Mold Basics

No Escape 

Molds can be found almost anywhere that moisture exists. Combine moisture, oxygen and something to feed on and you have mold. In the outdoors, mold can be found on fallen leaves and rotting timber. Molds are found in basements, bathrooms or any other warm moist area in the house. And, as we all know, mold can easily be found wherever fresh food is stored. Nearly everyone has witnessed last week's leftovers changing to what appears to be a new life form on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

But the real danger from mold comes from the production of mycotoxins. However, not all molds produce mycotoxins that are dangerous. If the mycotoxins are airborne, they can produce serious symptoms such as breathing difficulties, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, hearing loss or even acid reflux. Millions of Americans suffer from allergic reactions to mold toxins and most of them don't even realize that the symptoms they are experiencing are caused from exposure to mold. Therefore, It is imperative to not knowingly expose oneself even for brief periods of time in any place that smells moldy or has an appearance of mold or mildew. While most mold toxins are little more than an annoyance, some folks who have been exposed to stachybotrys or chaetomium molds suffer serious symptoms such as chronic bronchitis, learning disabilities, heart problems, cancer, fibromyalgia, bleeding lungs and more. The effects can be even more pronounced in children.

All molds require moisture to grow, but that doesn't mean that a visible source of moisture be present. Humidity as low as 50% can be sufficient to grow mold behind a wall, for example. Mold can grow on wood, leather, drywall, particle board, fabric, stucco and insulation materials (no matter what the manufacturers tell you). The mold actually feeds off some organic material that is used either in the product itself or is deposited directly on the material. That's why mold can even grow on your kitchen counter if moisture and organic material are present. There are air purifiers available that use new technology to kill mold, viruses and bacteria on surfaces.

Mold has the potential to be a real troublemaker but don't fall for the notion that we are slowly being overtaken by "killer mold", as some news stories like to shout. Mold is found everywhere in our daily life but if someone in your home is experiencing what appears to be never-ending symptoms that are difficult to explain or if you suddenly feel physically better after leaving your home, you may be showing signs of mold toxicity and further investigation could be warranted. Inexpensive home mold test kits are available to determine if professional sampling may be needed

Common questions about mold

Mold in Your Home