Indoor Air Quality has been contacted several times by homeowners who are totally distraught and do not know what steps to take.

Smaller marijuana operations may not have incurred extensive damage and as a result may be cleaned and repaired quite easily. It is also possible that damage isn’t visible and prospective owners have no idea that they are purchasing one of these homes until it is too late. A tell tale sign is many round marks on the floor. This could indicate that there were pails there that contained plants.

Larger operations require a lot of water, light and heat and as a result the damages can be extensive. Often walls are damaged where electrical wiring has been installed as well as high intensity lights. Floors are often ruined with the amount of water and chemicals used to feed the plants. Houses can undergo significant structural changes as well. It has also been noted that often the homes are totally renovated and the mold is just painted over and new flooring installed. The mold will continue to grow and could cause problems much later.

Structural damage can entail large holes in the foundation to gain access to un-metered electrical sources. High levels of humidity can cause wood to eventually warp, including staircases, handrails, roof joists and studs in the walls. Sometimes roof supports and floor joists are cut to accommodate ventilation systems. It has also been found that false walls are erected to hide the damage. Windows and doors can also be affected by high levels of humidity.

These operations require three to ten times the power of an average home. The electrical panel is usually bypassed which can lead to power surges and can result in a fire.

These plants also produce pollen which escapes into the air and can cause severe allergies. There are typically a lot of fans blowing the air around so pollen will accumulate in areas that one would never look. Another problem is the pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers that are mixed together and applied to the plants to increase yields.

Here are some signs that may indicate a Grow Operations

• House has a ‘not lived in feel’. Many grow operations do not have people living inside them
• Unusual visitor behaviour – visitors come and go and late hours
• Windows are covered up and never change
• Condensation on windows and evidence of water dripping down walls
• Smells and odours that are skunk like mixed with a sweet vegetative smell. Also the odour of mothballs or fabric softener can often be smelled in the area of the house. These are frequently used to mask the smell of the plants
• Sounds of humming fans can be usually be heard
• Construction late at night
• Unexplained localized power surges or brown outs
• “Beware of Dog” or “Guard Dog on Duty” signs are often used to deter trespassing
• Lights and radios or televisions that are on 24 hours a day

If you notice these signs and are unsure of a house on your street, call the police and they will investigate.

Beginning in February 2008, the Ottawa Police Service began posting locations of dismantled Marijuana Grow Operations as a result of the Notification of Marijuana Grow Operation Protocol Agreement between police services and municipalities. This information can be found at www.ottawapolice.ca/en/serving_ottawa/support-units/drugs_main.cfm .

Indoor Air Quality Ottawa recommends that before purchasing a home, an air quality investigation be done for your protection. If you have already purchased a home or have leased one that was used as a grow op, there is HOPE !

Indoor Air Quality Ottawa follow the protocol set out by the City of Toronto for remediation and clearance testing.

If you feel that there may be mold or other fungi in your home or work environment the following steps are appropriate:

• Visual inspection – looking for mold and tell tale signs of water entry
• Smell Test – if there is a musty, damp earthy smell, try to track down the source and then do a more in depth visual inspection. Look for corrugated boxes or other cellulosic substances that may be contaminated. Removal of small areas of wall board may also be necessary to properly inspect
• Air sampling by Indoor Air Quality Ottawa maybe indicated if the above steps do or do not obviously reveal mold, yet musty odours persist
• Persistent health issues such as: cough, irritated eyes, aggravated asthma etc. strongly suggests a mold contamination, where air testing by Indoor Air Quality Ottawa would confirm any air quality issues

HELP is only a phone call away – call Indoor Air Quality Ottawa and book an appointment – 613-237-8381.

Indoor Air Quality Ottawa also recognizes that first responders could be in danger when they are investigating potential grow operations.  As a result IAQO offers training and clearance testing to minimize health risks to our first responders.

It’s The Air You Breathe