Mold Prevention, Health Risks, and Solutions

Mold is a common yet troublesome issue for any home or business owner. Understanding mold, its effects, and how to manage it can save you from health problems, costly repairs and downtime from running your business. This quick guide covers essential information about mold, including what it is, why it grows, and how to prevent and address it effectively.

What is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in moist environments. It reproduces through tiny spores that float in the air and settle on damp surfaces. Common types of mold include:

  • Aspergillus/Penicillium 
  • Cladosporium
  • Chaetomium 
  • Stachybotrys (Black Mold)

These molds can grow on various materials like wood, paper, and fabric when conditions are right.

How Does Mold Grow?

For mold to thrive, it requires three primary conditions:

  1. Moisture: Mold needs water to grow. Common sources of moisture include leaks, high humidity, and poor ventilation.
  2. Organic Material: Mold feeds on organic substances. Common household items such as wood, drywall, and fabric can provide a food source.
  3. Temperature: Mold grows best in warm environments, though it can also survive in cooler conditions.

Health Risks Associated with Mold

Exposure to mold can cause a range of health issues, particularly for individuals with allergies or respiratory conditions. Potential health effects include:

  • Allergic Reactions: Symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose.
  • Respiratory Problems: Coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
  • Skin Irritations: Rashes and itching.

In severe cases, mold can lead to chronic respiratory conditions and infections. It’s important to address mold problems promptly to minimize health risks.

How to Prevent Mold Growth

Preventing mold involves controlling moisture and maintaining a clean environment. Follow these tips to keep mold at bay:

  1. Control Indoor Humidity: Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to maintain humidity levels below 60%.
  2. Fix Leaks: Repair any leaks in roofs, pipes, or walls immediately to prevent water accumulation.
  3. Ventilate Properly: Ensure good ventilation in areas like bathrooms and kitchens to reduce moisture buildup.
  4. Clean and Dry: Promptly clean and dry any spills or leaks within 24-48 hours.
  5. Regular Inspections: Check areas prone to moisture, such as basements and attics, for signs of mold growth.

How to Remove Mold

If you discover mold in your home, it’s essential to address it promptly. Here’s a basic guide to mold removal:

  1. Small Areas: For minor mold issues, clean affected areas with a mixture of water and detergent. Use protective gear like gloves and a mask.
  2. Large Areas: For extensive mold growth, it’s best to consult a professional mold remediation service. They have the expertise and equipment to handle large infestations safely and effectively.

Conclusion

Understanding mold and taking proactive measures to prevent its growth can protect your home and health. By controlling moisture, maintaining proper ventilation, and addressing issues quickly, you can minimize the risk of mold and its associated problems. For persistent or severe mold issues, seek professional help to ensure a thorough and effective remediation process.

Sick Building Syndrome

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a term commonly used for non-specific symptoms that are temporally related to occupancy of a particular building. When building-related symptoms are characteristic of a specific clinical entity, they are called Building Related Illness (BRI). These illnesses are varied, and include Legionnaires’ disease, building related hypersensitivity pneumonitis, building-related asthma, and others.

SBS symptoms include mucous membrane irritation (cough, scratchy throat, stuffy sinuses, and itchy eyes), headache, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and other non-specific symptoms. The causes of SBS vary with the building and its occupants. SBS was once called “Tight Building Syndrome” and was considered to be a result of excess tightening of buildings in response to energy use concerns. However, many buildings with an excess of symptoms among the occupants are well ventilated. Still, increase in ventilation rates is often the “cure” for the problem.

Some people consider that SBS is caused not by the physical environment, but, rather, by psychosocial factors. Gender, lack of control, poor management, too much work, too little work, perceived housekeeping quality, and many other social factors have been blamed for the symptoms. In some cases, psychosocial factors may be the major cause of complaints. However, clearly, in some cases, environmental factors are at fault. For example, paper dust, and photocopier use have both been related to increases in complaints in a dose-dependent way. An excess of volatile organic compounds have been blamed for SBS symptoms. However, one study attributed this effect to the perception of odors at VOC concentrations far below those that would be likely to have an effect. These authors discuss the possibility that reactive chemistry might produce irritants that might be responsible for some symptoms.

