Author: Raphael Siket
There was a mould issue in a work place in Victoria where no visible mould was present but the smell was damp and musty. The female employee was suffering classic symptoms of mould exposure:
- Sore throat
- Itchy eyes
- Rash
- Shallow breathing
- Running nose
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Sore gums and teeth
- Tight chest
The sampling was conducted and the results reflected acceptable levels of mould spores. Bewildered I called the Mycologist (fungi specialist). During the discussions I mentioned that the carpets had been replaced 6 days before the sampling had been conducted.
He highlighted that new carpets can act as a mould spore sink and attract spores because of their static nature.
This explains the low spore counts in the test. I wrote a report explaining this and the fact that I suspected hidden mould in a wall in the office that had guttering running above it on the outside. On inspection of the gutters they found extensive damage and leaks everywhere. The woman suffering the symptoms has since moved out and is working partly from home and partly from a separate office being set up on the site. It is a heritage listed building and so works will get underway to repair, remediate and restore to a good condition.
If you have any concerns, please contact a qualified Building Biologist – you can find one close to you here.
Always look for the ASBB logo – the ASBB checks the qualifications of all Building Biologist.
