What Is Mold?

Commonly called mildew, molds (sometimes referred to as "black mold") are a subset of fungi that produce fluffy or powdery growth on surfaces. Molds grow on any porous and semi-porous surface, which include but are not limited to: concrete, wallpaper, metal, cloth, carpet, leather, wood, sheetrock, and insulation (including growth on human foods) when moist conditions exist.

Molds reproduce by making spores that usually cannot be seen without magnification.

Mold spores flow through indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on.

Molds usually grow in damp places, behind walls, under floors, above ceiling tiles, and behind shower walls. Water is the key -- without it, molds cannot grow, much less spread. When water is left to sit for even 24 hours, mold infestation begins. If water continues to sit and areas become completely saturated, the ideal environment is created for toxic molds to grow, such as Stachybotrys.

What Causes Mold?

Molds may grow at high levels indoors in a home or building, if the right environmental conditions exist. Factors that influence mold growth include: moisture sources, improperly ventilated bathrooms, high humidity levels, broken pipes and washing machine hoses, floods, leaking roofs, leaking exterior siding products, and leaking windows and doors.

Stachybotrys chartarum is a fungus that has become notorious as a mycotoxin producer that can cause animal and human mycotoxicosis. Indeed, over the past 15 years in North America, evidence has accumulated implicating this fungus as a serious problem in homes and buildings and one of the causes of the "sick building syndrome."

Be aware of any noxious odors. When a mold colony is growing, it can give off distinctive odors that are the by-product of its metabolism.

How Common Are Household Molds?

A 1994 Harvard University School of Public Health study of 10,000 homes in the United States and Canada found half had "conditions of water damage and mold associated with a 50 to 100% increase in respiratory symptoms."

What If Mold Is Found?

Mold Detection Services offer mold consulting services that will help you through your mold problems from start to finish. We will not perform the remediation because that would be a conflict of interest, however we will make sure the company you hire gets the job done right! Our Certified Mold Clearance Testing and Post Remediation Inspection Services will protect you.

What Is Remediation?

The purpose of mold remediation is to remove and/or clean contaminated materials in a way that prevents them from spreading mold to uncontaminated areas. 
It is necessary to clean up mold contamination, not just kill the mold.


Questions To Ask Before Remediation

• Has the source of moisture been fixed?
  
• Are there existing moisture problems in the building?
  
• Have building materials been wet more than 48 hours?
  
• Are there hidden sources of water or is the humidity too high?
  
• Is there a musty or moldy odor in the building?
  
• Are building materials or furnishings visibly damaged?

 
                                                                     
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Health and Mold

Molds can cause a wide variety of adverse responses in people depending on the type and quantity present. However, these are not the only factors when considering the health effects of mold exposure. Since human responses can be highly individualistic, the sensitivity of the person exposed is also an important consideration. For example, infants and young children, the immune-compromised, and the elderly are at an increased risk for experiencing adverse health effects related to mold exposure.

There are many methods of exposure to molds including dermal contact, ingestion, and inhalation. The health risks associated with mold exposure include, but are not limited to:

• Infections
• Inflammation associated with volatile organic compounds
• Allergic reaction

Infections

Infections can be caused by molds found in indoor air. At extreme levels, hypersensitive pneumonitis may develop.

Individuals with compromised immune systems or aggravated health conditions can be especially susceptible to invasive mold infections.
 
Mold blamed for breathing problems

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Respiratory problems, including some asthma, can be caused by mold....(Click here to read more)

Mold in Schools

Kids Getting Sick from School

CBS) At McKinley Elementary School in Fairfield, Conn., school's out -- not just for summer, but also maybe for good, reports CBS News Correspondent Jim Axelrod. When a number of teachers and kids reported a rash of unexplained symptoms, local allergist Dr. John Santilli, put two and two together. He had testing done for mold in the school.

Danger from Mold in School

Toxic mold is a growing problem in schools that could prove hazardous to your child's health. There is a different kind of threat in schools, and it's coming from the inside.

