What are molds?

Molds are microscopic fungi that live on organic matter. Most are filamentous organisms and the production of spores is characteristic of fungi in general. Molds are a natural part of our environment. They help make cheese, fertilize gardens, and speed decaying of garbage and fallen leaves. Certain types of mold have proven extremely valuable in the synthesis of antibiotics. Penicillin, a product of the green mold P. notatum, revolutionized antibiotic drugs after its discovery.
No one knows how many species of fungi exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand.

Where are Molds found?

Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected year round – indoor and outdoors. Mold growth is encouraged by moist conditions. Indoors they can be found wherever there is excessive moisture. Outdoors they can be found in shady, damp places where leaves and grass are decomposing.

How common are indoor molds?

Mold is common in many buildings and homes, growing wherever moisture is present. The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and While occurring less often than other mold species, Alternaria Stachybotrys chartarum (also knows by its synonym Stochybotrys atra) is also found in buildings and homes.

How do molds get in the indoor environment?

Molds naturally grow in the indoor environment. Mold spores may also enter through open doorways, windows, and air conditioning systems. Spores in the air outside also attach themselves to people, making clothing, shoes, and bags convenient vehicles for carrying mold indoors.

How does mold grow?

Molds create tiny spores to reproduce, just as plants produce seeds. These tiny, lightweight fragments drift through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores drop on places where moisture is present, they begin growing, digesting organic matter in order to survive.
Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, also support mold growth.
When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all molds and mold spores in the indoor environment. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

How do molds affect people?

Some people such as include infants and children, the elderly, immune-compromised people, and individuals with respiratory conditions are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, or wheezing. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath and occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings. People with chronic illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

What should people to do if they find Stachybotrys chartarum in their buildings?

Mold growing in schools and buildings, whether it is Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) or other molds, indicates that there is a problem with water or moisture. This is the first problem that needs to be addressed. Mold can be cleaned from many surfaces with detergents or a weak bleach solution. Biocides (following manufacturer’s specific recommendations) are also available. Mold under carpets typically requires that the carpets be removed. Once mold starts to grow in insulation, the only way to deal with the problem is by removal and replacement. Paper documents can be photocopied.

If we find mold growing in our building, should we test the mold?

Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold. The Environmental Protection Agency advises that testing mold before remediation is not necessary to determine if remediation is needed. If occupants are susceptible to mold and mold is seen or smelled, there is a potential health risk; therefore, no matter what type of mold is present, you should arrange for its removal.

So, when does mold testing make sense?

It makes sense in almost every case where extensive remediation of contaminated materials is determined necessary. The need for remediation should typically be determined from visual inspections, odors, history, and moisture measurements—not testing. Once it has been determined that extensive remediation work is needed, pre-remediation testing can be used to help develop the remediation strategy. Additionally, comparisons of pre-remediation and post-remediation results will define the relative success of remediation efforts. It is our opinion that properly chosen and executed tests can provide valuable answers that will help direct the remediation process, keep it cost-effective, and document results.
How do you keep mold out of our building?
As part of routine building maintenance, buildings should be inspected for evidence of water damage and visible mold. The conditions causing mold (such as water leaks, condensation, infiltration, or flooding) should be corrected to prevent mold from growing. The single most important factor regulating mold growth is the control of moisture.

Summary

EPA officials have stated that poor air quality in schools is a growing concern that can have serious ramifications for the health of students and teachers—Indoor Air Quality and Student Performance, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (8/00). Potential health effects attributed to mold and other indoor air contaminants include: allergic reactions, aggravation of asthma, headaches, and fatigue—Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (3/01). Some of the most common indoor air contaminant sources found in schools include:

• Moisture problems caused by water leaks
• Poor maintenance
• The misuse of pesticides and cleaning products
• Inadequate building design, construction and materials

Recent data suggests that poor IAQ can reduce a person’s ability to learn and decrease performance in school—Indoor Air Quality and Student Performance, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (8/00). Many medical experts believe that children, rather than adults, are more susceptible to environmental hazards due to their immature nervous systems and still developing vital organs.
Mold growth in buildings always occurs because of unaddressed moisture problems. When excess mold growth occurs, exposure of sensitive individuals and elimination of the moisture problems must be addressed.

Mold also needs an organic source of food. People might be confused as mold can grow on glass, tile, stainless steel, cookware, etc. but it is generally feeding off some organic source deposited on the material. Fiberglass insulation manufacturers like to say that mold does not grow on their product, a true statement however, it grows on the organic debris that becomes trapped in their products. Mold also grows on things such as wood, fabric, leather, gypsum, fiberboard, drywall, paper, and stucco.

Controlling humidity levels to eliminate the growth of mold and mildew is essential to insure good indoor air quality. Because of the increased ventilation requirements of ASHRAE 62-89 the improper handling of ventilation can result in both high and low humidity’s during the coarse of the year. Humidity levels above 60% accelerate the mold growth and will create allergic responses and respiratory conditions with the occupants.

Likewise, during winter conditions, humidity’s below 40% can result in the accelerated growth of viruses. It is documented that absenteeism has increased since the requirements of ASHRAE 62-89 were instituted. For improved indoor air quality and health the space humidity must be controlled during both summer and winter conditions

Indoor air quality has recently become the subject of increased media attention thereby increasing the public’s perception that mold and other indoor air contaminants are causing illness. At the forefront of this developing public interest is the issue of environmental contaminants in schools. Given the ubiquity of mold and the public’s perception of it, mold in schools is generating substantial legal attention.

Certainly, the health of the building occupants is paramount. Care must be taken in gathering and interpreting data. Sampling and testing methods need to be examined closely. The tremendous costs associated with mold remediation should prompt building owners to take proactive measures to control moisture so that mold problems are not amplified.