A police raid in Southern Ontario found a marijuana grow-op operating in a home right next to an elementary school. By now, Ontario residents are used to hearing about illegal marijuana growing operations in our cities and towns, but the location is a shocker in this case.
Police say the townhouse was under surveillance for a short period before the raid just last week that discovered an elaborate growing operation encompassing three different rooms.
A scan of recent headlines reveals that while the location may be surprising and despite increased public awareness, the existence of the illegal growing operation shows no signs of letting up. In recent weeks, major busts have taken place in the Thunder Bay region and in another shocking case in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, a woman who was already under house arrest for producing marijuana was found to be operating another grow-op in her family home. The Crown is seeking a 7-year term for the repeat offender.
Marijuana grow-ops are all too common in both urban and rural regions of the province and in fact the Canadian grown product is known to be exported to the U.S. too. What does that mean for the rest of us?
The Biggest Risk: Mold
Marijuana cultivation requires very humid conditions under lighting that produces heat. Naturally, most of the homes used as grow-ops aren’t inhabited, and even if they are, no one would sleep in the same room as the plants. In other words, no one is cleaning up or trying to mitigate the damages and unchecked moisture inevitably leads to mold.
The humidity seeps into the walls, even floors and ceilings, and condensation is chronic around windows. In short, the conditions for mold infestation are ideal.
Other common health risks include:
- Poisonous gas and chemicals
- Biological contaminants
- Poor indoor air quality
- Formation of damaging mold and fungus
- Mould and mildew from intense condensation
- Greater chance of fires occurring
Indoor Environmental Assessments & Testing
You’re not a drug dealer or marijuana grower, but what if you’re looking to buy a home? When it’s so rampant, how can you really be sure?
We can offer indoor environmental assessments and testing that will help you to determine if your home — or the one you intend to purchase — has been used as a grow-op.
- Know what you are getting into. For Grow-Op & Drug House Testing Services in Toronto, Contact Moldinspections.ca
Get help from the experts at MoldInspections.ca. Please call us for a hassle-free quote today.
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.