Mold contamination has clearly been related to cases of BRI. However, its relationship to SBS is less clear. A Swedish study documented that dampness in residential buildings was associated with SBS symptoms with symptoms increasing with the number of dampness indicators present. Whether or not mold growth was responsible for these symptoms remains unknown. An extremely interesting study exposed people to measured doses of airborne fungal spores from growth on building materials. In this study, symptoms were similar among the two fungi studied AND for the placebo tests, indicating no specific effect of the spores. Mycotoxins have not been measured in quantities sufficient to cause the normal SBS symptoms, and the data regarding the role of mycotoxins in indoor air remain equivocal.

Condensation on Duct Work

Condensation occurs when air is cooled below its dew point temperature. The study of air containing moisture (or plain old air as we know it) is called psychrometrics (pronounced si-crow-met-ricks), and deals with the relationships between temperature, relative humidity, absolute humidity, dew point and several other properties of the air/moisture mixture. A basic psychrometric relationship is that air can only hold so much moisture at a certain temperature. When the air is full of moisture, the relative humidity is 100%. When the air contains half as much moisture as is can at a temperature, the air is at 50% relative humidity. The next relationship is that if you cool the air, the relative humidity increases. (Cool air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air) At some point, the air becomes saturated. Cooling it any further causes condensation. This is the dew point.

So how does this relate to sweating ducts? Air conditioners make air cold. The cold air is forced through ducts. As a result, the outside surface of the ducts is cooled. If the air outside the ducts is humid enough, condensation will form on the ducts. The colder the air in the ducts and the more humid the air around the ducts, the more chance of forming condensation. Note that sweating ducts has nothing to do with moisture in the air inside the ducts. Solutions to sweating ducts involve 1) warming the surface, and 2) drying the air around the ducts. Insulation is added to the exterior of ducts to help warm the duct surface. The insulation should be enclosed in a vapor barrier to keep moisture from moving through the insulation itself. Joints in the ducts, insulation and vapor barrier should be sealed. The insulation and vapor barrier should extend completely to the registers, or condensation can form on the exposed ends.

If the ducts are in a crawlspace, a complete vapor barrier on the soil is an essential first step. Increasing crawlspace ventilation may help in some parts of the country, but be careful because increasing ventilation in other areas can actually increase the condensation. In basements and crawlspaces, sometimes adding a dehumidifier is necessary. Most duct condensation issues I have seen are the result of problems with duct insulation. In some cases, fixing the insulation solves the problem. Adding insulation typically does not solve the problem. In cases where the insulation is in good shape, crawlspaces and basements have been wet, or ducts have been pressed together.

When is the air conditioner at fault? Some newer air conditioning systems and controls actually make the air inside the ducts colder. This is an attempt by the manufacturer to help make the air in the house dryer, but often causes more condensation on the outside of ducts. Dirty filters can restrict air flow through the system, resulting in colder air. This is the easiest one to deal with: keep your filters clean. Otherwise, make sure the duct insulation and vapor barrier are continuous, contiguous and complete. And keep the air around ducts dry by covering exposed soil in crawlspaces, keeping ducts apart, and reducing other moisture sources in the air as much as possible.

What is Acremonium? 

With wet conditions, Acremonium grows quite well.. When Acremonium is found indoors, it usually originates either from outdoor air or from contaminated crawl spaces or from contaminated building materials that recently experienced wet conditions like flooding. However, the spores of this fungus are formed in a slimy mass resulting in limited aerosolisation: therefore its prevalence may be low in air samples.

It grows indoors on building materials such as drywall, acoustic and thermal fiberglass insulation and in some cases insulated ducting. Crawl spaces, wet bathrooms with a lack of proper ventilation or exhausting and continuous wet basements are ideal for Acremonium. 

