The Dangers of Mold in Your Home

Mold is a naturally occurring organism in our environment.  They are needed to break down dead material and recycle nutrients in the environment.  Molds grow by digesting organic material, which gradually destroys whatever they grow on.  As they grow, they release tiny, lightweight spores, which travel through the air. 

Everyone is exposed to molds on a daily basis.  It’s common to find mold spores in the air inside and outside our homes.  Mold spores will cause health problems however, when they are present in large numbers and people inhale them. Mold spores can grow and multiple wherever conditions are right, causing health problems unless you take steps for prevention.  Prevention results from knowing what environment molds will thrive in, what the typical symptoms of mold exposure are and ways to keep mold from thriving in your own home.

Molds thrive on organic materials like natural fibers, such as cotton and wood, paper, leather, or surfaces coated with organic materials such as food, grease, and soil.  They will continue to eat away on whatever their food source is.  Molds grow best in temperatures between 77 to 86 degree Fahrenheit, but some can grow anywhere form 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.  They also require moisture to grow.  This moisture can come from water leaks, flooding, wicking from one area to another, high relative humidity and condensation.   Relative humidity levels above 70 percent are optimal for mold growth.  It is important to fix any water leak immediately and to keep your home at a humidity level that does not support mold growth.

Molds can produce health problems from inflammation, allergic reactions to infection.  Some typical symptoms of mold exposure include, respiratory problems, wheezing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, nasal and sinus congestion, eye irritation (burning and/or watery, reddening eyes), dry hacking cough, nose and throat irritation and skin rashes or irritation.  Headaches, memory problems, mood swings, nosebleeds, body aches and pains and fevers have occasionally been reported in mold cases as well.

There are several ways to detect if you have a mold problem.  First, you may see discolored patches or cottony or speckled growth on walls or furniture.  Another way is if you smell an earthy or musty odor (mildew smell).  Another sign that you may have a mold problem is if mold-allergic individuals experience some of the symptoms previously listed in this article.  Any evidence of past or ongoing water damage should receive a thorough investigation.  You may find mold growth underneath water-damaged surfaces or behind walls, floors or ceilings.

In order to prevent mold problems in your home, inspect your home on a regular basis for indication and sources of indoor moisture and always take steps to eliminate sources of water as quickly as possible.  There are certain areas that mold is more likely to grow on: 

• Wet or damp basement may have mold growing on walls, floors, carpeting, or on materials stored in the basement
• Water standing in sump holes, condensate from an air conditioner or dehumidifier, leaky pipes or water seeping into the basement
• Basement carpet that is installed over concrete floor
• Crawl spaces built over uncovered earth
• Bathrooms where the exhaust fan is not used during bathing, can leave large amounts of moisture in the shower or tub area
• Soap scum on bath and shower walls, even on ceramic tiles or fiberglass, is a nutrient source for mold
• Unvented clothes drying produces high levels of relative humidity
• Damp towels and clothes in laundry hampers, washers, or dryers can develop mildew growth (a form of mold)

If you have a leak or flooding, act quickly!  First stop the source of leak or flooding.  Next remove excess water with mops or a wet vacuum.  Whenever possible, move wet items to a dry and well ventilated area or outside to expedite drying.  Also open closet or cabinet doors and move furniture away from walls to increase circulation in these areas.  You can run a fan to increase air circulation, but DO NOT use your home’s central blower if flooding has occurred in it or in any of the ducts.  DO NOT use fans if mold may have already started to grow (more than 48 hours since flooding).  You can run dehumidifiers and window air conditioners to lower humidity.  DO NOT turn up the heat or use heaters in confined areas, as higher temperatures will increase the rate of mold growth.  If the water has soaked inside the walls, it may be necessary to open the walls, remove baseboards and/or pry open wall paneling.

There are two strategies for mold growth prevention, Keep it Clean and Keep it Dry.  Where mold growth has already started or is likely to start because of contamination from flooding or other moisture problems, add a third strategy – Disinfect it!

Sources:        http://www.epa.gov/iaq

                        CDHS Indoor Air Quality

                        Kansas State Research