Mold Clarity

Mold 101

Mold is ubiquitous – which means it is everywhere, indoors and out, all of the time.  There is no “authority” or regulations for mold, mold inspection, mold testing or mold remediation.  Mold is an allergen.  Mold inspections, testing and remediations are not required or regulated by any official government agency under any circumstances.  Although some local municipalities in Illinois have mold regulations, they are vague and have no rational basis.  There are many misunderstandings, scams and hoaxes regarding mold – We’ll provide the clarity if needed.

Mold Testing is a huge SCAM

All mold tests are positive! There are NO established standards for acceptable or unacceptable levels.  Mold affects all people differently, but by and large, most of us feel mild allergy type symptoms such as sneezing and coughing when exposed to elevated levels of mold.  The only time mold testing is necessary is for medical investigations – not real estate transactions or building inspection purposes.  A visible inspection will be satisfactory to determine presence of elevated mold and what extent of cleaning might be necessary.

The key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to keep humidity levels in the home to below 45%, and to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash mold off hard surfaces with soap and water, and dry completely – Bleach is a myth.  Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced.

Black Mold and Toxic Mold are Hoaxes.

The biggest hoax is the hysteria over the notorious “black mold”.  Black mold was invented by reporters, mold promoters and the mold industry as a tool to instill fear and hype to further the mold industry.  The horror stories related to items such as infant deaths in Cleveland in 1993 and 1994 are not true. The statements of the CDC related to a possible cause have been retracted by that organization. There is no association between inhalation of Stachybotrys- or any strain of mold and any identifiable disease.

It is true that Stachybotrys chartarum, as part of its metabolic processes, produces a chemical by-product called a mycotoxin. But there are hundreds, thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands of other molds that produce mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are large molecules that do not easily become airborne, thus the only real possible exposure is ingestion such as eating grains or other foodstuff with a large growth of Stachybotrys or direct infection through an open wound.

The possibility that a person who is not severely ill, or whose immune system is not compromised from disease or suppressant medicines, exhibiting any reaction to a mycotoxin is practically nonexistent as shown by the total lack of scientific evidence showing a direct link between a specific mold or mycotoxin and any disease or symptom.

Ten Things You Should Know About Mold

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.(not death, disease, cancer or other serious effects)
2. 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.
3. Attic mold is another big scam.  Conditions in the attic are not usually conducive for mold growth.  The hot and dry conditions from May 1 to November 1, and the cold and frozen conditions from December 1 to March 1, inhibit mold growth due to the lack of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60% ) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outsideon their own direct vent; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation and balancing reasonable indoor temperatures.  Condensation Stain is NOT Mold or Mold Stain.
9. Mold cannot grow on plastic, concrete, metal or glass.  If seen on these surfaces, it feeds on the dirt and dust build up and dies when the nutrient is exhausted.
10. Mold is everywhere, indoors and outdoors, always.
11. Mold is NOT a material defect of a home and is not listed as a disclosure requirement.

Health and Mold

How do molds affect people?

Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

EPA’s publication, Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals , assists health professionals (especially the primary care physician) in diagnosis of patient symptoms that could be related to an indoor air pollution problem. It addresses the health problems that may be caused by contaminants encountered daily in the home and office. Organized according to pollutant or pollutant groups such as environmental tobacco smoke, VOCs, biological pollutants, and sick building syndrome, this booklet lists key signs and symptoms from exposure to these pollutants, provides a diagnostic checklist and quick reference summary, and includes suggestions for remedial action.  Also includes references for information contained in each section. This booklet was developed by the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the EPA. EPA Document Reference Number 402-R-94-007, 1994.

Allergic Reactions – excerpted from Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals section on: Animal Dander, Molds, Dust Mites, Other Biologicals .