Acremonium has often been associated with contamination by Stachybotrys chartarum, which is often referred to as “Black Mold,” as both fungi is favor very wet circumstances. Allergenic reactions to Acremonium includes hay fever, asthma, hypersensitivity and pneumonitis. Potential opportunist or pathogen effects are known to cause hyalohyphomycosis, keratitis, mycetoma, and onychomycosis. Also known to cause infections in immunodeficient patients and causes infections in persons with wound injuries.

When mold is found in your home, trust the professionals at Mold Solutions & Inspections to properly handle the removal the first time under the guidance of the IICRC protocols.

10 Steps to Cleanup Blood Properly

OSHA regulations with regard to cleaning up biohazardous substances are a guideline that should be followed. These mandated conditions, which include employee blood borne pathogen training, must be met to comply with government regulations to avoid shut downs and/or fines.  Human blood is a biohazard because it can expose you to a number of pathogens such as HIV, MRSA, Hepatitis B and C, and a plethora of others. Therefore, it is essential to be as thorough and precise as possible with bloodborne pathogen cleanup.

Here are the 10 Steps to Blood Cleanup:

  1. Cleaning Equipment: Being equipped with PPE. Gloves, a gown and protective eye gear can avoid exposure from even splashing, and all gear should be free from holes and tightly fit.
  2. Remove Dangers: Shards of broken glass can cause skin puncture so make sure to pick it up with forceps or by brushing it with a dustpan. Avoid picking up foreign materials with your hand to prevent skin puncture. Place it inside a container before proceeding to clean up the blood spill.
  3. Cleaning Round 1: Cover the spill in durable cloth towels to soak up as much blood as possible. The registered disinfectant product with a broad spectrum kill claim  will not properly disinfect if the surface is still covered in blood. Discard the used towels into a biohazard bag.
  4. Cleaning Round 2: Next, remove the towels and apply EPA registered disinfectant over the spill. Leave this on for at least ten minutes. Once the time has elapsed, scrub the area with a towel working from the outside, inwards towards the center
  5. Final Round: This time, soak a fresh cloth with the disinfectant and work on the affected areas from the outside in once more. This will effectively kill all bacteria and pathogens. Make sure to dispose the cloth inside a biohazard bag to prevent contamination from other items.
  6. Dispose Equipment: Once the cleaning process is completed, now you have to properly dispose of your equipment. All PPE and tools which can not be cleaned should be placed in a labeled biohazard bag for disposal.
  7. Decontaminate: Even if no visible blood splatters are in sight, it’s always important to decontaminate the area around the spillage. Use a disinfectant and clean any reusable equipment for ten to fifteen minutes. Rinse the area with clean, fresh water.
  8. Mandatory Check: Once you’re finished with the procedure, double-check your clothes, skin, and furniture around you for any contamination. If you happen to notice any blood, especially on your body, wash it off with the disinfectant and take a shower after that. It’s strongly recommended that you have a friend or a neighbor by your side for this particular step, just so they can lend you a hand and help you identify contaminated spots if there are any left.
  9. Wash Hands: Thoroughly wash your hands and arms vigorously with a disinfectant soap and warm water twice. Even after that, the use of wet wipes is a recommended next measure to ensure you are clean.
  10. Disposal of Waste: The last step is now the disposal of the contaminated waste.This requires a certified infectious disposal company to pickup your waste unless you’re dropping it off. Proper disposal of materials is a must and hefty fines could be issued if you illegally dispose of blood in regular trash.

Hiring the right company can not only avoid potential health risks, but also expedite the blood cleanup process with minimal effort or worry on your behalf. The risk isn’t worth the reward for attempting to cleanup potentially infectious materials on your own, and that’s why our team at, at MSI is at the ready to assist you in your time of need.

What is Myxomycetes?

A little known mold which does show up on many mold testing reports is Myxomycetes. This mold is often skipped over by many inspectors not only because they can’tpronounce it, (Mixo-My-Cee-Tees), but also because they don’t know what it is and howit got there. Myxomycetes have an interesting life cycle which includes a wet spore phase and a dry spore phase. When conditions are favorable, they move about like amoebae, resembling primitive animals. When conditions are not favorable they form a resting body (sclerotium) with dry, airborne spores. Myxomycetes are noconsidered to be true fungi.

