Various types of mold are naturally occurring and found throughout the environment. The presence of mold is observed in most homes to some extent. Microbial growth is known to trigger allergic reactions in some people. A mold and indoor air quality (AIQ) test can be conducted to determine if your indoor air has elevated levels of mold.
How do you test?
Air Sampling
An air pump is used to collect air samples from various locations in the home. A control sample is collected from outdoors. This allows us to compare the outdoor air quality to the indoor air quality. Types of mold and concentration will be documented. Spore counts will determine whether indoor air has elevated levels of mold as compared to the outdoors. If elevated levels of mold are detected, further action should be taken by a restoration company to remove and treat areas of elevated mold.
Surface Sampling
Sometimes, discolored building materials can be misleading. If a material is covered with a suspicious substance, a swab can be collected and sent to a lab for analysis. The lab can determine if the substance contains mold.
The Mold Test Report
Samples are sent to a Pro-Lab for analysis. The lab will provide a report to determine the next step of recommended action.
What is Mold and Where Is It Found?
Mold are microscopic organisms that produce spores and are found virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold can be found on plants, foods, dry leaves, and other organic material. Also susceptible to mold growth are cellulose materials, such as, cardboard, paper, ceiling tiles, and sheet rock. Mold spores are easily detached and made airborne by vacuuming, walking on a carpet or sitting on a couch. In indoor environments, mold can grow in air conditioning ducts, carpets, pots of houseplants, etc.
How Can Mold Affect Your Health?
Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone but the following individuals are at a higher risk for adverse health effects: infants, children, elderly, immune compromised patients, pregnant women, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions. When inhaled, even in small amounts, mold can cause a wide range of health problems including respiratory problems (wheezing), nasal and sinus congestion, watery and red eyes, nose and throat irritation, skin irritation, aches and pains, fevers, asthma, emphysema and in some cases even death.
How Can You Be Exposed To Mold?
When moldy materials become damaged or disturbed, spores (reproductive bodies similar to seeds) can be released into the air. The following are sources of indoor moisture that may cause mold problems in your home or office: flooding, leaky roofs, humidifiers, damp basements or crawl spaces, constant plumbing leaks, house plants, steam from cooking, shower/bath steam and leaks, wet clothes, and clothes dryers vented indoors. Protection…Testing Is Your First Line Of Defense
To find out if mold is a problem in your home or office, you must conduct a mold test!
The Black Mold Stachybotrys Chartarum (atra)
Stachybotrys Chartarum (atra) is a greenish-black toxic mold that colonizes particularly well in high-cellulose material, such as straw, hay, wet leaves, dry wall, carpet, wall paper, fiber-board, ceiling tiles, thermal insulation, etc. Stachbotrys, before drying, is wet and slightly slimy to touch. There are about 15 species of Stachybotrys, known throughout the world. This toxic mold grows in areas where the relative humidity is above 55%. This type of mold does not grow on plastic, vinyl, concrete products, or ceramic tiles. It is not found in the green mold on bread or the black mold on the shower tiles.
Stachybotrys produces a mycotoxin that causes human mycotoxicosis.
This type of mold is thought to be a possible cause of the sick building syndrome. Children’s exposure to Stachybotrys spores are thought most likely to cause pulmonary hemosiderosis (bleeding in the lungs). The following is a list of symptoms associated with exposure to Stachybotrys mold spores:
- Respiratory problems, such as wheezing, and difficulty in breathing
- Nasal and sinus congestion
- Eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity
- Dry, hacking cough
- Sore throat
- Nose and throat irritation
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic fatigue
- Skin irritation
- Central nervous system problems (constant headaches, memory problems, and mood changes)
- Aches and pains
- Possible fever
- Diarrhea
- Possible hemosiderosis
- Immune suppression
Solutions?
If elevated mold levels are discovered in the home, the next step is to follow up with a mold restoration company. Many materials (drywall, paneling, trim) will need to be replaced if excessive mold is discovered. Other materials, like framing, can be saved with treatments if the material is still structurally sound. Restoration companies will often remove and treat affected materials. Additional trades will need to replace the finish materials that were removed as part of the mold remediation.