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Exposure to elevated
levels of molds can
cause health problems in
sensitive individuals,
such as respiratory
problems and sinus
problems, cold and
flu-like symptoms,
headaches, fatigue,
trouble concentrating,
and memory loss. Those
most susceptible include
young children, the
elderly, those with
compromised immune
systems, and persons
with pre-existing
respiratory conditions.
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There are many molds
that have the potential
to cause health problems
including Alternaria,
Aspergillus, Chaetomium,
Cladosporium, Fusarium,
Penicillium, and
Stachybotrys. (Just
because you can’t
pronounce it doesn’t
mean it can’t cause
problems.)
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Mold spores can cause
health problems even if
the spores are dead.
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Mold requires an organic
food source, such as
cloth, sheet rock, or
wood, and a moisture
source to grow. Mold can
begin to grow if any
organic material remains
wet for more than 48
hours. The way to
control mold growth
indoors is to control
moisture indoors.
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Mold spores are very
common outdoors and
there is no practical
way to eliminate all
mold spores indoors.
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Molds can grow
undetected inside wall
spaces, under carpet,
and inside HVAC systems.
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Mold growth can often be
the visible sign of a
structural defect that
allows moisture to
intrude into a building.
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When doing mold
abatement, it is first
necessary to find and
eliminate the moisture
source. If the moisture
problem is not resolved,
the mold growth will
return.
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Cleanup of large areas
of mold growth can cause
airborne levels of
spores to increase up to
10,000 times that of
background levels
resulting in acute
exposure to those doing
the cleanup if personal
protective equipment is
not worn.
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The best way to abate
mold growth indoors is
to remove the impacted
materials. Cleaning the
surface of a material
with mold growth may not
always kill the mold,
especially if mold is
growing on porous
materials like sheet
rock or carpeting.
