Mold is a growing epidemic in the United States.   Twenty Five MILLION people suffer from allergic reactions every year and do not realize it is from mold.  The government has no air quality guidelines for mold or mold spores and there is little known by the general public about the problems mold can cause.

Mold is form of fungi that can be found where there is moisture, oxygen and something to feed on.  Some molds form mycotoxins that are toxic and can become airborne.  Mold can adapt to moisture and temperature changes.  Cryophytes are molds that grow in low temperatures, thermo tolerant can thrive in a variety of temperature ranges, and thermophiles thrive in high temperatures.  Xerophillic mold can survive in dryer conditions; xerotolerant can thrive in any amount of moisture, while hydrophilic molds need a high amount of moisture.  Not all moisture has to be from a leak or standing water.  It can also come from humidity from bathrooms or cooking or from moisture content of substrate materials.  Humidity over 50% can create problems inside.  

Outdoors, mold feeds on rotten logs and leaves in moist, shady areas.  It can also be found in compost piles and certain grasses and weeds.  Inside, mold grows in warm, moist places such as damp basements, closets, bathrooms and kitchens.  Mold can grow even when the moisture has dried up.  Other places to look for mold is in the refrigerator drip tray, fresh foods, house plants, humidifiers, garbage pails, mattresses, and furniture.  Mold can hide inside of flooring and wall cavities and building materials made of cellulose materials, such as wood, ceiling tiles, and plasterboard.  The growth may not be visible to the naked eye.  Insects are often found where there is mold as well.  Termites are easier to find than mold inside a wall.  Mold can grow on materials such as glass or insulation because of organic materials; like dead skin, oils, or dirt that are left behind or trapped in materials. 

Signs of Mold

Ø  Black, Brown, Orange, Pink or Green Speckled on walls or around plumbing, tile or grout

Ø  Musty, Earthy or Urine scented odor

Ø  Lumberyard Mold- unprotected from the weather

Ø  Cracked pain on wood siding where water can intrude

Ø  Swollen, crumbling walls or buckling floorboards

Ø  Sewer backup causing water harm

Ø  Leaky roof or flashing installed improperly

Ø  Flood, hurricane or other environmental emergency

Ø  Leaky window or door

Ø  Washing machine or dish washer or water heater leaking

Ø  Leaky toilet seal or bathtub drainage problems

Ø  Lack of ventilation

Ø  Relative humidity over 50%

Ø  Damp Basement

 

 

Mold comes in a thousand different varieties but only a few types invade inside buildings.  Alternaria and Cladosporium are the most common type found inside of a home, school, or business.  Also common are Aspergillus, Penicillium, Helminthosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aurebasidium.   The mycotoxin Aflatoxin is produced by Penicillium, Aspergillus Flavus and Aspergillus Parasiticus.  There are four types of Aflatoxin:  B1, B2, G1, G2 with B1 being the most toxic, carcinogenic, and prevalent.  The Fusarium family of mold also produces the dangerous toxins Zearalenone, Trichothecenes, and Moniliformin.  The most dangerous kind of molds are Chaetomium and Stachybotrys Chartarum.  Both of these forms of mycotoxins attack and remove the Myelin Sheath from nerves.  This leads to neurological, immunological and auto-immune diseases and these effects are usually irreversible.  Trichothecenes, a natural mycotoxin, is a natural inhibitor of DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis.  These effects are being studied in animals because of its possible use as agents of biological warfare.  Trichothecenes can destroy both mental and physical health in a human and will not show up in an autopsy.

Health Effects

The unfortunate problem is that it is hard to know how much damage is done before it is too late.  People are not aware they are breathing mold spores and mycotoxins until they are very sick.  Some people only have minor reactions that will subside when they leave the infected area.  If a person is exposed to Stachybotrys or Chaetomium, they could suffer from serious symptoms and illnesses such as:

Chronic Bronchitis               

Ø  Learning Disabilities

Ø  Mental Deficiencies

Ø  Heart Problems

Ø  Cancer

Ø  Multiple Sclerosis

Ø  Chronic Fatigue

Ø  Lupus

Ø  Fibromyalgia

Ø  Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ø  Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

Ø  Bleeding Lungs

Ø  Breathing Difficulties

Ø  Memory or Hearing Loss

Ø  Dizziness

Ø  Flu-like Symptoms

Ø  Excessive Bruising

Ø  Acid Reflux

Ø  Allergies

Ø  Fever

 

 

Treatments include medication, diet and other therapeutic remedies.  Brain damage, weakened immune system, eyesight, memory loss, coordination, balance and hearing loss are the most common residual effects that often do not improve.

Remediation

Stay out of areas that have signs of mold damage; see list above.

The most important aspect of removing mold is to fix the source of the moisture.  Landscaping outside should slope away from the building to keep water from entering or pooling.  Routine maintenance should help cut out some of the problems that tend to lead to mold.  Do not place carpet in areas prone to water problems such as drinking fountains, sinks, or concrete floors with leaks or condensation issues.  Use area rugs that can be taken up and cleaned often.  Make sure areas like bathrooms, kitchens and clothes dryers are ventilated to the outside of the building.  Keep doors open between rooms or to closets to keep a good air flow.  Add insulation to walls, windows and doors to reduce condensation from forming.  Fans, air conditioning units and dehumidifiers will help keep the temperature down, air circulating and the humidity out of the air.  Try to keep inside humidity below 50%.  Dry all building materials that get wet within 24 to 48 hours to prevent the growth of mold.  Hard surfaces such as plumbing can be cleaned using detergent and water while porous surfaces might have to be replaced completely.     Place a plastic cover over dirt in your crawlspace to prevent moisture from seeping from the ground and keep the crawlspace well ventilated.
 
Call Custom Care Restoration for professional mold remediation