Figure 1
Gillian Thiessen, BHSc., BASc., CPHI(C)
Public Health Inspector, Niagara Region Public Health
What Is Mould?

Aspergillus
Moulds are organisms
that belong to the
Kingdom Fungi
Figure 2
 It is estimated that
several thousand species
of mould exist
everywhere in the
environment (inside and
outside)

Alternaria
Figure 3
Some moulds are
visible, and some are
microscopic
Cladosporium
Figure 4
Mould Reproduction

Moulds reproduce
asexually by spore
(conidia) formation
 Spores allow moulds to
Figure 5
survive harsh conditions

Moulds form elaborate
networks of hyphae
(filaments) in/on
various materials
Figure 6
Conditions Required For Mould
Growth
Oxygen
 Carbon- based nutrients
(i.e., foods, building
materials)
 Temperature
 Humidity/Moisture

Figure 7
Figure 9
Figure 8
Some Moulds Are Good!

Penicillium
roqueforti
Penicillium
roqueforti
 Used in the
manufacture of
blue cheese

Figure 10
Figure 11
Penicillium spp.
 Antibiotic
properties
Figure 13
Figure 12
Moulds And Food

Moulds are
primarily “spoilage”
organisms
Figure 15
 Moulds often cause
foods to visibly “go
bad” before they can
be eaten (i.e.,
Rhizopus spp. on
bread)
 Even if moulds are
ingested, they will
not necessarily
cause people to
become sick
Rhizopus
stolonifer
Figure 14
Figure 16
Figure 17
WHEN IN
DOUBT –
THROW IT
OUT!
Moulds And Food

Some moulds can
produce toxins when
they grow in food
 Aspergillus flavus produces
aflatoxin
○ Common foods – peanuts,
corn, rice, pumpkin seeds
○ Health effects – acute
poisoning, liver cancer,
birth defects
Aspergillus
flavus
Figure 19
Figure 18
 Claviceps spp. produces
ergot
○ Common foods – rye
○ Health effects – stomach
cramps, prickling/burning
sensations, gangrene
Claviceps spp.
Figure 20
Figure 21
Moulds And Indoor Air Quality

Moulds can grow on
building materials when
suitable temperature and
moisture conditions are
present
 Condensation of moisture on




Figure 22
Figure 23
surfaces
Inadequate ventilation
Water leakage (i.e., broken
pipes)
Infiltration of water from the
outside (i.e., leaking roofs,
cracked basements)
Flooding
Figure 24
Moulds And Indoor Air Quality

Mould spores and fragments can
be dispersed into the air, and
therefore can be inhaled
 Mould spores and fragments
contain allergens
 Mould cell walls contain
inflammatory compounds
Figure 25
Moulds And Indoor Air Quality

Possible routes of exposure for mould into the body:
 Inhalation  most common route of exposure
 Ingestion
 Direct contact

Factors affecting a person’s susceptibility to mould:






Genetics
Age
Health status
Socioeconomic status
Previous exposures/sensitizations
Concurrent exposures (i.e., smoke, cockroaches)
Moulds And Indoor Air Quality

Potential health effects of
exposure to indoor mould:
 Allergic/hypersensitivity
reactions (i.e., people develop
allergic sensitivity to mould)
 Systemic infections (i.e., lung
infections; may be significant
for people with compromised
immune systems)
 Irritant/toxic reactions (i.e.,
respiratory, immune, and/or
neurologic effects)
Figure 26
Moulds And Indoor Air Quality
The amount of mould it takes to produce
these health effects (i.e., dose-response
relationship) is UNKNOWN
ASSOCIATION VS.
CAUSATION
Indoor Moulds And Health Effects

“For healthy individuals,
most case reports of
adverse health reactions
from mould . . . have been
associated with mould
exposures in agricultural or
industrial environments but
not in residential
environments.” (National
Collaborating Centre for
Environmental Health,
2009)
Figure 27
Indoor Moulds And Health Effects

“There is evidence that
many of the agents present
in damp indoor
environments may
contribute to human illness,
and many of the health
effects attributed to the
presence of mould have
also been attributed to
agents other than mould.”
(National Collaborating
Centre for Environmental
Health, 2009)
Figure 28
Figure 29
Figure 30
Figure 31
Figure 32
Indoor Moulds And Health Effects

