There are many ways to kill mould, but this does not make it safe for your health.
Dead mould is called “unviable” and alive mould is called “viable.”
Mould is everywhere, however only about 25% of the spores are viable. The rest aren't, which means they are dead.
In terms of health, mould, viable or not, is a problem.
Parts of mould break off, these are called hyphae.
There are spores released to start new colonies. Some contain mycotoxins and others contain microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs).
Some moulds are particularly irritating, allergenic or problematic for health.
Yet for people who are sensitive or sensitised to mould, ANY mould can be a problem.
Here's a video that I did… Mould Unwanted: Dead or Alive
Please excuse the start where the writing is mirrored – I hadn't realised it would do that. 🙂
In my years, I have assessed a lot of places (hundreds of them). In many I have found mould, dead and alive.
Mould is often not visible – and can also be hidden.
Remember, mould doesn't have to be alive to be an issue.
The first part of a water damage and mould Indoor Environmental Health Assessment is the visual inspection. My eyes are trained, and I can easily spot potential issues.
Role of the Health Practitioner in Mould and Health
With the growing awareness of the impact that mould has on our health, there is quite a lot of activity in many areas of the community. As someone who works in this field, it is exciting to see the burgeoning interest of the health practitioner (medical through to alternative health) and that they are getting on board to support people in reclaiming their health. However, it is also somewhat frustrating.
Why?
Because health practitioners are knowledgeable in their modality of understanding the health of the body and what to do to support it.
Where it gets frustrating is when health practitioners try to operate outside their scope and claim some mastery of understanding mould and the building, and then what to do.
As both a health practitioner AND a building biologist, I straddle both camps and deeply understand and appreciate the different perspectives.
The Problem is This…
Usually someone who is sensitive or sensitised to mould has done the rounds of health practitioners (medical to alternative) and has spent a good sum of money on tests. Many of these people are struggling to retain an income due to the health issues they face.
When health practitioners recommend testing that does not further the rectification of the issue, what happens is that more money is spent and often a wrong conclusion is achieved.
ERMI – its Role and its Limitations
ERMI (environmental relative mouldiness index) is a test that was developed as a quantitative indicator in settled residential dust of the presence and predominance of mould species associated with indoor fungal growth on building materials. The test was developed to use in scientific research, has been successfully used for this purpose, but is not optimised or recommended for use in individual houses.
The test provides a number associated with the “mouldiness” of a building, ranging from -10 to +20, permitting comparison with a database of 1,083 randomly selected US homes. Â Of the tested US homes, 25% exhibited an ERMI score of -4 or less, and 25% exhibited a score of +5 or more. Â A home measuring 0 on the ERMI scale would fall in the middle at the 50th percentile “mouldiness,” with half of all homes tested having values below that number and the other half having values above. Â A 90th percentile home would therefore be considered very mouldy compared with the average home, and a 10th percentile home, minimally mouldy.
ERMI is Limited
The ERMI metric looks at 26 species of mould more common in water damaged homes. As well, 10 species of mould commonly found in US buildings without water damage are also included.Â
The use of the ERMI metric has been validated in the US and several other countries, but not in Australia. This is important due the difference in building materials and design, construction techniques, climate and so forth. All of these factors can all influence the ERMI results.
People have an expectation that an ERMI test will be similar to a pregnancy test. That there's a 99% likelihood of telling you are pregnant when you really are. And a 99% likelihood of telling you that you aren't pregnant when you really aren't. In other words, that there will be very few false positives and very few false negatives. In Australia, we do not have any data with which to judge how accurate these results are. Many homes that are tested may be returning false negatives and false positives.
The ERMI test was originally done by vacuuming a large surface area of dust composited from the bedroom and living room floors, but now the methodology relies on the use of a swiffer cloth. This approach hasn't been validated.
Further, laypeople collecting samples themselves tend not to use the standardised methodology either, and can introduce positive and negative biases in the readings as a result, increasing false positives and false negatives.
Other types of mould samples (surface and air) identify hyphae and spores, fruiting bodies, and so forth. These potentially provides clues about nearby fungal growth. ERMI is looking at the total mass of genetic components. These details are absent, and therefore the clues are missed.
A Large Standard Deviation = Reduced Useful Information
The ERMI metric has a +/- 3 factor (standard deviation) as described by Vesper (2009). So given a final result of 3, the result is really somewhere between 0-6.
