Mold Remediation Information

It is very common for homeowners to have a moldy or mildewy smell in their basement that is very hard to locate. There can be many causes of such smell and the tracking alone can make some a little queasy. Sometimes these problems can only be determined by having the area looked by professionals. Basement Detective is DC area company capable of determining the source of the conditions that can cause mold growth. There are a few independent companies that offer such services such as finding and repairing the causes for homeowners and contractors.

There are 3 important steps to preventing mold growth in your home.
1. Detect it
2. Remove the mold
3. Remediate the water source

Detect it
If you smell mold, you have mold. The first thing is finding the source of the smell. Once this is located and narrowed down to a relatively easy to inspect spot then you are ready for step two.

Remove the Mold
Removing mold can be very messy and even dangerous if there is a large amount of it. Areas of heavy mold growth over a few square feet should be removed under containment or at least by a mold professional. It is possible to clean mold off of surfaces that are not porous such as glass and plastic, but porous materials will not be possible to clean to a mold free level. Materials such as drywall, cloth, leather, shoes, basically any organic materials at all will not clean very easily. If these materials cannot be put in a deep cycle cleaning machine like a washer then there is little hope all the mold will be removed.

Remediate the Water Source
The removal of the actual source of the water is the primary goal in preventing mold growth. If the source of water is removed or cut off the mold will not continue to grow. It is true that mold will still remain alive after the water is gone but it will not continue to grow. This is also why removal of molded materials is so important. Many mold removal and mold remediation companies do not perform this crucial step and the mold only returns.

There are many factors that can lead to mildew or moldy smells in a basement. The first and most common is the presence of water either as moisture or excessive humidity. The next is a total lack of air movement. If these two are combined there will either be a mold build-up or the likelihood of one.

Most commonly mildewy or moldy basement smells are due to wet foundation walls and the presence of finishing materials such as carpet and drywall. The building materials are consistent food supply and will aid mold growth if given enough water supply.

There are two basic ways to remove a moldy smell.
1. The prevention of the water or moisture presence. This is the most desired cure and the best starting point of removing the mold      growth and of course the moldy smell. This may involve plumbing repairs, waterproofing either interior or exterior, or                      balancing of HVAC systems among other cures.

2. The removal of building materials. This is a less desired approach. But removal of the food that is aiding the mold growth if the      water problem cannot be solved will slow or prevent further mold growth even if the cause of the moisture problem is not                  cured.

The Environmental Protection Agency has developed an online tutorial course as an overview to mold prevention and remediation. This course is meant to cover basic information for property owners and contractors and should not be used in lieu of a state-approved certification course. The course is based on the EPA’s guide Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. People who may find this information of value include public and environmental health professionals including, but not limited to, building managers, custodians, remediators, and contractors.

To take the basic knowledge quiz on mold, continue to the Pre-test.

This is the first of a series of mold publications circulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. More information and resources on mold can be found at the main website for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. All images are used for presentation and educational purposes and can be located in the EPA’s Image Library.

Suggested Study Schedule: We suggest reviewing one lesson a day. At the end of each chapter, take the knowledge test to be sure you are understanding the material. If you do not score with an 80% accuracy, you should review the material and retest.

Asthma and Allergic Diseases

Information found at Environmental Protection Agency.

Antimicrobial Information Hotline

www.epa.gov/oppad001/
(703) 308-0127/(703) 308-6467(FAX)
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
email: Info_Antimicrobial@epa.gov 

The Antimicrobials Information Hotline provides answers to questions concerning current antimicrobial issues (disinfectants, fungicides, others) regulated by the pesticide law, rules and regulations. These cover interpretation laws, rules, and regulations, and registration and re-registration of antimicrobial chemicals and products. The Hotline also provide information health & safety issues on registered antimicrobial products, product label and the proper and safe use of these antimicrobial products.

Information found at Environmental Protection Agency.

“Depending on the areas where surveys are conducted, sterile mycelia and the fungi of the genera Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, Epicoccum, Aspergillus, Pullularia, and Drechslera are most commonly encountered. Studies have also shown that poorly maintained landscaping, high shade levels, and large amounts of organic debris near the home (including ivy, compost, and bark chips) are highly correlated with the accumulation of indoor molds. Also, the development of mold in room-air humidifiers, cold-mist vaporizers, and air-conditioning systems has received much recent attention.”
Quoted from emedicine.com

Fungal toxins, or mycotoxins, are biomolucules produced by fungi which can be toxic to animals and humans. Many fungal toxins interfere with RNA synthesis and can damage DNA. Aspergillus Flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are strong carcinogens. Trichothecenes produced by Stachybotrys chartarium and Asperigullus versicolor were present in most samples of tested material and dust from buildings with current or past water damage. Of fifteen samples, nine of these came from buildings without visible damage or mould.

