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Molds
and fungi are found everywhere inside and outside, and can
grow on almost any substance when moisture is present. Molds
when they reproduce make spores, which can be carried by air
currents. When these spores land on a moist surface that is
suitable for life, they begin to grow. Mold is normally found
indoors at levels that do not affect most healthy individuals.
Excess moisture, poor ventilation or poor cleaning habits
can promote mold growth in your home. Typically, mold does
little to hide its presence, so it can generally be detected
easily. If you suspect that mold has invaded your home, it
is important to locate and eliminate
the source of moisture, address the problems that provide
the right conditions for mold growth and then clean it.
Mold itself is usually
easy to detect. While testing is sometimes used to determine
the presence of mold, generally a quick investigation with
your eyes and nose can tell you if mold is present.
Some signs of mold include:
1. Visible mold growth - Mold can appear in a variety of textures
and colors; it often appears as a discoloration, stain, or
fuzzy growth.
2. Musty or earthy odors.
3. Water damage and discoloration around the area of the damage.
The first signs of mold might be allergy-like symptoms in
members of your household. If you detect excess moisture or
a musty odor but do not see mold, be sure to check behind
cabinets and under carpeting, common hiding places for mold.
The first step in an assessment is to determine if mold is
present. This is done by visually examining the premises.
If mold is growing and visible this helps determine the level
of remediation that is necessary. If mold is actively growing
and is visibly confirmed, sampling for specific species of
mold is unnecessary.
Three types of air sampling include but are not limited
to:
Air sampling:
the most common form of sampling to asses the level of mold.
Sampling of the inside and outdoor air is conducted and the
results to the level of mold spores inside the premises and
outside are compared. Often, air sampling will provide positive
identification of the existence of non-visible mold.
Surface samples: sampling the amount of mold
spores deposited on indoor surfaces (swab, tape, and dust
samples)
Bulk samples: the removal of materials from
the contaminated area to identify and determine the concentration
of mold in the sample.
When sampling is conducted, all three types is recommended
by the AIHA, as each sample method alone has specific limitations.
Though it may not be recommended,
air sampling following mold remediation is usually the best
way to ascertain efficacy of remediation, when conduct by
a qualified third party.
These methods, considered
non-intrusive, only detect visible and odor-causing molds.
Sometimes more intrusive methods are needed to assess the
level of mold contamination. This would include moving furniture,
lifting and/or removing carpets, checking behind wallpaper
or paneling, checking in ventilation duct work, opening and
exposing wall cavities, etc.
Careful detailed visual
inspection and recognition of moldy odors should be used to
find problems needing correction. Efforts should focus on
areas where there are signs of liquid moisture or water vapor
(humidity) or where moisture problems are suspected. The investigation
goals should be to locate indoor mold growth to determine
how to correct the moisture problem and remove contamination
safely and effectively.
The basic goals of any
mold investigation are always twofold: 1) find the locations
of mold growth, and 2) determine the sources of the moisture.
If these can be answered by simpler or more cost-effective
methods, mold testing is probably not a wise use of resources.
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