Mold Info

What Is Mold? Molds are microscopic organisms (miniscule life forms) found virtually everywhere outdoors. Their purpose in the ecosystem is to break down dead materials. Molds can be found on plants, dry leaves, and on just about every other organic material. Some molds are useful, such as those used to make antibiotics and cheese. Others are known to be toxic and potentially harmful to humans and animals. Most of the mold found indoors comes from outdoors and is easily managed. Where trouble begins is when toxic or allergenic molds begin growing indoors.

Indoor Mold Sources. Molds and mildew are everywhere in our environment. In nature, they perform the very important function of breaking down organic matter. Indoors, under ideal conditions they can eventually destroy everything they come in contact with. Molds need very little to survive and flourish: air, moisture and food. (liquid water isn't necessary, most species propagate with only 40%-60% relative humidity) Molds are especially fond of building materials like drywall, wood and carpets, as well as soft goods such as furniture and clothes. Every home offers a smorgasbord for eager spores!

Mold Health Effects. Molds and other fungi may adversely affect human health through three processes: 1) allergy; 2) infection; and 3) toxicity. Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone. However, the following individuals are at a higher risk than others for adverse health effects; • infants • children • elderly • immune compromised patients • pregnant women • individuals with existing respiratory conditions and allergies. Airborne toxic mold spores can affect the immune system, nervous system, liver, kidneys, blood and cause brain damage. With so much compelling evidence that enough mold can kill people, how much mold is acceptable to you?

Mold Property Damage. Mold does two things: Damages property and makes people sick. Either way, mold is most dangerous when you can't see it. Undetected mold often causes irreversible damage before it is discovered. Mold remediation can become impossible.

The most common mistake people make is to assume that only visible mold is a problem. In vain, they attempt to wash mold with bleach or cover it with paint or wallpaper, only to have it come back worse than before. Bleach does not kill spores.

Hidden Mold. We've all seen mold; ugly stains of white, orange, green, brown and black spreading on walls, floors and other surfaces. But the most dangerous mold is the mold we don't see. Undetected mold can flourish uncontrollably simply because we don't know it's there. Something else usually tips us off to its presence, the most common of which is a constant clearing of the throat or a musty odor.

Detecting Mold. Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, both indoors and outdoors, year round. Most of us already have two effective mold detectors: our eyes and our noses. If black or green discoloration is noticed in a location that is damp or had been damp, it is almost certainly mold. If a building smells musty, there probably is mold somewhere.

Removing Mold. Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, following the guidelines below. However, if there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, you might want to hire a contractor to do the cleanup. If you do, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Remediation work by someone who is not experienced in mold removal can result in even worse problems than the original.

Preventing Indoor Mold. Use an air conditioner or a de-humidifier during humid months.
In warmer months, air conditioning can de-humidify indoor air. But if the system is too large or too small for the space it serves, the cooling system can create high humidity by cooling without removing water vapor. A properly sized and maintained system will dehumidify and cool a building properly. In cooler months, water vapor can condense on cold surfaces in a building just as water condenses on the outside of a glass of ice water. Insulation of exterior walls can help prevent condensation and mold growth during the winter.

Mold Glossary