Mould is the most visible part of excess indoor dampness. There is a myriad of other components in the microbial stew initiated by excess indoor dampness. These include increased exposures to multiple allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, and rodents. The results from ERMI only look at mould.
ERMI doesn't provide information that helps to pinpoint the cause or location of the moisture problem.
The ERMI test doesn't help with full identification and development of a remediation plan. A skilled assessor (Indoor Environmental Health Consultant or occupational hygienist) needs to step in and:
Conduct a thorough assessment to locate the problem and the cause
Address the cause – a mould issue is a moisture issue, after all
Do another set of testing that is accurate and useful
So, What Should a Health Practitioner Do?
First and foremost – recognising that there may be a problem with mould and referring onto the appropriate professionals.
What Else?
There are loads of ways that a health practitioner can support their client/patient.
I have offered a lot of really useful and practical ways that you can help your clients/patients in this webinar.
Understand mould and the important role it plays in our environment;
Become familiar with water damaged buildings and how they can impact health;
Become clear on your role as a health practitioner;
Introduction to a tool to assist in supporting clients to achieve greater wellbeing.
References
Tang, W (2007) Petition to EPA
US EPA Office of Inspector General (2013) “Public May be Making Indoor Mold Cleanup Decisions Based on EPA Tool Developed Only for Research Applications” in Report No. 13-P-0356 (22 August 2013): 1-13
Vesper, S (Feb 2009) “Understanding ERMI: How to Get the Most Value from the ERMI Scale” The Synergist (February, 2009): 40-43
Vesper, S, McKinstry, C, Haugland, RA, Iossifova, Y, Lemasters, G, Levin, L, Khurana Hershey, GK, Villareal, M, Bernstein, DI, Lockey, J & Reponen, T (Jan 2007) “Relative Moldiness Index as Predictor of Childhood Respiratory Illness” J Expo Sco Environ Epidemiol. (January 2007); 17(1): 88-94
During the first week of April, many people across the globe come together to help raise awareness on a mineral that has been scientifically proven to cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Global Asbestos Awareness Week is a time where topics such as prevention, the health risks of exposure and banning asbestos get the full attention they deserve.
To date there are at least 58 countries that banned the use of asbestos, Australia being one of them. In observance of this week, I’m going to do my part by sharing information with you on the hidden dangers of this carcinogen.
Segue – A Trip Down Memory Lane
I really wanted to do this because of something that I did – which never should have happened. In my line of work, I hear all sorts of regrets that people have… and if I knew what I know now, I would never have made this mistake. Let me tell you the story.
Once, about 20 odd years ago, I lived in a fabulous house which was built in 1968. In terms of building biology, it was a house of horrors, but I didn’t know anything about that then.
I decided to remove the layers of funky (yes, funky) 1970s wallpaper. Once the layers were off, I discovered that the plasterboard had been installed to provide a rough surface for the wallpaper to stick to. I didn’t want that because I was painting over it. Being an indestructible 20-something, I sanded and sanded and sanded it. Eventually, I gave up and painted anyway. When I was doing my building biology training, it hit me. That was very likely to be asbestos! I don’t know if it was. I don’t yet know if there are any long-term ramifications – but it scares me to realise that I may end up with mesothelioma or asbestosis – or similar; simply as a result of being ignorant.
What is Asbestos?
Known for its heat resistance and durability, asbestos is a microscopic, fibrous mineral found naturally in the environment.
It is these characteristics that made it such a star player in the production of building materials.
Products such as roofing shingles, wallboard, flooring tiles, and insulation were made with asbestos and it was heavily used before the 1970’s.
Australia was one of the highest users of asbestos until there was strong scientific evidence that linked the mineral to serious health concerns.
It wasn’t until the mid-1980’s that our government began implementing a ban on asbestos. The ban covers both imports and exports of asbestos, as well as any use of chrysotile asbestos used in building products.
A Concerning Fact
You may still find asbestos in older homes, so be sure to do some research before getting into any DIY-renovation projects. If you need help on where asbestos could be in your home, take a look here for some advice on what you should do if it is present.
Here are some common places you may find them in your home:Â
You may wonder: how can I be exposed and what are the health risks of exposure?Â
If a material that contains asbestos is damaged, it can release tiny particles that contain the asbestos fibre which can easily be inhaled. Since it is such a strong material, our bodies can’t break it down, so the fibres become trapped inside the body to eventually develop tumours.
