Mold And Human Health
Scientific research by the federal government (www.epa.gov; enter "mold" in search box) and state health departments (www.health.state.mn.us; enter "mold" in search box) indicates that exposure to mold can be a health concern for persons with mold allergies or asthma.
Mold is a simple microscopic organism that is found almost everywhere - indoors and out. There are hundreds of different kinds of mold in the natural environment. Mold spores are very light and travel easily through the air - this is how people come in contact with them. Mold needs a food source and moisture to grow. Mold food can include wood, paper, drywall, cardboard and other organic-rich materials. Mold can also grow on tile grout and plaster. It is rare to see mold growing on stone, plastic, metal or concrete surfaces. Common moisture sources include leaking pipes and leaking roofs, floods, chronically damp basements and condensation on cold windows and walls. Mold can be many colors (white, black, orange, green, brown), depending on the species present. Mold can be fuzzy or slimy to the touch.
Symptoms of mold exposure for sensitive individuals can include respiratory problems, nasal and sinus congestion, a dry cough, wheezing, difficulty in breathing and burning/watery eyes. More serious health effects (constant headaches, memory problems) are very rare. The "black mold" (Stachybotrys chartarum) commonly mentioned in news reports is uncommon in Broome County homes. An intensive sampling program by the Health Department during 2001-2003 found only a few instances of this mold, generally (but not always) on drywall in flooded basements.
Unless environmental testing is requested by a doctor, it is usually better to spend money on a thorough mold clean-up. Mold sampling can be expensive, and in most cases, no matter what kind of mold is present, the recommendation would be to do a clean-up anyway.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov) and Cooperative Extension (see file below) have good recommendations on how to clean up mold. The first step in a mold clean-up project is to remove moisture sources (fix leaks, dry out air with dehumidifiers, increase ventilation). After this is done, moldy items can be cleaned or discarded.
Other good sources of mold information are the New York City Health Department (www.nyc.gov; enter "mold" in search box) and the National Institutes for Health (www.nih.gov; enter "mold" in the search box). The Broome County Health Department can also answer questions on mold (607.778.2887).
Controlling Mold In The Home (.pdf, 63k)
