Gold Health and Safety - Mold Fact Sheet

Gold Health and Safety Consulting, Inc.

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Mold Fact Sheet

What is Mold?

Molds are a member of the fungi family, which also includes mushrooms and yeasts. Molds are simple microscopic organisms that occur in the natural environment and are found virtually everywhere. There are over a hundred thousand different species of molds. Molds are a part of nature’s recycling system, and play an important role in breaking down plants, leaves, wood, and other organic matter.

In order to grow, molds require food (organic materials), suitable temperatures, and moisture. As mold colonies mature, they reproduce by creating spores which are released into the air. The spores then drift to find new locations to colonize. Since molds grow in nature virtually throughout our world, there is nearly always a background level of mold spores present in the air, indoors and out.

When moisture intrusion occurs in human habitations, mold growth can start to occur within 24 to 48 hours. Often mold is not immediately noticeable, and can be hidden inside walls and ceilings, under carpeting, or in other hard to view places. An experienced inspector, familiar with mold, building construction, and moisture intrusion is often required to locate and diagnose the extent of the mold problem.

Mildew is essentially the same as mold. We like to call small amounts of mold we see in bathrooms “mildew.” Mildew usually does not make a significant impact on indoor air quality and can be taken care of through routine housekeeping.

Is the Presence of Mold in My Environment Unhealthy?

When mold growth occurs in human habitations, sometimes it can cause ill affects to occupants. As mold is actively growing, often emitting a characteristic musty odor, chemicals are released into the environment which may cause health symptoms in some individuals. In addition, as growth progresses and mold spores are released, elevated concentrations of spores indoors may cause some persons to experience a variety of health affects, usually involving the respiratory system. These include allergy symptoms, asthma, sore throat, and coughing. Symptoms that may occur less frequently include headaches, nausea, skin rashes, and more.

What About Toxic Mold?

Of the over one hundred thousand of species of mold found in the environment, some molds are well known to produce compounds known as “mycotoxins.” Some mycotoxins, such as penicillin, are useful to mankind. However, others are well known to be hazardous to animals and humans when a significant dose occurs.

There is little solid research involving human indoor air exposure to mycotoxins. It is also true that not all strains of a particular species of a mold may form mycotoxins, and molds may not form mycotoxins under all growth conditions (differing temperature, moisture levels, and food sources). However, human experience indicates that some species of mold are likely to be more problematic for exposed building occupants than others.

Published peer-reviewed studies by reputable science based research groups, including the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, have concluded that in indoor air quality settings, mold toxin exposure levels are insignificant and very unlikely to reach levels that would cause a toxic effect on building occupants. Because of the lack of adequate science in this area, court cases claiming damage to individuals due to so called “toxic” effects have generally been unsuccessful. Still, there seems to be a disconnect from what sometimes exposed individuals and the media report.

However, regardless if mold is “toxic” or not, it has been long established (and accepted by scientists and the courts) that the presence of mold and building dampness can cause an assortment of respiratory effects and asthma, and therefore needs to be dealt with quickly and effectively.

Gold Health and Safety’s response to the “toxic mold” question is simple. Significant mold growth does not belong in human habitations regardless of the species, and may cause ill effects regardless if it is one of the supposedly “toxic” species or not. Since all types of mold growth are remediated in a similar fashion, under most circumstances it is more important to help our clients focus on locating and eliminating indoor mold growth than it is to identify the type of mold present.

Mold, Property Values, and Liability

In California, the knowledge that mold growth and/or water damage is present in a structure requires property sellers and landlords to disclose its presence to buyers and tenants. Because of the impact on property values and the potential for lawsuits, prompt remediation of mold problems is usually the best course of action. In addition, it is often valuable to have a mold inspection done prior to buying new real estate when the property has had a history of moisture intrusion or other warning signs are present.

I Have Water Damage. Will Mold Grow Immediately?

Microbiologists believe that growth begins in about 24 to 48 hours after mold spores contact moisture. The prompt removal of excess moisture is essential to minimize the chance that mold will grow. Therefore, if a leak or spill wets a structure’s interior, it’s critical to obtain drying services from an experienced disaster restoration firm as soon as possible.

If the Mold is Old or Killed with Disinfectant, Can It Still Affect Occupants? Can’t I Just Spray Bleach On It?

Mold can cause health affects even when dead. This is due to the proteins that are present in the surface of the mold fragments. Dead mold can still be allergenic.

