- The key to mold control is moisture control.
- If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the
mold promptly and fix the water problem.
- It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items
within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Things You Should Know About Mold
1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures
include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
2. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. 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.
4.
Reduce indoor humidity
(to 30-60% ) 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.
5.
Clean and dry any
damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
6. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on
cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
7. 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).
8. 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. Airborne mold spores are everywhere both indoors and outdoors.
9. Resident and employee health is at serious risk if there are elevated
levels of mold spores indoors, as compared to an outdoor mold control test.
10. The most dangerous indoor molds are Alternaria, Aspergillus,
Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys. Mold testing and laboratory
analysis are required to identify specific mold species.
Mold infestation usually affects first and most strongly pregnant women (and their unborn
babies), infants, elderly, and persons with immune system problems. But day in and day out, cumulative exposure to mold infestation
can make healthy adults sick.