Health Effects

Myxomycetes are a type 1 allergen and can cause hay fever like symptoms and trigger asthma. Type I hypersensitivity is also known as an immediate reaction and involves immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated release of antibodies against the soluble antigen. This results in mast cell degranulation and release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators. 

Type I hypersensitivities include atopic diseases, which are an exaggerated IgE mediated immune responses (i.e., allergic: asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and dermatitis), and allergic diseases, which are immune responses to foreign allergens (i.e., anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema, food, and drug allergies). The allergens that result in a type I hypersensitivity may be harmless (i.e., pollen, mites, or foods, drugs, etc.) or more hazardous such as insect venoms. The reaction may be manifested in different areas of the body and may result in instances such as:

  • Nasal allergic rhinitis or hay fever
  • Ocular allergic conjunctivitis, potentially due to seasonal allergens such as pollen or mold spores
  • Dermatological hives, atopic eczema, or erythema
  • Soft tissue angioedema
  • Pulmonary reactions, such as allergic asthma or hypoxiaSystemic reaction, which is a life-threatening medical emergency, and also known as anaphylaxis.

Mold Solutions & Inspections is a full service mold testing and remediation company providing an unmatched level of service since 1998. If you think your home or business has been affected by mold, or are in need of mold testing, call our office or visit our main page for more information.

Does Homeowners Cover Water Damage?

Homeowners insurance is a must have to protect yourself and your belongings from a catastrophic loss. But most homeowners have never filed a claim, nor do they know what is even covered. Generally, if the cause is sudden and accidental — if an appliance or bathroom fixture springs a leak or a storm blows a tree through your roof and rain pours in — the typical homeowners insurance policy covers resulting water damage. It will not fix the root cause, only the damage sustained from the loss. Example: If your roof leaks and you’re covered for such a loss, it’ll cover the ensuing damage but it won’t cover a new roof or a roof repair. Otherwise no one would ever get a new roof, they would just wait for their old roof to leak.

If the cause is gradual (over a long period of time, or what the insurance company deems as a long period of time), and preventable, including wear and tear or a lack of maintenance, then water damage is generally not covered by home insurance. For example, damage caused by a leak from a rusty old pipe or a roof with missing shingles that’s past its replacement age likely isn’t covered.  

Flooding and sewage backups are usually not covered, unless you have a separate flood and/or backup policy added to your insurance. Sump pumps need to have backup coverage and also need to be noted in your policy to have a claim covered if you have a sump pump failure. There are also coverage limits you’ll need to check as some backup policies can be as little as $5,000. The extra fees in monthly charges may be worth it as most water damage claims for sump pump backups with reconstruction can easily reach $10,000 and even higher for sewer loses.

Regular maintenance of your plumbing and appliances can help eliminate or decrease your chances for a flood. But in the event of water damage in your home or business, it is always better to know what you’ll be covered for and what is not covered. Consult with your agent about your coverage limits. In the event of a water loss, our 24 hour emergency service team at Mold Solutions & Inspections is at the ready and we can work directly with your insurance company if the event of a claim.

How to Inspect a Sump Pump

How to Inspect a Sump Pump

A sump pump is a key component in your home that helps prevent ground- or rainwater from building up in your basement — pushing water out from under your home and helping to keep it away from the foundation. As with any other system or appliance in your home, a sump pump needs regular maintenance to help make sure its functioning properly.

