Mold

Mold Outdoors

Mold is a natural part of the outdoor environment. Mold is a fungi, and there are thousands of known species of mold. Molds derive energy from organic matter and are essential in their decomposition, enabling the recycling of nutrients thoughout ecosystems. Many molds secrete a toxic substance called mycotoxin in an effort to inhibit the growth of competing microorganisms.

Molds reproduce through tiny spores which can remain airborne indefinitely and survive extreme temperatures and pressure differentials. Molds grow everywhere in nature on dead organic matter, yet they are only visible to the naked eye when they grow in colonies.

Mold Indoors

Mold is a natural part of the indoor environment, but only as it relates to the outdoor environment. Indoor mold growth should be avoided, and can be avoided with the proper education and a little maintenance. Mold has 3 requirements in order to flourish; moisture, food, and darkness. The easiest of the 3 to maintain is moisture, and is the focus of indoor environmental conditions. Food sources for mold indoors include wood, drywall paper, carpet backing, dust, and any other material that contains cellulose. Molds don't like sunlight, and therefore can be found growing in darker areas such as wall cavities, hallways, behind wallpaper, and under carpeted areas.

Mold Health Issues

Mold is an allergen (causes allergic reactions), irritant, and potentially toxic. Everyone reacts to mold in different ways. Sensitive individuals can have allergic reactions to mold or mold spores simply through touch or inhalation. Allergic reactions to mold are common for both allergic and non-allergic individuals and can include syptoms such as sneezing, red eyes, skin irritation or rash, runny nose, scratchy throat, and coughing or wheezing, to name a few. Asthma attacks can occur with those indiviuals who suffer from asthma and who are allergic to mold. The research on mold related health effects is ongoing. For more information relating to the health effects of mold please consult your doctor or health care professional.

Mold Maintenance

Controlling the moisture in your home is the key to a successful mold maintenance program. It is impossible to completely rid your home of mold and mold spores; however, it is very possible to maintain a low level of indoor mold growth, thus keeping the level of indoor airborne mold spores at or below the airborne mold spore levels in your immediate surrounding environment.

Much of the above information has been summarized from a document on the EPA's website called: "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home"