CAUTION!
The photographs illustrating mould-contaminated materials are provided for information purposes. These photographs are not sufficient to correctly identify the moulds present in an indoor environment. Mould identification must be done by a qualified laboratory.
Mould identification is generally unnecessary in order to take action and decontaminate a building. However, when a building’s fungal contamination needs to be evaluated, qualified professionals must be consulted.
Moulds can only be identified by qualified professionals.
Regardless of the species of mould present, all contaminated materials must be decontaminated or disposed of; the situations that resulted in this contamination, such as water damage, chronic water infiltration or excessive humidity must be corrected.
Complex cases of building contamination by moulds should be managed by a recognized professional.
No recognized accreditation mechanism exists for indoor air quality in the residential sector, although the practice of the majority of experts is guided by corporations or professional orders. However, it is important to be well informed on this subject, mainly when choosing the experts.
You can obtain more information about building contamination by moulds and contaminated-building decontamination work by consulting the following documents:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/environ/air-eng.php
Health Canada. Dampness, Mould and Indoor Air
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/air/mould-moisissure-eng.php
Health Canada. Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines: Moulds
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/
Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Moisture & Mold
www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/epi/epi-mold-guidelines.pdf
New York City Department of Health. Fungi in Indoor Environment
www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html#Intro
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Mold Resources
www.aiha.org/news-pubs/newsroom/Documents/Facts%20about%20Mold%20_July%202011.pdf
American Industrial Hygiene Association. Facts About Molds
www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43325/E92645.pdf
World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould
