Molds are microscopic
fungi that need plant and animal matter in order
to grow. It is estimated that there are greater
than 100,000 different species of fungi that exist
across the world. The purpose of fungi is to break
down organic material and recycle them for future
use by plants and animals. Because molds grow by
digesting the organic material, they gradually destroy
whatever they grow on. Mold growth on surfaces can
often be seen in the form of discoloration, frequently
green, gray, brown or black, but also white and
other colors. The family of fungi includes mildews,
yeasts, fungus, large mushrooms and mold. These
thinly spun, threaded organisms produce spores that
then allow them to spread themselves to different
locations. Molds typically reproduce through their
spores that are released into the air and land on
moist, organic materials. The spores then germinate
and begin expanding out in elaborate networks.
If the mold spores are 'toxic' they can adversely affect
peoples' health. The effect on people will depend on the type
of mold involved, the metabolic byproduct of the mold, as
well as how much contact there is and the length of exposure,
as well as the susceptibility of the person exposed. This
last factor is important for children who can be affected
more easily than adults.
There are no definitive studies proving that 'toxic mold'
makes people sick, nor is there a way to measure one's exposure
to mold. A growing number of medical experts and lawyers now
believe that exposure to one type of mold in particular; stachybotrys
chartarum can result in more serious health symptoms such
as pulmonary bleeding, memory loss and even brain damage.
Other symptoms may include headaches, fatigue and allergies.
Molds are found in virtually
every ecological niche and are found outside in nature and in
homes and buildings. They are most prevalent in areas that have
moist or wet climates. Molds are simple organisms that thrive
in warm, damp, dark, poorly ventilated environments. In a home
these areas could be shower areas, closets, behind refrigerators
and even inside wall cavities. Such conditions can be caused
by unrepaired roof leaks, sprinkler spray hitting the house,
plumbing leaks, overflow from sinks or sewers, a damp basement
or crawl space. When damp conditions are present, mold is able
to grow on such diverse materials as wood, carpet, insulation,
cloth and all types of food.
The spores of S. chartarum are in the soil and are introduced
along with floodwaters or the dust and dirt entering with
the water incursion.
The fungus is most commonly found in homes or buildings which
have sustained flooding or water damage from broken pipes,
roof, wall, or floor leaks, condensation etc. Wet conditions
are required to initiate and maintain growth. It is most common
on the paper covering of gypsum wall board, but can be found
on wallpaper, cellulose based ceiling tiles, paper products,
carpets with natural fibers, paper covering on insulated pipes,
in insulation material, on wood and wood paneling and on general
organic debris. The paper covering of fiberglass insulation
is another area for growth. The fungus can be hidden in the
ceiling, walls or floors with no or little visible evidence
within the interior of the room. The spores, however, can
contaminate the interior of the room through holes and cracks
in the building materials (aided by negative pressure) or
be transported via the air handling system. Condensation due
to poor design or faulty heating, ventilation and air conditioning
systems can promote growth of the fungus. The fungus will
usually produce large amounts of conidiophores and conidia
giving the substrate a black appearance that can be slightly
shiny when fresh and powdery when dry.
Everyone is exposed to some mold on a
daily basis without evident harm. It is common to find
mold spores in the air inside homes; most of the airborne
spores found indoors come from outdoor sources. People
often come into contact with molds in moist area in and
around their homes or when mold spores become airborne.
These spores can come into contact with people through
the skin or when ingested.
Mold spores can also be present from active mold growth
within home, office or school where people live or work.
Nearly all mycologists, or fungi
experts, agree that indoor mold exposure, if extensive,
can cause those exposed to the spores to become
sensitized, resulting in the development of allergies.
Symptoms usually include wheezing, shortness of
breath, sinus congestion, eye irritation, a dry
cough and skin rashes. The elderly, asthmatic, infants
and young children and people with weakened immune
systems are most at risk to reacting negatively
to molds. The ill effects of molds generally break
down into four categories that include allergies,
infections, irritations and toxicities.
Allergies are the most common reaction to contact
with molds and these can run the spectrum from
very mild and temporary reactions to acute, chronic
illness.
1 in 5 Americans
suffer from allergic rhinitis (nerves), the most
common chronic disease in people; · 1 in
9 Americans suffer from allergy-related sinusitis
(nasal) · 1 in 10 Americans have allergy-related
asthma (lung) · 1 in 11 Americans experience
allergic dermatitis (skin) · Less than 1
in 100 Americans suffer from serious chronic allergic
diseases.
These statistics indicate that allergic reactions
are extremely common in people. Often the specific
cause is not known and in question. Recently,
the existence of mold in homes, offices and schools
has emerged as a real possibility as the cause
of these allergic reactions.
Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as S. atra)
is a fungus that has become notorious as a mycotoxin
producer that can cause animal and human mycotoxicosis.
Over the past 15 years in North America evidence
has accumulated implicating this fungus as a serious
problem in homes and buildings and one of the
causes of the 'sick building syndrome'. In 1993-1994
there was an unusual outbreak of pulmonary hemorrhage
in infants in Cleveland, Ohio where researchers
found S. chartarum growing in the homes of the
sick infants. This incident increased the awareness
of home/building molds and brought this fungus
to the immediate attention of the medical community.
Although there are many unanswered questions
about the effects of S. chartarum on human health,
the accumulation of data (from observations and
research) over the past 65 years tells us that
one should not handle materials contaminated with
S. chartarum (without proper safety procedures)
and strongly indicates that indoor environments
contaminated with S. chartarum are not healthy,
especially for children and may result in serious
illness.
Mold is mostly white or black in
color. You may suspect there is mold in the air
if you see patches of cottony or speckled growth
on walls and furniture. You may smell an earthy
or musty odor. One may suspect mold contamination
if individuals experience some of the symptoms described
above when in the structure. Evidence of past or
ongoing water damage should also trigger more thorough
inspection. Mold growth may be found underneath
water-damaged surfaces or behind walls, floors and
ceilings.
Testing is not recommended as a
first step to determine if there is a mold problem.
Reliable air sampling for mold can be expensive
and requires expertise and equipment that is not
widely available to the general public and there
are few available standards for judging what is
an acceptable quantity of mold. The simplest way
to deal with a suspicion of mold contamination is,
if one can see or smell mold, you are likely to
have a problem. Mold growth is likely to recur unless
the source of moisture that is allowing the mold
to grow is removed and the contaminated area is
cleaned.
What can Betanix do to help with mold?
Our paints, primers, and sealers
are engineered to knock out mold. Find out more
on our products page.
EPA approved products for disaster cleanup
