Introduction to Molds

Molds are not plants, they are not plants becauseAs mold spores are perilous to health, even the dead
they have no chlorophyll, nor do they have leaves,or dormant (stationary while waiting for surplus
roots, or stems, and they have no firm cellulosemoisture to continue growth) molds are perilous, such
based cell wall. Mold cell walls are made of chitin, thethat even getting a whiff of dead or dormant molds
same stuff crab and shrimp shells is made of.can make mold-sensitive people ill. Some people are
Mold is compiled of microscopic thread like structuresvery sensitive to mold, others are not as sensitive,
called hyphae; in fact the root word mould is an oldand as such there are no government set exposure
North Western European term possibly a Viking termlimits to mold.
meaning fuzzy.Customarily, it is observed that mold infestation is
Mold is made of microscopic fibers, and it producesregarded to be advancing if indoor mold samples
microscopic spores, but mold is not microscopic. Likeexhibit higher spore counts than outdoor levels during
you and me, it starts out as a single microscopic cell,testing. Pregnant ladies, infants, the unborn babies in
after a while it grows into a visible, fuzzy, smelly,the mother's womb, elders, and especially people
colorful, living mass of fibrous connected cells.with allergies, asthma, and immune system defects
It always amazes me that many mold inspector claimare at greater risk from mold. If you fit the above
on the internet that mold is microscopic, then twocategory or if you are a human and expect a
lines later the same mold inspector says it has aproblem call a mold inspector for testing and
fuzzy appearance. If it is microscopic it would notinspection of your property.
have any appearance because it would be too smallMold spores do not reproduce or grow in a deficiency
to see. If it is microscopic then why do we useof moisture. So, indoor mold growth can be
terms like green mold, and black mold. If it isprevented by controlling indoor moisture and humidity.
microscopic then how do we see it growing onIf organic materials stay moist or damp for more
rotten fruit, or on or clothes in moldy closets, or onthan 24 to 48 hours they may become moldy but in
walls. How does a mold inspector inspect for mold ifthe real world it sometimes takes a week or so. It is
it is microscopic. Most mold is not microscopic, it ishighly impossible to remove all the indoor mold spores
Macroscopic, that means it is big enough to be seenas they will be present inside the house dust and
with the necked eye. Do not schedule a moldhovering in the air.
assessment or testing with the dude that claims weMold growth is a result of negligence in maintenance.
will perform a visual inspection for something that isThis negligence permits moisture to enter the building,
microscopic.making it a toxic mold building or house. The house
Molds are found existing everywhere, indoors as wellowner or employer must fix this water problem that
as outdoors. Spores indoors are more hazardous thanfacilitates mold growth. Effective measures to kill the
an outdoor spores, it is not that they are different; itmold with home remedy or treating it by cleaning and
is just that when produced indoors mold spores canmold home remedy recipes should not be tried in
become easily concentrated. Also we spend so muchmost cases. First the owner must fix all the water
time indoors that we are exposed to mold indoors toproblem areas such as roof or plumbing leakage. Next
such a degree that they make us sick. Mold sporesit is recommended to call a certified mold inspection
indoors are at an elevated health risk to residents orfirm who will send out a mold inspector to detect
employees in an office. Some of the most commonand diagnose the mold infestation quandary and
indoor molds are Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium,provide clear written explanations and
Chaetomium, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys.recommendations regarding your mold condition.