As mentioned above, asbestos is linked to many serious health effects. One of the strongest correlations is with mesothelioma, an aggressive rare cancer that the only known cause is from exposure to asbestos. The signs and symptoms of this cancer often get confused with lung cancer and asbestosis. Although these other illnesses are caused by asbestos, they are completely different in physical characteristics.
Therefore, it is important when going through the diagnosing stage to specify your family history, your health concerns, and any chance of being exposed to asbestos (like sanding it – note to self).
What can you do to help raise awareness – even your own?
Remember, asbestos-related illnesses are 100% preventable.
Stay informed and let others know about this material. To continue to spread awareness, join in on the conversation online or in your community.
Have your home assessed by a licensed asbestos inspector (I have listed some here).
Here are some simple ways you can get further involved:
Social media is an important step in raising awareness. Educating your friends and family around the globe by creating a simple tweet or status update could prevent future exposure. #2017GAAW was created in honour of this year’s Global Asbestos Awareness Week led by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organisation. You can learn what’s being talked about and what other organisations/experts are saying.
Donate to any organisations of the illnesses mentioned above that would use the funds for research and future treatment options.
TIPS If you are worried about asbestos in your place, choose an asbestos assessor who has completed the BOHS training. This is the training I did and I can vouch for the high level of this training. Also, get a “demolition survey” if you are planning any renovations. You will also find some great information here.
If you would like to discuss your situation with me, get in touch.
Electric fields are an important part of an EMF audit.
In an nutshell, extremely low frequency (ELF) AC electric fields are present where there is any household wiring or any appliances plugged in. They exist where there is a potential.
You can read more about the science behind ELF AC electric fields here. The focus here is on the importance of assessing them.
I measure ELF AC electric fields
There are a pinch (not even a handful) of people who actually measures and assesses ELF AC electric fields. I am part of this small group and have assessed these since graduation. This is one of four EMF areas which I assess. I also assess ELF AC magnetic fields, high frequencies and “dirty” electricity.
Most EMF audits only cover ELF AC magnetic fields and high frequencies – half of what we assess!
ELF AC electric fields is NOT assessed by measuring body voltage. Body voltage gives an indication of exposure when someone is laying on their bed… that is all. ELF AC electric fields need to be measured with specialised equipment – as the fields are incredibly easy to influence. This means that if I put a meter in or very near the field, it will change. If I enter the field or move very close to it, it will change. (You can read more about the concept of earthing mats – which are all about managing this form of EMF here.)
The Wisdom of Those Sensitive to EMF
ELF AC electric fields emanate from the wall. People who are electromagnetically sensitive position their bed in the centre of the room. I have seen this time and time again when assessing their places. Their beds are well away from all the walls.
As well, they often turn circuits off – which can reduce the fields.
Case Study
Recently, I was called to complete an Essential Audit for a client who was primarily concerned about EMF. One of the biggest concerns was the smart meter – as is often the case.
Like with all audits, an emphasis is placed on where a person spends time.
So, I completed each of my layers of assessment, including my 4 levels of EMF testing.
Level 1: high frequencies – due to the position of the smart meter. Areas where the client spent time were well within Building Biology Guidelines.
Level 2: ELF AC magnetic fields – again, these were well within acceptable levels as per the Building Biology Guidelines.
— This is where other EMF audits stop —
Level 3: “Dirty” Electricity – levels here were up to 7 times higher than the goal, so needed to be addressed.
Level 4:Â ELF AC electric fields – the levels were mind-blowing!
Building Biology Guidelines state (using a potential-free probe) that levels of ELF AC electric fields should be below 1.5V/m. The levels I measured were above 50V/m.
OUTCOME
I was able to advise my clients on the best course of action for their situation. I gave them both immediate steps and a longer term solution.
As you can see, if only two levels were completed, the advice would have been that the area is safe.
Clearly, having assessed 4 levels of EMF, it is unsafe. As such measures needed to be taken to ensure the safety of my clients.
What Does the Science Say?
Very little – but enough!Â
The biggest focus of research over the last 40 years has been on ELF AC magnetic fields and high frequencies.
ELF AC electric fields are difficult to measure.