Aspergillus mold culture.

(Photo available through Environmental Health Perspectives)

More Information available at World Health Organization.

If you are unsure about mold issues in your building or home and your landlord refuses to take responsibility towards remediating the problem, you do have options.  Contact your local board of health or housing authority. Health codes fall under state and local, not federal jurisdiction. Contact your state or county health department in order to read up on local codes and regulation in order to know your legal rights.

More information available at Center for Disease Control.

Mold Remediation – Key Steps

• Consult health professional as appropriate throughout process
• Select remediation manager
• Assess size of mold problem and note type of mold-damaged materials
• Communicate with building occupants throughout process as appropriate to situation
• Identify source or cause of water or moisture problem
• Plan remediation, adapt guidelines to fit situation, see Table 1 & Table 2
• Select personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Select containment equipment
• Select remediation personnel or team
• Choose between outside expertise or in-house expertise
• Remediate
• Fix water or moisture problem
• Clean and dry moldy materials See Table 2
• Discard moldy items that can’t be cleaned
• Dry non-moldy items within 48 hours See Table 1
• Check for return of moisture and mold problem
• If hidden mold is discovered, reevaluate plan

Information found at Environmental Protection Agency.

Fungal species produce Type I allergens. Common indoor/outdoor species such as Alternaria, Pen icillian, Aspgillus, and Cladosporium cause allergic repertory disease, especially asthma.  Pencillian and Aspgillus are also well-known causes of Type III allergens. And in high concentrations, Type IV allergens, hypersensitivity pneumonitius,  are seen.  Inside airways, germination and mycelia growth occur most which release greater amounts of spores, hyphae, and fungal fragments. Because these are well adapt at airborne dispersal, these are the most harmful fungal issues.

More Information available at World Health Organization.

NCSU article details how to prevent and clean up after a flood or mold infestation.

NCSU article

Mold Prevention Tips from the EPA

• Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.
   
• Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix source(s) of moisture problem(s) as soon as possible.
   
• Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity). To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair leaks, increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry), or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid).
   
• Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.
   
• Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside where possible.
   
• Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity (RH), ideally 30-50%, if possible.
   
• Perform regular building/HVAC inspections and maintenance as scheduled.
   
• Clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48 hours.
   
• Don’t let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation.

Information found at Environmental Protection Agency.

This article on slime mold, myxomycetes, covers it’s life cycle and classification.

Island Nature article

If you are concerned about health problems that are associated with exposure to mold, you should first contact your family or general health care provider inorder to determine if you need a refer to see a specialist. Specialist include allergists, physicians who treat mold allergies, or an infectious disease physician, who treats mold infections. If the infection is located in the lungs, a pulmonary physician might be needed.

More information available at Center for Disease Control.

Review from Executive Summary of The World Health Organization’s publication, The Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould:

On the basis of this review, the following guidelines were formulated. Persistent dampness and microbial growth on interior surfaces and in building structures should be avoided or minimized, as they may lead to adverse health effects.

• Indicators of dampness and microbial growth include the presence of condensation on surfaces or in structures, visible mould, perceived mouldy odour and a history of water damage, leakage or penetration. Thorough inspection and, if necessary, appropriate measurements can be used to confirm indoor moisture and microbial growth.
• As the relations between dampness, microbial exposure and health effects cannot be quantified precisely, no quantitative health-based guideline values or thresholds can be recommended for acceptable levels of contamination with microorganisms. Instead, it is recommended that dampness and mould-related problems be prevented. When they occur, they should be remediated because they increase the risk of hazardous exposure to microbes and chemicals.
• Well-designed, well-constructed, well-maintained building envelopes are critical to the prevention and control of excess moisture and microbial growth, as they prevent thermal bridges and the entry of liquid or vapour-phase water.
• Management of moisture requires proper control of temperatures and ventilation to avoid excess humidity, condensation on surfaces and excess moisture in materials. Ventilation should be distributed effectively throughout spaces, and stagnant air zones should be avoided.
• Building owners are responsible for providing a healthy workplace or living environment free of excess moisture and mould, by ensuring proper building construction and maintenance. The occupants are responsible for managing the use of water, heating, ventilation and appliances in a manner that does not lead to dampness and mould growth. Local recommendations for different climatic regions should be updated to control dampness-mediated microbial growth in buildings and to ensure desirable indoor air quality.
• Dampness and mould may be particularly prevalent in poorly maintained housing for low-income people. Remediation of the conditions that lead to adverse exposure should be given priority to prevent an additional contribution to poor health in populations who are already living with an increased burden of disease.

