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TOXIC
MOLD
What
is Toxic Mold?
Why is
it Dangerous?
What
are the Health Risks?
How
do I Investigate?
Other Frequently Asked
Questions
NYC
Guidelines
EPA
Guidelines
Press
Releases and Links
The
Deadly Mold Invasion
Toxic Mold can be found almost anywhere; it can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet and insulation. When excessive moisture builds up and accumulates in building materials, mold growth will occur. Particularly, if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or
unaddressed. The best method of controlling it is to control moisture. If mold growth goes unchecked, it can cause serious illnesses. Lawsuits in California and Texas contend that mold exposure has led to serious illness and death. Another example of the public awareness and valid concern was documented on “48Hours” and “Today” where it was reported the claims of severe physical and mental illness resulting from mold infestations.
Many Americans are nervously inspecting their mail for anthrax since the September 11 devastation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges the public to remain on guard against another toxic substance: MOLD-
STACHYBOTRYS CHARTARUM.
The EPA reports that there is an association between
Stachybotrys Chartarum and illnesses observed. Throughout the United States you will see the rise of public plea with insurance companies to correct water damage to prevent the deadly mold from sporing within their homes. SBS (sick building syndrome) occurs when the air-handling systems have become contaminated, re-circulating toxic air. Building occupants experience health ailments that appear to be linked to presence within the building. TOXIC MOLD may be growing in your home. Have you had a previous flood? A plumbing problem or a roof leak? Are your windows leaking? Do you have an improperly working exhaust vents …in the bathroom? The kitchen or laundry room? Wet areas that have not been properly repaired are the foundation for breeding toxic molds such as Stachybotrys C. If you have toxic mold, DO NOT TOUCH IT …proper handling is essential for everyone’s safety.
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Why
is it dangerous?
A
Growing Catastrophe
Stachtbotrys (Black Mold) is a greenish –black mold that grows on materials with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as: fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust and lint. Growth happens when there is moisture from water damage, water leaks, condensation, excessive humidity, water infiltration or flooding. This particular mold growth occurs widely in the United States, it is very common to find is residential and commercial properties. When it is wet it looks black and slimy sometimes with white edges, however, when it is dry it looks shiny. If you suspect this mold do not touch it, call a professional remediation service- call us
C.A.S.I..
Black mold is toxic. If it is disturbed and not contained it becomes airborne, then the risk of respiratory exposure goes up. You never want to attempt to remove the contaminated area. IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR HEALTH to call a remediation specialist who has been fully trained in black mold.
PPE (protective personal equipment) is an absolute necessity when handling this toxic mold.
Containment during remediation is necessary to limit release of mold into the air and surroundings, in order to minimize the exposure of specialists and building occupants. Mold should not be allowed to spread to other areas in the building or home beyond the contaminated site.
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Is Indoor Mold Contamination a threat to Health?
See what the U. S. Department of Health has to say by
clicking here...
www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/oehas/mold.html
When you are contemplating the clean up of black mold, you must verify the extent of the problem. You never want to touch the contaminated spot or attempt to remove it. A professional trained in mold remediation from
C.A.S.I., will be glad to assist with the problem. Severe respiratory health risks and even death are associated with this toxic, deadly mold. All indoor mold growth is potentially harmful and should be removed promptly, no matter what types of mold is present or whether it can produce toxins. According to the
CDC, toxic mold is a common cause for school closings. If a school board selects to go through to eradicate the problem, individuals need to be just as cautious within their homes.
