What are molds?

Molds are small organisms found almost everywhere, inside and outside, including on plants, foods and dry leaves. They can be nearly any color – white, orange, green or black. Molds are beneficial to the environment and are needed to break down dead material. Very tiny and lightweight, mold spores travel easily through the air.

Most building surfaces can provide adequate nutrients to support the growth of mold.

When mold spores land on material that is damp – for example, walls, floors, appliances (such as humidifiers or air conditioners), carpet or furniture – they can begin to multiply. When molds are present in large numbers, they may cause allergic symptoms similar to those caused by plant pollen.

What does mold need to grow?

Mold needs –

• a food source such as leaves, paper, wood or dirt
• a source of moisture
• a place to grow

What are sources of moisture in my home?

Many sources can cause moisture in your home, including –

• flooding
• leaky roofs
• humidifiers
• damp basement or crawl spaces
• constant plumbing leaks
• clothes dryers vented indoors

How can I be exposed to molds?

You are exposed to some mold every day, usually by touching, eating or breathing it. When mold is growing on a surface, spores can be released into the air where they can be easily inhaled. A person who ingests or inhales a large number of spores may suffer adverse health effects.

What health effects can be caused by exposure to mold?

Exposure to any mold could cause health effects (e.g., allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache and fatigue) under the right conditions. Similarly, the same amount of mold may cause health effects in one person, but not in another, because some people are more sensitive to molds than others. These include:

• infants and children
• elderly persons
• immune compromised patients (i.e., people with HIV infection, cancer, liver disease, etc., or who are under-going chemotherapy)
• individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies and asthma.

Should I be concerned about mold in my home?

When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers, they can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems for people. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to the mold. Mold also can cause structural damage to your home.