Health Canada considers mold in residential buildings to be a health hazard.
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MOLD PREVENTION
Mold needs a damp environment to grow. To prevent mold from developing, you must control the humidity levels inside the home and keep it dry. Look for any signs of moisture and mold. Investigate whether water is leaking in from the outside or if large amounts of moisture are being produced inside the home. Inspect your foundation, walls, roofing, and plumbing. If you find signs of infiltration or leaks, make the necessary repairs. Pay attention to activities that produce moisture inside the dwelling (for example, cooking and bathing). Eliminate moisture as soon as it is produced by opening a window or using exhaust fans. Reduce the amount of stored items, especially those no longer in use. Fabrics, paper, and wood, for example, collect dust and hold moisture. For more information on how to prevent mold, see Tab 1 of the accompanying workbook.
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“SMALL” MOLD AREA
The affected surface is considered “small” if the mold appears on fewer than three patches, each having an area of less than one square meter. Clean small surfaces yourself using a detergent solution, taking care to wear rubber gloves and an N95 dust mask for protection. Over time, small moldy areas in homes can expand if neglected. It is therefore important to clean and eliminate even small areas of mold. Note that people with asthma or allergies should refrain from doing this cleaning. For more information on how to address small mold problems, see Tab 2 of the accompanying workbook.
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“MEDIUM” MOLD AREA
The affected surface is considered “medium” if:
a) the mold appears on more than three patches, each having an area of less than one square meter, or
b) the mold appears on one or more isolated patches, each having an area of less than 3 square meters.Patches that are close together should be considered as a single patch. You can clean medium-sized surface mold patches, but only if you follow the recommended steps and use adequate protective equipment.
For more information on how to prepare for mold removal, see Tab 3 of the accompanying workbook.
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“EXTENSIVE” MOLD AREA
We refer to a “large surface” affected by mold when its area is larger than a sheet of plywood or a sheet of drywall. A house is significantly contaminated when there are many large areas of mold. It is not healthy to be exposed to this much mold. Do not attempt to clean large moldy surfaces yourself. Please contact your First Nation housing officials or your Band office.
For more information on how to clean large areas of mold, see Tab 4 of the accompanying workbook.