How do molds get in the indoor environment and how do they grow?
15/08/10 08:47
Mold spores occur in the indoor and outdoor environments. Mold spores may enter your house from the outside through open doorways, windows, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems with outdoor air intakes. Mold spores in the air outside also attach themselves to people and animals, making clothing, shoes, bags, and pets convenient vehicles for bringing mold indoors.
When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will begin to grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, paper faced drywall, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.
When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will begin to grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, paper faced drywall, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.
Summer Mold Growth in Schools
01/08/10 09:50
The hot, humid summer brought a rash of mold problems to Quad City area schools.
At Cambridge Elementary School in Henry County, Ill., the mold growth is so severe that crews are working around the clock to clean up the problem before school begins Aug. 17.
Meanwhile, Davenport and United Township school districts have done mold cleanup in several classrooms.
Workers installing a geothermal system in the Cambridge school discovered the mold problem about two weeks ago. Akers said district officials had discovered the school’s roof had been leaking last fall, but could not find any contractors to repair it over the winter. The roof now has been repaired.
Moisture settled in the space between the drop ceiling and the roof, and during the sweltering temperatures, mold formed. Akers said the district had the mold tested and it came back as stachybotrys mold, also known as black mold, a particularly toxic form of the substance.
The district awarded a contract to Envirotech of St. Louis as quickly as possible to get rid of the mold. Work began Tuesday and will continue 24 hours a day until the problem is fixed.
If the mold is not eradicated by the time classes are due to start, classes may be moved to churches or community buildings.
The work is expected to cost $185,250, which does not include the cost of installing a ventilation system in the ceiling to prevent the problem from happening again. It also does not include the cost of new ceiling tiles. However, the district has pollution liability insurance with a $50,000 deductible. The deductible will be paid for out of a special fund the district created for health, life and safety risks.
Meanwhile, mold also has been discovered at Buchanan Elementary School in Davenport. The Davenport School District got the go-ahead Wednesday to proceed with classes there, which begin today. After cleanup, an air quality test showed there were no unusual levels of mold at the school.
The mold was found about two weeks ago and was confined to six classrooms. A team of custodians spent four, 13-hour days cleaning.
District spokeswoman Laura Lortz said the mold was found in a portion of the building that was not air conditioned over the summer. The blinds were pulled and the doors were closed, creating an environment ideal for mold growth.
The mold had grown on door knobs, under tables, on top of some books and on cork and felt boards.
These are common problems for any building that does not get normal use (such as schools over the summer months). If your school has mold concerns, ask your school officials to address the concerns quickly as these schools did. If you believe professional mold removal and mold clean up is required, please contact EcoGuard Mold Solutions www.MoldIndiana.com
At Cambridge Elementary School in Henry County, Ill., the mold growth is so severe that crews are working around the clock to clean up the problem before school begins Aug. 17.
Meanwhile, Davenport and United Township school districts have done mold cleanup in several classrooms.
Workers installing a geothermal system in the Cambridge school discovered the mold problem about two weeks ago. Akers said district officials had discovered the school’s roof had been leaking last fall, but could not find any contractors to repair it over the winter. The roof now has been repaired.
Moisture settled in the space between the drop ceiling and the roof, and during the sweltering temperatures, mold formed. Akers said the district had the mold tested and it came back as stachybotrys mold, also known as black mold, a particularly toxic form of the substance.
The district awarded a contract to Envirotech of St. Louis as quickly as possible to get rid of the mold. Work began Tuesday and will continue 24 hours a day until the problem is fixed.
If the mold is not eradicated by the time classes are due to start, classes may be moved to churches or community buildings.
The work is expected to cost $185,250, which does not include the cost of installing a ventilation system in the ceiling to prevent the problem from happening again. It also does not include the cost of new ceiling tiles. However, the district has pollution liability insurance with a $50,000 deductible. The deductible will be paid for out of a special fund the district created for health, life and safety risks.
