BNF Consulting, Inc. - Mold Testing Inspection, Asbestos Testing and Inspection

Molds (or fungi) are everywhere in the environment. They only require standing water or humidity levels greater than 60% and a source of nutrients (such as dirt, cellulose, drywall, etc.) to grow. In addition, temperature plays a role. Molds can grow in temperatures ranging from 32--95 °F, but grow best at 77--86 °F. For more information, visit BNF Consulting, Inc. www.askbnf.com

It depends on what the client is trying to determine. If client want to know the types and concentrations of fungi or if they have elevated mold growth in their home, they should do air sampling. If a client wants to know if a certain material that is discolored is actually mold, bulk or swab samples would be collected. Bulk samples are preferable over swab samples, because the sampler is more likely to collect all the fungi spores present in the material. For more information, visit BNF Consulting, Inc. www.askbnf.com

You might ask, “Is toxic mold really a problem for the average homeowner?” Many types of mold besides Stachybotrys, even common ones such as Penicillium (bread mold), produce mycotoxins, which are chemical toxins or poisons. The mycotoxins serve an important purpose for the mold organism. There has been speculation, especially in the media, that these mycotoxins are responsible for causing some severe toxic health effects in humans, such as mucous membrane irritation syndrome. For more information , visit BNF Consulting, Inc. www.askbnf.com

It’s difficult to quantitate an exposure concentration of mold that will cause health effects in individuals, because the health effects of mold exposure experienced by most individuals are allergic in nature. Consequently, if you are allergic to mold you may have symptoms. For more information, visit BNF Consulting, Inc. www.askbnf.com

There aren’t any government health standards to indicate what is considered an elevated exposure to mold.

According to the study Damp Indoor Spaces and Health (National Institute of Medicine, 2004), in which scientists reviewed the body of published scientific literature regarding exposure to damp indoor environments (including the presence of mold) and health outcomes, there is sufficient evidence of an association (but not a causal relationship) between exposure to mold and/or damp indoor environments and the following symptoms:  Upper respiratory (nasal and throat) tract symptoms  Cough  Wheeze  Asthma symptoms in sensitized asthmatic persons In addition, the report found inadequate scientific evidence to determine whether an association exists between any other health symptoms and mold exposure.

For general information on mold, see the EPA brochure. A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home. It was written for schools and commercial buildings, the concepts apply to the home setting as well. The EPA brochure also covers health effects. For more information, visit us, www.askbnf.com

The purpose of mold remediation is to remove the mold to prevent human exposure and damage to building materials and furnishings. It is necessary to clean up mold contamination, not just to kill the mold. Dead mold is still allergenic, and some dead molds are potentially toxic. The use of a biocide, such as chlorine bleach, is not recommended as a routine practice during mold remediation, although there may be instances where professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area; a background level of mold spores will remain in the air (roughly equivalent to or lower than the level in outside air). These spores will not grow if the moisture problem in the building has been resolved. For more information, visit www.askbnf.com

Companies that do this type of remediation are available by searching in the online Yellow Pages under terms such as “mold remediation” and “mold removal”.

Almost certainly. A musty odor is indicative of mold growth. You should look in the areas where the odors are and look for signs of water and mold. In order for mold to grow, standing water for 48 to 72 hours is needed or high humidity levels (above 60% Relative Humidity). For more information, visit www.askbnf.com

You don’t need to be concerned about the health risk associated with small amounts of mold that you may find in your bathrooms. The “average” person, (who is not allergic to mold, is not asthmatic, and is not immune-compromised) has developed immunity to these small amounts of mold.