What is mold and where is it found?
Mold (fungi) is present everywhere, indoors and outdoors. There are more than 100,000 species of mold. At least 1,000 species of mold are common in the U.S. Some of the most commonly found are species of Cladosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillus. Mold is most likely to grow where there is water or dampness, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
How do you know if you have a mold problem?
Large mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled. Mold needs moisture to incubate and grow. The best method of preventing mold growth in homes is to eliminate moisture in floors and walls after any water damage.
How can mold affect your health?
Most types of mold that are routinely encountered are not hazardous to healthy individuals. However, too much exposure to mold may cause or worsen conditions such as asthma, hay fever or other allergies. The most common symptoms of overdose are cough, congestion, runny nose, eye irritation and aggravation of asthma.
How can you be exposed to mold?
When mold is disturbed, spores can be released into the air. Exposure
can occur if people inhale the spores or directly handle moldy
materials.
How does mold grow?
All molds need water to grow. Mold can grow almost anywhere there
is water damage, high humidity or dampness. Most often molds are
confined to areas near the source of water. Removing the source
of moisture is critical to preventing further mold growth.
What should you do if mold is present in your home or apartment?
Although visible mold can be analyzed and air can be sampled, these
processes are very expensive and not always recommended. It is more
important to eliminate mold rather than find out more about it. The
most effective way to treat mold is to correct the underlying water
damage and clean the affected area.
How do you keep mold out of buildings and homes?
As part of routine maintenance, buildings should be inspected
for evidence of water damage and visible mold. The conditions causing
mold, such as water leaks, condensation or flooding, should be
corrected to prevent mold from growing.