Here are the five things a professional should examine during an annual inspection of a sump pump, according to InterNACHI:

  1. The alarm. Not all sump pumps have alarms that sound when the device is activated. If a sump pump has one, it should be tested to help ensure it functions.
  2. The check valve. A professional should make certain that there is a check valve on the discharge pipe. The check valve may help prevent water from flowing back down the discharge pipe after it is pumped out.
  3. A backup power source. Sump pumps often need to work during extreme weather conditions that may result in power outages. A professional may confirm there is a backup power source on a sump pump, such as a battery, and that it is working.
  4. The pit. A sump pump sits in a pit which gathers water until the pump removes it. The pit needs to be large enough — at least 24 inches deep and 18 inches wide — for the sump pump to function properly.
  5. The discharge location. The discharge location is recommended to be at least 20 feet from a home to help prevent water from draining onto neighboring properties, into public sewer systems or into a residential septic system.

A sump pump can be an important tool to help prevent excess ground- or rainwater from entering your home resulting in costly water damage and mold. But, as with any appliance or system, a little planning and regular maintenance is required to help ensure proper function.

How to Clean Smoke Damaged Laundry

When the fire is extinguished and the trucks have left, your home will undoubtedly have significant damage. The flames themselves are responsible for only part of the destruction, as smoke and soot can cause just as much – if not more – damage. Fabric and clothing in your home can quickly take on the smell of smoke and will require professional cleaning and restoration. But there are ways to help mitigate the damage and salvage contents and clothing in the event of a fire.

The first part in every claim is always to document the damage. Maintaining detailed records of the series of events and the damage it has caused can help facilitate your claim. More documentation is better than less, so never feel anxious about collecting a lot of information. But prior to stepping foot in your home, you have to be sure it is safe. Wearing protective gear like masks and gloves will minimize your risk of inhaling or touching contaminants, but also hiring a professional contractor to ensure the structure is free from defects will avoid potential injury when entering the dwelling.

Sorting Through the Fabrics

Sorting through the fabrics is a vital first step in minimizing fire damage to clothes. The process begins with separating the items into two categories: salvageable and non-salvable.

  1. Identify all salvageable items: Many fabrics that aren’t burnt can often be saved, even if they have suffered smoke damage.
  2. Separate the unburnt from scorched items: It’s important to keep these two categories apart to prevent cross-contamination.
  3. Check for color preservation: A priority is ensuring the vibrant hues of your clothes don’t fade during the restoration process.
  4. Take note of fabric type: Different textiles require different cleaning techniques for effective soot removal.
  5. Handle smoke damaged garments with care: These act like VOC and particulate sponges, making them highly susceptible to retaining smoke.
  6. Consider professional help: For severely damaged items, fire restoration professionals who specialize in salvaging scorched textiles may be necessary.

Remove the Soot From Fabrics 

  1. Take the items outside and shake the soot off gently. As soot is oily, it can easily stain fabrics if you don’t shake it off lightly.
  2. Alternatively, use a high-powered vacuum cleaner with a narrow tip. Please keep it one or two inches away from the fabric.
  3. Never use a brush tip attachment – it can force soot particles into the clothing.
  4. It’s strongly recommended to get professional help for soot removal from textiles. One wrong move, and you could stain your fabrics permanently.

Deodorize Clothing

Deodorizing the fabric before they are cleaned will help remove smoke odors from the material. Masking agents should not be used as they will only last for a few days to even a few hours, and then the smoke smell will return. Proper deodorization requires a professionally trained company to use ozone treatments which will break down the smoke molecules and eliminate odor. Misuse of ozone machines can cause serious damage to clothing and even health risks.

Washing Options

Once the clothes have been deodorized, then they can be cleaned. Here are some of your options:

  1. Dry Cleaner – This should be a place where they specialize in smoke damage as not all dry cleaners have been exposed to such a loss.
  2. Washing Machine –  Smoke damaged clothes should be washed separately to avoid cross contamination with clean clothes. Washing in small loads can help clean the clothes better than full ones, and heavy detergent designed for smoke damage should only be used to cut through the smell.
  3. Hand Washing – Delicates or heavily damaged items will need to be hand washed and could take a few rounds to remove odors. Rinsing thoroughly and changing water will also help remove damage as well. Always remember to agitate lightly as not to cause damage to the fabric. Line drying the clothes if available is recommended as the use of a dryer can further damage the fabric due to the high heat.

