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For more information on mold, www.epa.gov/mold
Molds are fungi that are present in both indoor and outdoor air. Molds are very common in buildings and homes, and will grow anywhere there is moisture. Indoors, mold can be found where humidity levels are high, such as basements or showers. In nature, molds help break down dead materials and can be found growing on soil, foods, plant matter, and other items. Molds produce microscopic cells called spores which spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions.
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common and can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.
Molds need three things to grow:
1. a wet or damp environment, and
2. a food source such as leaves, wood, paper products, wall board, insulation
materials, ceiling tiles and other organic based materials, and
3. a temperature range similar to the average residential household temperature
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Controlling excess moisture is the key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth.
Molds will grow in places where leakage or seepage may have occurred, such as roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding. Many building materials contain the nutrients necessary for mold growth. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for mold growth. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.
Molds must be cleaned up and sources of moisture eliminated. Wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely. Absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be replaced if they are contaminated with mold. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Keep drip pans in your air conditioner, refrigerator, and dehumidifier clean and dry. Use exhaust fans or open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when showering, cooking, or using the dishwasher. Vent clothes dryers to the outside. Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally between 30-50% relative humidity. Humidity levels can be measured by hygrometers which are available at hardware stores.
10 Things to Remember about Mold
- Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
- There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
- If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture
- Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
- Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-50%) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
- Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
- Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
- Prevent condensation, and reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
- In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
- Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
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Mold Clean Up
Who should do mold cleanup?
Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, following the guidelines below.
If you chose to hire a mold remediation company, please be aware that beginning June 1, 2010, the Maryland Mold Remediation Services Act requires persons who provide mold remediation services on residential properties to be licensed by the Home Improvement Commission. Please see:
http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/
How do I clean up mold?
Professional cleaners or remediators may use methods not covered in this publication. Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage and it may not be possible to clean an item so that its original appearance is restored.
Tips and techniques for cleanup of mold:
- The key to mold control is moisture control.
- Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
- Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely
- Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.
- Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold (see question below: What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas and Hidden Mold).
- Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.
- Get help. If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists in furniture repair, restoration, painting, art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, water damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in phone books. Be sure to ask for and check references. Look for specialists who are affiliated with professional organizations.
What do I wear when cleaning moldy areas?
It is important to take precautions to limit your exposure to mold and mold spores. Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. In order to limit your exposure to airborne mold, you may want to wear an N-95 respirator, available at many hardware stores. Wear long gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm. When working with water and a mild detergent, ordinary household rubber gloves may be used. If you are using a disinfectant, a biocide such as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning solution, you should select gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane, or PVC. Avoid touching mold or moldy items with your bare hands. Wear goggles. Goggles that do not have ventilation holes are recommended. Avoid getting mold or mold spores in your eyes.
How do I cleanup mold that covers an area greater than 10 square feet?
If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings." http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types. It is available free by calling the EPA National Service Center for Environmental Publications www.epa.gov/nscep (NSCEP):at 1-800-490-9198.
How do I cleanup mold near or in HVAC systems?
If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA's guide "Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?" before taking further action. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout the building. Visit http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html , or call (800) 438-4318 for a free copy.
How do I cleanup mold caused by sewage or other contaminated water?
http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/flood.pdf
If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
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Should I Test My Home For Mold?
In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.
A list of Certified Industrial Hygienists in Maryland, some of whom conduct mold assessment and removal.
Hidden Mold
Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and will require caution when the investigation involves disturbing potential sites of mold growth. For example, removal of wallpaper can lead to a massive release of spores if there is mold growing on the underside of the paper. If you believe that you may have a hidden mold problem, consider hiring an experienced professional.
What do I do If I Have a Mold Problem In My Rental Unit?
The Montgomery County Air Quality Control Ordinance prohibits the emission of indoor air pollutants beyond a property line or a leasehold. If you live in a home or apartment that you rent, the property owner is responsible to maintain that rental space free from mold and water damage. For more information, or to register a complaint, please contact the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Environmental Policy and Compliance at 311, or email at askdep@montgomerycountymd.gov or the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Division of Housing Code Enforcement, at 311.
Do you need more information?
www.epa.gov/mold
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