Maes
However, Maes (2015, 3) states that,
“studies show that long-term exposures of only 10 V/m increase the risk for childhood leukemia, cancer and other health problems.”
Cech, et al
Cech, et al (2008) studied the impact of ELF electric fields on pregnant rats: “By vectorial addition of the electric current densities, it could be shown that under worst case conditions the basic restrictions recommended by ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection) guidelines are exceeded within the central nervous system (CNS) of the mother, whereas in sole field exposure they are not.
However, within the foetus the induced current densities do not comply with basic restrictions, either from single reference-level electric fields or from simultaneous exposure to electric and magnetic fields. Basic limits were considerably exceeded.”
Gok, et al; and Guler, et al
Two other studies were looking to explain the effects of AC ELF electric fields.
a) Effects in the brain and retina in pregnant rats (Gok, et al, 2016), and
b) Discover the effectiveness of antioxidants from AC ELF electric fields exposure (Guler, et al, 2009).
The premise can be made from the scope of the research is that there are biological effects in these different areas.
Reiter
Research was done by Reiter (1993) into the effects of ELF electromagnetic field exposure and its effects on melatonin production.
Reiter concluded that the mechanisms remain unknown, but the effect exists.
Blank
Some findings were included in the BioInitiative Report, including:
Electric fields exert a force on electrons, and have been shown to stimulate protein synthesis in HL60 cells (Blank et al, 1992), E coli (Laubitz et al, 2006) and muscle in vivo (Blank, 1995).
(Blank, 2007, 9)
Despite the limited body of research, there is growing evidence that demonstrates health or biological effects within the body.
Thus the levels of all types of EMF should be as close as possible to nature. Else, they should fall within the no or slight concern categories of the building biology guidelines.
Cech, R, Leigeb, N, Pediatitis, M (January 2008) Current Densities in a Pregnant Woman Model Induced by Simultaneous ELF Electric and Magnetic Field Exposure Phys Med Biol 2008 Jan 7;53(1):177-86. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/53/1/012. Epub 2007 Dec 19. (Online) Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18182695 (27 January 2017)
Gok, DK, Akpinar, D, Hidsoglu, E, Ozen, S, Agar, A, Yargiciglu, P (December 2016) The Developmental Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Electric Fields on Visual and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Adult Rats Electromagn Biol Med. 2016;35(1):65-74. doi: 10.3109/15368378.2014.987923. Epub 2014 Dec 11.
Guler, G, Turkozerr, Z, Ozgur, E, Seyhan, N (February 2009) Antioxidants alleviate electric field-induced effects on lung tissue based on assays of heme oxygenase-1, protein carbonyl content, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and hydroxyproline. (Online) Sci Total Environ. 2009 Feb 1;407(4):1326-32. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.10.050. Epub 2008 Nov 22.
Let's first explore humidity – to set the scene and give context to the rest of this post.
What is Humidity?
Humidity is the amount of water vapour in the air. It is important to know and understand this, particularly if you have any water damage or you live in a humid environment.
Humidity is commonly measured and discussed in two ways.
Firstly, there is relative humidity – this is the one we hear about a lot. When you think of  being somewhere tropical, where you feel clammy despite having just showered, these areas will have a high level of relative humidity. The level is given as a percentage, for example 62%.
Relative humidity is the measure of how much water vapour is in the air and varies according to the temperature, in that it is relative to the temperature. The warmer the air, the more water vapour can be held and thus the relative humidity level will be higher.
Specific humidity is a different measurement and does not vary with temperature. It is expressed as gpk (grams per kilogram) or gpp (grains per pound).
Ideal Levels of Humidity
There are no ideal levels for specific humidity. As a building biologist, the different readings in different rooms can show me where to look further for water damage, and this requires quite specialised equipment.
Relative humidity is the one that is easiest to measure and changes can be quite noticeable in the way it feels. This is the one more closely related to comfort. Relative humidity is easily measured using an inexpensive hygrometer, such as this one.
Most people generally feel comfortable when the temperature is between 18-24oC and the relative humidity is between 35-75%, beyond this people generally feel uncomfortable.
When relative humidity levels are high, the air is uncomfortably moist – you may feel hot and clammy, sticky or just damp.
When relative humidity levels are low, you may feel quite dry – dry eyes, dry throat, dry skin, “parched”; you may even experience more static electricity.
