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| Final Inspection LLC |
Mold spores
Mold spores are naturally found everywhere on planet Earth. Unfortunately it‘s natural role in life is to
decompose dead organic material, and that‘s exactly what most of our building or decorative finishes are
made of.
When a property has been affected by moisture, in circumstances such as a leak or flood, or even
sustained high humidity, the spores, which are everywhere waiting to germinate, grow. Water in buildings
can create absolutely ideal conditions for growth. All mold is now considered allergenic with some being
toxic and health effects can be quite serious if, exposed persons are hyper allergenic, or their immune
system has been affected or not yet developed. This can include the young whose system has yet to
develop, the old or people who are on long-term prescription drugs etc.
Typically exposure to hidden or visible mold can result in a variety of effects from flu like symptoms to
nose bleeds, coughing up blood and many serious chronic and acute conditions. Prevention techniques
should be utilized and where unsuccessful, correct remediation and decontamination procedures must be
followed. It should be understood that mold is a complete life kingdom and was on planet earth million of
years before mankind. It has developed dramatic self-preservation capabilities. Mold is the basis of all
antibiotics and even small mounts can have significant effect to human health. The chemical contents of
the mold spore are known as metabolites and some of these are mycotoxins, which are in effect mVOCs
Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds. It is these chemicals which cause the health problems and as
chemicals may not be killed or destroyed by the application of biocides such as bleach which when applied
may simply alter or change or release the chemical content into something unknown or more toxic.
The application of Biocides to mold affected areas is not recommended. Mold can develop from long term
problems such as leaks or condensation or single events such as flooding. Either way the source of
moisture must be removed and thorough decontamination undertaken prior to any restoration
procedures. Most importantly, any person exposed to mold is likely to suffer health problems unless
properly protected.
What is Mold?
Mold is the planet Earth’s natural clean up system, eating dead or decaying organic or cellulose material.
All mold is allergenic and some are toxigenic. While live or viable, mold requires certain levels of moisture
and temperature to flourish. Drying out water damaged buildings may causes spore release as the mold
recognizes the threat to its existence.
Hundreds of thousands of mold types exist and while some are useful and symbiotic often used by
humanity for benefits, beer, bread, antibiotics, many cause health effects.
Some molds are known to be toxic, about 16 types only, have been identified but unfortunately they are
often found in post flood or water damage events in homes and buildings.
Typically exposure to any mold can cause allergenic effects such as skin rash, flu like symptoms and even
depression. Typical toxic types such as Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, Trichoderma create extremely toxic
mycotoxins, these known as T2 toxins are used by the military as chemical weapon agents.
The toxins naturally contained in these molds can cause severe health problems and typical symptoms
can include coughing up blood, nose bleeds and in worse cases, lung, liver brain and kidney cancer is
thought to be possible.
Destroying or neutralizing mold safely is extremely difficult. This is because the mold spore can contain
various toxic chemicals, which may be released when the spore is destroyed or ruptured thereby releasing
the most toxic or allergenic chemicals.
The size of mold spores is between 1 and 20 microns depending on the type. Respiritable particles are
seen as less than 7.5 micron with smaller size less than 2.5 micron being seen as the most dangerous as
they can lodge in deep lung tissue where they can be infused directly into the blood stream.
When mold is killed by chemical application or biocide, the spore will either rupture or decay and the result
may be the release of sub micron particles covered in the toxin. These may be inhaled and be the cause
of significant health issues.
Mold produces enzyme, which are used to digest the food source, this can be seen as a roots which once
established in porous materials are difficult to remove and even after cleaning, sanitation or application of
fungicidal paints they can re grow when conditions are suitable. Straight application of disinfectant or
stabilizers can destroy the mold cell wall, but chemicals held within the cell are released creating toxic dust.
Molds, both viable and non-viable are easily monitored and health concerns can be identified or refuted by
scientific analysis. This means live or dead they can cause bad health and even mold long dead and
materials dry their allergenic or toxic effects can still present problems.
Generally, porous materials where mold growth has established should be disposed of and non-permeable
surfaces should be cleaned. Dust control is essential in mold remediation and the use of HEPA dust filters
on equipment is recommended. The USA typically uses asbestos type abatement techniques to control
mold and mycotoxic dust. Measurement techniques to identify toxicity issues are now available.
Mold is seen in the USA as the new asbestos. Mold is a serious threat, it can initially be identified by its
musty odor and black or colored marks on surfaces but where conditions may have been right mold
should be considered possibly hidden in cavities or hidden areas.
Poorly dried homes or buildings generally can result in substantial health threats from either live or dead
mold.
Mold can be a health threat even when dead or inactive. Mold spores cover the planet, they are the
planets cleaning system, eating and decomposing dead life forms including cellulose, which in a building
Includes:
- Wood
- Wallpaper
- Paints
- Wallpaper Glue
- Plasterboard, especially the rear or back hidden side in cavity walls.
- Fabrics
- Books, documents, leather goods, chipboard, furniture, etc, etc.
