Battling black mold - Toxic fungus wreaking unseen havoc on area homes

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http://www.trnonline.com/stories/11012001/business/27868.shtml

Thu, November 1, 2001

Battling black mold Toxic fungus wreaking unseen havoc on area homes

Lee B. Weaver, Times Record News

There's a fungus among us.

Truth be told, it's everywhere. And, usually, that's a good thing, as it

performs the very important biological function of breaking down organic

matter. But when toxic mold fungus is in side your home or business and the

organic matter it's breaking down is inside your body, you've got problems.

" Black mold " - known by the Petri dish names of Stachybotrys, Penicillium

and Aspergillus - has made the headlines lately, first for the health risks

associated with exposure to it and, most recently, for the movement within

the insurance industry to cap mold damage claims or even cease coverage

entirely under traditional homeowner's policies.

Those issues notwithstanding, toxic molds are still wreaking largely

unseen havoc in an increasing number of homes, even in seemingly

mold-unfriendly Wichita Falls.

" We are very busy, " said Randy , owner of North Texas Mold

Removal, adding that the relatively dry local climate is plenty damp enough

for mold to take hold in a home. " Mold can grow and create a reservoir

within 72 hours. All it needs is air, a water source and nutrients. Most

commonly that food source is the sheet rock in your walls. That's where most

black mold shows up. "

Closets and crawl spaces are especially accommodating environments for

mold growth, said , making it especially difficult to catch the

problem in its early stages.

According to the online home remodeling site, startremodeling.com, mold

doesn't even need liquid water and can, in fact, prosper in relative

humidity levels as low as 40 percent.

Furthermore, attempts to kill the mold can easily worsen the situation,

rather than alleviate it, said .

" When a person, or even air, comes in contact with the mold reservoir,

the spores get caught up, or swept up, and spread throughout the house, " he

said.

Ironically, one of the principal elements of mold prevention - adequate

air flow - is perhaps the biggest contributor to the spread of mold once it

appears.

" Adequate air flow keeps moisture levels down and makes it hard for mold

reservoirs to get started, " said. " But once the mold has begun to

send out spores, air flow simply makes the situation worse. "

Which means don't blow a fan over that soggy carpet or on that peeling

wallpaper in an attempt to dry it out. At least, not until an expert has

checked it out.

And even more ironic, recent improvements in homebuilding meant to make

houses more energy efficient have actually served to make them more

vulnerable to mold.

" Houses today are tighter, with less air flow, " said. " They

aren't as drafty as your grandma's house. Plus, the newer building materials

like sheetrock are conducive to mold growth. "

So what should homeowners do when they open their winter coat closet

after that inevitable, first cold front and see the telltale signs black

mold creeping up the wall?

" Close the door, stuff towels under the door and call a mold removal

service, " said. " Get it checked out. "

And don't drag your feet about it. According to the

identification and abatement process can take up to three or four months to

complete.

Business writer Lee B. Weaver may be reached at (940) 763-7548; or with

e-mail at weaverl@....