 Mold and Moisture Concerns |
First, one must understand how mold, a type of fungi, lives. Many molds need simple things to exist and colonize. Most require a type of moist intrusion or humidity, otherwise known as the wicking effect. In some cases, it can take as little as 24 hours for this process to begin. After the source of the moisture has stopped, it does not nessarily mean that the mold has stopped growing. Out of 250,000 species of mold, only about 250 are harmful to humans.  Moisture does not belong in enclosed spaces in a house, especially a crawlspace. Some molds are cryophytes (these adapt to low temperatures), some are thermo tolerant (they adapt to a wide range of temperatures) and some are thermophiles (they adapt to high temperatures). Depending on the species, these microbes will grow just about anywhere. Mold requires a compatible temperature for each species. Environmental factors (temperature, nitrogen, oxygen, etc. ) are necessary compounds for indoor molds to thrive.
Mold also needs an organic source of food. People might be confused as mold can grow on glass, tile, stainless steel, cookware, etc., but it is generally feeding off of some organic source deposited on this material (oils, film, dirt, skin cells, etc.). The fiberglass insulation people like to say that mold does not grow on their product which is a fairly true statement; however, it grows on the organic debris that become trapped in their products. Mold also grows on things such as wood, fabric, leather, gypsum, fiberboard, drywall, stucco, and many insulation fibrous materials. All molds require some form of moisture to grow. However, like temperature, the amount of moisture varies for different species. Some are xerophillic (colonize under very dry conditions) some are xerotolerant (colonize under a wide range of moisture levels) and some are hydrophilic (colonize at high moisture levels). It does not have to be a leak. Humidity or moisture content of the substrate can often be sufficient (relative humidity 50% start becoming problematic in many indoor cases.) It can spread very easily through any HVAC system. Mycotoxins are examples of chemical substances that molds create generally as secondary metabolites, thought to possibly play a role in either helping to prepare the substrate on which they exist for digestion, as defense mechanisms, and some have suggested that they may be produced when the organisms are under stress, which could be related to competition/defense, or simply due to inhospitable environmental conditions. The mycotoxins, which are also neurotoxins (a toxin that is determined to cause neurological damage), most commonly reach people from the air, via spores from the molds in question. They are also found in small particulates at times which may often represent mold dust, small particles of mold that has dried and turned to dust. Spores, when inhaled, can begin to colonize in the sinuses and throughout the body, including the brain, lung and gut after a period of time.
Is there toxic mold in your home? Every house has mold. It is a question of how much and what kind. Mold can grow in places unseen and thrive there for long periods. Some pointers to help recognize infestation are: - Look for stains in walls and ceilings, particularly those that seem to be growing darker. - Look for colored spots on mold, such as brown, green or orange. This mold generally is toxic. - Check for the musty or urine-like smell of mold. - Do allergies act up more in the home than outside? - Look for white-fuzzy, or even pink or orange coatings on surfaces, and particulary on floor joists and walls of crawl spaces and basements. Is the presence of mold in your home a cause for concern? Not all mold is toxic. The major health concern with mold is if someone in the home that has mold growing is allergic to it. However, just because you are not allergic to it today does not mean that you wont become allergic to it down the road. It's sort of like if you're exposed to poison ivy the first time you may not have any reaction but with continued repeated exposure, you may develop one that can drive you crazy. And the same thing with mold. Living in a molding house may take six months or five years before you finally become allergic and have to move out of your house. What should you do? Control the growth of mold inside your home by keeping humidity levels between 40 and 60-percent. Always ventilate your shower, laundry, and cooking areas. Always be aware, and if you think you have a mold problem, contact us for a list of trusted professionals who can inspect and mitigate any problems. | |||
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[Black and hidden mold in fiberglass wall insulation in a basement exposed to prolonged wet conditions from a wall leak at a water pipe entry point.] Under certain growth and environmental conditions, black mold may produce several different mycotoxins, including a very strong class known as trichothecenes. Trichothecenes are also produced by several common molds including species in the genera Acremonium, Cylindrocarpon, Dendrodochium, Myrothecium, Trichoderma, and Trichothecium. The trichothecenes are potent inhibitors of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, and have been well studied in animal models because of concern about their potential misuse as agents of biological warfare, due to their ability to destroy human health (mentally and physically), and never show up in an autopsy. Sick buildings are one of the three major causes of fungal illness in industrialized nations today.