August 1, 2007

[Guest guest]

August 1, 2007

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MOLDS

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=33970

Molds are fungi that grow best in damp, humid, warm conditions that reproduce

and spread by making tiny spores that are not visible to the naked eyes and

float through the air indoor and outdoor. It is estimated that there are from

tens of thousands to even perhaps three hundred thousand or more species. The

spores of mold can survive in dry conditions as well. Molds can be found

outdoors and indoors in virtually every environment all year round, especially

when there is lot of moisture. They can be found in damp, shady places or areas

where vegetation such as leaves, for instance, are decomposing.

Some common indoor molds are Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Alternaria.

Indoor molds can be found in showers and basements where humidity levels are

high.

Areas that have usually high mold exposures are summer cottages, construction

areas, flowers shops, antiques shops, saunas, mills, farms and green houses.

Molds can cause health problems as they produce irritants, allergens, and

mycotoxins. Touching or inhaling mold spores or mold may cause allergic

reactions in sensitive individuals. Stuffy, runny nose, skin rash, red eyes,

sneezing and wheezing are quite common. These reactions can be immediate or

delayed. People who are allergic to mold and are asthmatic, can develop asthma

attacks upon exposure to molds and have severe reactions that may include

shortness of breath and fever. People with obstructive lung disease may develop

mold infections in their lungs. Even in people that are not allergic to molds,

irritation of the eyes, nose, skin, throat and lungs can occur.

Symptoms other than the irritant and allergic types are not commonly reported as

a result of inhaling mold, but there is ongoing research on mold and health

effects. To get more information on mold, you may want to consult a health

professional, or your local, or state health department.

Sensitive persons should try to avoid cut grass, compost piles or wooded areas

as these are most likely to have mold. Inside a home, keeping the humidity

levels between 40% to 60% and ventilating cooking areas and showers can slow the

growth of mold. If at all possible, between 30 to 50 percent humidity would be

ideal. Relative humidity can be measured with a humidity or moisture meter,

which is an inexpensive (approximately $10- $50), small instrument available at

various hardware stores.

It is recommended to use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid

months, make sure that the home has adequate ventilation and exhaust fans and,

preferably, no carpet in basements and bathrooms. It is also advisable to

replace or remove previously soaked upholstery and carpets.

When spills or water leaks occur indoors, it is important to act quickly to dry

areas 24-48 hours after a spill or a leak to try to prevent the growth of mold.

Usually, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold in a home and CDC

does not recommend sampling routinely for mold. No matter what type of mold it

is, it should be removed. If the area that is molded to be cleaned up is less

than 3 ft. by 3ft. you most probably can handle the job yourself. Mold growth

can be removed from hard surfaces with soap and water, commercial products, or a

bleach solution of 1 gallon of water with no more than 1 cup of bleach. If you

decide to clean up mold using bleach, never mix ammonia or other household

cleaners with bleach as it will produce dangerous and toxic fumes. Make sure

that you open doors and windows to provide fresh air, and wear protective eye

wear, such as goggles that do not have ventilation holes, and avoid getting mold

spores or mold in your eyes. Wear long and non-porous gloves that extend to the

middle of the forearm, when using water and a mild detergent.

If you are using chlorine bleach, a strong disinfectant, or a cleaning solution,

you should wear gloves made from neoprene, natural rubber, nitrile, polyurethane

(PCV). Avoid touching moldy items or mold with your bare hands and avoid

breathing in mold spores or mold. You may want to wear an N-95 respirator, to

limit your exposure to air born mold, which can be purchased at many hardware

stores. (They usually cost about $12 to $ 25). To be effective, the mask or

respirator must fit properly, so it is important to follow carefully the

instructions supplied with the mask or respirator. When used in an occupational

setting, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that

respirators have fit testing.

If there is more than 10 square feet of mold growth, it is best to consult EPA's

Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Even though it focuses on

schools and commercial buildings, it is applicable for other buildings as well.

If you decide to hire a professional service provider or a contractor be sure

that this person has experience in cleaning mold. Check references carefully and

ask the contractor to follow the guidelines from government or professional

organizations, such as the American Conference of Governmental Industrial

Hygienists (ACGIH), or recommendations from EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools

and Commercial Buildings. If you suspect that the ventilation/air

conditioning/heating (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold, you should

consult EPA's guide before you take further action. If you suspect or know that

the HVAC system is contaminated with mold, do not run the system, as mold could

be spread throughout the building. If contaminated water, or sewage caused the

mold damage, it is advised to call a professional who has experience in fixing

and cleaning buildings damaged by contaminated water, and if you are concerned

about health effects, before starting cleaning up, consult with a health

professional.

References:

CDC, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention.

EPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency

© 2007 Christiane Tourtet