Mold seems to be cropping up more often these days, and it is not only because it has been a rainy year. Experts say mold is not more prevalent these days; instead, we are more aware of it. The way new homes are built may not be helping matters. New energy-efficient homes tend to be conducive to mold growth because of their tightness, which restricts air movement.
Still, experts say that finding mold need not be panic-inducing.
Understanding what it is, what causes it, how to address it and how to
prevent it, they say, can help homeowners ensure that their home’s
environment is healthy.
Every house, every environment has mold spores. Mold needs three
conditions to thrive: an ideal temperature, a source of food and moisture.
The temperature in most houses is almost always ideal for mold growth.
Mold feeds on dust or dirt, which is nearly impossible to eradicate from a
home.
The Environmental Protection Agency cautions that if damp or wet building
materials or furnishings are not cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours,
the moisture can lead to mold growth. So if it takes a couple of days to notice that leaky faucet or the rainwater that seeped into the basement,
mold probably exists.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most
common indoor molds are cladosporium, penicillium, alternaria and
aspergillus. Stachybotrys chartarum, often called toxic mold, is rare. This
heavy, dense, black mold is most often caused by a long-term moisture
problem. Foreclosed houses that have been empty for months are typically
candidates for toxic mold.
Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to tell what kind of mold you have by
looking at it. Mold is colored by what it eats more than what it is; therefore,
it is indistinguishable without testing by a professional.
Mold affects people differently. For some, exposure to mold causes nothing
more than itchy eyes, sneezing and coughing. For others, it can lead to
asthma attacks and lung problems. The EPA recommends contacting a
specialist if mold covers a surface greater than 10 square feet.
