PacificDecon

Tag: fungi

  • Mold Related Illnesses

    Mold Related Illnesses

    Many bacteria, fungi, diseases, mold-related illnesses and infections begin in homes, offices, crawlspaces, basements, and attics that may lead to possibly serious health issues for homeowners in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.

     
    Pathogenic microbes such as virus, fungi and pathogenic bacteria are the main cause of airborne or direct contact diseases affecting animals and humans. Studies show the application of disinfectants and biocides via aerosol or fogging significantly reduce the number of viable infectious pathogens. Foggers produce micro droplets that float in the air for around 10 minutes after application, reaching the most inaccessible parts where conventional cleaning or spraying can’t reach. 
     
    Pathogenic Bacteria 

    Ecoli Pathogenic bacteria contribute to many illnesses and infections, whether food borne, water borne or air borne. These include diseases such as E-coli, MRSA, C. difficile, Campylobacter, Legionella and Salmonella. Unhygienic food preparation, water storage and air conditioning systems can harvest as well as spread these diseases. Bacteria such as MRSA and C. difficile are especially troublesome in hospitals, prisons and nursing homes, where patients with open wounds, and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection. 

    Virus 

    Influenza Viral infections make up around one third of cases of food poisoning in developed countries. Examples of these viruses include the Norovirus and Rotovirus. Other common viral infections include cold viruses and Seasonal influenza (the flu). An increasing concern due to a growing global population are animal or bird to human transmissions such as H1N1 (swine flu), and H5N1 strain of bird flu. Disinfection of surfaces using a fogger is essential to stop the spread of these infections. 

    Fungi 

    Many fungi are parasites on plants, animals (including humans). Some fungi can cause serious diseases in humans, several of which may be fatal if untreated. In the Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum areas, this includes Aspergillosis, coccidioidomycosis and mycetomas. Molds are a common component of household and workplace dust. However, when mold spores are present in large quantities, they can present a health hazard to humans, potentially causing allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Some molds can also produce mycotoxins which can pose a serious health risk to humans. 

    Mold in the Home

    Mold in the home, including Courtenay, Comox and Campbell River, usually can be found in damp, dark or steamy areas e.g. bathroom or kitchen, cluttered storage areas, recently flooded areas, basement areas, plumbing spaces, areas with poor ventilation and outdoors in humid environments. Fogging is used to apply fungicides to target mold in places such as bathroom or kitchen ceilings, behind boilers, recently flooded areas, basements and areas with poor ventilation. 
     

    What Can You Do?

    In most situations, Pacific Decontamination Services can neutralize your mold up 99.99999%. If our spray, fog or foam can touch it, we can neutralize it.  Our services come at a fraction of the cost as compared to the expensive approaches like soda / dry ice blasting, hepa vacuuming, scrubbing, removal of insulation and deconstruction and reconstruction of the attic and roof.


    We neutralize the mold in your attic, crawl space, home, building, vehicle, or property by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical on all surfaces and airborne, focusing our efforts on the visible mold areas. Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray, mist, foam, or fog. We further kill all airborne mold spores in your attic. The average time of our on-site service is approximately one hour. An additional four hours is required to achieve maximum effectiveness. We ask that you stay out of the attic for approximately 5 hours in total. Read more about how we work.

    Pacific Decontamination Services uses the world’s strongest, most effective and safe antimicrobial disinfectant, deodorization and chemical decontaminate. Our professional application will eliminate up to 99.99999% of any allergen, germ, bacteria or fungus that it touches. AND as powerful as it is, it is also completely safe.

    What do you do next? How do you solve the challenge of mold and associated health hazards?

    Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us at our email address: contact @ pacificdecon dot com

    Serving All of Vancouver Island: Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.

  • Mucormycosis – Black Fungus Mold

    Mucormycosis – Black Fungus Mold

    Homeowners in Nanaimo, Duncan, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Campbell River, Port Alberni and all other locations on Vancouver Island many times ask the question: Who do I call for Black Fungus Mold – Mucormycosis.

    Reports of Mucormycosis – ‘black fungus’ – attacking covid patients in India began surfacing in early May. It is particularly alarming since the survival rate is low, and those who do survive may suffer loss of the eyes, nose, sinuses, and upper jaw. Scary stuff.

    In one reported case from 2000, an American man in Kentucky who barely survived subsequently required a prosthetic face. Reports at the time were that he likely inhaled the fungi while gardening.

    There are claims, however, that may lead some to mistakenly think that Mucormycosis can be found among common household mold. Not so fast. While having mold indoors is never a good idea, the chance of contracting Mucormycosis from indoor household mold has to be put in perspective.

    According to the the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:

    “Mucormycetes, the group of fungi that cause mucormycosis, are present throughout the environment, particularly in soil and in association with decaying organic matter, such as leaves, compost piles, and animal dung. They are more common in soil than in air, and in summer and fall than in winter or spring. Most people come in contact with microscopic fungal spores every day, so it’s probably impossible to completely avoid coming in contact with mucormycetes. These fungi aren’t harmful to most people. However, for people who have weakened immune systems, breathing in mucormycete spores can cause an infection in the lungs or sinuses which can spread to other parts of the body.”

    Losing your face, or your life, to a very rare fungus that is more commonly found in the soil than the air, and mainly afflicts the immune compromised, is statistically not the first reason for household mold remediation. No need to panic about Mucormycosis floating around inside your home.

    Still, overall health can be effected by household mold, and wet Vancouver Island winters can give rise to mold growth under conditions of high humidity and poor ventilation. If you’ve got it, you probably want to get rid of it. 

