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Mold plays an important part in our environment by breaking down and digesting dead plants and other organic material. When mold invades our homes, however, it not only can be difficult to get rid of but also can damage structural wood components and affect our health.
Mold is everywhere, outdoors and indoors. The microscopic spores are so tiny that they float through the air and are carried great distances by a gentle breeze.
According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, conditions that encourage mold growth are flooding without proper cleanup, rainfall through leaky roofs, plumbing or waterline leaks and persistent elevated relative humidity above 60 percent.
"Mold needs three things to grow," said Nick Suminski, owner of Paul Davis Restoration, "a food source, the right temperature and moisture."
It prefers temperatures between 40 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Mold doesn't need standing water to grow, just moisture, and a food source.
"You have 24 to 48 hours before you'll see any growth. After 72 hours, you'll start to see significant growth, so that's a key time frame to keep in mind," Suminski said. "In homes, it's mainly looking for wood, paper products, anything cellulose that it can live off of, which is all over our homes. Particularly windows, doors, trim, especially the paper on drywall. After it starts growing, it can move to virtually any kind of surface."
"If they already have mold in the home, if they can visually see it, they need to figure out why it's there," said Jeremy Collinson, environmental health supervisor with the Central District Health Department. "Because mold does need moisture to grow, the first step is to get rid of the water. Then go through everything and get it dried up as soon as possible."
To clean mold up yourself, you should wear goggles, gloves and clothing that covers the entire body.
"When we do remediation, we're in full PPE, personal protective equipment. That's a Tyvek suit with goggles, gloves," Suminski said. "The suit is totally encased, only the face is open, and we wear a full-face respirator or a half-face respirator, depending on the situation."
For the do-it-yourselfer, products are available at local hardware and grocery stores for cleaning up mold.
"The surface should be thoroughly cleaned with a detergent solution before disinfecting," said D'Ette Scholtz, Hall County Extension educator. "Avoid using cleaning solutions that contain phosphate, since they may leave a residue that could provide nutrients for future mold or mildew growth.
"One of the most effective and least expensive disinfectants to remove mold growth is chlorine bleach," she said. "Disinfecting with a solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water is effective for most hard surfaces. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners containing ammonia."
For some individuals, mold has little or no effect. For others, a few minutes in a mold-rich environment can cause respiratory distress.
"If a person is allergic to it (mold)," said Dr. Fred Kiechel of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Associates in Grand Island, "they can have symptoms of runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes. It can trigger asthma, infections, such as sinus infection. If things get swollen and congested because of allergies, they can get infections as well."
When someone is sensitive to mold, or the area of mold is larger than 10 square feet, you need to call a licensed contractor or water remediation specialist. Depending on the circumstances, actual testing may be necessary.
There are no guidelines governing mold in Nebraska, so it's important to use certified companies that are knowledgeable of air quality and of mold cleanup and removal.
"An individual knowledgeable in good industrial hygiene practices, experienced in environmental air sampling methods and accredited through a credible association such as the Indoor Air Quality Association or American Industrial Hygiene Association should perform microbial investigations," said Steve Hudson of Air Quality Services of Lincoln and Omaha. "Prior to the collection of any samples, the consultant should determine if sampling is needed to support the findings of the investigation or if any special conditions are present which will require the determination of airborne or surface concentrations."
Mold testing can be expensive. In residential settings, spore-trap air sampling and tape-lift surface sampling are more common due to the reduced cost and faster laboratory turn-around times. In mold remediation, certified contractors follow a structured plan for cleanup and removal of mold and follow up with a clearance test to determine if the job has been properly done.
Where there is excess moisture, the potential for mold exists. When these tiny spores get a foothold in your home, they can be difficult to get rid of, can damage property and can create a health risk for those who are susceptible.
"If you see a mold problem," Scholtz said, "find the source of the moisture and fix it and get rid of the mold. Any mold should be treated with respect and cleanup handled very carefully."
For SIDEBAR
Ten 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) 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.
3) If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4) Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5) Reduce indoor humidity (to 30 to 60 percent ) to decrease mold growth by venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and dehumidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning.
6) Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7) 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.
8) Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roofs or floors) by adding insulation.
9) 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).
10) 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.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
For SIDEBAR
Many ways to control moisture in your home
Controlling moisture in your home is the key to combating mold.
Begin by fixing leaks and seepage.
If water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simple landscaping so the ground slopes away from your house to extensive excavation and waterproofing.
Water in the basement can result from the lack of gutters or water flowing toward the house. Water leaks in pipes or around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow.
Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawl spaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawl spaces are well-ventilated.
Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside but not into the attic. Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
Turn off certain appliances (such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants.
Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on the inside works better than one installed on the outside.)
Open doors between rooms (especially doors to closets, which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation. Circulation carries heat to the cold surfaces.
Increase air circulation by using fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home.
Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for biological pollutants to grow. Use area rugs, which can be taken up and washed often. In certain climates, if carpet is to be installed over a concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
Moisture problems and their solutions differ from one climate to another. The Northeast is cold and wet; the Southwest is hot and dry; the South is hot and wet; and the Western Mountain states are cold and dry. All of these regions can have moisture problems.
For example, evaporative coolers used in the Southwest can encourage the growth of biological pollutants. In other hot regions, the use of air conditioners, which cool the air too quickly, may prevent the air conditioners from running long enough to remove excess moisture from the air.
The types of construction and weatherization for the different climates can lead to different problems and solutions.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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