The process of remediating mold is focused on removing the mold growth reservoirs and spores rather than just killing it. In addition, adding moisture to mold growths may worsen the problem. Minor surface mold can indeed be wiped off, but when the whole wall has been wetted, there is likely to be more mold growth inside the wall cavity than what you see on the surface. You can’t remove mold inside of wall cavities by wiping off the surface of the wall or by spraying chemicals inside of it.

How Do I Know When I Need A Mold Inspection?

A mold inspection is recommended when any of the following occurs:

¨ History of moisture intrusion in a structure, such as plumbing or roof leaks, flooding, and water damage or stains;

¨ Musty or mildew smell; “damp” feeling;

¨ Suspect visible mold or moisture damage to interior walls is present;

¨ Standing water or chronically damp soil against the structure exterior; or,

Occupants have health effects that lessen when they leave the structure (respiratory distress, sore throats, headaches, etc.).

What about Bathroom Mold and Mildew?

Assuming that we are talking only about minor surface mold (i.e., no damaged wall surfaces or moisture intrusion into the walls), you can clean this off with an appropriate household cleaning product. Making sure the moisture gets out of the bathroom quickly after showering or bathing will help prevent this from happening.

Is Mold Testing and Identification Necessary?

As stated above, testing molds to identify the species present is not usually necessary to deal with the problem. However, determining the mold’s impact on indoor air quality, both before and after remediation, is critical. Air sampling with laboratory analysis helps to determine the amount of airborne mold spores indoors, and what efforts are needed to restore air quality to normal conditions to protect building occupants. A remediation Scope of Work cannot be complete without this information. Therefore, under most circumstances, we strongly urge that an adequate number of air samples be collected and analyzed prior to remediation.

What About Those Test Kits That They Sell at Hardware Stores?

Home tests (settling plates) are largely worthless. Amongst other reasons, they don’t give you a quantification (i.e., amount) of the mold spores present because air flow and collection time is not controlled. This method also uses viable mold counts as a measurement, which is not a comprehensive measurement of all mold spores present. Settling plates are not used by professionals. They are not admissible in court either. Save your time and money and call a professional.

How Fast Do I Get the Lab Results Back?

Usually two business days. Faster lab turnaround is available for additional fees. Once we receive the information from the lab, we will contact you via telephone as soon as possible to discuss the results, and will follow up with our written report usually within 5 business days.

What Happens After the Investigation?

Our full reports include a Scope of Work when needed. This can be given to mold remediation contractors to obtain bids. Once you’re satisfied that you have adequate bids, select the remediation contractor to perform the work. Most reputable remediation contractors won’t perform work without an independent consultant’s Scope of Work.

After the remediation contractor is done, we return to the site to perform a post-remediation inspection. This is to assure that the mold has been adequately removed and that air quality conditions have been returned to normal. Once we determine that the job has been adequately performed, the remdiation is considered complete and you can hire a general contractor to re-construct the area as needed.

Will I Need to Move Out?

We rarely tell people to move out. That judgment is best made by the occupants and their doctors. However, if occupants are feeling ill or have chronic respiratory illnesses or immune system problems, and airborne mold levels are high, it’s a good idea to consider temporarily vacating. Also, if the remediation project blocks necessary living spaces, moving out during the work might be necessary from a practical standpoint.

Moving out may also be necessary during the remediation phase due to the construction activity blocking access to bathrooms, kitchens, or other areas of the home. A lot of this depends on where the problem is and how extensive it is.

Do I Need a Mold Remediator? Can’t I do it Myself or Use a Handyman or General Contractor?

Size and location does count...but generally speaking, it’s a bad idea to use someone who does not have the equipment and training to conduct a mold remediation. Mold growth reservoirs can contain millions of microscopic spores that can become airborne very easily. Improper remediation can spread mold spore contamination into the air and make a bigger problem. We’ve seen it happen several times.

Why Don’t You Do Remediation? Why Do I Need to Hire Someone Else?

We are health and safety consultants, not contractors. We also wish to avoid any potential conflict of interest. We also suggest that you avoid remediation contractors that rebuild remediated areas.

What About My Possessions? Will I need to Throw Them Out?

This depends on the extent of the mold contamination—another reason why sampling is important. Porous surfaced items with mold growth on it should be disposed. Porous items (furniture, carpeting, soft toys) that are contaminated by heavy amounts of airborne mold spores may need to be disposed of. Hard surfaced, non-porous items, and washable items (clothing, linens, dishes, etc.) usually can be cleaned. The care of contents should be addressed during the remediation process.