Schild – Vereinte Nationen-Campus (UN-Campus) Görresstr. 15 in Bonn. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO-UNEVOC), World Health Organization (WHO-ECEH), United Nations University (UNU-EHS). (Photo by Michael Z.)

Full publication available at World Health Organization.

Commercial buildings and schools are areas of concern for public health. Mold detection and remediation is pertinent in order to insure the quality of health, especially for our children and elderly populations. When mold is found in public buildings, adverse health problems may be reported by occupants, employees, and general populations. Health issues may include allergies, skin irritations, and breathing problems. Serious problems may occur in circumstances where 1) children or elderly individuals, 2) individual with low immunity systems, 3) individuals with other health issues such as asthma, or 3) toxic molds are present.

Mold in School.

(Photo available through Mold News January, 2003 issue)

Article information found at Environmental Protection Agency.

The Center for Disease Control does not recommend sampling and testing of mold. It is not necessary to identify the species of mold. Most species of mold cause allegies and other health risks of the respiratory systems. If you are susceptible to mold and mold is seen or smelled, you will run significant health risks. Regardless of the type of mold that is present, you should arrange for removal and remediation, which doesn’t involve testing but locating the source of the moisture which allows the mold to cultivate.

More information available at Center for Disease Control.

Review from Executive Summary of The World Health Organization’s publication, The Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould:

The conditions that contribute to the health risk were summarized as follows.

• The prevalence of indoor dampness varies widely within and among countries, continents and climate zones. It is estimated to affect 10–50% of indoor environments in Europe, North America, Australia, India and Japan. In certain settings, such as river valleys and coastal areas, the conditions of dampness are substantially more severe than the national averages for such conditions.
• The amount of water on or in materials is the most important trigger of the growth of microorganisms, including fungi, actinomycetes and other bacteria.
• Microorganisms are ubiquitous. Microbes propagate rapidly wherever water is available. The dust and dirt normally present in most indoor spaces provide sufficient nutrients to support extensive microbial growth. While mould can grow on all materials, selection of appropriate materials can prevent dirt accumulation, moisture penetration and mould growth.
• Microbial growth may result in greater numbers of spores, cell fragments, allergens, mycotoxins, endotoxins, β-glucans and volatile organic compounds in indoor air. The causative agents of adverse health effects have not been identified conclusively, but an excess level of any of these agents in the indoor environment is a potential health hazard.
• Microbial interactions and moisture-related physical and chemical emissions from building materials may also play a role in dampness-related health effects.
• Building standards and regulations with regard to comfort and health do not sufficiently emphasize requirements for preventing and controlling excess moisture and dampness.
• Apart from its entry during occasional events (such as water leaks, heavy rain and flooding), most moisture enters a building in incoming air, including that infiltrating through the building envelope or that resulting from the occupants’ activities.
• Allowing surfaces to become cooler than the surrounding air may result in unwanted condensation. Thermal bridges (such as metal window frames), inadequate insulation and unplanned air pathways, or cold water plumbing and cool parts of air-conditioning units can result in surface temperatures below the dew point of the air and in dampness.

More Information available at World Health Organization.

Mold Facts

Mold is present almost everywhere you are, however, many people are completely unaware of its presence in work, home, and public environments. Whether indoors or outdoors, mold spores are a constant in our lives.

Mold is a fungi that functions in our environment to breakdown organic materials and recycle the nutrients found therein. Resources such as paper, wood, dirt, leaves, and other organic material are key in the growth and reproductive process.

Molds often grow off of older molds. Mold spores lift airborne to populate new colonies or stay in place to increase the growth of its current colony. Color variations are due to the type of fungi and sometimes the material on which it feeds. The most common colors appear as variegations of green, gray, black or brown. Other interesting color variations include the white toxin found on wood and the vibrant blue found on citrus fruits.

Mold can cause serious health issues. If you are experiencing respiratory issues, you may be experiencing a reacting to mold. Symptoms include dry skin, wheezing, asthma attacks, strong coughs, and irritation of the nose and throat.  Some indications of mold present in your body are respiratory problems such as wheezing, dry coughs. If something looks or smells like mold, be cautious and treat it like a mold and get it out of your house quickly!

“Common Mold Questions.” indoorairqualityusa.com.