Stachybotrys chartarum
 Greenish-black
 Slow-growing
 Grows on surfaces that have a high cellulose
Stachybotrys
chartarum
content and a low nitrogen content
○ Hay, cotton, hemp, maple, walnut, pine, and oak
○ Cereal grains, oil seeds, tree nuts, and
dehydrated fruits)
 2/3 of S. chartarum produces mycotoxins
(macrocylic tricothecenes, hemolytic stachylysin)
 Spores are usually covered in dried slime, and are
usually not airborne unless they are disturbed
 Potential health effects:
Figure 33
○ May be associated with idiopathic pulmonary
hemorrhage in infants
○ May be associated with sick building syndrome
○ May be associated with intensification of asthma
symptoms
 Occupational exposure to S. chartarum is more
likely than residential exposure
○ “Stachybotrytoxicosis” has been reported among
farmers, grain/malt processing workers, textile mill
workers, and workers at binder twine factories
Figure 34
Indoor Moulds And Health Effects

Aspergillus spp.
 Found in soil, plants, dust,
building materials, and some
food items (i.e., spices, cereal
grains)
 Some species produce toxins
(i.e., Aspergillus flavus)
 Potential health effects:
○ Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Aspergillus
spp.
Figure 35
(wheezing, coughing)
○ Invasive aspergillosis (damage
to lungs and other body tissues;
most likely to occur in immunocompromised persons)
○ Aspergilloma (“fungus ball” in
the lungs or other body organs)
Figure 36
Mould And The Role Of The
Public Health Department

Public health inspectors respond to
mould complaints they receive from the
general public
 PHIs provide advice about how to clean up
mould to property owners/occupants
 PHIs can only take legal action (i.e., written
order for remedial action) if there is enough
mould to be considered a PUBLIC HEALTH
HAZARD
Mould And The Role Of The
Public Health Department

How much mould constitutes a health
hazard?
 This question is difficult to answer, given that
there are so many different types of moulds, and
that there is minimal evidence to indicate that
mould actually causes health problems

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing
Corporation recommends professional
assessment (i.e. by a mycologist) if:
 There are more than 3 patches of mould that are
smaller than 1 square metre; or
 There are 1 or more patches of mould that are
larger than a square metre
Mould And The Role Of The
Public Health Department

Cases where public health inspectors WOULD
NOT issue a written order
Figure 36
Figure 38
Figure 37
Mould And The Role Of The
Public Health Department

Cases where
public health
inspectors
WOULD issue a
written order
Figure 39
Mould And The Role Of The
Public Health Department

Cases where
public health
inspectors
WOULD issue a
written order
Figure 40
Mould And The Role Of The
Public Health Department

Cases where
public health
inspectors
WOULD issue a
written order
Figure 41
Mould And The Role Of The
Public Health Department

Cases where
public health
inspectors
WOULD issue a
written order
Figure 42
Mould And The Role Of The
Public Health Department

Houses that have been used for
marijuana growing operations often
have extensive mould damage
 These buildings are usually humid as a
result of irrigation set-ups and the
marijuana plants themselves
Public health inspectors will often
issue s.13 orders (presence of
health hazards) under the Health
Protection and Promotion Act, and
then placard the implicated
premises, thereby prohibiting
unauthorized entry
 Public health inspectors will also
provide information respecting
clean-up procedures

 They will often liaise with environmental
engineers/ consultants
Figure 43
Getting Rid Of Mould



It is recommended that personal protective equipment (i.e.,
dust mask, safety goggles, rubber gloves) be worn while
cleaning up mould; the area should also be well-ventilated
Infants, and people with asthma, allergies, and/or other
health problems should not be present during the cleaning
process
Mould surfaces should be cleaned up using soap and water





