What is Mold?

We have all encountered mold at one time or another. It might have been in the shower, or on a stale piece of bread, or even mildew on some wet drywall. Some forms of mold, like cheeses, are even consumed safely by human beings. Mold is a microscopic life form found in all parts of the world, comprising 25% of the Earth’s biomass, acting as part of the natural decay process of organic materials. There are many different species of mold and while they are diverse, they share some common characteristics:

• Mold requires an organic food source. A common source is cellulose, found in building materials such as drywall.
• Mold requires oxygen to survive. As a result it does not grow under water.
• Mold requires a constant supply of water. In order to prevent mold, buildings must be kept dry.
• Molds are spread by tiny particles called spores. A spore can best be compared to a seed that can spread via airborne exposure.

When is mold testing necessary?
Mold testing and inspection encompasses a wide variety of testing methods and protocols, some fairly minor, while some are rather intensive. So how does one know when to hire a qualified mold inspector? The most critical scenario is any time building occupants are suffering from unexplained health issues (respitory and nasal problems, headaches are common) and there has been past moisture infiltration issues. Secondly, any visible mold growth should be addressed and tested as well to ensure toxic molds are not present. Finally, if you notice a prevalent musty, damp smell in a dwelling, the presence of mold should be tested for.

What is a reasonable and safe response to mold?
The best way to deal with mold is to prevent it from happening. If wet building materials are dried or discarded within 24 hours (assuming clean water), the chances of preventing mold growth are excellent. If the area remains wet, mold will begin to grow. Therefore, addressing and eliminating the moisture problem is the most important first step to mold mitigation. However, once mold is present, drying is not enough. Any materials exposed to the mold must be either removed or decontaminated. This process is called remediation, and means “to remedy” or “to cure”. Proper remediation procedures are determined by the size, type, and nature of the mold contamination.

Mold Remediation Operating Procedures
Three integral principles form the framework for mold remediation: containment, removal, and safety. Containment is the practice of sealing or separating the affected area to keep mold spores from spreading and causing growth in previously uncontaminated areas. Temporary walls of plastic or plywood may be erected to separate the affected area from the rest of the building. This area is called the containment zone. Air machines equipped with high efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filters are used to pull outside air into the containment zone and exhaust filtered air to the outside. These machines are sometimes called air scrubbers and this process is called negative air flow pressurization. Removal of mold and mold-contaminated materials must also be done in a manner that prevents further contamination. Most importantly, these procedures must be performed in a way that protects the remediation technicians, as well as the occupants of the building from potentially harmful exposure.

Mold Conclusion
Mold contamination in commercial buildings, institutions and households alike continues to receive increasing attention in the media and is a rapidly growing concern for homeowners, property managers, insurance companies, and restoration firms. Without proper response to an indoor moisture occurrence, mold can start to grow in as little as 48 hours.  Mold contamination has been identified as a major contributor to building-related illness and poor indoor air quality in several scientific studies. However, despite the rapidly growing body of knowledge about mold, it remains the subject of a lot of confusion.