| Mold is a microscopic organism that is neither plant | | | | Mold can grow on almost any surface exposed to |
| nor animal and is found everywhere. Mold is a type | | | | moisture. When molds reproduce, they create spores |
| of fungi that grows in moist, dark places that are | | | | which can then be airborne and be carried far and |
| relatively warm and have an adequate food supply. | | | | wide. If these spores happen to land on a moist |
| Although some molds cause disease or food spoilage, | | | | medium they will in turn begin to grow. The source |
| others are useful in producing antibiotics (penicillin) and | | | | of moisture can range from a concealed leak |
| food preparation (cheese, soy sauce etc.). Mold (also | | | | somewhere in a wall or a ceiling in the house, a |
| spelled mould) can live both indoors and outdoors and | | | | general high level of humidity in the air due to poorly |
| is a common component of household dust. When | | | | ventilated spaces, or inadequate construction |
| mold spores are present in large enough quantities, | | | | practices not providing protection from the rain or |
| they can present a health hazard to humans and | | | | snow or not allowing sufficient drying time before |
| animals. | | | | closing up. Sometimes, following a single incidence of |
| In built structures, certain environmental conditions | | | | water infiltration such as a flood, the mold spores |
| may promote the growth of mold. Beginning in the | | | | would remain dormant until reactivated later by the |
| 1970's new construction techniques were adopted in | | | | introduction of the right conditions. |
| an effort to conserve energy. The idea was to make | | | | Serious mold problems can be identified by simply |
| buildings airtight to prevent heat loss thus reducing | | | | using a mold testing kit. A high reading would indicate |
| energy consumption. This, combined with new, | | | | a problem which would warrant further investigation. |
| porous building materials such as drywall, the largely | | | | If mold becomes a problem, the first step would be |
| reduced air flow condition, meant any moisture | | | | to identify and eliminate the source of moisture. The |
| accumulation due to normal human activities could | | | | second, critical step would be the removal of the |
| result in the growth of mold. | | | | mold itself. In the process, any building materials |
| Mold is a problem for several reasons. First, it has the | | | | found to be contaminated or humid, would be |
| potential to destroy the surface on which it grows. | | | | discarded. The most common practices for mold |
| But mostly, mold can produce mycotoxins, which can | | | | removal include: the use of ultra violet light such as |
| be harmful or lethal to humans and animals if they are | | | | exposure to sunlight, the provision of proper |
| exposed to a high enough amount. The most | | | | ventilation, the installation of non-porous building |
| common health problems associated with molds | | | | materials as much as possible and sanitizing regularly |
| include among other things: allergic reactions, asthma | | | | with proper cleaners any poorly lighted and poorly |
| episodes, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and sinus | | | | ventilated corners and areas. |
| infections and congestion. | | | | |