What is mold?

Mold is a type of fungi that uses organic material to live and thrive. There are over 1000 strains of mold that exist in the United States. Luckily, only a very small percentage poses a health risk to humans. Mold relies on moisture and temperature to grow and survive. Mold therefore likes warm, moist locations. Water that sits in basements or walls without being detected can be very problematic.

How does mold grow?

Mold grows by digesting organic material that it feeds off. Most often, mold lands on moist foods, where it germinates and branches out into networks called hyphae. Mold is not picky when it comes to what it needs to thrive-food, paper, wood, and carpet are just a few of the items that mold will grow on. A particular danger for humans is water accumulation inside a home. This can turn from a relatively pesky problem into a health risk if the mold infestation goes undetected. This occurs most often in hidden corners of basements and inside walls where it is literally impossible to detect these growths.

Where is mold found?

Molds can be found nearly everywhere, indoors, outdoors, it doesn’t matter to the mold. As long as a location has those two ingredients, moisture and enough temperature, mold can and will grow if proper steps are not taken to keep its growth at bay. However, mold does enjoy certain conditions more than other.
Outdoors
· Shady, damp areas outside
· Spots with decomposing leaves or dirt
· Sides of wooden buildings
· Moist, untreated sheet rock
· Firewood
Indoors
· Basements
· Gypsum board
· Greenhouses
· Farms
· Mills
· Certain types of wall paper
· Wicker furniture
· Water soaked couches, etc.
· Construction areas
· Flower shops
· Summer cottages

How do humans come into contact with mold?

There are two basic ways that we come into contact with mold spores, either through skin contact or by swallowing and ingested them. Mold spores are best thought of as tiny reproductive pods not unlike seeds. Mold spores or fragments are released into the air when the mold growth is disturbed. When mold dries up, it allows the spores to more easily be swept up into the air in order to try and land on another location where conditions exist so that it may once again grow. Mold spores can produce mycotoxins, which can cause reactions and illness to sensitized individuals.

What are common reactions to mold?

Common reactions include:
· Eye Irritation
· Runny nose
· Sneezing
· Sore throat
· Shortness of breath
· Congestion
· Fever
· Coughing
· Wheezing
· General Fatigue
· Aches and pains
· Headaches
· Dry, hacking cough
· Skin irritation

What can toxic mold effect humans?

While most types of mold are harmless to humans, certain strains of can be very dangerous and even lethal to vulnerable groups of humans, including infants, asthmatics and sensitized individuals. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds can experience fever and shortness of breath. People with chronic illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. Respiratory problems and chronic sinus infections can occur with certain strains. More serious than these reactions are memory problems and attention deficit that are associated with Stachybotrys chartarum and Stachybotrys atras. Another dangerous strain is Aspergillus, which scientists fear may play a part in a small number of cases of cancer. Several researchers have posited that molds can cause differing degrees of brain damage.

How do you remove toxic mold?

Toxic mold should be scraped from its location and placed in a sealed container and disposed of. Always wear a face mask to avoid the spores that can easily be released when moldy material is dried out. (For large infestations, always hire a professional to handle the clean up.) Disinfect and dry areas affected by mold. Bag and dispose of any material that has moldy residues, such as rags, paper, leaves, or debris. After thoroughly cleaning and rinsing, disinfect the area with a solution of 10 percent household bleach (1 cup bleach per gallon of water). When using bleach or other disinfectants, work for short time spans, taking periodic breaks in an area with fresh air. Always make sure the house is well ventilated after you have used bleach.

What is Stachybotrys chartarum?

Over the past several years, there have been a number of young infants (most under 6 months old), in the eastern neighborhoods of Cleveland, who have been coughing up blood due to bleeding in their lungs. Some infants have died and more infants continue to become ill. This bleeding, a disorder called Pulmonary Hemorrhage appears to be caused by something in their home environments, most likely toxins produced by an unusual fungus called Stachybotrys chartarum or similar fungi.