Mold Testing Laboratory In Toronto

Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) is a leading provider of mold and bacteria testing services in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the rest of Canada.

As a mold and bacteria laboratory, the lab specializes in the analysis of air and surface samples for:

• Bacteria including Coliforms, E.coli, Legionella testing, and total aerobic and anaerobic counts
• Mold analysis by culture methods: culturable air samples such as RCS, BioCassette, Andersen, SAS, etc.
• Mold analysis by direct microscopic examination: tape, bulk, swab, and water samples
• Total airborne fungal spore counts: Spore traps including Air-O-Cell, BioAire, and Micro5 cassettes, Allergenco, Burkard and BioSIS slides

MBL’s mold and bacteria testing services are not restricted to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). We serve clients in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Foundland.

MBL clients include:

• Industrial hygienists
• Environmental consultants
• Quality assurance managers
• Home Inspectors
• General contractors
• Cleaning and restoration contractors
• Property managers
• Insurance, financial, or legal professionals who deal with microbial contamination issues

For questions related to laboratory testing of samples, sampling methods, laboratory  data interpretation and other issues related to microorganisms, please call 905-290-9101 (within Toronto area) or 1-866-813-0648 if calling outside the GTA.

Asthma

Question: Approximately 7-9 years ago, I worked in a building in which I may possibly have been exposed to mold. Prior to being in the building, I used to run up to 7 miles, almost every other day, almost religiously.

In reviewing my health records, it appears that prior to being in the building, I never had a breathing problem, or went to the doctor much. It seemed that after being in that building, the breathing problems persisted.

For my undergrad practicum, I was in the building beginning in Fall, around September. Then by end of year, when I finally went to the doctor, I was told I was suffering with breathing problems. The doctor diagnosed that I had asthma, which I could not believe. I had been running for over 20 years at that time, and could not believe that asthma came on just like that.

When I did my graduate practicum in the building, I was congested all the time. Later, when I started working in the building on June 9, 2003, by Friday, June 13, 2009, I was sick. I went to my doctor, and was again told by the doctor that I had asthma….

My story continues,…. But, to make it short, I have been to medical doctors, specialists, naturapathic doctors, etc., etc., etc., who continue to treat the symptoms, and have not been able to tell me the cause of my ailment.

I have submitted to two allergy tests: one early on, and the latest completed in December 2009, which showed I tested high for several types of mold, including stachybotrys. I have been on sick leave, and decided to look on line to research the molds, other allergens I appear to be highly sensitive to, and came to your site.

On that note, too, when I was working in the building, I used to clean my work area. I kept some of the paper towels used to clean and dust, which were soiled with blackened dusts. My question is: can those towels be tested even though much time has passed, since I last worked in that building at end of 2003?

I just want to be cured, and to be able to run again.

Answer: Thank you for your email. I can feel for you having experienced something similar to what you have described. Fifteen years ago I had what doctors called bronchitis and others called Asthma. No doctor was able to tell me the cause of this problem. I was not sure whether the cause(s) of my asthma was from home or my place of work. At work, I was working as a plant pathologist and used to culture a lot of fungi (yeasts and molds).

Almost 15 years ago when I left my place of work and the house where I used to live, I have not had even a single attack. I still work with molds including Stachybotrys almost every day.

As for your question regarding testing of paper towels, I am not sure if that would be of any help. First, are those paper towels still there? Secondly, what would the towels be tested for? If mold, 7 years is a very long time!

mold Test

Black Mould

Question:  My tenants are saying that there is black mould in my rental townhouse. I’ve replaced fixtures in the bathrooms, stopped leaks and spent thousands of dollars but they are still bringing in the local public health inspector.

 I’m allergic to mould myself and have been in while damaged drywall was being removed. I handled it myself with no ill effects and observed the joist cavities being treated with mould inhibiting sprays and ‘killex’.

 Should I be worried that my tenants are still pursuing this investigation? I’ve taken every remedial step I can think of and the only stuff I saw was dried up and the rest looked like shower mildew to me. All the discoloration spots on the bathroom ceiling stuff came off with a cleaner called BAM and the paint was unaffected once the ceiling was wiped down.

Answer: Shower mildew is actually mold. I would suggest you hire a qualified professional such as an industrial hygienist who is experienced in indoor microbial contamination. This person should be able to assess the extent of contamination, possibly determine the underlying cause, and then advise on the most appropriate level of remediation. They may also be able to advise you whether the tenants’ lifestyle could be contributing to mould growth. For instance, if they don’t switch the fan on (if there is one) when showering or bathing, then there will be mould growth due to condensation on the walls and the ceiling.