Bagpipes, Mould and You

A medical case just published in an academic journal illustrates the hidden dangers of mould in a dramatic way.

An article in the journal Thorax – a peer-reviewed pubication about respiratory medicine – details the unfortunate case of a 61 year old British man and his breathing troubles. The man suffered from hypersensitivity pneumonitis or HP, a chronic lung disease involving inflammation. The condition is triggered by inhaling a specific protein from the air.

The man’s symptoms included a dry cough and breathlessness that persisted and grew worse despite active treatment over a seven year period. The cause of the symptoms was a mystery. His home and environment were examined thoroughly and there were no signs of mould or even water damage.

To further the mystery, his condition cleared up on a three-month holiday but then immediately worsened on his return. It got so bad he couldn’t walk more than 20 metres.

Mould makes you sick
The culprit? His bagpipes, which he played every day. The inside of the instrument contained mould and fungi, which he inhaled daily – except when he went on holidays and left the bagpipes at home. It may seem off the wall, but there have been previous cases of other wind instrument players suffering similar conditions.

The case underscores the dangers of living with mould. The man’s symptoms are classic:

• Shortness of breath;
• Persistent cough;
• Eye, nose and throat irritation;
• Flu-like symptoms;
• General respiratory irritation.

The kicker is that the symptoms persisted and even got worse, even though the man was under medical treatment.

Be safe, not sorry
The danger with mould is that you may not even know it is in your home until you experience these symptoms, or perhaps get a whiff of that telltale musty odour.

We can help. If you suspect the presence of mould in your home, you can’t afford to delay. You can trust the experienced mould removal experts at GreenStream Environmental to take care of the issue for you. In the Toronto area contact GreenStreamEnvironmental.ca at (416) 818-9414. Contact us for a quote today.

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.