Note: The presence of certain mold and mold spores can cause mild to severe health effects in humans and can deteriorate the building materials in the dwelling resulting in structural damage. Health effects include, but are not limited to: asthma, allergy systems, watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, sinus congestion, blurry vision, sore throat, dry cough, aches and pains, skin irritation, bleeding of the lungs, headaches, memory loss and fever. As humans vary greatly in their chemical makeup, so does the individuals reaction to mold exposure. For some people, a small number of mold spores can cause ill effects. In others it may take a longer exposure.

WHAT IS MOLD?

Mold is everywhere. There are more than 100,000 species of mold in the world and at least 1,000 common species are found in the United States. Some molds are beneficial, such as those used to make cheese and medicines.  Some however can cause serious illness and, in some cases, even death. 

Growing mold produces tiny spores in order to reproduce. The mold then ejects the spores which will float through the air looking for a suitable place to begin new growth.  All mold needs to get started is suitable material with a surface moisture content of about 20%.  This level of moisture can be achieved by simply surrounding wood with air at 90% relative humidity at any temperature between 40 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit .  When mold spores land on a suitable damp spot they will begin to grow and digest the host material to survive.  in this respect, mold is considered to be a wood destroying organism.

Common places for mold growth in homes include bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements and crawl spaces, air conditioning ductwork and equipment, and concealed places between walls and floors.  Mold can basically be found anywhere where the moisture level permits its growth.

When materials that are moldy become damaged or disturbed, large numbers of spores can be released into the air. You can be exposed to mold by inhaling these spores, by handling the moldy materials, or by accidental ingestion.    

Molds can produce a variety of chemicals called mycotoxins.  These chemicals are used by the molds as a defense mechanism against other molds or organisms that compete for living space or are otherwise threatening.  Mycotoxins from molds can be very dangerous in high concentrations and have even been used in the past to produce military nerve gas.  Fortunately, the types of molds that are routinely encountered in low concentration are not particularly hazardous to healthy people.  Exposure in higher concentrations however can represent a health threat.

The severity of symptoms depends on the amount of exposure and the individual's particular vulnerability.  infants and children, the elderly, persons with respiratory problems, and compromised immune systems, are most vulnerable.  Some of the conditions that have been associated with mold exposure include memory loss, nose bleeds, allergy, cold and flu-like symptoms, eye irritation, coughs, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, sinus and nasal congestion, skin irritation, head aches, and a variety of infections both mild and serious. 

These three families of molds Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys tend to get the most recognition whenever mold is mentioned in relation to contamination problems in the home.  Each of the families contain numerous strains and collectively they represent several hundred species, many of which are potentially harmful.

The stachybotrys family is debatably the nastiest of the three and its various strains are often associated with the above mentioned health problems.  Stachybotrys, like many types of mold, is greenish black and typically grows on materials with a high cellulose content that are chronically wet.  

There are numerous cellulose containing materials used in home building: everything from drywall to insulation to wood and paper products.  Chronic moisture can be caused by everything from high humidity to plumbing leaks to unintended water penetration.

There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment.  The object is to control indoor mold growth and this can only be done by controlling moisture.  if there are no suitable areas present in the home for mold to grow and flourish, then mold contamination will not be a problem.

The old adage that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" truly applies in the case of indoor mold contamination.  in order to enact prevention, the home must be properly inspected for the potential of mold growth.  Any and all potential problems found must be eliminated.  if conditions conducive to mold growth are found to exist, further investigation to determine if mold has indeed begun to grow is warranted.

Any located mold can be sampled and analyzed by a testing laboratory to identify the exact species.  if mold growth is rampant, it is important to know what type of mold you are dealing with.  Sampling and laboratory testing is the only way to find out.  How the cleanup is conducted (and who should be doing the cleanup) is dictated by the type of mold involved.

Some molds can be safely cleaned away by the homeowner.  Small areas of mold on surfaces are best cleaned away using an appropriate household cleaner or a 10% bleach-to-water solution.  if you are already having medical symptoms that might be associated with mold, its best to get someone else do the cleaning.  Always use gloves and dispose of rags and sponges that were used during the cleaning process.  Make sure to thoroughly dry the area.  

For large areas of growth, or for mold in enclosed spaces such as between walls or in ductwork, you will need to consult a professional abatement or remediation company.  Make sure you use a qualified company who knows how to deal with the problem correctly.  Unqualified personnel can actually spread the mold spores to every nook and cranny of the house and can contaminate the entire structure and its contents.   

Whenever mold is found growing it important to find the underlying reasons for its appearance so that corrections can be made. Without making corrections to the underlying cause, the mold is sure to return.  This may mean patching a leaky roof, correcting points of penetration in exterior siding, repairing plumbing leaks, or getting better control over humidity in the building.  

Severe mold problems can be expensive to correct and there have been extreme cases where it was more cost effective to demolish the building than make all the needed corrections.