Meanwhile, mold also has been discovered at Buchanan Elementary School in Davenport. The Davenport School District got the go-ahead Wednesday to proceed with classes there, which begin today. After cleanup, an air quality test showed there were no unusual levels of mold at the school.
The mold was found about two weeks ago and was confined to six classrooms. A team of custodians spent four, 13-hour days cleaning.
District spokeswoman Laura Lortz said the mold was found in a portion of the building that was not air conditioned over the summer. The blinds were pulled and the doors were closed, creating an environment ideal for mold growth.
The mold had grown on door knobs, under tables, on top of some books and on cork and felt boards.
These are common problems for any building that does not get normal use (such as schools over the summer months). If your school has mold concerns, ask your school officials to address the concerns quickly as these schools did. If you believe professional mold removal and mold clean up is required, please contact EcoGuard Mold Solutions www.MoldIndiana.com
Did Mold Kill Brittany Murphy and her husband?
26/07/10 15:25
Brittany Murphy the actress was found dead on December 20th 2009 at the young age of 32. It was a shock to the world and her family. Initially her death was attributed to respiratory health issues. Then just a few months later, her late husband, Simon Monjack, was also found dead in their home. Seems too coincidental so the Department of Public Health, suspecting a mold problem, decided to look into the issue further.
The Department of Public Health did find mold in the house and autopsies are being performed to see if it was a contributing factor. Mold can be very toxic and detrimental to human health and wellness. Mold issues or concerns in your home should not go unaddressed. If you find mold or even suspect mold your home or the home of your family and friends, you should seek a mold profession for evaluation and assistance.
Mold can occur from many different possible scenarios. In the instance with Brittany Murphy, her husband discovered a roof leak in their relatively new home. This lead him to suspect a problem. Unfortunately, it may have been too late!
The Department of Public Health did find mold in the house and autopsies are being performed to see if it was a contributing factor. Mold can be very toxic and detrimental to human health and wellness. Mold issues or concerns in your home should not go unaddressed. If you find mold or even suspect mold your home or the home of your family and friends, you should seek a mold profession for evaluation and assistance.
Mold can occur from many different possible scenarios. In the instance with Brittany Murphy, her husband discovered a roof leak in their relatively new home. This lead him to suspect a problem. Unfortunately, it may have been too late!
Too Much Mold... Family Moves Out
13/07/10 09:00
For weeks, the family has temporarily squeezed into a 37-foot camper parked behind their Salisbury house. Sam Brown says their four-bedroom home is unlivable because it is plagued by a mold problem they first noticed last July. He fears the mold has caused respiratory problems for him and his children: Sam, 14, Robert, 10, and Sheyene, 4.
"It's kind of rough, but we're getting there," said Brown, 46, about living in the two-bedroom camper. "The kids are too close together and fight sometimes."
Brown said their mold problem could have been prevented. He blames it on an improperly installed heat pump, which he said spread moisture throughout the duct system and led to a buildup of moldy spores.
A more thorough inspection process of HVAC installations in Wicomico County could have prevented the error, Brown said. It's why he and his wife launched a crusade in March for the county to adopt, for the first time, an inspection process for HVAC installations. "We're already done. It ruined our home and all. But we don't want it to happen to someone else," Brown said. Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt Jr. responded to their concerns by instructing the Public Works Department to study the matter. County spokesman Jim Fineran said he expects the findings to be presented to the County Council "real soon."
Fineran said Public Works officials looked at the merit of starting an HVAC inspection system that would be similar to how electrical inspections are handled.
"It would not be at any cost to the taxpayer; it would be fee-based," he said.
Vic Disharoon, president of Wicomico Heating and Air Conditioning Inc., said many HVAC contractors support the changes. The cost he pays for HVAC inspections in Ocean City has increased costs on his projects by between $100-$150, he said. "That's a small amount to pay for peace of mind," Disharoon said.