Figure 44
Bleach should NOT be used for removing mould because it results in
release of fumes and chlorinated effluents that can be harmful to
people and the environment
TSP (trisodium phosphate) is recommended for surfaces when soap
and water does not remove the mould (i.e., concrete)
It is important to ensure that all areas are thoroughly dried
after the mould is cleaned up (otherwise the mould will
likely come back!)
Some materials with extensive mould damage (i.e.,
furniture, carpeting, wood, drywall) may need to be
discarded and/or replaced
Once the mould has been cleaned up, it is recommended
that the area be regularly vacuumed by a vacuum cleaner
with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter  reduces
the presence of mould spores
Figure 45
Figure 46
Getting Rid Of Mould

Professional help
should be
consulted if:
 The mould covers
a large area
 The mould keeps
coming back after
repeated cleaning
Figure 47
Getting Rid Of Mould

Contact the
Canadian Mortgage
and Housing
Corporation to
obtain a list of
Residential Air
Quality Investigators
 they will provide
an action plan for
improvement of
indoor air quality
Figure 48
Mould Prevention Strategies


Provide sufficient ventilation (i.e., fans)
and air circulation (i.e., keeping items
away from walls) to help prevent
moisture from building up on surfaces
Control humidity using a dehumidifier
 In the summer, humidity should be below
50%
 In the winter, humidity should be below
30%


Repair all leaking pipes and damaged
roofs, walls, etc.
Reduce clutter and discard unused
items; doing so will give mould fewer
surfaces on which to grow, and will
also make any necessary clean-ups
easier to accomplish
Figure 49
Figure 50
Mould Testing



