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Mold Basics

The key to mold control is moisture control.
If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Why is mold growing in my home?

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

mold growing outdoors on firewood [At Left - Mold growing outdoors on firewood. Molds come in many colors; both white and black molds are shown here.]

Can mold cause health problems?

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.

How do I get rid of mold?

It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.

KEYWORDS: This Guide provides information and guidance for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth. Caution: try not to breathe in the spores of any mold that you grow. Leave bags or jars closed so the spores don't get loose in large numbers. You are normally exposed to mold spores in the air all of the time, but when they are grown for experiments, you have amplified the number of spores you are growing by much higher numbers than found in the environment. Asthma & Mold, Mold Headache. Water contamination can have a negative affect on the health of you and your family. The effects may be immediate or long term. A USGS survey found that 70% of private wells were contaminated. EPA recommends that you test for a minimum of coliform bacteria, nitrate and lead, even if you have public water. Skin Diseases, Stachybotrys Information, Mold Scientist, Mold & Landscaping, , Mold Test Kit, Mold Testing Laboratory. Molds need a moist environment with moderate temperatures to grow. . Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. Lift Tape Test, Physical Mold Samples, fungi Test Instructions, Mold Testing Instructions, Chain of Custody, Mines, Gas Stations, Industrial Facilities, Old Cemeteries, Farm fields, , Dumps, Improper disposal of paints, motor oils, etc. on private land. Recreational use of the public water supply. Lead pipes in the home, Septic Systems, Acid Rain, Decaying Matter or other natural contamination. water testing, drinking water, health, pregnancy, fitness, nutrition, drinking, water, testing, quality, analysis, water analysis, water quality, e. coli, bacteria, lead, ph, iron, pesticides, pcb, radon, arsenic, mtbe, nitrates, voc, oil, fuel, h. pylori, trichloroethylene, tce, coliform, healthguard, health guard, womens heath, child health, home health, health and fitness, epa, environmental, pollution, contamination. Mold Test Interpretation, Clothes Mold, Car and Van Mold, Removal, Wallpaper Mold, Air Conditioning Mold, Crawl Space Mold, Bathroom Mold. Molds can only be positively identified with a microscope. Bluish-green to green molds are usually Penicillium or Aspergillus. Black to brown-black molds can be Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, or Stachybotrys chartarum (a highly toxic mold). Reddish or pink molds are usually species of Fusarium. Plumbing leaks, house plants, toxic, airborne molds, cooking steam, shower bath steam and leaks, wet clothes, dirty HVAC systems. Find out where the air filters are for the building and sample at the beginning of the system, and then continue sampling at rooms further and further away from the air supply system. You can sample for mold spores which are mixed up in the dust that accumulates on the surfaces of air-duct grillwork.