Disharoon said inspections are needed from a safety standpoint, as faulty HVAC installations can have dangerous consequences. Furthermore, inspections are needed to cut down on the number of unlicensed contractors who are out there doing work, he said. "There are other families out there who've had the same problems as (the Browns). They just haven't taken the same time and effort to go before the council," Disharoon said. County Council President John Cannon said changes are definitely needed; a point he backed up by saying the Delmarva Master HVAC Association has written a letter to the council in support to requiring inspections.
"The surprising thing is we've had advocates for it coming from the HVAC industry," he said.
The Browns did not disclose the name of the contractor they hired for the HVAC installation because of pending legal matters. However, they did say the contractor they hired was licensed.
Sam Brown said he is now traveling to Pocomoke City to see a doctor who specializes in treating mold-related allergies.
"Something this dangerous needs regulation," he said.
"It's kind of rough, but we're getting there," said Brown, 46, about living in the two-bedroom camper. "The kids are too close together and fight sometimes."
Brown said their mold problem could have been prevented. He blames it on an improperly installed heat pump, which he said spread moisture throughout the duct system and led to a buildup of moldy spores.
A more thorough inspection process of HVAC installations in Wicomico County could have prevented the error, Brown said. It's why he and his wife launched a crusade in March for the county to adopt, for the first time, an inspection process for HVAC installations. "We're already done. It ruined our home and all. But we don't want it to happen to someone else," Brown said. Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt Jr. responded to their concerns by instructing the Public Works Department to study the matter. County spokesman Jim Fineran said he expects the findings to be presented to the County Council "real soon."
Fineran said Public Works officials looked at the merit of starting an HVAC inspection system that would be similar to how electrical inspections are handled.
"It would not be at any cost to the taxpayer; it would be fee-based," he said.
Vic Disharoon, president of Wicomico Heating and Air Conditioning Inc., said many HVAC contractors support the changes. The cost he pays for HVAC inspections in Ocean City has increased costs on his projects by between $100-$150, he said. "That's a small amount to pay for peace of mind," Disharoon said.
Disharoon said inspections are needed from a safety standpoint, as faulty HVAC installations can have dangerous consequences. Furthermore, inspections are needed to cut down on the number of unlicensed contractors who are out there doing work, he said. "There are other families out there who've had the same problems as (the Browns). They just haven't taken the same time and effort to go before the council," Disharoon said. County Council President John Cannon said changes are definitely needed; a point he backed up by saying the Delmarva Master HVAC Association has written a letter to the council in support to requiring inspections.
"The surprising thing is we've had advocates for it coming from the HVAC industry," he said.
The Browns did not disclose the name of the contractor they hired for the HVAC installation because of pending legal matters. However, they did say the contractor they hired was licensed.
Sam Brown said he is now traveling to Pocomoke City to see a doctor who specializes in treating mold-related allergies.
"Something this dangerous needs regulation," he said.
Is mold in my house dangerous?
08/06/10 12:08
While certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins), the molds themselves are not toxic, or poisonous. Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house. There is always a little mold everywhere - in the air and on many surfaces. There are reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss.
In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.
Mold can present a health hazard to human beings and many mammals. The mold separated due to high temperature, becomes air borne and because of its smaller size can be a serious health hazard as it is lodged in respiratory tract. It can also go in your body through cuts and cause problems with immune system. Mold is an allergen and an irritant. Someone who suffers from household allergies or asthma will no doubt have trouble breathing in homes with mold infestations. Eyes, ears, noses and throats can become irritated as well.
In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.
Mold can present a health hazard to human beings and many mammals. The mold separated due to high temperature, becomes air borne and because of its smaller size can be a serious health hazard as it is lodged in respiratory tract. It can also go in your body through cuts and cause problems with immune system. Mold is an allergen and an irritant. Someone who suffers from household allergies or asthma will no doubt have trouble breathing in homes with mold infestations. Eyes, ears, noses and throats can become irritated as well.