Health
Risks / Symptoms / Ailments
A
Creeping Catastrophe
Black Mold, “Stachy” has become the poster bug of dangerous organisms. In 1994 the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) investigated an outbreak of acute hemorrage among children in Cleveland, OH. During the investigation they developed the hypothesis that massive exposure to
Stachybotrys Chartarum and other molds might well result in severe lung disease in infants. The CDC warns that other factors such as tobacco smoke can act as crucial triggers precipitating overt pulmonary hemorrhage. Nevertheless, the CDC remains convinced a link exists. Uncompromising everyone agrees…black mold present is a health risk. If the spores of Stachy are inhaled they can lead to a variety of ailments and even death. Experts say that it sometimes takes years before the effects of black mold exposure are detected. The CDC list the following as symptoms from exposure to Stachy mold:
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Nasal and Sinus Congestion
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Eyes- burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity\
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Dry, hacking-cough
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Respiratory problems such as wheezing, and difficulty in breathing
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Sore Throat
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Nose and Throat irritation/ Nose Bleeds
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Shortness of breath
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Chronic Fatigue
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Skin Irritation
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Central nervous system problems
(headaches/memory problems/mood changes)
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Aches and pains
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Possible fever
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Diarrhea
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Possible hemosiderosis
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Immune suppression
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Epileptic-like seizures
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Restlessness/Dizziness
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Loss of Hearing
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Feeling that your head is full and stuffiness/Flu like symptoms
that won’t go away
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Investigation
/ Evaluation / Remediation
A
Growing Catastrophe
Safety Tips While Investigating and Evaluating Mold and Moisture Problems:
-
Do not touch mold or moldy items with bare hands
-
Do not get mold spores in your eyes
-
Do not breathe in mold or mold spores
-
Wear appropriate
PPE at all times and follow strict
containment guidelines
-
Consult a professional as appropriate throughout process
Mold Remediation- Key Steps:
-
Select environmental consultant
-
Communicate with building occupants throughout process
-
Identify source or cause of water or moisture problem
-
Select remediation contractor
-
Plan remediation, adapt guidelines to fit situation
-
Select
PPE
-
Select containment equipment/remediation team
-
Remediate
-
Fix water or moisture problem
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Clean and dry moldy materials with appropriate tools
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Discard moldy items that can not be cleaned
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Dry non-moldy items within time permitted
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Check for moisture return and mold problem
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If hidden mold is discovered, reevaluate plan
C.A.S.I. will investigate/evaluate and remediate all contaminated areas. It is important to do routine mold checks as part of regular maintenance on a commercial building or a residence. Prevention is a key factor in eliminating spontaneous growth of this toxic mold. Evaluation of the site is imperative in the remediation process as it allows us to appropriately and safely remove the toxic mold. Black Mold must be removed by a trained and qualified professional, using the following procedures.
-
Level I: If the contaminated area is 2 square feet or less.
-
A)
The area can be cleaned by individuals who have received training on proper clean up methods, protection and potential health hazards. These individuals should be free from asthma, allergy and immune disorders. At a minimum, Gloves and a half face respirator should be worn at all times.
-
B)
Contaminated material should be placed in a sealed plastic bag before taking it out of the building. This will prevent contamination of other parts of the building.
-
C)
Surrounding areas should be cleaned with a household bleach solution.
-
Level II:
If the area of mold is more than 2 square feet but less than 30 square feet. The recommendations are the same as Level I, with the added precaution that moldy materials should be covered with plastic sheets and taped before any handling or removal is done.
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Level III: If the area of mold is more than 30 square feet. Trained professionals in mold remediation are positively a necessity.
-
Level IV: If mold is shown to be present in the heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system. Recommendations are the same as Level III.
**For more information see
NYC GUIDELINES
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Other
Frequently Asked Questions
This information is for people who have mold problems in their homes. It presents the health concerns associated with mold exposure and advice on finding and removing mold contamination.
What is
mold?
What does mold need to grow?
Should I be concerned about mold in my home?
Can mold make me and my family sick?
What symptoms might I
see?
Are the risks greater for some people?
Are some molds more hazardous than
others?
How do I tell if I have a mold problem?
Should I test for mold?
When can we rebuild?
Can ozone air cleaners remove indoor mold?
How
can I clean up mold?
What is Mold?
Molds are fungi. Molds grow throughout the natural and built environment. Tiny particles of mold are present in indoor and outdoor air. In nature, molds help break down dead materials and can be found growing on soil, foods, plant matter, and other items. Molds produce microscopic cells called "spores" which are very tiny and spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions.
What does mold need to grow?
Mold only needs a few simple things to grow and multiply:
-
Moisture
-
Nutrients
-
Suitable place to grow
Of these, controlling excess moisture is the key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth.
Should I be concerned about mold in my home?
Mold should not be permitted to grow and multiply indoors. When this happens, health problems can occur and building materials, goods and furnishings may be damaged.
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Health Effects
Can mold make me and my family sick?
