Why is mold growing in my home?
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by
breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold
growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are
invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing
indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold,
and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
Can mold cause health problems?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot
and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce
allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases,
potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may
cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type
symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic
reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause
asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure
can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic
people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a
result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. This provides a
brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For
more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your
state or local health department.
Mold is a fungus
The main purpose of mold is to break down dead materials, like wood and fiber that are
used in building materials. There are good molds and bad molds. Some molds are used
in making antibiotics, beer, and cheese (the good ones). Other types of molds can cause
serious health affects. Look at this mold glossary to learn more about mold types.
Mold growth in a building is often hidden!
You may suspect hidden mold if the occupants are reporting health issues or there is a
musty odor or history of water intrusion. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side
of drywall, wallpaper, or paneling, the tip side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and
pads, and even in the attic! Any place where moisture has occurred is a spot where mold
can start to grow. We have the training and the equipment to detect the presence of mold
and report back to you what type of mold that may exist in your home.
How do I get rid of mold?
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be
found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is
not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling
moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix
the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most
likely, the mold problem will come back.
Mycotoxins and Health Effects
As molds grow, some (but not all) of them may produce potentially toxic byproducts called
mycotoxins under some conditions. Some of these molds are commonly found in
moisture-damaged buildings. More than 200 mycotoxins from common molds have been
identified, and many more remain to be identified. The amount and types of mycotoxins
produced by a particular mold depends on many environmental and genetic factors. No one
can tell whether a mold is producing mycotoxins just by looking at it. Some mycotoxins are
known to affect people, but for many mycotoxins little health information is available.
Research on mycotoxins is ongoing. Exposure to mycotoxins can occur from inhalation,
ingestion, and skin contact. It is prudent to avoid unnecessary inhalation exposure to mold.
What kind of mold do I have?
Only properly conducted testing can be analyzed for the presence of 36 species of molds
using the unique DNA signature of each mold species. The 36 molds are divided into two
groups. The first group is comprised of species typically found in water damaged homes and
the second group contains common indoor molds found in all homes.
What Next?
If you would like to schedule a test of your home, or if you have had remediation done and
want to make sure the problem has been corrected, give us a call. We have the equipment
and training to conduct a test using the approved EPA Environmental Relative
Moldiness Index (ERMI) testing procedure.
If you see mold, we also have the expertise and equipment to sample the suspected area
and will give you a report on the type of mold that is living in your home.
If you would like more information or to schedule your test, call 920-451-4646.
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by
breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold
growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are
invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing
indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold,
and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
Can mold cause health problems?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot
and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce
allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases,
potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may
cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type
symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic
reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause
asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure
can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic
people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a
result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. This provides a
brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For
more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your
state or local health department.
Mold is a fungus
The main purpose of mold is to break down dead materials, like wood and fiber that are
used in building materials. There are good molds and bad molds. Some molds are used
in making antibiotics, beer, and cheese (the good ones). Other types of molds can cause
serious health affects. Look at this mold glossary to learn more about mold types.
Mold growth in a building is often hidden!
You may suspect hidden mold if the occupants are reporting health issues or there is a
musty odor or history of water intrusion. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side
of drywall, wallpaper, or paneling, the tip side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and
pads, and even in the attic! Any place where moisture has occurred is a spot where mold
can start to grow. We have the training and the equipment to detect the presence of mold
and report back to you what type of mold that may exist in your home.
How do I get rid of mold?
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be
found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is
not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling
moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix
the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most
likely, the mold problem will come back.
Mycotoxins and Health Effects
As molds grow, some (but not all) of them may produce potentially toxic byproducts called
mycotoxins under some conditions. Some of these molds are commonly found in
moisture-damaged buildings. More than 200 mycotoxins from common molds have been
identified, and many more remain to be identified. The amount and types of mycotoxins
produced by a particular mold depends on many environmental and genetic factors. No one
can tell whether a mold is producing mycotoxins just by looking at it. Some mycotoxins are
known to affect people, but for many mycotoxins little health information is available.
Research on mycotoxins is ongoing. Exposure to mycotoxins can occur from inhalation,
ingestion, and skin contact. It is prudent to avoid unnecessary inhalation exposure to mold.
What kind of mold do I have?
Only properly conducted testing can be analyzed for the presence of 36 species of molds
using the unique DNA signature of each mold species. The 36 molds are divided into two
groups. The first group is comprised of species typically found in water damaged homes and
the second group contains common indoor molds found in all homes.
What Next?
If you would like to schedule a test of your home, or if you have had remediation done and
want to make sure the problem has been corrected, give us a call. We have the equipment
and training to conduct a test using the approved EPA Environmental Relative
Moldiness Index (ERMI) testing procedure.
If you see mold, we also have the expertise and equipment to sample the suspected area
and will give you a report on the type of mold that is living in your home.
If you would like more information or to schedule your test, call 920-451-4646.
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Greg Liebig, CIAQT
Certified Home Inspector
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
WI License #1955-106
Certified Home Inspector
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
WI License #1955-106
| Updated: 1/21/08 |
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