Posts filed under ‘Mold and Health’
Fungal Data Interpretation – Part II – Effects of Tossing a Moldy Apple Pie into the Trash Before Mold Air Sampling
This post is the second blog posting in a series based on information presented in a webinar by Dave Gallup, co-founder of EMLab P&K. The topic of the webinar was Fungal Data Interpretation. The two-hour presentation covered many interesting topics that are relevant to mold inspection and testing companies as well as the general public that are facing mold problems in their home or business.
One of the first points that Mr. Gallup made is the interpretation of the sample data that EMLab P&K provides must be combined with the on site mold inspection information. Trying to interpret fungal sample data from a mold inspection and testing project without also having field inspection information from a qualified mold inspector is highly problematic. In this blog entry I will focus on the second of several normal household scenarios that can drastically impact fungal sample data and could lead to incorrect interpretation of that data.
Scenario – “Effects of Tossing a Moldy Apple Pie into the Trash”
A group of EMLab P&K scientists studied the impact on fungal distribution in a normal home after the occupants tossed a mold apple pie into the kitchen trash. Here is the data set:
- The first air sample was collected in the home before tossing the moldy pie.
- The air sample contained numerous types of mold spores. I will focus on just one type, Penicillium/Aspergillus types (Pen/Asp).
- The spore counts of Pen/Asp found in this first air sample were within “normal tolerances” — they were lower than the corresponding spore counts found in the outdoor baseline sample.
- The second air sample was collected during the act of tossing the moldy pie
- The spore counts of Pen/Asp were significantly elevated compared to both the outdoor control sample and the first sample collected before the toss.
- This is how the data looked:
- Pen/Asp types: before tossing ~13 spores/cubic meter | during tossing ~ 1,000,000 spores/cubic meter!
If the on site inspector did not notice that there was moldy food in the trashcan (apple pie in this case) or had not asked the homeowner if they had recently performed any housekeeping activities such as cleaning out the refrigerator of moldy food, incorrect conclusions could have been made with respect to this project. For example the airborne Pen/Asp types prior to tossing were ~13 spores/cubic meter. After tossing the moldy pie into the trash, the spore counts of Pen/Asp were drastically elevated (over one million spores/cubic meter!). If the inspector did not know about the moldy food, these air sample results would be cause for real concern and unnecessary steps would likely follow (more testing, invasive exploration for mold, and the like). Armed with the knowledge that the client recently threw away moldy food, the inspector could either take that into consideration when analyzing the sample data or, better, not collect the sample for several hours after.
Many people place too much emphasis on the mold sampling aspect of our business. It is a useful tool, but it is only truly valuable in conjunction with the on site, visual inspection data.
by Michael Bains, President, Mold Inspection Sciences
Fungal Data Interpretation – Part I – Effects of Vacuuming Carpets Before Mold Air Sampling
Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending a webinar presented by Dave Gallup, co-founder of EMLab P&K. The topic of the webinar was Fungal Data Interpretation. The two-hour presentation covered many interesting topics that are relevant to mold inspection and testing companies as well as the general public that are facing mold problems in their home or business.
One of the first points that Mr. Gallup made is the interpretation of the sample data that EMLab P&K provides must be combined with the on site mold inspection information. Trying to interpret fungal sample data from a mold inspection and testing project without also having field inspection information from a qualified mold inspector is highly problematic. In this blog entry I will focus on the first of several normal household scenarios that can drastically impact fungal sample data and could lead to incorrect interpretation of that data.
Scenario – “Effects of Vacuuming”
A group of EMLab P&K scientists studied the impact on fungal distribution in a normal home after the occupants vacuumed their carpets. Here is the data set:
- The first air sample was collected in the home before vacuuming the carpet.
- The air sample contained numerous types of mold spores. I will focus on three types: Basidiospores, Cladosporium, and Penicillium/Aspergillus types.
- All of the spores counts found in this first air sample were within “normal tolerances” — they were all lower than the corresponding spore counts found in the outdoor baseline sample.
- The second air sample was collected during the act of vacuuming the carpet
- All of the spore counts were significantly elevated compared to both the outdoor control sample and the first sample collected before vacuuming.
- This is how the data looked:
- Basidiospores: before vacuuming ~70 spores/cubic meter | during vacuuming ~ 800 spores/cubic meter.
- Cladosporium: before vacuuming ~80 spores/cubic meter | during vacuuming ~ 1,000 spores/cubic meter.
- Penicillium/Aspergillus types: before vacuuming ~110 spores/cubic meter | during vacuuming ~ 1,100 spores/cubic meter.
- The third air sample was collected in the home 30 minutes after vacuuming.
- All of the spore counts were still elevated as compared to both the sample collected prior to vacuuming and the outdoor control sample, though not quite as high (about 50% as high as the during vacuuming sample) as the sample collected during vacuuming.
If the on site inspector did not notice that the carpet had been recently vacuumed (i.e. seeing the vacuum “tracks” in the carpet or notice the dusty smell or see the vacuum sitting out) or had not asked the homeowner if they had recently performed any housekeeping activities such as dusting or vacuuming, incorrect conclusions could have been made with respect to this project. For example the airborne Penicillium/Aspergillus types prior to vacuuming were ~80 spores/cubic meter. A half hour after vacuuming, they were ~500 spores/cubic meter which is approximately 6 times higher. In absence of the vacuuming, this could indicate a mold problem which would entail further investigation such as invasive investigation and could concern the homeowner. Armed with the knowledge that the client recently vacuumed, the inspector could either take that into consideration when analyzing the sample data or, better, not collect the sample for several hours after housekeeping activities.