Mold can affect the health of people who are exposed to it. People are mainly exposed to mold by breathing spores or other tiny fragments. People can also be exposed through skin contact with mold contaminants (for example, by touching moldy surfaces) and by swallowing it.
The type and severity of health effects that mold may produce are usually difficult to predict. The risks can vary greatly from one location to another, over time, and from person to person.
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What symptoms might I see?
The most common health problems caused by indoor mold are allergy symptoms. Although other and more serious problems can occur, people exposed to mold commonly report problems such as:
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nasal and sinus congestion
-
cough
-
wheeze/breathing difficulties
-
sore throat
-
skin and eye irritation
-
upper respiratory infections (including sinus)
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Are the risks greater for some people?
There is wide variability in how different people are affected by indoor mold. However, the long term presence of indoor mold growth may eventually become unhealthy for anyone. The following types of people may be affected more severely and sooner than others:
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infants and children
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elderly people
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individuals with respiratory conditions or sensitivities such as allergies and asthma
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persons having weakened immune systems (for example, people with HIV infection, chemotherapy patients, organ transplant recipients)
-
Those with special health concerns should consult a medical professional if they feel their health is affected by indoor mold.
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Are some molds more hazardous than others?
Some types of mold can produce chemical compounds (called mycotoxins) although they do not always do so. Molds that are able to produce toxins are common. In some circumstances, the toxins produced by indoor mold may cause health problems. However, all indoor mold growth is potentially harmful and should be removed promptly, no matter what types of mold is present or whether it can produce toxins.
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How do I tell if I have a mold problem?
Investigate don't test. The most practical way to find a mold problem is by using your eyes to look for mold growth and by using your nose to locate the source of a suspicious odor. If you see mold or if there is an earthy or musty smell, you should assume a mold problem exists. Other clues are signs of excess moisture or the worsening of allergy-like symptoms.
Look for visible mold growth (may appear cottony, velvety, granular, or leathery and have varied colors of white, gray, brown, black, yellow, green). Mold often appears as discoloration, staining, or fuzzy growth on the surface of building materials or furnishings. When mold is visible, testing is not recommended.
Search areas with noticeable mold odors.
Look for signs of excess moisture or water damage. Look for water leaks, standing water, water stains, condensation problems. For example, do you see any watermarks or discoloration on walls, ceilings, carpet, woodwork or other building materials?
Search behind and underneath materials (carpet and pad, wallpaper, vinyl flooring, sink cabinets), furniture, or stored items (especially things placed near outside walls or on cold floors). Sometimes destructive techniques may be needed to inspect and clean enclosed spaces where mold and moisture are hidden; for example, opening up a wall cavity.
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Should I test for mold?
The Minnesota Department of Health does not recommend testing for mold. Instead, you should simply assume there is a problem whenever you see mold or smell mold odors. Testing should never take the place of visual inspection and it should never use up resources that are needed to correct moisture problems and remove all visible growth.
Sometimes, mold growth is hidden and difficult to locate. In such cases, a combination of air (outdoor and indoor air samples) and bulk (material) samples may help determine the extent of contamination and where cleaning is needed. However, mold testing is rarely useful for trying to answer questions about health concerns.
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Mold Clean-up and Removal
To clean up and remove indoor mold growth, follow these steps as they apply to your home.
-
Identify and Fix the Moisture Problem
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Begin Drying All Wet Materials
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Remove and Dispose of Mold Contaminated Materials
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Clean Surfaces
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Disinfect Surfaces - optional
-
Remain on Mold Alert
Identify and Fix the Moisture Problem - the most important step in solving a mold problem is to identify and correct the moisture sources that allowed the growth in the first place. Common indoor moisture sources include:
-
Flooding
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Condensation (caused by indoor humidity that is too high or surfaces that are too cold)
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Movement through basement walls and slab
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Roof leaks
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Plumbing leaks
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Overflow from tubs, sinks, or toilets
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Firewood stored indoors
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Humidifier use
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Inadequate venting of kitchen and bath humidity
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Improper venting of combustion appliances
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Failure to vent clothes dryer exhaust outdoors (including electric dryers)
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Line drying laundry indoors
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House plants - watering them can generate large amounts of moisture
To keep indoor surfaces as dry as possible, try to maintain the home's relative humidity between 20-40 percent in the winter and less than 60 percent the rest of the year. You can purchase devices to measure relative humidity at some home supply stores. Ventilation, air circulation near cold surfaces, dehumidification, and efforts to minimize the production of moisture in the home are all very important in controlling high humidity that frequently causes mold growth in our cold climate.
