Environmental Hazards
Mouse-over the picture boxes below for more information on the hazards that Healthy Homes Investigations can identify during inspections.
mould growth
MOULD GROWTH
Mould growth, another word for fungus, is prevalent outdoors, particularly in damp, dark environments where there is an abundance of cellulose for it to use as a food source. Sometimes, when materials indoors (i.e. drywall, carpet, wood, etc.) become wet for periods longer than 48 hours, they can harbour mould growth similar to that of an outdoor environment. Once present, mould growth releases “spores” which are small and light enough to become airborne and inhaled. Once in our lungs, mould spores and their by-products can negatively affect our health. Typical symptoms caused by mould exposure include throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, allergic symptoms and allergic reactions. Mould growth is particularly harmful for the elderly, young children and infants and those with compromised immune systems. Mould growth, especially in residential buildings, isn’t always easy to detect as it may be hidden in wall cavities or beneath carpet. Mould air testing is the best and most current method of detection for the presence of airborne mould spores.
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For more information, visit Health Canada's website regarding Mould and Your Health.
asbestos
ASBESTOS
Asbestos is a silicate mineral mined from rock that was used as a common building and insulating material prior to the 1990s. There are several forms of asbestos mineral, the most common types being chrysotile and amosite. Asbestos, because of it’s thermal properties and corrosion resistance, was used heavily prior to it’s discovery as a carcinogen in the 1980s and can be present in buildings built during or prior to the 1990s. Asbestos can be present in the following building materials:
Drywall joint compound, plaster, ceiling texture finish, vinyl floor tile, window caulking, sealants, paper heat shields, pipe insulation, mechanical insulation, ceramic tile grout, corrugated cement and vermiculite in attic spaces.
Asbestos-containing materials break down into microscopically small fibres that can easily become airborne if disturbed by construction or renovation activities and can then be inhaled and lodged into lung tissue. Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres is known to result in asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Bulk sampling of materials is the best and most current method for detection of asbestos in building materials.
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For more information regarding Asbestos, visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - Asbestos in the Home.
lead
LEAD
Lead is a metal that is naturally present in the earth’s crust that was mined and added to paint for its reduction in drying time, increased longevity of painted finishes and to give paint a more vibrant look. Prior to the 1950s, some paints could contain as much as 50% lead by weight. Although not common in house hold paint and federally regulated in Canada, lead is still present in and can legally be added to paint and pigments. Lead based paints do not typically pose a hazard unless disturbed by sanding, grinding, scraping or welding. Painted finishes that may contain lead should be sampled prior to construction, renovation or demolition to determine lead content. Paint bulk testing is the best and most current method for detection of lead in painted finishes.
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For more information on lead, visit Health Canada's website regarding Lead-Based Paints.
analysis
ANALYSIS
Mould spore trap air samples are collected and analyzed in-house at Healthy Homes laboratory using a bright field microscope and other supplies used in typical microbiology laboratories. Spore type is determined and reported at the genus level and the analytical results are included in the Assessment Report. All other hazardous materials analytics are completed by accredited 3rd party laboratories in Canada.
Assessments, inspections, sampling and reporting are completed in compliance with generally accepted industrial hygiene best practices and all work completed by Healthy Homes Investigations follows the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) code of ethics and standards.