Mold

Molds are a form of fungus. There are many different types, and they can occur both indoors and outdoors. It produce spores, which spread by floating around in the air. Mold spores are present in all indoor environments. There is no way to prevent spores, and they can persist in conditions where mold itself cannot grow. Mold spores thrive in environments that are moist and warm, so when they land on a damp spot, they begin to grow.It can grow on a variety of different surfaces, including fabric, paper, wood, glass, and plastic. As they grow, they may digest the material they are growing on.

Nobody knows how many kinds of mold there are, but experts estimate that there may be 300,000 or more different types. Some are more likely than others to appear in the home.

Common indoor molds include:

Alternaria: This occurs in damp places indoors, such as showers or under leaky sinks.

Aspergillus: This often grows indoors, on dust, powdery food items, and building materials, such as drywall.

Cladosporium: This can grow in either cool or warm areas. It tends to appear on fabrics and wood surfaces.

Penicillium: This tends to grow on materials with water damage. It often has a blue or green appearance.

Stachybotrys chartarum (BLACK MOLD): Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold. It can grow on material with a high cellulose content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, and paper. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding. Constant moisture is required for its growth.

Does BLACK MOLD cause acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants?

To date, a possible association between acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants and Stachybotrys chartarum has not been proven. Further studies are needed to determine what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage.

What if my child has acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage?

Parents should ensure that their children get proper medical treatment.

Is there a test for BLACK MOLD?

At present, no test exists that proves an association between Stachybotrys chartarum and particular health symptoms. Individuals with persistent symptoms should see their physician. However, if Stachybotrys chartarum or other molds are found in a building they should be removed.

Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds may cause health symptoms that are nonspecific. It is not necessary to determine what type of mold you may have growing in your home or other building. All molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal.

Molds take a variety of forms and textures. They can be white, black, yellow, blue, or green and often look like discoloration or stain to a surface. They can also have a velvety, fuzzy, or rough appearance, depending on the type of mold and where it is growing. Mold spores are everywhere, both indoors and outdoors, but they are not visible to the naked eye.

Spores can enter the home:

Through the air: They can enter through open windows, doorways, and ventilation systems.

By attaching to objects or people: Vehicles include clothing, shoes, and pets.

Mold will only flourish if spores land somewhere that has the ideal conditions for growing, such as moisture and a supply of suitable nutrients. If the environment is unsuitable for the spores, they do not usually develop or cause a problem.

Places where mold often appears include:

• areas where leakages and flooding have occurred
• windows where condensation builds up
• places where the air does not circulate, for example, behind a closet

Wet cellulose materials are most supportive of mold growth.

Examples include:

• paper products, including wallpaper
• cardboard
• ceiling tiles
• wood products
• insulation materials
• upholstery and other fabrics

Mold growth is usually visible and often produces a musty odor. It can damage household items, and it can also have an impact on health.

Mold can pose a health problem, especially for people with an allergy, an existing respiratory problem, or a weakened immune system.

As mold grows, spores, cells, fragments, and unstable organic compounds can enter the air. They can produce allergens, irritants, and mycotoxins. Some of these can be toxic, especially to individuals who have a sensitivity to them. Also, dampness encourages materials to break down, increasing the volume of particles, or dust, in the air. These particles can irritate the lungs, nose, and throat, especially in a person who already has a breathing problem, asthma, or a chronic lung condition.

A person with a sensitivity or allergy to any mold-related particles may react. Mold allergies can produce similar symptoms to other allergies, such as hay fever, or seasonal allergy. In these, too, airborne substances can affect the upper respiratory tract.

Symptoms include:

• a blocked or runny nose
• an itchy nose
• an itchy throat
• sneezing
• watery eyes

People with a mold allergy as well as asthma have a higher chance of having an asthma attack when there is mold in the environment. A higher volume of dust can increase the risk of dust mites, which can also trigger an allergic reaction in some people.

