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Mold is a name given to any growing fungus.
When present on clothing or in advertising campaigns it is often called mildew. Mildew is sometimes referred to as the
footprint of mold.
Visible mold and/or a musty odor are two signs of a mold problem.
Not all mold, though, is visible. Mold can grow in wall spaces, attics, and beneath carpet. Hidden mold growth can release
dangerous spores to the air. A home that has suffered water damage or is unusually humid should be inspected for excessive
mold growth by an experienced certified mold inspector. No
house is completely free of mold. Molds are very common outside, so some mold spores will always be present in
the air indoors as well. We are exposed to the outdoor levels of molds when we
go outside, and in most cases do not experience any adverse reactions, exceptions
are hay fever or allergy like symptoms in some sensitive individuals when outdoor levels are high. Mold growth inside a building
is not normal. If mold is growing on a surface inside a home, it will create indoor levels of spores that are higher that
what the body is normally used to, which can overwhelm our natural defenses to mold spores and cause adverse reactions. When
a home is inspected/ tested for mold, it is checked to make sure that the levels of molds indoors is comparative to the background
levels, and that mold is not actively growing inside.
Mold growth is common whenever an
organic food source (something derived from a plant or animal, such as paper, wood, and cardboard) comes in contact with moisture
for any extended period of time. In order to control mold growth, you must control either the food source or the
moisture source.
Misconceptions about Mold
http://www.moldservicesgroup.com/commonmis.asp "Mold and mildew are the same thing. Mildew is often the term used for mold growth
on clothing or fabric. Clothing and fabric can have a high organic content making them great food sources for mold. The term
toxic mold has most often been applied to the Stachybotrys mold and can be misleading. While the Stachybotrys mold has the
potential to be hazardous, there are many other species of mold like Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Alternaria that
are very common and can be just as unhealthy if present at high enough levels. Any mold growth on a surface with an organic
content (ie. paper, cloth, wood, sheet rock, etc) has the potential to be Stachybotrys or one of these molds known to have
potential negative health effects. There are even more types of molds that have the potential to cause health problems in
sensitive individuals if present at high enough levels. Any significant amount of visible mold will likely cause elevated
levels of mold spores in the air. Just because the mold is not Stachybotrys, it does not mean that the mold is not a problem
and that it cannot be harmful. Immediate steps should be taken to eliminate any mold growth indoors, regardless of the type,
and care should be taken in completing the mold abatement." http://www.moldservicesgroup.com/commonmis.asp "If you have Stachybotrys in your home you have to get rid of all your personal belongings." There are several non profit organizations that train and certify
their members for mold related work.
Of the non profit organizations, two, IAQA and ESA have "standards" for their members
to follow.
Standards are published testing protocol for mold assessors/inspectors
with step by step guideline for:
when to test
where to test
how to test
Standards are based on "best scientific data available"
not on best guess for testing.
Many analytical labs give very informative one or two day training classes and or
seminars that aid mold assessors/ inspectors. (Note: remember labs want mold inspectors to do lots of samples) Some
labs even "certify" those who complete their class.
Most serious mold inspectors attend many of these classes thru out the year.
The professional mold inspector may use several different labs, some good labs don't do all the various test analysis.
Non-Profit Environmental Associations
that certify Mold related members
The Indoor Air Qualitiy Association .... IAQA
1. Experience requirements to become certified in the mold field.
(a residential mold inspector must have 2 years prior experience as an inspector)
2. The IAQA requires passing a test and continuing education.
3. Members that are certified must pass test from an certifing organization
AIAQC ... American Indoor Air Quality Council
4. Testing requires inspector know the standards developed by:
IESO ... Indoor Environmental Standards Organization
Moisture meters and InfraredThermal Imaging cameras
are invaluable tools for finding and documenting water intusion.
(mold needs food & water to grow)
Photo's below, of an attic AC handler leaking on 2nd floor ceiling, not visible to naked eye. This is a commonly
found problem; and a good example of the benefit of using the Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera for moisture investigations.
(Mold needs moisture to grow)
Links concerning Mold / Indoor Air
Quality
Mold
spores are a common component of house dust. Dusting with a damp cloth or electrostatic cloth rather than a feather duster
can help to remove these spores rather than making them airborne.
Changing the filter on your HVAC return regularly helps to prevent
a buildup of dust and mold spores in your HVAC duct work. Bathrooms should not be carpeted, especially with carpeting that extends to the tub and shower. Carpeting and carpet padding is an excellent food source for mold and bathrooms have many potential moisture sources to promote mold to grow. Mold in the ATTIC
Generally mold in the attic space poses only a small risk of exposure
to the home/building occupants in the space below. Due to the fact that in most homes, air does manage to flow upward
and outward. Downward air flow problems can and do happen but not normally. Roof leaks, poor ventilation
and HVAC duct leaks are some of the main concerns when mold is found in the attic. Roof leaks, plumbing leaks, and condesation
(cold air from AC in hot attic or warm air from ducts in a cold attic) with poor ventilation should be addressed
as soon as possible to prevent mold growth. Testing mold that is in the attic can be important
if the HVAC system or Air Handler is located in the attic space, common in the south, and may be spreading mold spores to
other parts of the home. If the only mold found is in the attic and occupants have fungal related health problems ,
it is wise to test. Ventilated attics are not the place for air samples but swab,
tape and bulk samples. It is all to common for building materials to "get wet"
during construction, and allowing mold growth until they dry out. Water intrusion (moisture) after home is occupied and problems
(mold) can "grow". Mold on windows Note:
In Florida, it is a common occurance for lawn sprinkler heads to get accidentally
turned so water sprays on windows and exterior walls.
This often causes water intrusion around 1st floor windows.
Thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters are excellent tools for discovering this
problem.
http://www.moldservicesgroup.com/faqs.asp What is the cost of a typical mold inspection? "The cost of sampling will vary depending
on many factors, such as the number and types of samples collected, the method of laboratory analysis to be used, the type
of report needed, and the location of the site. Typical mold inspections, though, average between $800-$1200." Mold related Links
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