Molds are fungi. Molds grow throughout the natural and built environment. Tiny particles of mold are present in indoor and outdoor air. In nature, molds help break down dead materials and can be found growing on soil, foods, plant matter, and other items. Molds produce microscopic cells called "spores" which are very tiny and spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions.

Mold only needs a few simple things to grow and multiply:

• Moisture
• Nutrients
• Suitable place to grow

Controlling excess moisture is key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth.

Mold should not be permitted to grow and multiply indoors. When this happens, health problems can occur and building materials, goods and furnishings may be damaged.

Mold can affect the health of people who are exposed to it. People are mainly exposed to mold by breathing spores or other tiny fragments. People can also be exposed through skin contact with mold contaminants (for example, by touching moldy surfaces) and by swallowing it. The type and severity of health effects that mold may produce are usually difficult to predict. The risks can vary greatly from one location to another, over time, and from person to person.

The most common health problems caused by indoor mold are allergy symptoms. Although other and more serious problems can occur, people exposed to mold commonly report problems such as:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Skin and eye irritation
• Nasal and sinus congestion
• Wheeze/breathing difficulties
• Upper respiratory infections (including sinus)

There is wide variability in how different people are affected by indoor mold. However, the long term presence of indoor mold growth may eventually become unhealthy for anyone. The following types of people may be affected more severely and sooner than others:

• Infants and children
• Elderly people
• Individuals with respiratory conditions or sensitivities such as allergies and asthma
• Persons having weakened immune systems (HIV, chemotherapy, organ transplant)

People with these special health concerns should consult a medical professional if they feel their health is affected by indoor mold.

Some types of mold can produce chemical compounds (called mycotoxins) although they do not always do so. Molds that are able to produce toxins are common. In some circumstances, the toxins produced by indoor mold may cause health problems. However, all indoor mold growth is potentially harmful and should be removed promptly, no matter what types of mold is present or whether it can produce toxins.

Although you may have identified the presence of mold within your home, a thorough mold inspection is recommended. Said inspection includes not only a physical inspection, but air and swab samples as well. Often times there is more than one source of moisture or area containing mold that is not readily visble. Air and swab samples will assist in ruling out other non-visible sources of mold. In summary, identifying the location and type of mold is a necessary step in the removal or remediation process. It is not recommended that you address any mold concerns without the assistance of a trained professional. Please contact us to discuss this matter further.

We do not recommend testing for mold yourself. Instead, you should simply assume there is a problem whenever you see mold or smell mold odors. Testing should never take the place of visual inspection and it should never use up resources that are needed to correct moisture problems and remove all visible growth. Sometimes, mold growth is hidden and difficult to locate. In such cases, a combination of air (outdoor and indoor air samples) and bulk (material) samples may help determine the extent of contamination and where cleaning is needed. However, mold testing is rarely useful for trying to answer questions about health concerns.

Mold clean-up or remediation as it is called, is dependent on many factors. Primarily it is important to have identified the type of mold and source of moisture before a plan can be developed on how best to remove it. This is why it is important to have a thorough mold inspection. After the source of moisture has been cut off or repaired, a plan for removal can be made, often times referred to as a “Protocol”.

It should be noted that some molds are not simply removed by soap and water or bleach solution and are often found to return after a short period of time. Damp of humid conditions will in many cases create the right conditions for mold to re-appear. For example, leaving your home closed up with the air conditioning system off over the weekend or during vacation may provide the right conditions for mold growth. It is important to note that under the right conditions, mold can grow within 24 hours.

It is important to note that some molds are extremely hazardous and should be removed in containment areas to prevent the spread of mold to other parts of the home. A negative pressure environment as well as industrial type heppa filtration devices are often used as well. It is not recommended that you take on the clean up or remediation process by yourself. Although pressure washing with bleach or applying paints containing algaecides are common, they are not recommended and are often ineffective in the proper removal of mold.

This company recommends that a thorough inspection and appropriate testing for mold take place before any work is done. After a protocol has been developed and the remediation process completed, clearance testing should be conducted. Clearance testing is important as it ensures that the mold has been appropriately removed and is no longer affecting the air quality of the home.

To learn more about this process please contact us.

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