Mould Growing in Your Home

Transcript - Mould Growing in Your Home

Narrator: Mould growing in your home is a real eyesore - not only is it tough to look at - mould can also create health problems for some people.

Narrator: Those living in homes with mould and damp conditions are more likely to experience the following symptoms:

Graphic of symptoms

• Eyes, nose and throat irritation
• Coughing and phlegm build up,
• Wheezing and shortness of breath,
• Worsening of asthma symptoms,
• Allergic reactions

Narrator: Not all mould is obvious to detect so it's important to check anywhere that is damp, especially, where water damage has occurred.

Deborah Schoen - Head, Indoor Air Contaminants Assessment Water, Air and Climate Change Bureau: "Prevention first is the most important thing. For instance the home owners here have repair to do. They want to keep that wall behind the tub very dry so they'll have the tiles to replace and they also want to make sure that the seal between the wall and the tub is intact. On the plus side though, they do have a bathroom fan which is a simple but very affective way to remove excess moisture."

Narrator: Before mould takes over in your home and creates an unhealthy indoor environment, here are a few things you can do to stop the growth.

Prevention graphic

• Repair leaks and clean immediately after a flood
• Measure humidity and keep it low, especially in basements
• Use exhaust fans when cooking or showering
• Make sure your clothes dryer vents to the outside

Narrator: You can find out more information about mould in the Hazardcheck guide. For a free copy visit www.heatlhycanadians.gc.ca/hazardcheck or call 1 800 O-CANADA.