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COPYWRITE 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
| Final Inspection LLC |
Who is the Most Affected by Mold?
Virtually anyone can be affected, however small children, infants, pregnant women, the elderly and
anyone with a compromised immune system, or individuals with chemical sensitivities and existing
respiratory conditions such as allergies, and asthma are especially at risk.
How Can someone be Exposed to Mold?
There are only a few ways that someone can be exposed to mold. 1. Breathing the spores from the air.
2. Skin contact from handling an item that has mold growing on it. 3. Eating without properly washing
your hands after handling moldy objects.
Can Mold Cause Health Problems?
Mold has the potential to cause health problems to anyone, however everyone is effected differently when
they come in contact with mold. The mold that may cause severe illness in one person may leave
someone else living in the same environment completely unaffected. Some Molds can produce allergens,
irritants and in some cases, potentially toxic chemicals known as Mycotoxins. People who are sensitive
and exposed to mycotoxins can become ill. Allergic reactions to mold is common. They can be immediate
or delayed. People diagnosed with allergies and asthma may be very sensitive to mold. Mold can cause
asthma attacks.
If I can't see any mold, does that mean I don't have a mold problem?
Did you know that the National Association of Industrial Hygienist estimate that more than half of building
microbial problems are not visible. You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you
cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and residents are reporting health
problems. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top
side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Other possible locations of hidden mold
include areas inside walls around pipes (with leaking or condensing pipes), wall cavities are good at
trapping moisture. In addition to all this, pipes often leak in between walls, where we are not aware they
are occurring. The surface of walls, behind furniture (where condensation forms), inside ductwork, and
HVAC units, in roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation).
What are some of the Symptoms of Mold Exposure?
Respiratory problems (sneezing and coughing)
Sinus infections or congestion / sinusitis (runny nose)
Fatigue
Frequent Headaches
Mysterious skin rashes
Chronic aches and pains
Flu like symptoms
Upper & lower respiratory infections
Itching or irritation of the nose, eyes, throat or skin
Trouble concentrating, memory lapses, confusion
Mood swings, anxiety, depression
Digestive problems
Why wasn't Mold Such a Problem Twenty Years Ago?
There are a number of reasons for the increasing problem of mold and mildew in our homes, not the least
of which is the fact that Title 24 to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, relating to energy
conservation, brought new construction methods and materials, meaning that buildings don't "breathe"
as freely, trapping moisture vapors inside the building. Most new homes are built on concrete slabs,
which emit moisture for several years as they cure, and because they are porous, moisture from the soil
beneath the slab also vaporizes into the living space. Leaky roofs, windows, and plumbing, whether
caused by poor construction or lack of timely repairs, often result in colonization of mold and mildew
spores. The microbial spores become airborne, spreading inside wall cavities, behind cabinets and
wallpaper, and through ventilation systems. When moisture and temperature conditions are favorable,
widespread contamination can occur in a surprisingly short time. Mold is becoming such a serious problem
that Congress is proposing to enact legislation called The Melina Bill (details) to combat mold.
Where is Mold Found in the Home?
Mold (fungi) is present everywhere-indoors and outdoors. There are more than 100,000 species of mold.
At least 1,000 species of mold are common in the U.S. Some of the most commonly found are species of
Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. Mold is most likely to grow where there is water or dampness,
as in bathrooms and kitchens wherever there is plumbing, the underside of carpets and pads, the surface
of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms) ceilings and attics, back side of drywall, wallpaper
and paneling, inside HVAC systems and duct work, clothing and food . If the answer is "yes" to any of
the following questions, it is possible that there could be hidden mold in your home or building.
Is there a musty smell in the building?
Are there visible signs of water damage anywhere?
Has the building ever suffered a roof leak?
Has the building ever suffered a plumbing leak?
Has the building ever suffered a sink or sewer overflow?
Has the building ever suffered other water problems?
Does the building have high humidity?
How can I Reduce or Eliminate Mold inside my Home?
To eliminate mold you must first eliminate the moisture that's causing it. Molds will grow if we provide
them with moisture and nutrients. If we keep things dry, molds do not grow. High moisture levels can be
the result of water coming in from the outside, through the floor, walls or roof; or from plumbing leaks;
or moisture produced by the people living in the home, through daily activities like bathing, washing
clothes or cooking. Water enters the building when there is a weakness or failure in the structure.
Moisture accumulates within a home when there is not enough ventilation to expel that moisture, or
HVAC systems that are not functioning properly. Different kinds of molds grow on different materials.
Certain kinds of molds like an extremely wet environment. Other kinds of molds may be growing even if
no water can be seen. Dampness inside the material can be enough to allow them to grow.