“A major concern associated with exposure to biological pollutants is allergic reactions, which range from rhinitis, nasal congestion, conjunctival inflammation, and urticaria to asthma. Notable triggers for these diseases are allergens derived from house dust mites; other arthropods, including cockroaches; pets (cats, dogs, birds, rodents); molds; and protein-containing furnishings, including feathers, kapok, etc. In occupational settings, more unusual allergens (e.g., bacterial enzymes, algae) have caused asthma epidemics. Probably most proteins of non-human origin can cause asthma in a subset of any appropriately exposed population.”

Consult the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website

• CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) has a toll-free telephone number for information and FAXs, including a list of publications: NCEH Health Line 1-888-232-6789.
• CDC’s “Molds in the Environment” Factsheet

Stachybotrys or Stachybotrys atra (chartarum) and health effects

• CDC’s “Questions and Answers on Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds

Homes and Molds

The EPA publication, “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home” , is available here in HTML and PDF formats.  This Guide provides information and guidance for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.  A printed version will be available soon.

Biological Pollutants in Your Home – This document explains indoor biological pollution, health effects of biological pollutants, and how to control their growth and buildup. One third to one half of all structures have damp conditions that may encourage development of pollutants such as molds and bacteria, which can cause allergic reactions — including asthma — and spread infectious diseases.  Describes corrective measures for achieving moisture control and cleanliness.  This brochure was prepared by the American Lung Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. EPA Document Reference Number 402-F-90-102, January 1990.

Moisture control is the key to mold control, the Moisture Control Section from Biological Pollutants in Your Home follows:

Moisture Control

Water in your home can come from many sources. Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through basement floors. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the air in your home. The amount of moisture that the air in your home can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is able to hold less moisture. This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold surfaces (for example, drops of water form on the inside of a window). This moisture can encourage biological pollutants to grow.

There are many ways to control moisture in your home:

• Fix leaks and seepage. If water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simple landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. (The ground should slope away from the house.) Water in the basement can result from the lack of gutters or a water flow toward the house. Water leaks in pipes or around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow.
• Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawlspaces are well-ventilated.
• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside (not into the attic). Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
• Turn off certain appliances (such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
• Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid  climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don’t become sources of biological pollutants.
• Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on the inside works better than one installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially doors to closets which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation. Circulation carries heat to the cold surfaces. Increase air circulation by using fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home.
• Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for biological pollutants to grow. Use area rugs which can be taken up and washed often. In certain climates, if carpet is to be installed over a concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
• Moisture problems and their solutions differ from one climate to another. The Northeast is cold and wet; the Southwest is hot and dry; the South is hot and wet; and the Western Mountain states are cold and dry. All of these regions can have moisture problems. For example, evaporative coolers used in the Southwest can encourage the growth of biological pollutants. In other hot regions, the use of air conditioners which cool the air too quickly may prevent the air conditioners from running long enough to remove excess moisture from the air. The types of construction and weatherization for the different climates can lead to different problems and solutions.

Moisture On Windows

Your humidistat is set too high if excessive moisture collects on windows and other cold surfaces. Excess humidity for a prolonged time can damage walls especially when outdoor air temperatures are very low. Excess moisture condenses on window glass because the glass is cold. Other sources of excess moisture besides overuse of a humidifier may be long showers, running water for other uses, boiling or steaming in cooking, plants, and drying clothes indoors. A tight, energy efficient house holds more moisture inside; you may need to run a kitchen or bath ventilating fan sometimes, or open a window briefly. Storm windows and caulking around windows keep the interior glass warmer and reduce condensation of moisture there.

Humidifiers are not recommended for use in buildings without proper vapor barriers because of potential damage from moisture buildup. Consult a building contractor to determine the adequacy of the vapor barrier in your house. Use a humidity indicator to measure the relative humidity in your house. The American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends these maximum indoor humidity levels.

Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? – In most cases, NO!  Duct cleaning is another widespread scam in America.  Consult your trusted HVAC professional for help determining if duct cleaning is necessary, and if so, find an HVAC company that cleans ducts, you should expect to pay 3 to 4 hundred dollars or more for a properly performed, professional duct cleaning.  Most duct cleaning companies that offer $149.00 (or less) specials are a complete rip-off.