Mold and Spores, and Bacteria, Oh My!

Everyone knows that mold is bad, ugly, that it grows almost everywhere and that it can cause asthma attacks and other respiratory and health problems. But, did you know that mold can also heighten and irritate immune health problems, cause coughing, skin rashes and irritations, memory impairment, irritable bowel syndrome, heighten food intolerances and allergies, mood swings, and stir up nasal and sinus congestions?

This insidious and ever-growing problem can, if left to grow, cause health concerns, structural problems to buildings and cost home owners and businesses, millions of dollars each year. What’s even more insidious is that mold can grow anywhere; so no one is safe from its ever-spreading spores and destruction of all objects it contaminates.

Note: mold especially likes such areas as ceiling tiles, carpets, wallboard and wood.

The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Asperigillus, Alternaria and Penicillium. Black mold, known as chartarum is common and for the most part, not rare in most locations.

You can tell if you have mold in your home if you see discolored patches or speckled growth on walls or furniture. You can also detect mold if you smell a musty kind of odor. If you have any past or ongoing water damage, most likely you will also find mold spores growing. You may also find mold growing under water-damaged surfaces or behind walls, or under floors. In addition, if there is anyone in your family who is allergic to mold, you will know by the allergic reactions he or she has to it.

After all this, you might ask, what makes mold a health hazard? Studies have found that ‘some’ mold health problems come from the drying of the mold. When the mold dies and dries out, air currents or handling of the mold, can cause spores to become airborne and when that happens, the spores can enter the nasal area and eventually the lungs.

Stachybotrys chartarum, a greenish-black mold that can grow on material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust and lint. Mold Dangers and Remedies (2009).

Those who are at risk from toxic mold exposure are: those with a weakened or suppressed immune system, the elderly, those who are suffering from cancer or other life-threatening illnesses, and infants.

But, don’t be alarmed about mold and its potential for harm! There are things you and I can do to prevent and rid oneself of this obnoxious spore. The two most effective methods for getting mold out of one’s life is to vacate the home environment and/or have the mold removed by professionals. For many, the option of leaving one’s home might be impossible. If so, then the home owner would need a qualified and certified mold inspection firm. The mold inspection firm can then check out your home to find out the root cause of the mold, find out how severe it is and then take the necessary action to rid the mold from one’s home.

In addition, if you feel comfortable taking care of the problem yourself, you can first isolate the area to ensure that it won’t spread further, check for leaky plumbing or dampness in the area and if there is, take care of the leakage and allow the area to dry up. This may take hours or days to complete and then instill a program—either by you or a professional, to ensure that your environment is clean and dry, mold-free and remains that way.

Also keep in mind that air ducts in the home or dwelling may be contaminated, and that can cause ongoing, daily health concerns. Make sure that they are cleaned often and free of moisture.

There are additional tips to keep in mind if you want to remove the mold yourself. First, wear gloves and mask protection, use hot water and detergent and scrub the entire area. Then, rinse cleaned items in water and dry thoroughly. When using bleach use a diluted solution of 10% household bleach . Using full strength bleach is not as effective and can be a health risk. Make sure that there is good ventilation when using bleach on such a project.

Be sure to use good quality dust masks when performing this job and then place the contaminated materials in bags when you are ready to dispose of them.

Also, if you or someone you know finds mold growing within the insulation of wallboard, it will need to be removed or replaced. If left to grow, it will continue to grow and become an even bigger health hazard to anyone living in its proximity.

How can you or I prevent mold? Here are some additional and timely hints from Mold Danger & Remedies (2009):

1. Stop all sources of leaking
2. Weatherize your building so that humid air does not enter,
3. Think of installing a humidifier to keep the indoor humidity level below 50%
4. Use mold inhibitors that can be added to paints.
5. Keep in mind that mold from non-porous surfaces can be removed with soap.
6. Do not carpet bathrooms and utility rooms—these rooms are more prone to have mold concerns due to exposure from water.

From 24/7 Press Release (2009) come more information on mold you need to know…

1. “50% of homes contain problem molds
2. Mold is more common today than it was 50 years ago….
3. Just a little mold can affect your health drastically over time
4. The only way to prevent mold from occurring within a structure is to prevent moisture build-up anywhere.
5. Mold knows no geographic boundaries and can be a problem even in cool, dry climates.
6. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present.”