Environmental Issues
Is mold
and air quality really that much of a problem?
What is Mold?
Exposure to Mold and it's hazards
Dealing with Mold
A few areas to help reduce or
control moisture
Mold Resources
There are many forms
of environmental issues
to be dealt with or tested for. To learn of the
many concerns visit Environmental
Solutions Associations or Environmental
Protection Agency. Currently, our main
focus is on mold and air quality. We will be expanding
our qualifications with some of these other environmental
issues in the future.
Kawartha Environmental is certified
and insured. We are a certified member of NACHI
(National Association of Certified Home
Inspectors) trained and certified by AHIT
(American Home Inspector Training), a qualified
member of ESA
(Environmental Solution Association)
IAC2
for which we hold the classification of a certified
mold and air quality inspector. Testing is performed
by Guardian Inspections and the lab analysis is
assessed by PRO-LAB
- the leading provider of environmental
laboratory testing services in the world. We are
licenced in Locksmithing services TAOL
(The Association of Ontario Locksmiths.
) and an affiliate member of the Chamber
of Commerce in
Lindsay, On.
Over 35 years of experience of working, residing
and owning a cottage in the Kawartha Lakes area,
Central Ontario and Greater Toronto area regions
since 1972 has led Dave into making Home inspections,
Environmental issues and Locksmith services the
main focus of our business.
You owe it to yourself to be informed and know
if and what you may be dealing with by additional
testing for mold or
air quality now, to minimize your exposure to mold
spores in the indoor environment, as well as the
best method to remove and avoid a recurrence, therefore,
creating security for your health, home and cottage.
Please, call or Contact
us and we would be
happy to answer any questions or concerns you may
have in these areas that will help you to be in
control of your health and investment.
"
YOUR HOME OR COTTAGE MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR
HEALTH "
Is mold and air quality
really that much of a problem?
Due to the shortage of oil, natural gas and electricty,
etc, the construction industry has changed
their methods of conserving energy. It
is now common practice to make homes air tight by
heavily insulating and wrapping the exterior with
a vapour barrier to the point of causing detrimental
ventilation issues, therefore possibly causing the
potential of mold growth.
Yes, mold is a growing concern.
The media has been alerting the public to the destructive
and possibly toxic dangers of mold spores.
EPA is an Environmental
Protective Agency in the USA. Their
studies show air levels of indoor pollutants may
be as much as 2 to 3 times higher than outdoor levels.
The invisibility of the mold, often going undetected,
makes it a dangerous offender. People spend as much
as 90% of their time indoors and are unaware of
this danger around them.
What is mold?
Mold is a fungus and it’s purpose is to break
down dead materials such as wood, cellulose, organic
materials, etc. Some good molds are used to make antibiotics,
cheese, etc., while bad molds can cause serious health
problems. According to statistics, 35% of homes are
damaged due to water or moisture yearly causing mold
growrth.
Mold begins to grow indoors when mold spores land
on surfaces that are wet or damp. Mold is
unable to grow without water or moisture,
therefore, it is imperative to ensure water damaged
areas are dry within 24-48 hours. If the area or
source containing mold is not fixed the mold will
grow back.
Exposure
to mold and it’s hazards
Not all people are sensitive to molds, but when
they are, exposure to mold can cause various health
issues from mild to extreme. You can become exposed
to mold in various ways, from simply breathing in
spores in the air, skin contact to eating without
properly washing after handling moldy objects. Visit
EPA
or
ESA to learn more about the
side affects of mold.
Dealing
with mold
In most homes there is usually no concern for environmental
issues, but if you are concerned there are effective
and accurate methods
to detect these hazards.
Do not panic if a home you are thinking
of buying or selling has mold evidence. You are
usually able to return the home to it’s healthy
state and back to its original condition. It is
impossible to completely eliminate all mold and
mold spores indoors but by preventing and controlling
water and moisture this can be tremendously lessened.
Mold will always be located floating in the air
and in house dust.
Mold growth is able to be prevented by controlling
water and moisture problems indoors.
The source of water intrusion must be identified
and suspected mold problems should be tested by
a trained inspector with appropriate samples taken
and sent off for laboratory analysis. You may require
a professional remediator to clean up the mold problem.
A
Few Areas to Help Reduce or Control Moisture
It is important to remember that
moisture damage to your home caused by the improper
or inadequate use of your home ventilation system,
or other kinds of preventative maintenance, is not
covered by the new home warranty.
Tarion
Warranty Corporation is a private corporation
that was established in 1976 to protect the rights
of new home buyers and regulate new home builders.
 Provide
good air circulation
All
HVAC systems should have a good electrostatic filter
on the return
Use
bathroom, kitchen and laundry room exhaust vents
Insulate
and ventilate attic and crawl space areas
Clean,
dry or remove items damaged by water immediately
Mold
Resources
You can find a brief
introduction to mold
resources and read what the EPA
reports.
mold
cleanup ten
things you should know about mold asthmabasic
and mold
floods / flooding
health
and mold homes
and mold indoor
air regulations and mold large
buildings and mold
schools
and mold and indoor air quality other
mold-related resources and links.
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