What to do if you have mould

To protect the health of occupants of the building or dwelling, it is important to eliminate any mould, and to determine the source so that the problem can be resolved once and for all. It should be noted that significant mould growth in one room only does not exclude the presence of hidden spores or mould in other rooms. Where there are children or vulnerable people present, having an expert assess the extent of the contamination is strongly recommended. 

Expert identification of the causes

If mould appears despite sufficient ventilation, it is highly likely that it is due to damage to the building, or construction defects.

Such damage or defects must be analysed by an expert to identify the causes. A specialist firm should then propose appropriate remedial measures and work. In general, it is recommended to get a quotation from two or three companies.

Cleaning of contaminated surfaces

In the meantime, small contaminated surfaces can be cleaned or disinfected using a 70 to 80 % alcohol solution once or twice a week. Alcohol will eliminate the existing mould and therefore provides short-term protection.

During the work, wearing a respiratory mask is recommended, to avoid inhaling spores. Wearing gloves is also recommended. Dispose of the cloth, gloves and mask in a closed bin or, better still, dispose of them outside the house. Ventilate the room well afterwards. For larger surfaces, it is recommended to have a specialist company to do the cleaning.

The use of fungicides or other biocides is not recommended, as these products contaminate the indoor air with chemicals that can be harmful to human health in the long term.

Useful information

• A list of approved experts (moisture and mould analysis) can be found on the Ministry of Justice's website (legal-expert professions, Construction branch) at mj.gouvernement.lu.
  
  
• Professionals with a 'Baubiologie' qualification, for example issued by the IBN (Institut für Baubiologie und Nachhaltigkeit, Germany), the IBR (Institut für Baubiologie Rosenheim, Germany) or the IBÖ (Austrian Institut für Baubiologie und –ökologie), and professionals who have trained at a French university (interior environment consultants, CMEI) can also advise you.
  
  
• Firms specialising in the assessment of indoor air quality can come to your home and take samples to determine which mould species are present in your home, and at what concentration.
  
  Amongst others, companies with the H²E (Healthy Home Experts) label can be found at:
  https://h2e.lu.
  
  
• The 'Ëmweltambulanz' – which has been incorporated into the national environmental medicine service (CHEM) – will provide individuals experiencing symptoms that may be linked to environmental factors in their home with detailed analyses of their interior environment, on medical prescription.
  More details can be found here.