The optimum level for relative humidity is between 40-60%.
Bacteria, viruses, fungi and house dust mites all are less active; and these biological contaminants can be highly problematic for health, and form part of the microbial stew.
Occupant Activity and Humidity
Humidity can result in water damage.
In our homes, there are four main ways for water damage to occur. The first is a disaster of some sort, eg flooding. The second is damage to the building, eg a burst pipe, tiles coming off the roof, a leak. The third is poor building design or poor workmanship, such as not having an exterior vent on an extractor fan, having bedrooms with no opening windows, running the downpipes to the underneath of the house… And the fourth (which can often be overlooked) is occupant activity.
Occupant activity can cause a lot of water damage. Some examples are:
not using the extractor fan when bathing
using a clothes dryer
spilling liquids and not cleaning them up quickly
Examples of Moisture Created from Occupant Activity
The following is from Elkink and Pringle's 2012 book Building Basics: Internal Moisture – and these levels, I am sure, will amaze you!
Activity
Creates
Showering and bathing
Varying levels of moisture depending on temperature of shower, length of time, ventilation.
People in a room
Awake we exhale 200ml of water vapour per hour. Asleep we exhale 20ml per hour. This is roughly 3L of moisture per day.
Unflued gas heaters
0.5-1L of water per hour.
Cooking
Varies depending on method (e.g. boiling and steaming), if the heat source is gas; and includes kettles, microwaves, dishwashers and washing dishes.
Clothes washing and drying
Up to 5L per load can be released if clothes are dried inside on a rack.
All produce enough heat and water vapour to require additional mechanical ventilation systems.
Humidifiers
Increase the humidity in a room and can result in condensation.
Accidental floods
Overflowing baths, sinks and laundry tubs can all create problems if not dried within 24-48 hours.
Roof space ventilation
This is important particularly if extractor fans are flued into the roof cavity, and not vented externally. Changes in pressure can cause moisture and other contaminants to enter the building.
Steam cleaning
A potential problem is created if the materials are not completely dry within 24-48 hours.
Leaking pipes and appliances
A very large problem, which will vary depending on what, where, how much, and how long before it is rectified.
A normal subfloor
Evaporation from a 93m2 subfloor is 45L of moisture per day, and up to 180L per day if there is standing water on the subfloor soil.
Ventilation
As you can see, there are a lot of ways that we can fill our homes with moisture – inadvertently, which is one reason why ventilation is important. My ideal would be for every home to exchange all of the air every few hours, and yet reality brings us back to at least once a day.
My favourite thing to do is to open windows and doors in the morning until I feel the temperature change, and I know that all of the air in my home has been exchanged.
I'll come back to this a little later, but it is important to note that moisture moves to where levels are lowest… So, if there is less humidity outside, then opening your windows can allow the moisture to dissipate out of your home. If the relative humidity is higher outside, then it could be better to open your windows and doors when this has changed over.
How to Use a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier takes the water vapour out of the air and it can be used to bring relative humidity levels back into the optimum zone – between 40-60%.
I like people to have them, particularly when the cause of the moisture is occupant activity or a lack of ventilation (such as a rented property with no extractor fan in the bathroom).
Here is a general step-by-step guide for how to use a dehumidifier for the initial deep-drying. Please note that every house is different, so this is merely a guide.
If you have pets, like birds, etc, please take them out of the room first.
Close the windows and doors of the chosen room.
Open cupboards and drawers in this room.
Set your dehumidifier to 30% relative humidity.
If temperature of the room is low, turn on the heater (or the heater on the dehumidifier) for optimum drying.
Run the dehumidifier for 24-hours a day for 1-3 days.
A good dehumidifier will automatically turn itself off when its water tank reaches capacity – so you should be able to run it while you are at work (they are a bit noisy, so this is preferable to running them overnight).
After this initial drying phase, you can use it periodically to dry the room.
NOTE: If there is water damage and/or mould, I recommend that a) the source of the water is addressed and b) if anything is wet for more than 48 hours that the resultant mould be addressed first.
When Else a Dehumidifier is Useful
A dehumidifier, as mentioned is great for moisture caused by occupant activity.
My #1 use for a dehumidifier, in an ongoing way, is to use it in the bathroom or ensuite when bathing. Despite using it regularly, it always astonishes me the amount of water vapour that a shower can produce.
