An alarming study, discussed in the Montreal Gazette, highlights how real of a threat toxic mold is to inhabitants of major Canadian cities.
More specifically, Montreal’s children are being affected. A public health study revealed that 1 in 4 Montreal kids suffer from lung disease. The main culprit: excessive moisture and the mold caused by it.
Here we see a direct quantification of the consequences of not undergoing proper mold testing. It’s not just that the threat is being ignored; it’s that the conditions of housing in Montreal are facilitating its growth.
Far too many homes lack regular maintenance; their commonly flat roof construction takes on too much water and the humid, moist conditions lead to mold growth. Of the Montreal children aged 6 months to 12 years, roughly a third of them live in homes with excessive humidity and mold. Lois Jacques, health department physician and principal investigator, cites mold as the top risk factor for respiratory illness.
According to researchers, mold is responsible for 26 per cent of respiratory infections, 17 per cent of asthma and 14 per cent of allergic rhinitis.
So how does Montreal – and any other major municipality suffering from a mold epidemic – address the problem? The long-term solution is for the government to put more money into improving affordable housing so that it doesn’t take on moisture. By doing so, mold can’t grow in the first place.
The shorter-term and perhaps more feasible solution is to commission a mold removal company to eliminate the problems from these homes. After that, especially in the case of poorly maintained buildings, regular mold inspection is a good idea.
Doing so isn’t an unnecessary frill or luxury. It’s ensuring our children are healthier. There are few things in this world more important than our youth!
MoldInspections.ca is the trusted leader for mold-free homes and breathable indoor air spaces in Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and beyond. Providing certified mold inspection, detection and testing since 2005, we service home owners, real-estate agents, landlords, property managers, insurance companies and businesses. Featured on CTV and recommended by contractors, we regularly serve as expert witnesses in court proceeding relating to Mold and Indoor Air Quality issues. Do you have mold? Call us today for a free quote at (416) 575-6111.