Mould Problems Continue for Toronto Pharmaceutical Plant

A Toronto pharmaceutical manufacturing facility is still feeling the fallout several months after it shut down production when mould was discovered in the plant.

The Sanofi Pasteur plant suffered a flood in October of 2011 and mould was discovered a few weeks later. It was especially significant that the mould was found in sterile areas and at that even after standard clean up procedures had been followed. It led to the plant shutting down entirely for weeks while mould removal procedures were undertaken and there were fears it would result in worldwide shortages of certain drugs including one that is key to the treatment of bladder cancer.

In fact, mould removal seems to have been an ongoing issue at the plant according to a warning letter issued by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) which inspected the facility in the spring of this year. The letter indicates that “there have been no less than 58 documented non-conformances relating to the isolation of mould within the BCG aseptic processing areas” since August 2010.

Sanofi Pasteur is still in the midst of upgrading its Toronto vaccine plant in the wake of the warning letter and shut down.

If it can happen there…
If mould can be a significant issue in a facility where sterile conditions are the norm, it certainly illustrates how easily it can become a problem anywhere. All it takes is one flood and lingering moisture for mould to take hold within days.

You May Never Know
You don’t actually have to see mould for it to be flourishing and it can grow in your home no matter what its age. It’s actually more common for it to exist inside walls, around windows and in basements – all the places where leaks can happen and moisture can collect – where you probably won’t be aware of it until you feel the symptoms which can include:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Coughing and phlegm build-up
• Wheezing and shortness of breath
• Allergic reactions

We Can Help!
Our experienced mould removal experts can help. Our mould removal process takes a multi-faceted approach from start to finish, including:

• Determining & isolating the severity of the contaminated area
• Installing and measuring negative pressure via HEPA equipped negative air machines
• Removing and safely disposing of contaminated materials
• Remediating mould growth using abrasive methods followed by an environmentally-friendly anti-microbial wash
• Complete HEPA vacuum of the entire area

For the Health of You & Your Family
Get peace of mind from GreenStream Environmental – call us for a mould removal quote today.

In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414.  You’ll be glad you did.