It can also be used when you are exchanging the air in your home, and the outside relative humidity is higher than the indoor relative humidity.
If you get a good one, it will also have a heater on it. This is beneficial as you now have a clothes dryer – that doesn't add moisture to the air! Simple hang your clothes on a rack and run the dehumidifier nearby (wishing I had one when I lived in the Blue Mountains, where it took weeks to dry my laundry!)
Which One Do I Recommend?
I have sought out one that I like (I stock it for this reason) – I personally own this model and use it every day.
This is the New Wide Tech All Seasons 35L Dehumidifier.
Basically, bigger is better, it does the job more efficiently and has a greater water capacity.
What else to look for?
variable humidity settings
the water tank will automatically signal when it is full and the dehumidifier will stop working
a ceramic heater to help dry more quickly and allow it to work well in cooler climates
option for continuous drainage
When a Dehumidifier is Not Enough
As much as I am a fan of the dehumidifier (pun not intended) – there are times when one is not enough. My biggest concern with recommending them is that someone may have water damage to their property with resultant mould.
Mould spores are everywhere and just need water as the spark of life… anything that is wet for longer than 48-hours can be a problem – even if it is dry now.
Read more about mould here and mould, water damage and health here.
A dehumidifier is fabulous for occupant activity, but not ideal (without professional assessment) when there is something more going on, eg structural damage…
So, these factors would give you an indication that you should look beyond just drying out the room with a dehumidifier:
You (or someone in your household) is unwell, and generally, your health improves when away from the home
You have mould
Your home (or parts of it) smell musty, mouldy, damp, dank or earthy
Your clothes are always damp
There is a history of water damage in your home
You have a leak
There is water under your house
Obviously, the above list does not cover everything. Mould is a serious problem, and it is a moisture issue. Addressing the source is paramount to resolving the issue.
(This post is intended to be informative, and not an infomercial. Given the gravity of biotoxin/mould-related illnesses, please understand that I do need to point out the limitations, and how you can action the situation.)
References
Aderholdt, J (3 August 2011) The Insulation Lab (Online) Available at http://www.ntcinsulation.com/the-insulation-lab/moisture-_psychrometrics_and_relative_humidity_-_their_effect_on_structure_and_air_quality (accessed 28 November, 2016)
Elkink, A and Pringle, T (2012)Â Building Basics: Internal Moisture Building Research Association of New Zealand, Porirua, New Zealand
ProAir (2011) Indoor Air Quality (Online) Available at http://www.proair.ie/the-technology/indoor-air-quality/3/ (accessed 28 November 2016)
Hawthorn University offer high level online training to health practitioners, predominantly naturopaths. So, I was thrilled to receive an invitation from Hawthorn University to present a webinar.
I have watched many of their webinars, which are available for free and are presented by highly respected people, so as you can imagine, getting an invitation from them was such an honour.
The topic which I presented on is, of course, so dear to my heart – Holistic Detoxification: How to Create a Healthy Home Which Supports Healing.
Too often I hear stories of people on the (expensive) merry-go-round of treatments, objects, supplements, drugs… when in many cases the cause is environmental and can easily be addressed by changing the environment.
I wanted to help students of natural therapies and practitioners understand more about this and avoid unnecessary treatments and delays.
In a nutshell, the topics that I covered in my webinar include:
why detoxification is so important
case studies
our built environment
hindrances to detoxification
action steps for your clients/patients
when to think of the environment
After the webinar, I was able to answer the questions asked by the audience – and they were such fabulous questions.
I would like to publicly thank Hawthorn University for the opportunity to present this webinar, all of the audience members, and everyone who has watched it since. What an honour!! 🙂
Water damage can create massive issues for our homes and our health.
Sources of Water Damage
Water damage can occur as a result of many factors, here are some to consider:
EXTERNAL
flooding
storm damage
rising damp
building design
building materials
damage to the roof
lack of adequate fall in the roofline
damaged gutters
blocked gutters
box gutters (and other internal gutters)
INTERNAL
condensation
overflowing gutters
structural damage eg holes in the roof, gaps between windows and walls, and so forth
occupant activities such as bathing, cooking, sleeping, perspiring, laundering and drying your clothes
lack of or damaged water proofing
lack of or damaged caulking, silicone or grout
Read more…
I have written more about the effects of water damage, and mould, on the Australasian Society of Building Biologists (ASBB) site.
