Mold

What is mold?

Molds occur naturally in the environment around you. They are fungi which essentially break down organic matter. One can find molds on bark of trees, rocks, leaves, in soil and an assortment of other materials. They come in a variety of colors ranging from black and greenish brown to yellow and white. Molds by themselves are harmless but when they produce tiny and microscopic spores, which are akin to seeds, they affect humans detrimentally. Some of the favorite places for mold to multiply are under carpets, in damp corners, on wood, paper and food. Mold cannot survive in areas that lack moisture and although it is impossible to eliminate this fungus completely, measures can be taken to control it and improve indoor air quality.

Health hazards

Mold-related sickness is mainly due to inhalation of the spores, touching the fungi or ingesting it. The most frequent consequence of mold in a home is allergies. Other symptoms such as coughs, wheezing, nasal congestions, sore throats, skin irritations, rashes and sinuses can also be due to mold. Certain people are more sensitive than others. Children, the elderly, individuals susceptible to allergies and asthma and those with lowered levels of immunity like AIDS and cancer patients will be affected sooner. The type of mold that produces mycotoxins, a chemical compound, can cause more severe reactions.

How do you know?

The best way to find mold is by using your eyes and nose. Mold is characterized by discoloration of walls and blurry growth which looks velvety, cottony or leathery. Also if there is a musty or earthy odor emanating from inside cupboards, ducts, corners etc. you can be sure that fungal growth is present. Look for leaks and moisture either in the form of water stains or standing water. The real problem lies when mold grows in invisible areas such as under carpets, behind wall paper, in HVAC ducts and sink cabinets. Peeling off carpets can release countless numbers of spores and this can be hazardous. In most cases a visual inspection should be sufficient to call in the experts.

The clean up

Mold has to be removed manually. Fungi-infested articles should be thrown away immediately. Once the area has been cleaned with a brush and hot water one can choose to disinfect, especially in the case of sewages, using bleach. If severe mold exists, biocides and chemicals can be used.

How to deal with mold?

The key to controlling mold is eliminating moisture. Some common sources of indoor moisture are leaky plumbing and roofs; condensation, especially on windows; insufficient vents in bathrooms and kitchens; moisture seeping through basements and foundations; inappropriate ventilation; humidifiers; indoor plants; and, of course, flooding. Outdoors, drainage and plumbing should be checked regularly. Since moisture has to do with temperature, other solutions could include bringing warm air into the home through well-designed HVAC systems, insulation, sealing air leaks and increasing circulation of air in a home. Installing dehumidifiers will also serve the purpose.

During construction make sure that the slope is away from the foundation so that moisture does not collect. Install vapor barriers above foundations, inside walls and under floors. Materials such as polyethylene film, asphalt-coated and laminated papers are ideal. During plastering of walls special cement-based water proofing materials can also be used. In pre-constructed homes that don’t have vapor barriers, oil-based or aluminum paints can be applied. Storm windows or insulated glass will also drastically reduce indoor moisture. Buying a device that measures relative humidity is also a good idea.