    Pacific Decontamination can give you the right information, and take the kind of quick, thorough, detailed, and effective response you require. And if you think you’ve got mold but are uncertain, we can test for it.

    Since Mucormycosis is rather low on the risk scale for threats inside your living space, if that’s all you want to eliminate then lottery tickets might be a better investment. 

    But household mold still ought to be addressed for other health and aesthetic reasons. Pacific Decontamination will work with you on moving toward that healthy mold-free home.

    Call us at

    Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us!
    Serving All of Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Comox, Courtenay, Campbell River, and all of Vancouver Island:

    www.PacificDecontamination.com

  • Is Mold in Your Crawlspace, Basement, or Attic Making You Sick?

    Is Mold in Your Crawlspace, Basement, or Attic Making You Sick?

    Mold in crawlspaces, basements and attics are extremely common, and may impact one in three homeowners in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.

    Crawlspaces and attics are dark, dingy and sometimes damp: all ideal conditions for mold, fungus, and other germs to flourish.  Basements can also be at risk.

    It’s usually the result of increased humidity and moisture in the crawlspace, typically from the ground in the crawlspace, a leak, or inadequate ventilation.

    In attics, meanwhile, mold often forms as the result of inadequate ventilation. Warm moist air, created from the people living below, rises toward the ceiling and enters the attic around light fixtures and other openings. If the attic is well-ventilated, the moisture will pass outside, but if the warm air has nowhere to go, the moisture will accumulate.

    Both attics and crawlspaces are also rich in the organic materials that molds, fungi and other microbes need to feed on.

    According to Health Canada, “Common household materials mold can live on include drywall, wood, such as window sills, wall framing and firewood, paper products such as cardboard boxes, damp materials such as carpeting or furniture.”

    In short, it can grow almost anywhere, as long as moisture is present.

    In fact, according to studies, 30 percent to 50 percent of all structures have damp conditions that could encourage the growth and spread of biological pollutants like mold. And that’s just for average climates; in warm, moist climates, this percentage is likely much higher.

    What’s Dangerous About Mold?

    Mold is a microscopic, living organism whose purpose is to break down dead materials. This is why, over time, it will destroy whatever it is growing on, including your carpets, furniture and cabinets, and even structural elements of your home.

    If left untreated, mold will gradually destroy whatever it is growing on — including structural elements of your home.

    However, this is only a part of what makes mold dangerous. Molds release thousands of microscopic spores into the air, and they are easily carried around your home, where you may breathe them in.

    It is through this inhalation that mold can cause health problems to you and your family.

    What Types of Health Problems do Molds Cause?

    All molds have the potential to cause health effects. Molds can produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people allergic to mold. Others are known to produce potent toxins and/or irritants.

    Homeowners with mold often report:
    Respiratory problems, such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath.

    Sneezing and/or nasal congestion.

    Eye irritation (itching, burning, watery, or reddened eyes).

    Coughing or throat irritation.

    Skin rashes or irritation.

    Headaches.

    Fatigue.

    Among people who have existing respiratory conditions (such as allergies or asthma) or weakened immune systems, as well as children and the elderly, molds can be particularly dangerous. People in this group may experience more severe reactions or even serious lung infections when exposed to mold.

    Read our report on mold exposure and health hazards.

    Preventing a Mold Problem in Your Crawlspace, Basement, or Attic

    If you suspect mold is in your home (some indications include stained ceilings, a musty or earthy smell, black, pink, orange or green spots on walls, flood or hurricane damage, damp basement, crawlspace or attic) you should seek out a professional to decontaminate your mold or mildew situation.

    Decontaminate your attic, basement or crawlspace using the experts at Pacific Decontamination Services. Our tailored services protect your home or business from devastating effects of a biological occurrence by killing and validating the destruction of up to 99.9999% of harmful bacteria, viruses, spores, germs, and fungi.

    Other steps you can do after having your attic, crawlspace, or basement decontaminated by Pacific Decontamination Services include:

    Fix any leaky plumbing or other leaks immediately.

    Prevent moisture due to condensation. To reduce moisture levels in your air, increase ventilation (if the outdoor air is cool and dry) or use a dehumidifier (if the outdoor air is warm and humid).

    Don’t let your home’s foundation stay wet. Make sure there’s proper drainage and that the ground slopes away from the foundation.

    Keep furniture and floors dusted. Mold spores can collect in your household dust, so dusting often is highly recommended.

    Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning drip pans clean and flowing properly.

    Make sure moisture-generating appliances, like your dryer, and your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans are vented outside.

    Keep indoor humidity levels below 60%, and preferably between 30-50%.

    Change your home’s air filters regularly.

    If necessary, add insulation to reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces, such as windows, piping, exterior walls, roof or flooring.

    Make sure any damp or wet spots are cleaned and dried within 48 hours.

    How Can You Neutralize Mold?

    We neutralize your mold by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical into your attic, crawlspace, or basement. Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray, mist, foam, or fog. We do not use a tent. The average time of our on-site service is approximately one hour. An additional four hours is required to achieve maximum effectiveness. We ask that you stay out of the premise for approximately 5 hours in total. Read more about how we work.

    Pacific Decontamination Services uses the world’s strongest, most effective and safe antimicrobial disinfectant, deodorization and chemical decontaminate. Our professional application will eliminate up to 99.99999% of any allergen, germ, bacteria or fungus that it touches. AND as powerful as it is, it is also completely safe.

    What do you do next? How do you solve the challenge of mold and associated health hazards?

    Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us!

    Serving All of Vancouver Island: Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.