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GENERAL
MOLD QUESTIONS:
What is mold?
Molds are simple, microscopic organisms, found virtually everywhere, indoors
and out. Molds can be found on plants, dry leaves, and other organic material. Molds are part of the environment and are needed
for breaking down dead material. Molds release tiny spores that are so light weight that they travel through the air. Mold
growths can be seen on many surfaces in the form of discoloration, ranging from white to orange and from green to brown and
black. When present in large amounts they can cause symptoms ranging from allergic symptoms (similar to those caused by plant
pollen) to serious illnesses.
Should I be concerned about mold in my home?
Yes if the contamination
is extensive. When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers, they can cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes,
infections, and other respiratory problems. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to mold.
What does mold need to grow?
For mold to grow it needs:
* A food sources - such
as leaves, wood paper or dirt
* A source of moisture
* A place to grow
Can mold
become a problem in my home?
Yes, check the pictures on the above link to see what happens if there is moisture
available to allow mold to thrive. The following are sources of indoor moisture that may cause problems:
*
Flooding
* Backed-up sewers
* Leaky roofs
* Humidifiers
* Mud or ice dams
* Damp basements or crawl spaces
* Constant plumbing leaks
* House plants - watering can
generate large amounts of moisture
* Steam from cooking
* Shower/bath steam and leaks
*
Wet clothes on indoor drying lines
* Clothes dryers vented indoors
* Combustion appliances (e.g.
stoves) not exhausted to the outdoors
CAUTION:
If you see moisture or condensation on the
windows or walls, it is possible that you have a combustion problem in your home. It is important to have sufficient air available
for fuel burning appliances such as the furnace, water heater, stove/range, clothes dryer and fireplace. A shortage of air
for these appliances can result in back drafting of dangerous gases (such as carbon monoxide) into the home. To prevent back
drafting of air, you need open vents of a ventilation system that binges fresh air into the home to replace air that is exhausted
out. Have your local utility company or a professional heating contractor inspect your fuel-burning appliances annually.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH EFFECTS?
How am I exposed to mold?
Mold is found everywhere,
indoors and out. It is common to find mold spores in the air and growing on damp surfaces. Much of the mold found indoors
comes from outdoor sources. Therefore, everyone is exposed to some mold on a daily basis without evident harm. Mold spores
primarily cause health problems when they enter the air and are inhaled in large number. People can be exposed to mold through
skin contact and eating.
How much mold can make me sick?
It depends. For some people, a relatively
small number of mold spores can cause health problems. For other people, it may take many more. The basic rule is, if you
see or smell it, take steps to eliminate the excess moisture and to clean up and remove the mold.
Who is
at greater risk when exposed to mold?
Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone inside buildings. It is important
to quickly identify and correct any moisture sources before health problems develop. The following individuals appear to be
at higher risk for adverse health effects of molds:
* Infants and children
* Elderly
* Immune compromised patients (people with HIV infection, cancer chemotherapy, liver disease, etc.)
* Pregnant
women
* Individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity, and
asthma.
People with these special concerns should consult a physician if they are having health problems.
What symptoms are common?
Symptoms related to mold depend on the typeof reaction that occurs. These can range
from simple allergy with symptoms occurring immediately, delayed reactions occurring upt o a day after, to bronchial sensitivity
and even pneumonia. More serious problems occur primarily in people with compromised immune systems. Most of the problems
are related to chronic inflammation and irritation, and present as allergy.
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 and mood changes)
* Aches and pains
*
Possible fever
Are some molds more hazardous than others?
Allergic patients vary in their
sensitivities to mold, both as to amount and type needed to cause reactions. In addition, certain types of mold, both as to
amount and type needed to cause reaction. In addition, certain types of mold can produce toxins, called mycotoxins, that the
mold uses to inhibit or prevent the growth of other organisms.
Mycotoxins are found in both living and dead mold
spores. Materials permeated with mold need to be removed, even after they are disinfected with cleaning solutions. Allergic
and toxic effects can remain in dead spores. Exposure to mycotoxins may present a greater hazard than that of allergic or
irritating molds. Mycotoxins have been found in homes, agricultural settings, food, and office buildings. A toxin released
by the stachybotrys mold caused the courthouse problem. (San Jose Mercury News, Sunday February 7, 1999).
DETECTION
OF MOLD
How can I tell if I have mold in my house?
If you can see mold, or if there is
an earthy or musty odor, you can assume you have a mold problem. Allergic individuals may experience the symptoms listed above.
Look for previous water damage. Visible mold growth is found underneath materials where water has damaged surfaces, or behind
walls. Look for discoloration and leaching from plaster.
Should I test my home for mold?
The
California Department of Health Services does not recommend testing as the first step to determine if you have a mold problem.
There are few available standards for judging what is an acceptable quantity of mold. In all locations there is some outdoor
levels of molds. If sampling is carried out, an outdoor sample needs to be taken at the same time as the sample indoors, to
provide a baseline measurement. Since the susceptibility of individuals varies so greatly, sampling is at best a general guide.
The simplest approach is: if you can see or smell mold, you have a problem. Once you know the problem exists, follow the following
procedure. Unless the source of moisture is removed and the contaminated area is cleaned and disinfected, mold growth is likely
to reoccur.
GENERAL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES
* Identify and correct the moisture
source
* Clean, disinfect and dry the moldy area
* Bag and dispose any material that has moldy residue,
such as rags, paper, leaves, or debris.
Consult the guidelines from the California Department of Health prior to
tackling heavy mold problems.
Can cleaning up mold be hazardous to my health?
Yes. Exposure to mold can occur
during the cleaning stage. Mold counts are typically 10 to 100 times higher than background levels during the cleaning of
mold damaged materials. Take steps to protect your health during clean up:
* When handling or cleaning
moldy materials, consider using a mask or respirator to protect you from breathing airborne spores. Respirators can be purchased
from hardware stores; select one for particle removal (sometimes referred to as a N95 or TC-21C particulate respirator). Respirators
are not as effective removing bleach fumes, so minimize your exposure when using bleach or other disinfectants.
*
Wear protective clothing that is easily cleaned or discarded
* Wear rubber gloves
* Try cleaning
a small test patch of mold first. If you feel that this is adversely affected your health, you should consider paying a licensed
contractor or professional to carry out the work.
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