Heartland Building Inspections
Providing professional home and building inspections Since 1989
573-431-7197 - 1-800-246-6564
What are molds?
Mold growth can start as soon as 24 hours after a water event has occurred. Mold can often be seen in the form of a discoloration or a stain. When molds are present in large quantities, called colonies, they become a health concern.
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. These thinly spun threaded organisms produce spores that then allow them to spread themselves to different locations. Spores can be spread in the air, through water, or even among insects.
Where are molds found?
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. They are often found indoors in humid spaces such as
basements or showers. Some authorities believe as many as 50 percent of all
homes may have some level of Stachybotrys infestation.
Is mold exposure bad for humans?
Toxic mold exposure can be dangerous and even fatal for susceptible
individuals. However, the majority of molds pose little or no health risks to
humans. Household molds exist in colors such as red, green, blue-green, brown
and black. In fact, there are only two types of household molds that are
toxic---Stachybotrys and Memnoniella.
What does household toxic mold grow on?
Toxic mold is often found in damp, moist, or wet places in or around a house or
building. Stachybotrys typically grows in damp environments on materials
that are high in cellulose and low in nitrogen content. Examples include
wallpaper, cardboard, ceiling tile, cellulose insulation, and wood. If the black
mold is growing on materials that do not contain cellulose, it is probably not
Stachybotrys.
What are some of the common indoor molds?
Aspergillus What makes Stachybotrys toxic?
Stachybotrys mold spores produce a poisonous substance called mycotoxin.
Specifically, these are known as trichothecenes. When these spores are inhaled
and ingested by a human, they can cause many unpleasant, and even very serious,
symptoms and conditions.
How can mold exposure affect people?
Sensitized individuals (people who are prone to the effects of toxic mold
exposure) may exhibit symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, or
wheezing. Individuals with serious allergies to molds may show signs of fever
and shortness of breath. People with chronic illnesses, such as obstructive lung
disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.
Can Stachybotris cause disease?
Stachybotrys is thought to be responsible for a potentially fatal
condition called acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage. This has only occurred
in infants and individuals with impaired immune systems. However, the spores
can also cause problems for asthma sufferers, as well as allergies and certain
kinds of lung diseases. Stachybotrys is also thought to be at least
partially responsible for causing adverse health effects such as headaches, lung
infections, fevers, abdominal pains, diarrhea and skin rashes.
What can be done to lower toxic mold exposure?
How do I know if I have a mold problem?
The presence of large mold manifestation can usually be seen or smelled.
Smaller infestations may require the professionals at Heartland Building
Inspections air testing in order to detect.
SHOULD I TEST FOR MOLD?
We do not recommend testing for mold yourself. Instead, you should simply assume there is a problem whenever you see mold or smell mold odors. Testing should never take the place of visual inspection and it should never use up resources that are needed to correct moisture problems and remove all visible growth. Sometimes. Mold growth is hidden and difficult to locate. In such cases, a combination of air (outdoor and indoor air samples) and bulk (material) samples may help determine the extent of contamination and where cleaning is needed. However, mold testing is rarely useful for to answer questions about health concerns.
What you must understand, virtually every home has mold spores in the air! But, the only way they can survive is with moisture, whether it be a leaky faucet or high humidity, IT WILL LIVE! So, if you even suspect or your inspector states that there is mold in the home, GET IT TESTED! The money you spend to find out what levels of mold spores you have could save you thousands of dollars to the doctor's office or hospital. It could even save your LIFE!
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