A fire can be devastating and life altering, so knowing who to call in case of loss is an imperative fire step in the fire damage restoration process. Trusting the wrong company, or “fire chasers,” who only concern themselves with how much they can squeeze out of your claim will make your loss an even greater nightmare. For professional fire damage restoration done right the first time, trust the certified team at MSI. Our fire damage restoration cleanup team is on call 24/7 and ready to get you back to the norm you know in a quick, safe and cost efficient manner because we actually care and take pride in our work. 

Most Common Mold Symptoms

Mold allergies are easily treatable when properly diagnosed, so it is important for individuals who suspect their symptoms may be related to mold to consult with an allergy specialist or a physician to determine an appropriate course of treatment. Taking steps such as repairing water leaks and installing dehumidifiers in the home can also help to hinder mold growth and relieve mold allergy symptoms. Understanding what causes mold allergies and taking preventative measures to avoid exposure are essential in managing symptoms.

Itching Eyes

Itching eyes are a common allergic symptom that can develop following exposure to mold spores, pet dander and seasonal pollens. Individuals who experience itching eyes during wet or humid weather or when moisture levels are high inside the home may be suffering from mold allergy symptoms.

Stuffy Nose & Post Nasal Drip

Nasal congestion is a common mold allergy symptom that is often triggered after periods of wet weather or when an individual is exposed to mold spores in the home. When nasal stuffiness occurs, it is often accompanied by postnasal drip, a condition in which nasal secretions run down the back of the throat. Additional symptoms of postnasal drip include bad breath and coughing.

Itching Throat

Individuals with mold allergies may also experience an itching sensation in the throat. Itching throat symptoms are typically caused by postnasal drip, but can also be a symptom of a serious allergic reaction that can lead to throat swelling if left untreated. It is important for sufferers to seek medical attention if itching throat symptoms are present to ensure prompt treatment.

Sinus Headaches

Mold spores can cause the sinuses to become congested, which in turn can trigger sinus headaches in individuals with mold allergies. Sinus headaches cause pain and pressure in the forehead and sinus cavities. In certain cases, sinus pressure can also cause tooth and ear pain. Sinus headaches tend to worsen when lying down.

Exacerbated Asthma Symptoms

Individuals with mold allergies who also suffer from asthma may experience exacerbated asthma symptoms when exposed to mold. Asthma symptoms include chest tightness, wheezing and coughing. Anyone experiencing a severe asthma attack following possible mold exposure should seek immediate medical attention.

Long & Short Term Effects of Mold

The type and severity of health effects that result from mold exposure is widely variable among different locations, from person to person and over time. Although difficult to predict, exposure to molds growing indoors is most often associated with the following allergy symptoms:

Nasal and sinus congestion
Cough/sore throat
Chest tightness
Dyspnea (breathing difficulty)
Asthma (or exacerbation of it)
Epistaxis (nosebleed)
Upper respiratory tract infections
Headache
Skin and eye irritation

Long-term exposure to indoor molds is certainly unhealthy to anyone, but some groups will develop more severe symptoms sooner than others, including:

Infants and children
Elderly people
Individuals with respiratory conditions, allergies and/or asthma

Some indoor molds are capable of producing extremely potent toxins (mycotoxins) that are lipid-soluble and readily absorbed by the intestinal lining, airways, and skin. These agents, usually contained in the fungal spores, have toxic effects ranging from short-term irritation to immunosuppression and cancer.

More severe symptoms that could result from continuous human exposure to indoor mycotoxigenic molds include:

Cancer (aflatoxin best characterized as potential human carcinogen)
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis/pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary injury/hemosiderosis (bleeding)
Neurotoxicity
Hematologic and immunologic disorders
Hepatic, endocrine and/or renal toxicities
Pregnancy, gastrointestinal and/or cardiac conditions

It is important to notice that the clinical relevance of mycotoxins under realistic airborne exposure levels is not fully established. Further, some or much of the supporting evidence for these other health effects is based on case studies rather than controlled studies, studies that have not yet been reproduced or involve symptoms that are subjective.