Begin Drying All Wet Materials - as soon as possible, begin drying any materials that are wet. For severe moisture problems, use fans and dehumidifiers and move wet items away from walls and off floors. Check with equipment rental companies or restoration firms to see if you can rent fans and dehumidifiers.
Remove and Dispose of Mold Contaminated Materials - items which have absorbed moisture (porous materials) and which have mold growing on them need to be removed, bagged and thrown out. Such materials may include sheet rock, insulation, plaster, carpet/carpet pad, ceiling tiles, wood products (other than solid wood), and paper products. Likewise, any such porous materials that have contacted sewage should also be bagged and thrown away. Non-porous materials with surface mold growth may be saved if they are cleaned well and kept dry (see step 4).
Take Steps to Protect Yourself - the amount of mold particles in air can increase greatly when mold is disturbed. Consider using protective equipment when handling or working around mold contaminated materials. The following equipment can help minimize exposure to mold:
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Rubber gloves
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Eye goggles
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Outer clothing (long sleeves and long pants) that can be easily removed in the work area and laundered or discarded
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Medium-efficiency or high-efficiency filter dust mask (these can be found at safety equipment suppliers, hardware stores, or some other large stores that sell home repair supplies) -- at a minimum, use an N-95 or equivalent dust mask
Take Steps to Protect Others - plan and perform all work to minimize the amount of dust generated. The following actions can help minimize the spread of mold spores:
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Enclose all moldy materials in plastic (bags or sheets) before carrying through the home
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Hang plastic sheeting to separate the work area from the rest of the home
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Remove outer layer of work clothing in the work area and wash separately or bag
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Damp clean the entire work area to pick up settled contaminants in dust
Clean Surfaces - surface mold growing on non-porous materials such as hard plastic, concrete, glass, metal, and solid wood can usually be cleaned. Cleaning must remove and capture the mold contamination, because dead spores and mold particles still cause health problems if they are left in place
Thoroughly scrub all contaminated surfaces using a stiff brush, hot water and a non-ammonia soap/detergent or commercial cleaner
Collect excess cleaning liquid with a wet/dry vacuum, mop or sponge
Rinse area with clean water and collect excess rinse water
Disinfect Surfaces (if desired) - after cleaning has removed all visible mold and other soiling from contaminated surfaces, a disinfectant may be used to kill mold missed by the cleaning. In the case of sewage contamination, disinfection must be performed. Contact the Minnesota Department of Health for appropriate advice.
Mix 1/4 to 1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water and apply to surfaces where mold growth was visible before cleaning. The solution can be applied with a spray bottle, garden sprayer, it can be sponged on, or applied by other methods.
Collect any run-off of bleach solution with a wet/ dry vacuum, sponge or mop. However, do not rinse or wipe the bleach solution off the areas being treated -- allow it to dry on the surface.
Always handle bleach with caution.Never mix bleach with ammonia — toxic chlorine gas may result. Bleach can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Provide fresh air (for example, open a window or door). Protect skin and eyes from contact with bleach. Test solution on a small area before treatment, since bleach is very corrosive and may damage some materials.
Remain on MOLD ALERT - Continue looking for signs of moisture problems or return of mold growth. Be particularly alert to moisture in areas of past growth. If mold returns, repeat cleaning steps and consider using a stronger solution to disinfect the area again. Regrowth may signal that the material should be removed or that moisture is not yet controlled.
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When can we rebuild?
Rebuilding and refurnishing must wait until all affected materials have dried completely. Be patient it takes time to dry out wet building materials. A moisture meter may help measure drying progress. Contact your county Extension Service office to see if they loan moisture meters.
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Can ozone air cleaners remove indoor mold?
Some air cleaners are designed to produce ozone which is a strong oxidizing agent and a known irritant of the lungs and respiratory system . Studies have shown that ozone, even at high concentrations, is not effective at killing airborne mold or surface mold contamination. Even if mold was killed by ozone, the health threats would not be reduced until mold contaminants are removed through cleaning. Health
experts, do not recommend the use of ozone to address mold or any other indoor air problems.
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