Why You Need to Think About Mold Resistance

 

	Financial Cost Once mold infests your home or building, it is very expensive to clean up. To make matters worse, not all insurance companies cover mold claims.
	Health Cost Mold can cause strong allergic reactions in many people. If the mold level is high enough in the home, or if those exposed have vulnerable immune systems (e.g. children, elderly), it can also cause neurological effects.
	Home Value Mold infestation can cause the value of your home or building to drop tremendously. If it has not been cleaned properly through remediation efforts, it may even make your home uninhabitable.

 

Mold information from the National Center for Environmental Health:

What are molds?

Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of fungi exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth.

What are some of the common indoor molds?

• Cladosporium
• Penicillium
• Alternaria
• Aspergillus

How do molds affect people?

Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

Where are molds found?

Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, both indoors and outdoors, year round. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions. Outdoors they can be found in shady, damp areas or places where leaves or other vegetation is decomposing. Indoors they can be found where humidity levels are high, such as basements or showers.

Mold Related Links:

EPA Mold Resources

Mold Remediation in Schools & Commercial Buildings

Mold-Help.org Current News

OSHA - A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace

Center for Disease Control - Mold Info

Toxic Mold USA - Mold Glossary