MOLD

Molds have been on the Earth for millions of years. Mold can get in your home through open doors, windows, vents, heating systems, and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can be brought indoors on clothing, shoes, bags, and even pets.

Mold will grow where there is moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been a flood. Mold grows on paper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

Black mold on inside walls.

The most common indoor molds are CladosporiumPenicillium, and Aspergillus.

Possible Health Effects

Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all.

For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. People with asthma or who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung disease may get infections in their lungs from mold. For people who are sensitive to molds exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Severe reactions, such as fever or shortness of breath, may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay.

Preventing

There are steps you can take to prevent mold growth in your home.

  • Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can — no higher than 50% — all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low.
  • Be sure the air in your home flows freely. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom that vent to outside your home. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
  • Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
  • Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after a flood.
  • Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. You can buy mold inhibitors at paint and home improvement stores.
  • Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
  • Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Don’t use carpet in places like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

Cleaning

If you see or smell mold, you should remove it. You do not need to know the type of mold. If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem.

Mold can be removed from hard surfaces with household products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water.

If you use bleach

  • Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. This will produce a poisonous gas.
  • Follow manufacturers’ instructions when you use bleach or any other cleaning product.
  • Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
  • Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup.

There are no standards or laws in regard to mold levels.
Since no standards or laws exist our Department does not conduct mold inspections. 


(EPA) https://www.epa.gov/mold/ten-things-you-should-know-about-mold

(CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/mold-health/about/index.html

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