This article begins:
As a building biologist, my primary role is to identify the possible cause of health complaints and then hunt out the hazards in a home. It is quickly evident when there are problems with indoor air and electromagnetic radiation. However mould and problems from water damage is far less obvious – except to a trained professional.
Many people don’t realise that materials that remain wet for more than 24 hours begin to become problematic.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s only water!” Something we all have said… and then left the spill to dry out naturally.
Although this is a common behaviour, it is something that needs changing…
As well, I have another post about it here on the Eco Health Solutions site. In this, I go into relevant signs and symptoms and have a list of references.
Mould spores are everywhere. They are a vital part of life on earth as they play the important role of breaking things down. However, like most “pests,” within our homes, they can wreak havoc, in two ways.
Before examining these, the following are important points to note.
Mould Doesn’t Have To Be Obvious To Be Present
You may not be able to see or smell mould for it to be present.
Mould can grow in between the walls, under tiles, behind the kickboards in the kitchen, and it can even be growing on the wall without being visible to the naked eye.
Oft times, when you can see is it, it is just the tip of the iceberg, where there is so much more that is out of sight, and the patch you can see is just an indication that it is there.
Mould Doesn’t Have To Be Growing To Be A Problem
Mould releases spores and hyphae (branches) can break off it and circulate in your home. Spores and hyphae both pose risks to human and animal health due to the mycotoxins that they contain.
Wreaking Havoc
Firstly, mould can structurally damage your home. Building materials that are wet for more than 48 hours can create a perfect habitat for mould, primarily as there is both water and source of food.
As well, water-damaged insulation is less effective, and therefore can increase energy consumption.
The presence of moisture can be attractive for vermin and termites, both of which are problematic in terms of the former being capable of carrying disease, and the latter being able to seriously damage the integrity of a building.
Modern building design is centralised around the notion of being energy efficient, this generally means “well-sealed,” which results in a building losing its ability to breathe. A result of this is that moisture cannot escape, and thus building materials, even without being affected by a leak or flood, can become “water-damaged.”
Secondly, mould can wreak havoc with regards to health.
Mould Can Be Problematic
Clearly, the presence of mould, mould spores and/or hyphae can have life-changing consequences.
What follows is a list of signs and symptoms identified that may be related to mould exposure. This is for your information and is not intended to diagnose or to replace the advice or care of your registered health care professional.
Symptoms Associated with a Water-Damaged Building
Of  three systematic reviews on the adverse health effects associated with water-damaged buildings, the following signs and symptoms were consistent: cough, wheeze and asthma.
Other symptoms include upper respiratory tract symptoms, respiratory infections, bronchitis, allergic sensitisation and hay fever. This set of symptoms is also recognised by New York State (2010),
Headaches and tiredness have also been associated with mould exposure (Bornehag et al, in New York State, 2010, 27; IICRC, 2008, 74), as has cause skin reactions (National Institute of Medicine, 2004, 170).
Children and those with preexisting conditions are recognised as being at great risk (New York State, 2010, 27).
Other health effects
Neuropsychological effects, impaired energy production pathways, changes to hormonal functions, alterations to visuo-spatial learning and memory, migraine, pain, balance problems, autonomic nervous system abnormalities, and respiratory problems were all noted in research analysed by the Mold Research Committee (2010).
The National Institute of Medicine acknowledges that there are a group of mycotoxins that “selectively or specifically target the nervous system” resulting in neurotoxic effects, some of which include interfering with neurotransmitters or receptors (2004, 157, 160).
Many sources correlate mould-exposure to sick building syndrome, this is discussed at length in IICRC, 2008). By removing a person from a mouldy environment, it has been noted that their symptoms dissipate (New York State, 2010, 27).
Looking deeper, there is a growing body of research that implicates mould in inflammation (as discussed by the Mold Research Committee, 2010).
IICRC S520. (2008).Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mould Remediation. (2nd ed). ANSI/IICRCS520-2008. Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Vancouver, Washington. USA.
National Institute of Medicine (2004). Damp indoor spaces and health. National Academies Press. (Online). Available: http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309091934
New York State. (2010). Toxic Mould Task Force. Final report to the governor and legislature. (Online). Available: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/mould/task_force/docs/final_ toxic_mould_task_force_report.pdf