Mold in Schools: A Health Alert

Mold in schools is on the rise and making children sick. According to a Government Accounting Office report, 20% of the USA's 80,000 public schools have indoor air quality problems.

Mold in Schools a Festering Problem

Parents and teachers at Country Isles and Riverside elementary schools got more bad news in their ongoing battle against mold and mildew.

Broward County School Systems response to Mold & Mildew in the schools.

Best Practices for Mold & Mildew

Inflammation Associated with VOC's
(volatile organic compounds)                 

Toxin-induced inflammation is caused by repeated or high levels of exposure to airborne Mycotoxins. These Mycotoxins irritate the mucous membranes associated with the eyes, nose, and throat. If spores are inhaled and reach the lung alveoli, they may induce inflammatory reactions and cause toxic pneumonitis. The musty odor associated with airborne molds may cause headaches, dizziness, dermatitis, diarrhea, and impaired immune function.


Allergic Reactions
 
Allergic reactions may be the most common health problem of mold exposure. Typical symptoms reported (alone or in combination) include:

• Respiratory problems, such as wheezing, and difficulty in breathing 
• Nasal and sinus congestion
• Eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity
• Dry, hacking cough
• Sore throat
• Nose and throat irritation
• Shortness of breath
• Skin irritation
• Central nervous system problems
• Constant headaches
• Memory problems
• Mood changes
• Aches and pains
• Possible fever

Mold Facts

Indoor mold spores indicate mold growth, which indicates mycotoxin production. Currently, we can measure and identify spores, but it is difficult to measure mycotoxins. Stachybotrys produces at least 170 known mycotoxins.

"About 38 percent of homes have mold and fungus growth due to elevated moisture." (The American Society of Home Inspectors)

Exposure to mold occurs when people inhale mold spores.

A 1994 Harvard University School of Public Health study of 10,000 homes in the United States and Canada found half had "conditions of water damage and mold associated with a 50 to 100% increase in respiratory symptoms."

According to a recent U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) report, 20 percent of schools have indoor air quality problems, with many of the schools found in poorer school districts.

A 1999 Mayo Clinic Study attributed nearly all the chronic sinus infections afflicting 37 million Americans to molds.

A new medical study attributes nearly 100% of chronic sinus infections to mold. A 300% increase in the asthma rate over the past 20 years has been linked to molds," as reported in USA WEEKEND, Dec. 3-5, 1999.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that the humidity levels in homes be kept below 50% to avoid the potential growth of mold.

Aspergillus - produces Aflatoxin, which is one of the most potent carcinogens known to man and has been linked to a wide variety of human health problems. Aspergillus also produces Ochratoxin, which is damaging to the kidneys and liver and is also a suspected carcinogen. Patulin, which is produced by Aspergillus, is believed to cause hemorrhaging in the brain and lungs and is usually associated with apple and grape spoilage.

Stachybotrys - Satratoxnin H, which is produced by Stachybotrys, is lethal in high doses and chronic low doses. This toxin is abortogenic in animals and is believed to alter immune system functions.

Penicillium - Penicillium also produces Ochratoxin, which is damaging to the kidneys and liver and is also a suspected carcinogen. Citrinin, also produced by Penicillium, is linked to renal damage, vasodilatation, and bronchial constriction. Patulin, which is produced by Penicillium, is believed to cause hemorrhaging in the brain and lungs and is usually associated with apple and grape spoilage.

Fusarium - produces Fumonisin, which is commonly found in corn and corn-based products. Fumonisin toxin causes a liquefaction of the brain in horses, and chronic low exposure to humans has been linked to esophageal cancer. Fusarium also produces Vomitoxin, which has been linked to acute gastrointestinal illness in humans. Zearalenone, also produced by fusarium, targets the reproductive organs. T-2 toxin is one of the more deadly toxins produced by Fusarium. T-2 toxin can severely damage the entire digestive tract and cause rapid death due to internal hemorrhage.