Ground Zero: Molds, Mycotoxins and MVOC’s in your Bathroom

Every year, thousands of homeowners make the choice to have their bathrooms remodeled. Many of those homeowners enjoy doing their remodeling, but there are others who feel as if they unfolded a can of worms. Those homeowners are likely the unlucky bunch who discovered mold in their washroom. If you were remodeling your restroom and you find mold, have you any idea what to do? Unfortunately, a large number of people would not.

What are molds?

Molds are tiny microscopic organisms that digest organic matter and reproduce by releasing spores. Molds are a type of fungi and there are over 100,000 species. In nature, mold helps decompose or break-down leaves, wood and other plant debris. Molds become a problem when they go where they are not wanted and digest materials such as our homes.What makes molds grow in my home?

Mold enters your home as tiny spores. The spores need moisture to begin growing, digesting and destroying. Molds can grow on almost any surface, including; wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation. The mold grows best when there is lots of moisture from a leaky roof, high humidity, or flood. There is no way to get rid of all molds and mold spores from your home. But you can control mold growth by keeping your home dry and well ventilated.

What to do?

Before you familiarize yourself with what you ought to do if you discover mold in your washroom, it is important to determine the type of mold. Because molds are microscopic, and when grown can look pretty in color and shape with all the filaments growing, but it can also be very hazardous. While many molds are considered relatively harmless, there are a few types of mold that are considered toxic. Unfortunately, our human eye cannot discern the good vs. the bad molds.  Regrettably, as a result of the moisture that can be seen inside most bathrooms, molds can be found in tens of thousands of bathrooms in the US.

MVOC’s:

If you start to remodel your bathroom and smell a musty odor but don’t see it the chances are you are breathing a high dose of mold (aka microbial volatile organic compounds MVOC’s) are very good.  MVOC’s are composed of low molecular weight alcohols, aldehydes, amines, ketones, terpenes, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, and sulfur-based compounds, all of which are variations of carbon-based molecules. MVOC's have a very low odor threshold, thus, making them easily detectable by smell. MVOC’s oftentimes have strong odors and are responsible for the offensive odors such as cat urine, old cheese, dirty socks or locker room smell are associated with mold and bacterial growth.

Mycotoxins:

Visibly, you find mold below your toilet or even under you tiles for the floor, there is a good chance that that you may be dealing with mycotoxins (toxin producing molds). Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi that are capable of causing disease and death in humans and other animals

Symptoms due to mycotoxins containing airborne spores (particularly those of Stachybotrys chartarum) include dermatitis, recurring cold and flu-like symptoms, burning sore throat, headaches and excessive fatigue, diarrhea, and impaired or altered immune function.

What can I do next?

Although your first impulse can be to get rid of the mold yourself, you may want to rethink your decision.  When mold is improperly removed (without effective containment protocols Level I – Level V), the viable mold spores, mycotoxins and MVOC’s can be disseminated throughout the remainder of your house. That’s why it may be good to call upon a professional.

The professional should be certified by the state and maintain proper professional credentials in mold identification and removal. Although it can be costly to have your mold tested and removed, you will want to do so.

If your mold is not dealt with, professionally, it can set out to spread and even move into other parts of your house. Once you’ve had mold removed from your washroom, regardless of what type of mold it is, you will need to take steps to avoid another mold outbreak from reoccurring.

Localized exhaust bath fans:

You can easily do this by incorporating a couple of extra projects into your washroom remodeling plan. It can be worthwhile to ensure that your restroom has a exhaust fan as per ASHRAE 62.2. If you don’t already have a local bathroom exhaust fan installed in your restroom, you will want one. The local exhaust fan would be located in the bathroom instead of in a central location of the home and would be on a 24 hour timer switch or on/off switch that would cycle the fan on and off throughout the day when in use. 

In spite of what sort of bathroom fan you purchase, whether it be an established restroom fan or an ornamental one, you should be able to locate whatever you are looking for on the internet or at one of your local DIY stores. Restroom remodeling projects, even relatively small projects, can get quite expensive. For that reasons, you will need to make certain that you do everything to look after your freshly remodeled washroom from being attacked by mold.

How to test your home?

DIY IAQ testing at your home or workplace is easy at IndoorAirTest.  Tests for Mycotoxins, Molds, Allergens, Volatile Organic Compounds, Formaldehyde and many other pollutants and contaminants can be purchased directly from the manufacturer or one of the many fine distributors e.g. Grainger, Ferguson Supply, Johnstone Supply, Hunter Fans, etc… , visit us on line at www.indoorairtest.com or call us at 800-422-7873 ext 804 or 404. For an online catalog visit: IndoorAirTest (click link).

About Building Health Check, LLC

Building Health Check sets the industry standard for IAQ DIY kits, testing equipment, and laboratory analysis. Building Health Check has affiliations with EDLab and Accustar Labs.

Building Health Checks, LLC’s expanding client roster includes: WW Grainger, Hunter Fans, Progressive Insurance, USACE, Southern California Schools JPA, VA Medical Center, Broward General Healthcare, General Services Administration (GSA); Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; and, CB Richard Ellis and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Building Health Check, LLC the reliable industry leader in DIY IAQ testing.

For more information on Building Health Check, LLC contact us at (800) 422-7873 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting ext. 404 or 804 or visit http://www.indoorairtest.com.

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