Mold can even be seen to form on glass windows, where an invisible bio film can support them.
Mold usually grows where a building is wet or moist, its internal growth requirements are not ”normal
conditions" and are basically but not always the following conditions may be contusive to growth.
Where wet or flood affected homes have been dried slowly (over 3 days) or poorly where drying
procedures did not achieve satisfactory drying goals, mold health or structural issues may be present.
Ideal conditions are usually but not always where relative humidity is over 65% and temperatures are
around 20 Centigrade and 70 Fahrenheit
A building that has been water damaged and not dried within 3 days may have toxic mold growing and
those who are vulnerable should not live in the property. Most significantly contractors working in the
property should wear a respirator fitted with a toxic gas cartridge.
How dangerous is Mold
Stachybotrys and Trichoderma are typical of the toxic molds of which only 16 of the several hundred
thousand species are known to be toxic. Mold claims have devastated the American insurance industry in
claims where poor or incompetent flood restoration resulted in serious health issues. Although present in
the normal the indoor environment, significant growth may be triggered following a water damage or flood
event not properly treated.
Environmental conditions can trigger the formation and release of mycotoxins, which are known to be
amongst the most toxic of all natural chemicals. Stachybotrys and other toxic molds are used for
biological warfare agents, known as T2 toxin that, have successfully killed thousands in Afghanistan and
Laos. The molds, which produce these toxins, can grow quite easily in buildings affected by water damage.
Mold advice
As mold spores are always present it should be seen as normal, however due to today’s building
construction "tight buildings" limited ventilation, high temperature and substantial food sources mold can
flourish inside our living environment. Mold can also proliferate where condensation forms.
Mold is more likely to flourish after water damage incidents and the following guide should be followed:
- Remove standing water
- Install dehumidification
- Regulate and control the temperature
- Introduce air movement
- Introduce UV light where practical
- Control heating, to prevent uncontrolled evaporation.
If mold has flourished it should be carefully removed and decontaminated.
Mold remediation is a relatively new process and care is essential to prevent spores and mycotoxins
becoming airborne or spreading.
- The use of negative and positive pressure systems should be considered.
- The use of special filter systems may be required to control spread of contamination.
- The use of “Negative Air Pressure may also be a necessary control factor.
Mold Indicators in Water Damage
- When windows form condensation, drying is uncontrolled and mold is possible.
- Oder or visible staining.
- Allergic reactions – sore eyes or throat, runny nose, rash, asthma etc.
- Unexplained or continuous illness
- Structure or contents left wet for more than 3 days
Various testing procedures can be employed to identify if toxic or allergenic mold is present. It should be
recognized that previously accepted methods of swab and culture analysis may not be sufficient as the
testing for dead mold or mycotoxins would not be identified as they would not grow on culture plates.
There is therefore a need to employ a Certified Mold Inspector with a knowledge and capability of total
assessments.
These would include;
- Non viable air and surface sampling
- Tape lifts
- PCR Polymerized Chain Reaction
- Viable, air and surface sampling
- Visual assessments
- Continuous assessments of work in progress
Sampling should only be undertaken to prove or deny a hypothesis and careful consideration together
with planning is necessary to avoid expensive useless data collection. Remember that if mold develops
after a flood event it may be the responsibility of the contractor who restored the initial damage! (See
Services)
Information for Employers
Mold is allergenic and may be a major component of Sick Building Syndrome.
Where affected buildings are investigated mold is visibly present in over 40% of cases.
Apart from visible mold, hidden reservoirs may exist, some perhaps from previous flood or water damage
events.
Liability issues may develop from affected employees.
The New York Guidelines describing mold remediation procedures should be inspected to consider how an
American "state" has identified just how important correct remediation is to prevent both health and
liability issues. While these guidelines were the first to be developed for mold remediation they have been
subject of much debate and development
Health issues are now well documented and the following are suspected or proven effects:
- Depression
- Nose bleeds and coughing up blood
- Flu like symptoms
- Brain Hemorrhage and some forms of Cancer
- Asthma
- Low Blood Pressure
- Spontaneous abortion
Some molds typically Stachybotrys Atra and Aspergillus produce two of the most toxic natural chemicals
known to man and their mycotoxins are used as chemical warfare agents.
Inspection
- When mold is suspected several factors should be considered which include:
- Cause and remediation i.e.leak
- Condensation or heating program
- Rising Damp and Leaks
- Water Damage
- Historic water damage
- Visible mold
- Staining to Walls and Floor coverings
- Odor
- The health or absence of employees
Sampling
Various sampling techniques are available to identify both viable and non-viable spores. This is dead and
alive mold, which are equal health threats.
Dead mold produces mycotoxin, which are the remains of chemical products, which were part of the mold
metabolic processes. These particulates can be easily inhaled, ingested and may also be absorbed
through the skin.
Sampling techniques can identify all types of contamination including the mycotoxins and even old or past
water restoration can be checked several years after the believed sanitation.
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