Mold

Did you know?
Mold and mold spores are everywhere in our environment. There thousands of types of mold and fungus, of all colors. It needs three basic elements to grow: comfortable temperatures, organic matter to digest, and moisture. It thrives in the same environments as we do.

What Should I do if I Suspect Mold Growing in my Home or Workplace?
First - Act Quickly! Find and control the moisture source. If you do not stop the moisture, the mold will return.

Second - Prevention! Water damaged areas and items must be dried within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. Porous materials like sheet rock, insulation or ceiling tile should discarded.

Third - Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-55% or less in the winter) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, showering, and cleaning. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation and further lowering humidity.

Fourth - Take precautions when cleaning mold-contaminated material. Protect yourself and high-risk individuals from over-exposure. For example, mold spores are so small that they pass through regular dust masks. Also, carrying unbagged moldy materials through a home to the outside for disposal, will spread more spores throughout the area. For more information on EPA cleaning recommendations, CLICK HERE.

Can You Solve a Mold Problem with Paint, Spray Disinfectant or Air Cleaners?
NO! Paint or spray disinfectant will kill mold on the surface, but not necessarily mold spores or hidden mold. Dead mold and mold spores can still cause health concerns. You must deal with the moisture source and remove moldy materials. Only HEPA air filters are effective at collecting mold spores.

Bleach?
After cleaning has removed all visible mold from contaminated surfaces, a disinfectant MAY be used to kill mold missed by the cleaning. In the case of sewage contamination, disinfection MUST be performed.
CLICK HERE for more information on sewage clean up.

Mix 1/4 to 1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water and apply to surfaces where mold growth was visible before cleaning. The solution can be applied with a spray bottle, garden sprayer, it can be sponged on, or applied by other methods.
Collect any run-off of bleach solution with a wet/ dry vacuum, sponge or mop. However, do not rinse or wipe the bleach solution off the areas being treated -- allow it to dry on the surface.

Always handle bleach with caution. Never mix bleach with ammonia - toxic chlorine gas may result. Bleach can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Provide fresh air (for example, open a window or door). Protect skin and eyes from contact with bleach. Test solution on a small area before treatment, since bleach is very corrosive and may damage some materials.

When Should I Seek Professional Help?
Professional Cleaning Services - Are there high-risk individuals in the home or building? Is there more than 30 square feet of moldy material? Has the moisture problem been present for a long time? Is the heating or air conditioning ductwork involved? Was sewage involved? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may wish to have a professional involved in the cleanup.
For more information about professional standards for mold clean up, CLICK HERE.

Testing Services - The EPA says the best inspection is a visual inspection, which you can do yourself. You may wish to have your home professionally inspected if:

you suspect hidden mold - the building's heating or cooling system is involved you cannot not find the moisture source, or

there may be other indoor air quality concerns.

Beware of unqualified inspectors. Ask for references and qualifications, and ask how they test and interpret the results of their testing. Testing can be the most useful after a mold cleanup to make sure a thorough job was done. For more information about testing, CLICK HERE.

CAUTION! Do-it-yourself mold test kits are a waste of money. Mold spores are everywhere and your home test is nearly guaranteed to grow mold. A positive test does not necessary mean that there is mold overgrowth.

What are the Health Effects?
Media coverage has led us to believe that mold is a deadly enemy, especially “black” mold. Mold is an essential part of our world, but there are some situations where health concerns arise from overexposure:

Allergic Reactions: People with allergies to mold and asthmatics may be sensitive. Symptoms can include: runny nose, sore throat, respiratory distress, skin irritation, aches, and others

Infections: People with weaken immune systems (chemo-therapy, organ transplant, AIDs, other serious illnesses) may be susceptible to developing fungal and mold infections in their bodies. Healthy individuals have been known to develop fungal lung or sinus infections when exposed to large amounts or certain types of mold.

Toxic: Some molds produce myco-toxins as a waste product. Penicillin is a myco-toxin of the pennicillium mold species. Whether or not this material is toxic has been hotly debated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there is not enough information to associate mold with toxicity and serious health problems. While they urge caution, there is no basis to say mold causes cancer, bleeding lungs, memory loss or nervous system problems.
For more information on the CDC’s report, CLICK HERE.

How Much Mold is Too Much?
There are currently no mold regulations at the federal level, although a few states have or are working on their own regulations. Safe levels have not been established. Thresholds vary from person to person and some species trigger more reactions than others. Mold levels outdoors fluctuate dramatically from season to season.

The US EPA has given us some guidelines to follow. If you see mold indoors, it is too much and should be cleaned, and if you smell a musty smell it probably means there is a hidden problem that should be investigated. For more information on the EPA’s guidelines, CLICK HERE.

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