Mold Problem

Mold problem is usually linked to plumbing  problem, water damage, and leaky pipes and most likely to appear after a flood, or a typhoon.

Mold problem is most likely to happen due to these reasons:

1. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood. epa.gov

2. Any of your home or building's materials have been soaked wet for more than 24 hours, mold can, and usually does, begin growing. After just 48 hours of wetness, the deadly toxic mold Stachybotrys can begin growing in the damaged areas. Phillip Fry

3. Wet carpets and furniture, combined with dirt and a humid environment, can create another problem -- mold. Jojo Santo Tomas

Facts About Mold

What is mold and where is it found?

Mold (fungi) is present everywhere - indoors and outdoors. There are more than 100,000 species of mold. At least 1,000 species of mold are common in the U.S. Some of the most commonly found are species of Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. Mold is most likely to grow where there is water or dampness - such as in bathrooms and basements.

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How can mold affect your health?

Most types of mold that are routinely encountered are not hazardous to healthy individuals. However, too much exposure to mold may cause or worsen conditions such as asthma, hay fever, or other allergies. The most common symptoms of overexposure are cough, congestion, runny nose, eye irritation, and aggravation of asthma. Depending on the amount of exposure and a person's individual vulnerability, more serious health effects - such as fevers and breathing problems - can occur but are unusual.

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How can you be exposed to mold?

When moldy material becomes damaged or disturbed, spores (reproductive bodies similar to seeds) can be released into the air. Exposure can occur if people inhale the spores, directly handle moldy materials, or accidentally ingest it. Also, mold can sometimes produce chemicals called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins may cause illness in people who are sensitive to them or if they are exposed to large amounts in the air. Large exposures are typically associated with certain occupations (e.g., agricultural work).

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How does mold grow?

All molds need water to grow. Mold can grow almost anywhere there is water damage, high humidity, or dampness. Most often molds are confined to areas near the source of water. Removing the source of moisture - such as through repairs or dehumidification - is critical to preventing mold growth.

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What is Stachybotrys chartarum?

Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as Stachybotrys atra) is a type of mold that has been associated with health effects in people. It is a greenish-black mold that can grow on materials with a high cellulose content - such as drywall sheetrock, dropped ceiling tiles, and wood - that become chronically moist or water-damaged, due to excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, or flooding.

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How can you tell if Stachybotrys chartarum is present in your home?

Many molds are black in appearance but are not Stachybotrys. For example, the black mold commonly found between bathroom tiles is not Stachybotrys. Stachybotrys can be positively identified only by specially trained professionals (e.g., mycologists) through a microscopic exam.

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How can Stachybotrys chartarum affect your health?

Typically, indoor air levels of Stachybotrys are low; however, as with other types of mold, at higher levels health effects can occur. These include allergic rhinitis (cold-like symptoms), dermatitis (rashes), sinusitis, conjunctivitis, and aggravation of asthma. Some related symptoms are more general - such as inability to concentrate and fatigue. Usually, symptoms disappear after the contamination is removed.

There has been some evidence linking Stachybotrys with pulmonary hemosiderosis in infants who are generally less than six months old. Pulmonary hemosiderosis is an uncommon condition that results from bleeding in the lungs. In studied cases of pulmonary hemosiderosis, the exposure to Stachybotrys came from highly contaminated dwellings, where the infants were continually exposed over a long period of time.

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What should you do if mold is present in your home or apartment?

Although any visible mold can be sampled by an environmental consultant and/or analyzed by a laboratory specializing in microbiology, these tests can be very expensive - from hundreds to thousands of dollars. There is no simple and cheap way to sample the air in your home to find out what types of mold are present and whether they are airborne. Even if you have your home tested, it is difficult to say at what levels health effects would occur. Therefore, it is more important get rid of the mold rather than find out more about it. The most effective way to treat mold is to correct underlying water damage and clean the affected area.

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How should mold be cleaned?

Mold should be cleaned as soon as it appears. Persons cleaning mold should be free of symptoms and allergies. Small areas of mold should be cleaned using a detergent/soapy solution or an appropriate household cleaner. Gloves should be worn during cleaning. The cleaned area should then be thoroughly dried. Dispose of any sponges or rags used to clean mold.

If the mold returns quickly or spreads, it may indicate an underlying problem such as a leak. Any underlying water problems must be fixed to successfully eliminate mold problems. If mold contamination is extensive, a professional abatement company may need to be consulted.

