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.

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.

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.

Information found at Environmental Protection Agency.

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.

Aspergillus mold culture.

(Photo available through Environmental Health Perspectives)

More Information available at World Health Organization.

More information available at Center for Disease Control.

• 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.