Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here is a sampling of questions we get every day. We'll be adding more in the future, so bookmark this page and stop back often.
1) Should I be concerned about mold in my home or office?
2) How can I tell if I have elevated mold spores in my home or office?
3) How does mold become a problem?
4) How much mold does it take to make me sick?
5) Are some people at greater risk than others?
6) What are the symptoms of exposure to mold?
7) Does it matter what kind of mold is found in my home?
1) Should
I be concerned about mold in my home or office?
Molds are a naturally occurring part of a healthy ecology. It is common
to find mold spores in the air both outside and inside your office or
home. In fact, most of the mold that you find indoors comes from outside.
The spores are carried in by the air currents and some are deposited in
the interior of the building, while the bulk of the spores are carried
out of the building by the same air currents. Generally, as long as the
indoor mold spore levels are no higher than outdoor levels there are few
adverse reactions to the mold. However, according to the California Department
of Health Services, as the amount of mold becomes more extensive or mold
spore levels become elevated, it can cause allergic reactions, asthma
episodes, infections, and other respiratory problems. Mold can also cause
structural damage to homes.
2) How can
I tell if I have elevated mold spores in my home or office?
First of all, if you see mold growth you should look for the water or
moisture source and try to stop or prevent it. By preventing an accumulation
of moisture or water, you prevent mold growth. Where there is minimal
or no visible mold growth, but there is a musty or moldy odor, the investigation
of where it's coming from becomes a little more difficult. Again look
for any indication of moisture.
3) How does
mold become a problem?
Mold spores are everywhere. In order for mold to grow, moisture must be
present. The necessary moisture can simply come from prolonged high humidity
or from more catastrophic events such as floods, sewer backflows, leaky
roofs or plumbing leaks. Once the structure gets wet, if it does not dry
out or dries out slowly, mold spores can germinate and begin to grow on
surfaces that provide a food source.
4) How much
mold does it take to make me sick?
That's a difficult question to answer. It's like asking how much sun it
takes to cause sunburn. It varies from person to person. For some it takes
very little exposure to cause an adverse reaction. I recently read an
article about a little girl that could not be in direct sunlight. To do
so would result in severe blistering. On the other hand, some people can
be in the sun for long periods of time without any adverse reaction. Also,
when someone is severely sunburned, he or she becomes more sensitive,
in other words, it takes less exposure the next time to create the same
reaction. Likewise, exposure to molds can make someone more sensitive
to it. Once a person is removed from the exposure, the reactions tend
to diminish. While sun is primarily a dermal exposure issue with a potential
for heat stress, adverse reactions to mold exposure can be dermal or internal
due to ingestion or respiration. As a general rule, when you see mold
the moisture problem needs to be resolved and the mold removed.
5) Are some
people at greater risk than others?
High levels of molds are not healthy for anyone inside a building. Those
individuals that appear to be at higher risk are infants, elderly, immune
compromised (those with HIV infection, liver disease or undergoing chemotherapy),
pregnant women and individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such
as allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity and asthma. If you have concerns
about your health, you should consult a physician for advice.
6) What
are the symptoms of exposure to mold?
According the California Department of Health Services, the most common
symptom is an allergic reaction. Other reactions may include one or a
combination of the following: respiratory problems, such as wheezing,
and difficulty in breathing; nasal and sinus congestion; eyes-burning,
watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity; dry, hacking cough;
sore throat; nose and throat irritation; shortness of breath; skin irritation;
central nervous system problems (constant headaches, memory problems and
mood changes); aches and pains; and possible fever.
7) Does
it matter what kind of mold is found in my home?
The reaction to the amount and types of molds in a home will vary from
person to person. Some molds will produce mycotoxins, or toxins produced
by molds. Simply spraying a mildewcide on mold will not remove or inactivate
the mycotoxins that have already been produced. An adverse reaction from
dead mold or mold spores can still happen. Not all molds produce mycotoxins
all the time. And it may take a lot of mold to produce enough of a dose
of mycotoxin to produce a toxic reaction. The amount of mycotoxin required
to create a reaction has not clearly been established. Tolerance to these
mycotoxins again varies from person to person.
©2001 A&J Specialty Services, Inc.
