Mold Inspection - Mold Testing - Mycotoxin Exposure

What is Mold?

Mold is ever present and is part of our natural environment.  It is impossible to have a mold free environment!  However, in nature we have a wide variety of mold species (types) at relatively low concentration.  Mold is mother nature's way of rotting away or breaking down cellulose materials in order to make sure the life-cycle starts all over again...and that the planet is not overrun by dead trees, plants, leaves, etc.

Why is Mold harmful?

Not all mold species or mold growth is harmful to your health.  Mold can have toxins called mycotoxins which are basically chemicals it uses to battle other mold species.  Some molds have very minor or non-existent mycotoxins and other species have very toxic mycotoxins.  The more toxigenic mold species can have serious and sometimes long term health implications.  It is important to find out if you in fact have a mold issue, what type, where and how serious.

Mold growth can produce thousands of microscopic mold spores, that could be inhaled.  This is where the risk for allergies or more serious diseases can occur.  A detailed mold inspection and mold testing for black mold can show you if you have a hidden mold issue.

Where can Mold hide?

Everywhere!  Mold growth is not always visible.  In most cases, mold growth can be behind walls, above ceiling and under floors.  A professional and competent mold inspection along with mold testing that is sent to a qualified mold laboratory can show you if you have a mold growth problem.

How Does Mold Start?

Wet building materials and contaminated air conditioning systems can become breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi (mold). There are an estimated 250,000 species of fungi with approximately 1,000 species categorized as indoor molds.

Roof leaks, foundations cracks, plumbing leaks, appliance overflows, condensation as well as high relative humidity can introduce unwanted excessive moisture into a building. Cellulose building materials such as insulation, wood building products, carpeting, drywall, wallpaper, fabrics, dust, etc. will support mold growth if the conditions are right. “If you water it…it will grow”. Any water event must be properly cleaned up within 24-48 hours to avoid mold growth.

Health Effects from Mold Growth

There are indoor mold species that are allergenic and there are mold species that can be extremely toxic. Some molds cause allergic reactions including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, and fever. Certain molds produce toxins (mycotoxins) as a by-product of living. These so called ‘toxigenic’ molds can cause digestive problems, joint problems, lung damage, ocular disease, ear infections, and some species are considered carcinogenic. Mold spores that have become non-viable (dead) due to the fact that they have dried out or have been killed by a biocide retain their mycotoxins. Dead mold spores when inhaled can cause the same health issues and allergic reactions as living mold spores.

Children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to these contaminants. Exposure to mold can occur through skin contact, inhalation or ingestion of mold spores and fragments.

What should I do?

The most important thing is not to panic!  More harm can be done without a plan and without the right information.  Mold can be spread to other areas making the mold issue more difficult, more costly to remove and put occupants at higher risk.  A detailed mold inspection should be considered.

What should I not do?

Don't touch it!  Mold growth can release tens of thousands of mold spores and mycotoxins into the air if disturbed.  

Have a professional look at it.  Yes, we mean us, Quality Environmental Testing Inc.