there will also be higher chances of termite attacks that will further exacerbate the damage. Dampness during winter should also not be ignored as this can freeze porous building structures and materials. And as the moisture freezes, the surfaces of the tiles and surrounding bricks are shattered. If the shattering recurs, over time, the effect will be far more significant. If the surface is left damp over an extended period, the building walls can become unstable. In that case, the building’s structural integrity might be compromised. A structural engineer might be needed to inspect the building before it can be occupied again. The damage caused on the structure, the repairs after, and the fees for inspection can take a toll on your budget. And to make matters worse, your home insurance might not be used to pay for these expenses. Mould Remediation and home insurance coverage In Australia and in some major countries in the world, mould damage, removal, or cleaning may not be covered in the home insurance policy. Even if mould is an outcome of an insured event, your insurer will still not reimburse you for the money you paid for any mould-related damages. What can be done There are ways in which you can restore the mould in your home. The goal is to bring back your property to normal mould ecology. To do this may require some research and some hard work. Some steps involved. Mould Testing – if you are having allergic reactions, it may be worth testing the environment to confirm if there is hazardous mould present. For a comprehensive review of reasons to test for mould, signs of mould, kinds of mould testing and our mould testing services, please read our “Mould Testing Explained” article. Mould Inspection – if you are unsure on the location of the mould and you want to problem fixed. It may be worth getting a professional mould inspector to find the source and provide correctional activity recommendations. Mould Removal Quote – If you need a quote to remove the mould we can provide a mould inspection first to let you know the source and provide any testing as necessary. Then we can provide a scope of works on the remediation and a quote to remove it. DIY mould air testing – If you prefer to do the mould testing yourself. Be sure to call to call us. This could be a cost effective way to do your mould testing at your property. In conclusion, if you suspect the mould growth in your home is affecting your health, it should be investigated. NLR provides mould removal service in Brisbane and Sydney and can provide mould inspection and mould testing to help confirm the source of the mould. We can also provide recommendations in the correction of the moisture source.

What is Mould Mould is fungi that belong to a certain group of organisms like yeasts and mushrooms. For them to grow and thrive, moisture and food source like organic matter, dirt, or dust are necessary. Mould can come in white, green, grey, or black colours. They also often look like a smudge or stain and may smell musty. They can be found anywhere. Whether it’s outdoors or indoors, they can grow and multiply. Mould and your health  There have been unverified reports claiming that black mould can cause severe medical conditions like respiratory diseases and cancer. Though mould can pose a threat to one’s health, there have been no convincing researches to verify this. Yes, they can pose a substantial health risk, but not yet to the point of these diseases reaching the level of cancer. Another clarification is there is no such thing as black mould. Generally speaking, there are many moulds that are black, but it’s not right to categorize them as black moulds as if they belong to one class altogether. When people speak of black moulds, they might be referring to the mould type known as Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys atra. Despite Stachybotrys atra’s dark colour, there is again no scientific backing to prove that exposure to this mould type is more hazardous compared to exposure to other mould types. Some people may be sensitive to mould spores compared to others, and this sensitivity can result in respiratory symptoms after inhaling spores. In larger quantities, even those who are not spore-sensitive might also suffer from adverse health conditions. It is therefore essential that you remove any mould growth and also be more proactive in preventing them from growing back. Mycotoxins Toxic moulds are known to release mycotoxins, the poisonous substances from fungi. chartarum are said to cause their serious health problems. Mycotoxicosis or mould poisoning can include the following symptoms: Nosebleeding Memory loss Headaches Mood swings Pains and aches Irritations and allergies Aside from mould poisoning, exposure to mould can cause allergies and irritations. Generally speaking, people with allergies are more sensitive to moulds than others. Contact with these moulds can lead to certain symptoms like the following: Blocked or runny nose Wheezing Sinusitis Sore throat Skin rashes Dry cough Red, watery eyes If the mould allergy is severe, the allergic person may experience shortness of breath. For people with pre-existing lung conditions, their lung problems or asthma may be worsened by exposure to mould. In 2012, a study was conducted and it was revealed that young children and infants who are exposed to home mould are more susceptible to developing asthma when they reach the age of 7. The said researched studied 36 mould types in almost 300 households. Infections If you have a healthy immune system, exposure to moulds may not cause health problems. However, if you belong to those who have a weaker immune system, you might struggle with fungal infections. This is especially true for people who are under cancer treatment, transplant, or those suffering from uncontrolled HIV. Toxic effects Toxic moulds are not the only mould type that can release mycotoxins. In fact, all kinds of moulds are capable of releasing these substances. The good news is the presence of moulds does not always mean the presence of these toxins. Mycotoxicosis usually results from eating mouldy food. This is not something you get from inhaling the fungal spores in the outdoors or at home. The studies conducted on this matter revealed that touching or inhaling moulds do not cause mycotoxicosis. Pulmonary hemorrhage In the early 90s, numerous children from Cleveland developed bleeding in their lungs and one of them died. Later on, the said conditioned was identified as pulmonary hemorrhage. The preliminary research revealed that one of the main causes of such condition was mould exposure, specifically the mycotoxins from Stachybotrys chartarum. Though the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) later on refuted the findings, many still believed that even if mould exposure did not cause it, it was one of the contributing factors leading to the disease. Summary The issue of whether or not moulds can lead to severe health conditions like lung problems or cancer may not be answered right now, but one thing holds true — moulds can cause health problems. Long-term exposure to these moulds, especially at home, can cause one to be unhealthy. The risk is exceptionally high for infants, young children, elderly, people with asthma or allergies, and those with weaker immune systems. Aside from the respiratory threats, these people are also at risk of contracting a fungal infection. If you or your loved one is suspected of having a mould allergy, it is best to speak to your doctor immediately. Your doctor can help diagnose this condition based on your symptoms and your family and medical histories. Tests like skin pricking will mostly be conducted to see your body’s reactions to common allergens. Your doctor might also suggest doing a blood test to see how your immune system response to moulds and also check if you have other mould allergies. In the case of someone suspected with a systemic fungal infection, your doctor might also need to run blood tests and other further tests to fully diagnose the existence of such condition. If you are concerned about mould in your house, please be sure to consider mould testing which is a service we can offer. We can supply the kit in the mail for you to take the samples yourself, or a qualified mould inspection specialist can come out and visit the property. For a comprehensive review of reasons to test for mould, signs of mould, kinds of mould testing and our mould testing services, please read our “Mould Testing Explained” article.