Mold FAQ

No. Although bleach will kill and de-colorize mold, it does not remove mold. Dead mold can still cause allergic reactions. It is not necessary to kill mold to remove mold. Applying soap and water and scrubbing can remove mold from hard surfaces. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York City Health Department agree that bleach should not be routinely used to clean up mold.

No. Don’t paint or caulk over mold. The mold will grow under the painted surface and the paint will peel.

Most molds do not harm healthy people. People who have allergies or asthma may be more sensitive to mold. Sensitive people may experience skin rash, running nose, eye irritation, cough, nasal congestion, aggravation of asthma or difficulty breathing. People with immune problems or that have underlying lung disease, may be at increased risk for infections from molds.

A small number of molds produce toxins called mycotoxins. When people are exposed to high levels of mold mycotoxins they may suffer toxic effects, including fatigue, nausea, headaches, and irritation to the lungs and eyes. If you or your family members have health problems that you suspect are caused by exposure to mold, you should consult with your physician.

When molds are disturbed, they release spores into the air. You can be exposed by breathing air containing these mold spores. You can be exposed through touching moldy items, eating moldy food or accidental hand to mouth contact.

Molds are tiny microscopic organisms that digest organic matter and reproduce by releasing spores. Molds are a type of fungi, and there are over 100,000 species. In nature, mold helps decompose or break down leaves, wood and other plant debris. Molds become a problem when they go where they are not wanted and digest materials such as our homes.

You know you have mold when you smell a “musty” odor or see small black or white specks along your damp bathroom or basement walls. Some mold is hidden growing behind wall coverings or ceiling tiles. Even dry, dead mold can cause health problems, so always take precautions when you suspect mold.

Mold is often found in areas where water has damaged building materials and furniture from flooding or plumbing leaks. Mold can also be found growing along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, such as inside cold exterior walls, behind dressers, under sinks, and in closets where articles are stored against walls. Mold often grows in rooms with both high water usage and humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. If you notice mold or know of water damaged areas in your home, it is time to take action to control its growth.

They are all difficult except that some species such as Penicillium and Aspergillus are more easily aerosolized and therefore more difficult to reduce to normal levels in the air

Bathrooms, window ledges, basements, and kitchens all seem to be problematical. Water sources should be eliminated if possible, ventilation should be maximized, and use of dehumidifiers (eg. bathrooms and basements). Biocides are usually not necessary if moisture levels are adequately controlled. A Clorox type cleaner can effectively kill the mold on surfaces and can be used in bathrooms and other surfaces with the proper precautions (ventilation, gloves, etc.) and with an understanding that the mold will grow back if there is moisture in the future.

Molds can be positively identified with a microscope. Bluish-green to green molds are usually Penicillium or Aspergillus. Black to brown-black molds can be Aspergillus niger , Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, or Stachybotrys chartarum (a highly toxic mold). Reddish or pink molds are usually species of Fusarium.

If you see small, white, thread-like growths or clusters of small, black dots on the walls of your bathroom or basement, or if you smell a musty odor, then you most likely have a mold problem. Some mold, however, is hidden and cannot be detected by our senses. Symptoms of mold allergy include runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing, fatigue, headache, congestion, sniffling, sore throat, itch eyes, and watery eyes. In children, mold allergy typically leads to recurrent respiratory infections.

The act of cleaning mold can increase the airborne spore level by ten-thousand times, which can result in severe illness and actually spread mold growth if done improperly. Such high levels of airborne mold spores warrant protective clothing, including gloves, goggles, and a respirator. If you suspect you have toxic mold in your home, then you should consider hiring a professional mold remediation expert to clean up the mold and safely dispose of it.

The answer depends on how much mold is there and where it is located. If the mold is on furnishings or boxes, simply discard the materials. Moldy materials are not considered hazardous waste; they can be sent to a regular landfill. However, it is smart to seal the mold material in heavy plastic to protect the individuals who handle it in transit and prevent spreading large amounts of the mold into the building as you carry the material out.

If the mold is on a hard surface but occupies less than 10 square feet, wash the area with soapy water (scrubbing with a brush may be necessary), rinse and allow the area to dry before repainting. If you have asthma, severe allergies and a weakened immune system, get someone else to perform the clean up.

Larger areas (greater than 10 square feet in area) should be cleaned by someone with experience in doing this type of work. Remember, determine what caused the moisture problem and correct that problem. Otherwise, mold is likely to recur.

Mold requires nutrients, water, oxygen and favorable temperatures to grow. Nutrients for mold are present in dead organic material such as wood, paper or fabrics; mold can also derive nutrients from some synthetic products such as paints and adhesives. Mold requires moisture, although some mold species can obtain that moisture from moist air when the relative humidity is above 70 percent. Many molds thrive at normal indoor temperatures; few molds are able to grow below 40 F or above 100 F. Outside this range, molds may remain dormant or inactive; they may begin to grow again when the temperature is more favorable. Temperatures well above 100 F will kill mold and mold spores, but the exact temperature required to kill specific species is not well established. If you have had a flood or water intrusion event, it is important to be sure it has been properly handled to avoid mold development.

There are only a few molds that can cause infection in healthy humans. Some molds cause infections only in people with compromised immune systems. The biggest health problem from exposure to mold is allergy and asthma in susceptible people. There are more than 100,000 types of mold. Good information has been developed for only a small number of these molds – at least in terms of their effects on human health. Most people tolerate exposure to moderate levels of many different molds without any apparent adverse health effects.

Some molds produce powerful chemicals called “mycotoxins” that can produce illness in animals and people. Scientific knowledge about the health effects of these toxins on humans is quite limited.

We hope that these FAQ’s have helped give you a better understanding of common mold issues. If you believe you may have a mold problem, be sure your home is mold free and that you are not endangering yourself, your friends, or your family by hiring a certified professional mold removal company!