Mold Information

What is mold? Molds are simple, microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere indoors and outdoors. Molds can be found on plants, foods, dry leaves and other organic material. Molds are needed for breaking down dead material. Mold spores are very tiny and lightweight, which allows them to travel through the air. Mold growths can often be seen in the form of discoloration, ranging from white to orange and from green to brown and black. When molds are present in large quantities, they can cause allergic symptoms similar to those caused by plant pollen.

What symptoms are common? 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

Should I be concerned about mold in my home? Yes, if the contamination is extensive. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to the mold. Mold can also cause structural damage to your home. Similarly, when wood goes through a period of wetting, they drying, it can eventually warp and cause walls to crack or become structurally weak.

What does mold need to grow? For mold to grow, it needs:

• 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, if there is moisture available to allow mold to thrive and multiply. The following are sources of indoor moisture that may cause problems:

• Flooding
• Backed-up sewers
• Leaky roofs
• Humidifiers
• Mud or ice dams
• Damp basement 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 condensation on the windows or walls, it is also possible that you have a combustion problem in your home. It is important to have sufficient fresh air available for fuel burning appliances, such as the furnace, water heater, stove/range, clothes dryer, as well as a 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 either open vents or a ventilation system that brings fresh air into the home to replace air that is exhausted out. Long Island Home Inspection Consultants features carbon monoxide testing.

Are some molds more hazardous than others? Allergic persons vary in their sensitivities to mold, both as to amount and type needed to cause reactions. 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 allergenic or irritative molds. Mycotoxins have been found in homes, agricultural settings, food, and office buildings

The presence of mold, water damage, or musty odors should be addressed immediately. In all instances, any source(s) of water must be stopped and the extent of water damage determined. Water damaged materials should be dried and repaired. Environmental sampling is then recommended to determine the type and extent of the existing mold. Mold is a structural, health and environmental problem. Some mold defects can't be seen and will only be detected through sampling.

Stachybotrys - This mold is a slow growing fungus. It grows well on high cellulose materials like straw, grass, saw dust, lumber and drywall plaster board or ceiling tiles. Like a fungi, it requires a moisture source. About 15 species of Stachybotrys can be found worldwide, but it is most common in the Western U.S. Generally, this mold grows where the relative humidity is above 55 percent or the material is water saturated. In studies conducted in North America, Stachybotrys was found in 2 to 3 percent of home environments sampled.

Disease - Stachybotrys atra spores are breathed into the lungs. Persons with chronic exposure to the toxin report cold or flu-like symptoms with sore throat, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss and general malaise. The toxins may also suppress the immune system. Infants may be particularly susceptible to the effects of these inhaled mycotoxins because their lungs are growing very rapidly. Mycotoxins are lipid-soluble and are readily absorbed by the intestinal lining, airways, and skin.

How to control Stachybotrys - Homes and buildings with water damage should be repaired, the source of moisture eliminated, and all moldy material should be removed. Reduce humidity in the home with adequate venting of appliances such as dryer vents, bathroom and kitchen cooking vents, etc. Even "excessively sealed" homes with inadequate air exchange can cause high humidity inside from showers, cooking, laundry, etc. Although some molds can be killed by cleaning the moldy surface with chlorine, Stachybotrys often has a germ, mycelium, which is buried inside the water damaged surface that may be inaccessible to chlorine. It is best to remove all of the water damaged material.

Aspergillus - A group of molds that is found everywhere world-wide, especially in the autumn and winter in the Northern hemisphere. Only a few of these molds can cause illness in humans and animals. Most people are naturally immune and do not develop disease caused by Aspergillus. However, when disease does occur, it takes several forms.

Disease - The type of diseases caused by Aspergillus are varied, ranging from an "allergy" - type illness to life-threatening generalized infections. Diseases caused by Aspergillus are called aspergillosis. The severity of aspergillosis is determined by various factors but one of the most important is the sate of the immune system of the person.

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Spergillosis (ABPA) - This is a condition that produces an allergy to the spores of the Aspergillus molds. It is quite common in asthmatics; up to 20% of asthmatics might get this at some time during their lives.

Aspergilloma - This is a very different disease also caused by the Aspergillus mold. The fungus grows within a cavity of the lung, which was previously damaged during an illness such as tuberculosis or sarcoidosis.

Aspergillus Sinusitis - Aspergillus disease can happen in the sinuses leading to Aspergillus Sinusitis. This happens in a similar way to aspergilloma. In those with normal immune systems, stuffiness of the nose, chronic headache or discomfort in the face is common.

Invasive Aspergillosis - Many people with damaged or impaired immune system die from invasive aspergillosis. Their chances of living are improved the earlier the diagnosis is made, but unfortunately there is no good diagnostic test.

Penicillium - Some penicillium species are fairly common indoor fungi, even in clean environments. This particular specie of fungi can proliferate in abundance in indoor environments. "P." species can be found at sub-basement level offices and rooms, in libraries, auditorium, storage rooms of paper materials and also in ventilation systems. Some P. species can produce small, non-descript conidia and complex mixtures of metabolites that are more or less toxic.

Like all other molds, spores have the highest concentrations of mycotoxin, although the vegetative portion of the mold, the mycelium, can also contain the poison.

Diseases - Exposure to the various penicillium toxin can result in the following ill health effects:

• Patulin , a toxin from P. expansum: cytotoxic and/or carcinogenic.
• Citrinin , a toxin from P. citrinum, - expansum & - viridicatum: nephrotoxic
• Occhratoxin , a toxin from P. cyclopium & - viridicatum: nephrotoxic

TESTING FOR MOLD

The following types are available. Depending on the conditions - one or more of the following may be recommended.

Swab test sample from a visual growth area . It is recommended that all visual growths should be sampled, and sent for laboratory analysis.

• Air sample from ventilation system - if forced hot air heating or central air conditioning are present in your home, your ventilation system may be spreading mold spores throughout entire dwelling. 
• Passive air sample - will inform you if otherwise undetectable airborn mold spores are present within your home.
• Active air sample - a calibrated mechanical suction pump captures airborn samples over a period of time. Samples are rushed to a special lab for comprehensive analysis.

We feature all of these tests individually, as well as a total Biogrowth Analysis Report , which provides accurate, detailed results as well as recommendations to eliminate any active mold colony conditions. Call our office (1-800-553-1843) for further details or to arrange to have your home tested.