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What Are Molds?
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Are Molds Harmful?
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Common molds, like Cladosporium, Penicillium,
Aspergillus, and Alternaria have been around a very long time and, for the
most part, are harmless to our health at normal everyday exposures. Some individuals are
more sensitive to common molds and do experience side effects such as respiratory problems or rashes, especially when exposed to a large
populations of mold.
There are
some molds, however, that many believe present health problems to the general
public, such as Stachybotrys and Memnoniella.
If you have doubts about which mold type you are dealing with or have further
questions, please contact your local health department or a mold
professional for more information. Constant moisture is required for mold growth. It is not necessary,
however, to determine what type of mold you may have. All molds should be treated the same
with respect to potential health risks and removal. |
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Stachybotrys |
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Stachybotrys is known mainly as Stachbotrys Chartarum (SC), but also known as Stachybotrys
Atra (SA). Stachybotrys is a greenish-black mold often confused with other, nontoxic
molds. SC, however, is not a common mold found in buildings.
Stachybotrys typically grows in damp environments on materials that are high in cellulose
and low in nitrogen content. Examples include wallpaper, cardboard, ceiling tile,
cellulose insulation, and wood. SC will not grow on concrete, ceramic or stone tiles,
linoleum, glass or metal. If the black mold is growing on materials that do not contain
cellulose, it is probably not Stachybotrys. This fungus or mold grows only on wood or paper that have gotten very wet
for more than a few days or so. If the wood/paper gets wet and is not cleaned up and
dried, the fungus may grow and spread. The fungus is black and slimy when wet. It is not
found in the green mold on bread or the black mold on the shower tiles (but the shower
tiles should be kept clean too). If you have had plumbing leaks, roof leaks, flooding in
the basement (even if you don't use the basement), or sewer backup in the past year, look
for mold or a musty odor.
Typically, indoor air levels of Stachybotrys are relatively
low and therefore not generally hazardous to health. At higher levels though, it can cause
asthma attacks, respiratory allergies and skin rashes. Care should be taken to prevent
skin contact with Stachybotrys.
In rare instances, the toxins may also cause young children, infants and the
immuno-compromised to experience chest congestion, nose bleeds, bleeding of the lungs and
even death. Therefore, it is imperative that the breathing of Stachybotrys spores and
particles be avoided.
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Stachybotrys on drywall
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Stachybotrys behind wallpaper
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Microscopic Stachybotrys
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Stachybotrys on white flower potsl
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Stachybotrys on gypsum wall board
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| General Overview and Information |
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Mold Info: HealthAnd Energy.com offers general overview of mold
including health effects, humidity levels, and insurance and
litigation. They also provide detailed information on Stachybotrys. |
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The Centers for Disease Control presents Questions and Answers on Stachybotrys
chartarum and other molds. |
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News 10 (ABC) in the Sacramento area has some frequently asked Questions and
Answers regarding toxic mold. |
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Indoor Air
Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals is a guide for
professionals from EPA, ALA, AMA and the CPSC. It has a diagnostic checklist and sections
on a wide variety of potential pollutants including molds.
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| Health Articles |
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Bulletin of the World Health Organization,
September 1999. Diseases
Caused by Molds in Humans. |
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California Department of Health Services, April 1998. Health
Effects of Toxin-Producing Indoor Molds in California. |
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Medscape's General Medicine, April 2000. Stachybotrys chartarum: Current
Knowledge of Its Role in Disease.
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| Professional Courses |
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The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) is a
member-based organization that offers courses including Mold Remediation Courses. |
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The Environmental Assessment Association (EAA) is an international organization providing
members with information and education in the Real Estate Industry. Includes an online Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment course
for a fee.
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| Remediation |
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| A typical recommendation is that
if you have more than two square feet of mold growth you should seek professional advice
on how to perform the remediation or cleanup of toxic molds. The CDC advises that the
treatment of mold does not depend on the type of mold at all - that no matter the type,
the remediation should be the same. With conflicting views on removal and abatement, each
person has to make an educated decision for themselves. Generally, all agree that sampling
is not needed. All mold infestations should be remediated. Below are general guidelines
for light mold contamination remediation. In addition, links are provided for further or
more detailed information on remediating molds. Call your city or county health department
if you have questions or need assistance. |
• The source of
the water problem must first be corrected. All roof or plumbing leaks/flooding must be
fixed.
• All moldy surfaces should be cleaned with a household bleach
(like Clorox) and water mix = 1 cup of bleach mixed in 1 gallon of water. You can add a
little dish soap to the bleach water to cut dirt and oil on the wall that can hold mold.
With good ventilation, apply the bleach water mix to the surface with a sponge, let it sit
for 15 minutes, then thoroughly dry the surface. Be sure to wear
a dust mask, rubber gloves and open lots of windows when cleaning with bleach water.
• If the area cannot be cleaned (like some wet broken ceiling
tiles), is too damaged, or is disposable (like cardboard boxes), discard them and replace
with new ones.
• It may be necessary to do more clean up in the home
(carpets, crawl spaces, heating ducts) if you have a bad mold problem.
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Case Western Reserve University presents Cleanup Guidelines based on
the extent of mold contamination. |
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EPA's
Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings document presents
guidelines for the remediation/cleanup of mold and moisture problems in schools and
commercial buildings. |
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Fungi: The New York City Department of Health has published Guidelines on Assessment
and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments to address the growth of
fungi in buildings. |
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The University of Minnesota has a standard operating procedure for the abatement of building materials with mold
that its professionals use to remove mold. Untrained individuals should not attempt
this activity. |
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