Mold and its affects

Frequently, my company is called to inspect a home because the family has headaches, runny noses, eye dryness and irritation, nose bleeds, coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and sneezing. After further investigation it is determined that they have a tenacious mold problem that has developed in one or more room of their home.

Mold invades attic spaces, climbs up bathroom walls, invades carpets, infests and sets up house in drywall. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicated there are six different types of mold that live in homes and of that, three produce toxins that are harmful to humans. CDC has linked one (Stachybotrys atra) in particular that has produced lung disorders in small children and the elderly. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible for the homeowner to tell between the ones that produce toxins and the ones that don’t.

In small quantities mold can be cleaned up with regular household bleach. Actually most of us don’t realize that the mold we just cleaned up produced toxins, primarily because we didn’t allow it to get big enough to become a problem. For mold to grow it has to have four things: moisture, heat, a food source and time. If the conditions are right, mold will start colonization within 24 to 48 hours. Mold likes humidity levels to be between 40% and 50% in the home.

Regardless of the type of mold that has invaded your home, your safety depends on the size of the colony. If the black mass is less that 3-foot square you can probably take care of it yourself with bleach. Larger infestation indicates that you have gross colonization and a Remediation Contractor should be called to assist you with the problem.

This article was written by Edmond E. Madan, Certified Forensic, Fire, Flood, Mold Inspection & Remediation Contractor. Ed is the CEO of Northwest Executive & Environmental Services, Inc.