Virtually anyone can be affected, however small children, infants, pregnant women, the elderly and
anyone with a compromised immune system, or individuals with chemical sensitivities and existing
respiratory conditions such as allergies, and asthma are especially at risk.
How Can someone be Exposed to Mold?
There are only a few ways that someone can be exposed to mold. 1. Breathing the spores from the air.
2. Skin contact from handling an item that has mold growing on it. 3. Eating without properly washing
your hands after handling moldy objects.
Can Mold Cause Health Problems?
Mold has the potential to cause health problems to anyone, however everyone is effected differently when
they come in contact with mold. The mold that may cause severe illness in one person may leave
someone else living in the same environment completely unaffected. Some Molds can produce allergens,
irritants and in some cases, potentially toxic chemicals known as Mycotoxins. People who are sensitive
and exposed to mycotoxins can become ill. Allergic reactions to mold is common. They can be immediate
or delayed. People diagnosed with allergies and asthma may be very sensitive to mold. Mold can cause
asthma attacks.
If I can't see any mold, does that mean I don't have a mold problem?
Did you know that the National Association of Industrial Hygienist estimate that more than half of building
microbial problems are not visible. You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you
cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and residents are reporting health
problems. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top
side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Other possible locations of hidden mold
include areas inside walls around pipes (with leaking or condensing pipes), wall cavities are good at
trapping moisture. In addition to all this, pipes often leak in between walls, where we are not aware they
are occurring. The surface of walls, behind furniture (where condensation forms), inside ductwork, and
HVAC units, in roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation).
What are some of the Symptoms of Mold Exposure?
Respiratory problems (sneezing and coughing)
Sinus infections or congestion / sinusitis (runny nose)
Fatigue
Frequent Headaches
Mysterious skin rashes
Chronic aches and pains
Flu like symptoms
Upper & lower respiratory infections
Itching or irritation of the nose, eyes, throat or skin
Trouble concentrating, memory lapses, confusion
Mood swings, anxiety, depression
Digestive problems
Why wasn't Mold Such a Problem Twenty Years Ago?
There are a number of reasons for the increasing problem of mold and mildew in our homes, not the least
of which is the fact that Title 24 to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, relating to energy
conservation, brought new construction methods and materials, meaning that buildings don't "breathe"
as freely, trapping moisture vapors inside the building. Most new homes are built on concrete slabs,
which emit moisture for several years as they cure, and because they are porous, moisture from the soil
beneath the slab also vaporizes into the living space. Leaky roofs, windows, and plumbing, whether
caused by poor construction or lack of timely repairs, often result in colonization of mold and mildew
spores. The microbial spores become airborne, spreading inside wall cavities, behind cabinets and
wallpaper, and through ventilation systems. When moisture and temperature conditions are favorable,
widespread contamination can occur in a surprisingly short time. Mold is becoming such a serious problem
that Congress is proposing to enact legislation called The Melina Bill (details) to combat mold.
Where is Mold Found in the Home?
Mold (fungi) is present everywhere-indoors and outdoors. There are more than 100,000 species of mold.
At least 1,000 species of mold are common in the U.S. Some of the most commonly found are species of
Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. Mold is most likely to grow where there is water or dampness,
as in bathrooms and kitchens wherever there is plumbing, the underside of carpets and pads, the surface
of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms) ceilings and attics, back side of drywall, wallpaper
and paneling, inside HVAC systems and duct work, clothing and food . If the answer is "yes" to any of
the following questions, it is possible that there could be hidden mold in your home or building.
Is there a musty smell in the building?
Are there visible signs of water damage anywhere?
Has the building ever suffered a roof leak?
Has the building ever suffered a plumbing leak?
Has the building ever suffered a sink or sewer overflow?
Has the building ever suffered other water problems?
Does the building have high humidity?
How can I Reduce or Eliminate Mold inside my Home?
To eliminate mold you must first eliminate the moisture that's causing it. Molds will grow if we provide
them with moisture and nutrients. If we keep things dry, molds do not grow. High moisture levels can be
the result of water coming in from the outside, through the floor, walls or roof; or from plumbing leaks;
or moisture produced by the people living in the home, through daily activities like bathing, washing
clothes or cooking. Water enters the building when there is a weakness or failure in the structure.
Moisture accumulates within a home when there is not enough ventilation to expel that moisture, or
HVAC systems that are not functioning properly. Different kinds of molds grow on different materials.
Certain kinds of molds like an extremely wet environment. Other kinds of molds may be growing even if
no water can be seen. Dampness inside the material can be enough to allow them to grow.
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