Mold
Buying a home? Get a mold test.
EVERY HOME SHOULD BE TESTED FOR MOLD
According to Dr. John D. Shane, Vice President of Laboratory services of PRO-LAB millions of homes across America have hidden water leaks that are promoting mold growth that can expose homeowners to mold spores. Mold has a potential to cause health problems like allergies, irritation (to lungs, eyes, skin, throat, nose) and are potentially toxic. Inhaling and touching mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and normally healthy individuals may become sensitive to mold after exposure.
The EPA states that, "It is important to take precautions to limit your exposure to mold and mold spores. Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores". The EPA also recommends that if you suspect you have a hidden mold problem you should consider hiring an experienced professional to avoid exposure to potentially massive doses of mold spores.
Mold damages what it grows on. The longer it grows the more damage it can cause. If there is a mold problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly. Mold can be hidden, growing on the water from a hidden leak, and can develop into a potentially large problem if not caught in time.
Testing your home on a regular basis is a prudent way to prevent small problems from growing into a costly and unhealthy situation, and always avoid exposing yourself and others to mold.
Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- The key to mold control is moisture control.
- If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
- It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Why is mold growing in my home?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. This article provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information, consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.
How do I get rid of mold? 
- If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult with an InterNACHI inspector.
- If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations of the EPA, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government organizations.
- Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold. This could spread mold throughout the building.
- If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
- If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.
- Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
- Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
- Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.
- Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold.
- Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces.
- Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel. If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists in furniture repair and restoration, painting and art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, water damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in phone books. Be sure to ask for and check references. Look for specialists who are affiliated with professional organizations.
- Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. In order to limit your exposure to airborne mold, you may want to wear an N-95 respirator, available at many hardware stores and from
companies that advertise on the Internet. (They cost about $12 to $25.) Some N-95 respirators resemble a paper dust mask with a nozzle on the front, and others are made primarily of plastic or rubber and have removable cartridges that trap and prevent most of the mold spores from entering. In order to be effective, the respirator or mask must fit properly, so carefully follow the instructions supplied with the respirator. Please note that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that respirators fit properly (via fit testing) when used in an occupational setting. - Wear gloves. Long gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm are recommended. When working with water and a mild detergent, ordinary household rubber gloves may be used. If you are using a disinfectant, a biocide such as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning solution, you should select gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane or PVC. Avoid touching mold or moldy items with your bare hands.
- Wear goggles. Goggles that do not have ventilation holes are recommended. Avoid getting mold or mold spores in your eyes.
You must have completely fixed the water or moisture problem before the cleanup or remediation can be considered finished, based on the following guidelines:
- You should have completed the mold removal. Visible mold and moldy odors should not be present. Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage.
- You should have revisited the site(s) shortly after cleanup, and it should show no signs of water damage or mold growth.
- People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy the area without health complaints or physical symptoms.
- Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no easy answer. If you have concerns or questions, be sure to ask your InterNACHI inspector during your next scheduled inspection.
- Moisture control is the key to mold control, so when water leaks or spills occur indoors, ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried within 24 to 48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases, mold will not grow.
- Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
- Make sure the ground slopes away from the building's foundation so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
- Keep air-conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
- Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60% relative humidity (ideally, between 30% to 50%). Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter, which is a small, inexpensive instrument (from $10 to $50) that is available at many hardware stores.
- If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes, ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
Actions that will help to reduce humidity:
- Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters, to the outdoors, where possible. (Combustion appliances, such as stoves and kerosene heaters, produce water vapor and will increase the humidity unless vented to the outside.)
- Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when needed.
- Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering. Use exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the dishwasher or dishwashing, etc.
Actions that will help prevent condensation:
- Reduce the humidity (see above).
- Increase ventilation and air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.
- Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.
- Increase air temperature.
a. venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside;b. using air conditioners and de-humidifiers;c. increasing ventilation; andd. using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
Characteristics of Commonly Encountered Fungi
Alternaria
Specimens of Alternaria are often found growing on carpets, textiles and horizontal surfaces such as window frames. It is commonly found in soil, seeds and plants. It is know to be a common allergen and is associated with hypersensitive pneumonia. Because of its small spore size, it is capable of being deposited in the nose, mouth and upper respiratory system. Sores in the nose, injured skin, and nail infections are prime targets and are easily irritated by Alternaria. It appears as a velvety tuft with long soft hairs and is often confused with Ulocladium as its color ranges from dark olive green to brown. Alternaria is a dry spore and is readily found in air samples as well as on tape lift samples.