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Will my health or my child's health be affected, and should we see a physician?

If you believe that you or your children have symptoms that you suspect are caused by exposure to mold, you should see a physician. Keep in mind that many symptoms associated with mold exposure may also be caused by many other illnesses. You should tell your physician about the symptoms and about when, how, and for how long you think you or your children were exposed.

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Mold Problem Questions and Answers

Air Conditioning System Mold: Smell Mold: Mold Problem

[Jan. 23, 2003]
           Q. My mother says she can smell mold in our air conditioning system, and she tells my wife and I that we need to get that mold problem taken care of. My wife and I hate the smell of mold, however, we do not smell it in our air conditioning system and its operation nor does anybody else. My mom does have a very sensitive nose, so maybe we do have mold in the AC system. My first question is; is there a test that will tell me for sure and secondly, how do I get rid of it if I do have it?
           A. Use our do it yourself Mold Test Kit  [with laboratory mold analysis and mold species identification] to collect an air sample from the running hvac system. Please read the following pages on website: Toxic Mold Sampling, Testing, & Laboratory Identification, Mold Test Kit, and Test Instructions. People vary significantly in their ability to smell mold infestation problems. Because mold is such an important health issue, you should inspect investigate not only the hvac ducts and equipment, but also mold test the air in the rooms of the house, your basement, crawl space, and attic to determine if there are elevated levels of mold spores resident in your home. For removal of mold advice, please read the mold remediation page on Mold, plus visit Mold Removal & Remediation by Certified Mold Remediators.

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Mold Problem Questions and Answers

Air Conditioning System Mold: Smell Mold: Mold Problem

[Jan. 23, 2003]
           Q. My mother says she can smell mold in our air conditioning system, and she tells my wife and I that we need to get that mold problem taken care of. My wife and I hate the smell of mold, however, we do not smell it in our air conditioning system and its operation nor does anybody else. My mom does have a very sensitive nose, so maybe we do have mold in the AC system. My first question is; is there a test that will tell me for sure and secondly, how do I get rid of it if I do have it?
           A. Use our do it yourself Mold Test Kit [with laboratory mold analysis and mold species identification] to collect an air sample from the running  hvac system. Please read the following  pages on website: Toxic Mold Sampling  Testing  & Laboratory Identification, Mold Test Kit, and Test Instructions. People vary significantly in their ability to smell mold infestation problems. Because mold is such an important health issue, you should inspect investigate not only the hvac ducts and equipment, but also mold test the air in the rooms of the house, your basement, crawl space, and attic to determine if there are elevated levels of mold spores resident in your home. For removal of mold advice, please read the mold remediation page on Mold, plus visit Mold Removal & Remediation by Certified Mold Remediators

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New House and Mold Problem

[Jan. 9, 2003]
          Q. My wife and I are planning on buying  a home soon. How can we make sure that whatever house we select doesn't have a mold problem?
          A. You are very wise to worry about this problem BEFORE you make your selection and BEFORE you sign a home purchase agreement. First, learn how to do a basic mold inspection on your own as you tour various houses for sale by reading mold the do-it-yourself mold inspection tips in Phillip Fry's book Mold Buster Tips. Second, if your personal inspection reveals no obvious mold or water problems in the house you wish to purchase, please include in your purchase agreement that your purchase is subject to your having  the house inspected and tested for mold problems and other indoor environmental problems [as well as the normal home inspection] within 21 days of the date of acceptance of your offer by the seller, and also subject to your approval of the results of such a mold and environmental inspection and testing. You would be wise to obtain the advice of your attorney as to the best way to word such a mold, environmental, and home inspection contingency clause. Third, once you have the seller's acceptance of your offer, hire a Certified Mold Inspector to thoroughly inspect and test the house for both visual and hidden mold problems and infestations. Fourth, if the inspection and testing  report reveals that there is a mold other environmental problem, you may want to reconsider your plan to purchase that particular house, or to reduce the purchase price by the high cost that may be incurred to remediate and remove the mold contamination.

References:

1. "Mold Problem Questions and Answers"
   Toxic Mold Inspector & Mold Test Laboratory
   Website: Mold Inspector Website

2. "Facts About Mold"
   New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
   Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology
   Website: NY Dept. of Health - http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/epi/epimold.html.

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