Some types of mold, such as Aspergillus, can cause a serious health problem, known as  aspergillosis, in some people. Most people can breathe in the spores of this fungus without becoming sick, but people who have a weakened immune system or an existing lung disease can have a severe reaction.

There are different types of aspergillosis:

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA): This affects the lungs and can cause breathing problems.

Allergic aspergillus sinusitis: This affects the nose and can involve a headache.

Aspergilloma, or fungus ball: This can cause a cough, which may produce blood, as well as breathing problems.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: Symptoms include breathing problems, a cough, and weight loss.

Mold can also trigger the production of microbes and bacteria. Exposure to these bacteria may trigger an inflammatory response in some people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO also note that mold and the microbial agents it produces may increase the risk of bronchial and fungal infections.

There is some evidence that it might lead to:

• hypersensitivity pneumonitis
• bronchitis
• allergic alveolitis
• chronic rhinosinusitis
• allergic fungal sinusitis
• lower respiratory tract problems in previously healthy children

Some evidence from the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that people have experienced the following symptoms after spending time in an environment where mold is present:

• skin and eye irritation
• wheezing
• fever
• fatigue
• nausea
• headache
• insomnia
• mucous membrane irritation
• sick-building syndrome

Factors affecting the likelihood of having health problems due to mold include:

• the person’s immune or respiratory health
• how much mold is present

This is where we come in. Give us a call or you can submit your information to us for a phone consultation with one of our Mold Specialists who will discuss with you what steps should be taking for your particular situation. In some cases, one of our specialists will come to your home or business, and assess the situation and may recommend mold testing, which we can provide for you. Depending on the scenario, our specialist will recommend options to handle the mold problem.

• Proper safety gear should be worn when dealing with mold. A high quality, high filtration face mask is a must, as are vinyl or neoprene gloves. A full protective suit is recommended when using harsh chemicals and for larger mold remediation projects.
• We seal off the work area, often using plastic sheeting to create a negative air pressure environment, so that mold spores do not become dispersed throughout the home.
• We use specialized, professional equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, foggers, ozone machines, commercial-strength dehumidifiers, etc.  Regular handymen won’t have that stuff.
• After mold is physically removed from its source, the air should be cleaned of airborne mold spores using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air scrubbers and air exchange (i.e. replacing dirty moldy air with clean fresh air through simple ventilation or more sophisticated negative air controls for bigger jobs)
• When vacuuming and using air scrubbers for mold remediation, the filters used should be HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air). Only HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as mold spores. Regular filters will not work, and could make the problem worse.
• We usually discard moldy porous building materials such as drywall, insulation and baseboards. These materials are relatively inexpensive to replace and difficult to impossible to restore to their previous uncontaminated condition.
• We will use an antimicrobial chemical/ozone treatment to clean any remaining mold and mold stains after demolition is complete.
• We often use a sealer or encapsulant to make the treated areas more resistant to water damage and mold, and also to help with odor control.

Controlling moisture is the key to preventing mold from growing indoors. It is also important to keep the home clean and well ventilated.

Causes of humidity in the home include:

• the number of people living in the home
• use of water for washing and cooking
• moisture in the air, for example, on rainy or humid days
• water intrusions or leaks
• poor ventilation 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advise people to aim for a humidity level of below 60%.

People can reduce the risk of a buildup of moisture and mold by:

• using a dehumidifier to reduce indoor moisture
• leaving windows open when possible, to allow air to circulate
• using extractor fans to remove moisture during cooking
• avoiding indoor activities that produce moisture, such as drying clothes or using kerosene heaters
• ensuring that all fabrics are thoroughly dry before storing them
• emptying and airing rarely used drawers and closets from time to time
• regularly cleaning so that mold cannot build up on surfaces, dust, or other matter
• avoiding laying carpets in bathrooms and basements
• appropriate waterproofing 
• maintaining buildings, facilities, gutters, and drains to reduce the risk of leaks

It is not always possible to prevent mold from growing, but regular cleaning and wiping can reduce the risk of excessive mold exposure.