Aspergillus
This genera is found on many different textiles and organic materials such as soil, compost, stored grain, wood and paper and its moisture requirements vary widely with some preferring dryer conditions. It is often found in water-damaged carpet. It is a dry spore and spores may be carried in the air, making Aspergillus a common cause of respiratory irritation and infection. The mold may be woolly or cottony in texture and shades of green, brown or black in color. The spores are similar to Penicillium spores and sometimes indistinguishable though non-viable analysis, and as such, are often classified as Penicillium/Aspergillus.
Chaetomium
This fungus is an allergenic mold genus. Although it is not well documented it is known to cause hay fever and other common allergy symptoms and is sometimes associated with nail infections. It thrives on cellulose containing materials such as paper and plant compost. It is quite commonly found on wet sheetrock paper. It grows very quickly and may be cottony in appearance. It will range in color from white to gray, olive green, olive brown or black. It has small brown oblong shaped spores that are easily spread by wind, insects and water splash.
Cladosporium
It is the most common mold found in outdoor environments. It is also found indoors on the surface of fiberglass duct liners and interior of supply ducts as well as on dead plants. It is drawn to food, straw, soil, paint, wood, textiles, and grows well on moist window sills. Cladosporium grows at 0° C so it is commonly associated with refrigerator foods. It is a common cause of hay fever, asthma and is a known allergen. It has a distinctive appearance and yields an olive brown pigmentation. The spores Mold Awareness & Inspection Mold and Mildew Awareness are dry and easily become airborne if disturbed. The mold is moderately fast growing, and may look velvety or woolly.
Fusarium
This mold is found in soil, and on many plants. It requires very wet conditions to grow and is often found in humidifiers. It is know to reduce trichothecene toxins, which effect the circulatory, alimentary, skin and nervous systems. On grains, it produces vomitoxin, which can affect you through ingestion and inhalation. Exposure to Fusarium can lead to hemorrhagic syndrome (symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dermatitis, and extensive internal bleeding). Fusarium is allergenic and is often associated with eye, skin and nail infections, and readily infects burn victims. Colonies of Fusarium appear in shades of pink, orange and purple, tan, yellow, and red. It is a wet spore so it does not generally appear in air samples.
Penicillium
This mold is commonly found in air samples as well as in soil, food, grains, paint, compost piles, wallpaper and interior fiberglass duct insulation. It is often found in water-damaged carpets. It can produce mycotoxins, which are allergenic and infect the skin. This soft mold is most commonly found in shades of blue, green and white and may be velvety, woolly or cottony. Worldwide it is one of the most commonly found fungal genera and is accompanied by a heavy musty odor. Identification to the species level can be difficult and the spores are very similar to Aspergillus species. See Aspergillus above. Mold Awareness & Inspection Mold and Mildew Awareness
Stachybotrys
Is found in building materials with high cellulose content. It is found indoors and grows well in damp straw, wicker and other wood or paper products. It is not known to compete well with other molds, but if there is a high level and constant availability to water for an extended period of time it may become the dominant mold. It is not very common outdoors and is usually not found in outdoor air samples. It has not, until recently, been extensively studied, but is believed to have caused bleeding in the lungs of several children in Cleveland, Ohio. Exposure to Stachybotrys can be particularly hazardous and is reported to produce flulike symptoms including sore throat, diarrhea, and vomiting. In some cases it is reported to cause hair loss and dermatitis. Stachybotrys appears distinctively from other molds and is a dark gray to black color, sometimes with green, and is shiny when wet. It is a wet spore and does not generally become airborne unless it is disturbed. Stachybotrys-also coined Toxic Black Mold.
Ulocladium
This mold is found on gypsum board, tapestries, wood and other organic materials. It is a potential allergen and produces symptoms such as hay fever and asthma. It is a dry spore and is detected by air samples as well as tape samples. Ulocladium has an appearance similar to Alternaria but tends to appear more brownish whereas Alternaria more often appears as a dark olive green color. Colonies grow rapidly and have a texture similar to velvet.
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