Home insurance companies in Texas have begun a push to drop coverage for mold related issues.  With any luck the desire of the insurance companies in this regard will not become a reality in our state.  insurance coverage issues aside, the concerns about mold contamination are real.  it has been said that the mold issue are the next asbestos or lead paint.  South Coast inspections believes it's much worse than that..

Consider this; there are a limited number of structures that contain lead-based paint or asbestos in existence in this country.  The number of such structures decreases with each passing year as they are either remedied or demolished.  Once lead-based paint or asbestos has been properly eliminated from a structure (or the structure has been demolished), the issue has been resolved...end of problem.

Mold on the other hand is different.  it is not a construct of man but is rather a fact of nature.  it does not have to be built into, or brought into, any structure.  Mold finds its own way.

Every structure that has ever been built, or ever will be built by man, has the potential to be contaminated by mold.  Further, any structure that has had a mold problem corrected is subject to recontamination regardless of how meticulous the remediation/abatement/removal was originally performed.  Mold contamination is an ongoing concern for every structure in existence...period.

Check for any problem area that might allow water penetration into the structure or that keeps any areas outside of the structure chronically wet.  Look for roof leaks paying close attention to all flashings and jacks.  Also check the gutter system to see if it is in need of maintenance. Check all exterior walls for any points of water penetration paying close attention to flashings and seals around doors, widows, and connected decks.  Makes sure that all areas that require caulk are indeed caulked and that the caulk is in good condition.  

All exposed wood should be painted, or be pressure treated, and all paint should be in good condition.  Check for exterior plumbing leaks and look for any exterior indications of interior plumbing leaks.

Check the conditions around the foundation.  The finished grade around the house should slope away from the foundation.  Any gutter downspouts should be piped or have splash blocks to prevent soil erosion and to direct effluence away from the structure.  Look to make sure the soil level around the foundation is not so high as to allow water to reach the exterior siding be it wood, brick or stucco.

If there is a crawlspace under the structure, it should be inspected for proper grading and ventilation.  If there is a moisture barrier present check to make sure its in good condition and that it covers the area properly.  There should be no low areas that will allow standing water.  Check all supply and waste plumbing pipes for any sign of leaks. Any automatic sprinkling system should be tested to assure that it does not spray the structure.  Also, the amount of water applied by the sprinkler system should not be excessive so check the time and frequency settings for each zone.

Mold is most often found in damp areas such kitchens and bathrooms, hvac systems, basements, and in poorly vented attics.  Mold can be found virtually anywhere in a home if a moisture problem exists. All living and storage areas (including basements and attics) should be visually inspected for obvious mold growth and for any conditions that might allow for the growth of mold.  Make note of any rooms or areas that have a musty or damp smell.  Check all accessible plumbing under sinks, tubs, and in the attic for any sign of leaking.  Pay close attention to shower pans.

Look for signs of condensation generated by the steam of any activity that uses hot water.  Also, check for leaks from all water using appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and ice makers.

Look for stains on ceilings, floor, and walls that might indicate an exterior water penetration problem that was not visually evident from the exterior.  Also check on the inside of windows and doors for leaks and signs of condensation. Check the attic areas for any signs of outside water penetration and for any moisture problems that might be created from within.  Make sure that drier vents and exhaust fans are vented to the outside air and not into the attic space.  Check all visible plumbing, both supply and waste pipes, for leaks.  

Look at the exterior of ductwork and air conditioning equipment for condensation problems.  Make sure that insulation is present and in good condition on any related piping that is required to be insulated.  its also important to inspect the interior areas of air conditioning equipment and ductwork for the presence of mold.

There are ways to check for mold growth in hidden spaces between walls and under floors.  There is the  nondestructive methods.

Most people naturally want to take a nondestructive approach and this is done by taking indoor air samples.  if there is mold growing in hidden spaces, the evidence of its presence will be in the air.  Air samples are taken with special equipment under controlled protocols and are then analyzed by a certified testing laboratory.  Since mold is everywhere, baseline samples must also be taken outside of the structure for comparison purposes.  The lab report will include species identification as well as levels of concentration.

The value, and livability, of your property can be adversely affected by mold contamination. Some species of mold are toxic and represent a threat to the health and safety of your family and pets.  

HOW DO YOU COME INTO CONTACT WITH MOLD?

Mold spores are found in all homes and offices, and grow rapidly from excess Humidity. The following are some sources of indoor moisture that may cause mold problems in a home or office: flooding, leaky roofs, humidifiers, damp basements or crawl spaces, constant plumbing leaks, house plants, steam from cooking, shower/bath steam and leaks, wet cloths, bathroom towels, pets, sweaty sneakers indoors, dirty HVAC systems, spilled liquids on carpeted surfaces and clothes dryers vented indoors.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF SPORE TRAPS

The micro 5 Micro Cell is the first spore trap impactor in the industry capable of both personal and conventional air sampling. The micro 5 is proven to have an exceptionally uniform collection trace and is virtually 100% accurate for the entire fungal spore range. (d50 is less than 1 micron!) 

The micro 5 truly represents the next generation. 

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