Chicago Tribune
A Primer on Mold
Q. What is mold?
A. It's fungus, of which there are many species. For the most part, molds are saprophytes, which means they grow best on dead or decaying organic matter.
Q. Where do molds grow indoors?
A. Molds need oxygen, moisture and something to grow on, the more organic the better. So they're attracted to wallboard, wood, cardboard boxes, paper, furniture and carpets. Moisture sources can be anything from leaky pipes to high humidity. Carpets on concrete basement floors are likely suspects because they inevitably get damp.
Q. What is it about mold that bothers people?
A. Several things: Molds produce "volatile organic compounds" which, besides creating a musty smell, are irritants to many people. Molds also can release chemicals that are toxic to humans and cause respiratory, neurologic and intestinal problems.
Molds produce spores that become airborne and, once inhaled, can cause allergic reactions such as hay fever and sinusitis. They can even begin growing in the lungs and cause infection.
Q. What does indoor mold look like?
A. Basically, like a stain. Inspect for dark spots on walls, ceilings, window trim, furniture, carpet, clothes, boxes and personal papers. Mold also can be hidden, in places such as walls or ventilation systems.
Q. Won't mold be obvious by the smell?
A. The smell can be obvious, but people living in houses with mold sometimes become desensitized.
Q. How do I get rid of the mold?
First, eliminate the moisture source, such as leaky pipes. Contaminated materials--such as wallboard and wood--likely will have to be removed and replaced. Mold can get deep into porous materials, so cleaning with bleach might not kill it. Seek assistance from professionals, such as environmental consultants who have expertise in mold or fungus removal.
-- Knight Ridder/Tribune
A Better Crawlspace, Inc. (Greg Mitchell) does not check for mold in clients' homes or remove mold from houses. So-called mold remediation is a tedious and expensive undertaking. Homeowners who suspect significant mold in their house should contact a qualified mold expert to assess the situation.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner.