Ontario public health
laboratories DO NOT
perform mould testing
Private laboratories
will perform mould
testing (air and/or
surfaces), but it can
be very expensive
Clean-up procedures
remain the same,
regardless of the type
of mould that is
REMEMBER –
present
THERE ARE NO “SAFE LEVELS”
FOR INDOOR MOULD EXPOSURE
Figure 51
ANY
QUESTIONS?
Figure 52
References
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Advameg, Inc. (2010). Penicillin. Retrieved from http://www.discoveriesinmedicine.com/NiRa/Penicillin.html.
Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2010). Fighting Mould – The Homeowners’ Guide.
Retrieved from http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_005.cfm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010, February 8). Mold – Basic Facts. Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010, February 8). Mold – Facts about Stachybotrys
chartarum and Other Molds. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm#Q4.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010, July 20). Aspergillosis (Aspergillus). Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/aspergillosis/.
Foodreference.com. (2010). Blue Cheeses (Bleu Cheeses). Retrieved from
http://www.foodreference.com/html/artbluecheese.html.
Health Canada. (2007). Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines – Moulds. Retrieved from
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/alt_formats/hecs-sesc/pdf/pubs/air/mould-moisissures-eng.pdf.
Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc. (2004, June). Stachybotrys chartarum (or S. atra or S.
alternans) [CAS No. 67892-26-6] Review of Toxological Literature. Retrieved from
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/Chem_Background/ExSumPdf/Stachybotrys.pdf.
National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health. (2009). Health Effects from Mould Exposure
in Indoor Environments. Retrieved from
http://www.ncceh.ca/sites/default/files/Mould_and_Health_Effects_Nov_2009.pdf.
Niagara Region Public Health. (No Date). Dampness, Mould and Indoor Air. Retrieved from
http://sherpa/sites/phcollaboration/inspection/Shared%20Documents/Mould.pdf.
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2001, January 23). Aspergillus spp. – Material Safety Data
Sheets. Retrieved from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/msds-ftss/msds11e-eng.php.
Toronto – Municipal Licensing and Standards. (2006, November 6). Coordinated Marijuana Grow
House and Illegal Drug Lab Response Protocol – Draft. Retrieved from
http://growopsolutions.ca/data/coordinated_marijuana_grow_house_toronto.pdf.
Figure References
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Figure 1 = http://www.mouldremoval.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mould.jpg
Figure 2 = http://www.under-microscope.com/images/aspergillus550.jpg
Figure 3 = http://www.caltexmoldservices.com/files/mold/Images/mold-library-pictures/alternaria-2.jpg
Figure 4 = http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mycology/cladophialophora.jpg
Figure 5 = http://mouldclean.ca/images/What%20is%20Mould/mold_drawing.jpg
Figure 6 = http://www.amergeo.com/Papers/Fungus_files/image001.gif
Figure 7 = http://www.bleach-mold-myth.com/attic%20mold%20photo%2022.jpg
Figure 8 = http://www.bleach-mold-myth.com/attic%20mold%20photo%2022.jpg
Figure 9 = http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/40/96/d0/the-mould-on-the-shower.jpg
Figure 10 = http://www.monanneeaucollege.com/6.svt.chap11_fichiers/penicillium-roqueforti.2.jpg
Figure 11 = http://whatscookingamerica.net/Salad/BlueCheese.JPG
Figure 12 = http://www.smccd.net/accounts/case/graphics/staph.jpeg
Figure 13 = http://hairygoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/penicillin.jpg
Figure 14 = http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Mushroom/Images/Fungus/Other/Large/Rhizopus3_md.jpg
Figure 15 = http://prospect.rsc.org/blogs/cw/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mouldy-bread-fd002575.jpg
Figure 16 = http://standym.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/cheese.jpg
Figure 17 = http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-engineering-careers/MicroBio_career_img002.jpg
Figure 18 = http://www.clt.astate.edu/mhuss/Aspergillus%20flavus%20pict.jpg
Figure 19 = http://www.mgel.msstate.edu/images/page/aspergillus.jpg\
Figure 20 = http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6GPXX3Y97RM/R8XtNHXDuwI/AAAAAAAABy8/g_NPf7qkyRk/IMG_1308.JPG
Figure 21 = http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2890999682_93a645db08_z.jpg
Figure 22 = http://www.timberwise.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Black-spot-mould.jpg
Figure 23 = http://showerrepaircentre.com.au/images/mouldy-bathroom-cupboard-full.jpg
Figure 24 = http://www.moldinspector.com/images/mold_i2.jpg
Figure 25 = http://www.lamold.com/images/mold.jpg
Figure 26 = http://www.kidsallergies.co.uk/images/25220.jpg
Figure 27 = http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0013/12523/AG1357-1.jpg
Figure 28 = http://www.bluecubepartnership.com/images/legionella.jpg
Figure 29 = http://www.axialmotion.com/albitechpest/images/Cockroaches1.jpg
Figure 30 = http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/ny/dust-mite-500-time.jpg
Figure References
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Figure 31 = http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/files/images/2008-04-smoking-cigarette.jpg
Figure 32 = http://www.globalchangeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/2401375241_9144ddf7eb.jpg
Figure 33 = http://www.moldinspector.com/images/4_Stachybotrys_chartarum.jpg
Figure 34 = http://deathby1000papercuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Brittany-Murphy-Mold-Stories-Type-ofMold-and-is-it-deadly.jpg
Figure 35 = http://www.luminaryhealth.com/aspergillus_fumigatus.gif
Figure 36 = http://lh5.ggpht.com/_FFX-8WH3lPg/SOOslOz93fI/AAAAAAAAARs/7-U1EntHIrY/IMG_5522.JPG
Figure 37 = http://www.aminorthwest.com/page_images/early_7.jpg
Figure 38 = http://webconferencingcouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/fridge-mold.jpg
Figure 39 = E-mail photo from John Burnett.
Figure 40 = E-mail photo from Anthony Habjan.
Figure 41 = E-mail photo from Anthony Habjan.
Figure 42 = http://s3.hubimg.com/u/1209502_f260.jpg
Figure 43 = http://synthesis.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/hydroponic_marijuana_system.jpg
Figure 44 = http://www.lasermoldcleaning.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Cleaning-Mold-From-Your-Home.jpg
Figure 45 = http://www.lasermoldcleaning.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Cleaning-Mold-From-Your-Home.jpg
Figure 46 = http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00dvZtLcWJZEGD/Vacuum-Cleaner-HEPA-Filter.jpg
Figure 47 = http://hangtheriggin.com/images/mold2.jpg
Figure 48 = http://www.airref.co.in/images/IMG_IAQ.gif
Figure 49 = http://bathroomfansguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/installbathroomfan.jpg
Figure 50 = http://www.thermospace.com/sunpentown/mini_dehumidifier_sd-350_UV_rear.jpg
Figure 51 = http://www.ffhi.ca/images/Mould_testing_007.jpg
Figure 52 = http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Pesca_con_muffa.jpg/180pxPesca_con_muffa.jpg