Many people place too much emphasis on the mold sampling aspect of our business. It is a useful tool, but it is only truly valuable in conjunction with the on site, visual inspection data.
In my next posting related to Fungal Data Interpretation, we’ll see the impact on the airborne fungal distribution when a moldy apple pie is tossed into the trashcan!
by Michael Bains, President, Mold Inspection Sciences
Attic Mold – Common Causes and Cures
Attic – ventilation and air movement
Attic mold
Mold in attic areas can be challenging at times in regards to determining the exact cause and source of mold growth. However, there are some common conditions that we routinely find during our Mold Investigations that contribute to mold growth in attics.
Roof Leaks
Penetrations in roof systems are common sources of water intrusion into attic spaces. Improper flashing, deteriorated rubber boot flashing, missing or improperly installed flashing around chimneys or other penetration points, and inadequate roof repairs are common causes of roof leaks. Also, water seepage occurs when the roof is beyond the end of its life span and failing. Water damage and mold growth is a common result of roof leaking conditions. Annual inspection of your roof by a roofing specialist and routine maintenance can prevent leaks in the roof system, reducing the likelihood of mold growth in your attic.
Inadequate Roof Ventilation
The lack of proper roof ventilation is a conducive condition to mold growth in attics. Without adequate ventilation, moisture laden air remains in the attic area, often times causing elevated moisture conditions at the roof framing and roof sheathing. During cold winter months, condensation can occur on the cold roof sheathing, creating elevated moisture conditions.
Another common cause of inadequate ventilation is when insulation is blown into the attic and care is not taken to prevent the insulation from blocking the soffit vents. Soffit vents are critical in a passive ventilation system in order to move the air from the lower portion of the attic (intake soffit vents) to the upper roof vents (exhaust vents). Adding additional ventilation ports or a powered roof vent can oftentimes improve and correct inadequate roof ventilation conditions.
Bath & Kitchen Exhaust fans vented into the attic
Exhaust fans should be vented directly to the exterior of the home. However, this often is not the case. When the exhaust fan is missing its exhaust duct or the duct has become separated, that exhaust air is vented directly into the attic space, oftentimes contributing to microbial growth.
Missing or inadequate attic insulation
Attic insulation not only is important in energy conservation, but proper insulation levels can also reduce the chance of mold growth in attics. As air travels up through the structure, insulation provides a barrier to slow the rate of conditioned air loss into the attic area. When an attic has missing insulation, the air movement increases significantly and that warm air can cause condensation conditions on cold roof sheathing. The moisture conditions resulting from such condensation is a catalyst for mold growth. Check your insulation and make sure that you have good and even coverage throughout the entire attic, especially at the lower North side areas.
Gaps or openings in ceilings
Unsealed openings in ceilings, around exhaust fans, can lights, speakers, etc. allow warm conditioned air to escape into the attic area. Sealing all penetrations in the ceiling can be an important preventative step in reducing mold growth in attics.
Finally, we frequently get asked, why is mold in an attic a big deal? While it is true that attic areas are not generally considered living spaces and air communication from upper attic areas to the living space below is relatively uncommon (in most normal situations), attic mold should still be a concern. Why? Because it is possible that if negative pressure conditions exist or occur in the home, air containing mold spores could potentially be drawn from that attic area into the living space. In addition, attic mold is usually an indication of other defects or conditions that could lead to costly repairs down the road. Such as water damage, Mold contamination in the finished living areas, wood destroying organisms and other moisture related conditions. Now go check your attic and if you see unusual staining or mold-like conditions, call a mold professional for a full assessment and appropriate testing.
by Craig Cooper, Mold Inspection Sciences
I Think I Have a Mold Problem — Where Do I Start? What Do I Do?
It’s not everyday that people have to deal with a potential mold problem. For most people, the thought of a mold problem in the home or workplace is scary and confusing. There is so much information on the Internet, much of it is conflicting and lots of it is wrong. Questions that come to people’s mind’s when they believe they may have a mold problem:
- Will the mold make me and my family sick?
- Do I actually have a mold problem, or is it just “mildew”?
- If I have a mold problem, will it be expensive to diagnose or remedy?
- Is all mold toxic?
- Is all mold dangerous?
- What type of company should I use to inspect and test my home?
- How do I know who I can trust?
- Who is qualified to inspect and test my home?
- If I am a renter, who should pay for the mold inspection and testing?
Most of the questions above can be answered by a qualified, mold inspection and testing professional. One of the first and the most important steps is to find a qualified mold inspection and testing company. Here is what I suggest if you believe you may have a mold problem.
- If you see visible mold-like growth or believe a room has a mold problem, avoid that room if you can.
- Find a qualified company to inspect and test your home or workplace.*
- Follow the recommendations of the company as stated in their inspection report and perform any mold remediation work that they recommend.
*How do you find a “qualified” company?
- Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations.
- Search the Internet. Look for quality company websites that are informative and don’t use scare tactics.
- A qualified company will a) have a good record with the Better Business Bureau, b) carry quality certifications from organizations like the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC), c) carry General Liability Insurance and Professional Liability Insurance (also known as Errors and Omissions insurance). The latter is the most important and differentiates the true professional companies from “fly by night” organizations., d) have good reviews and testimonials from past clients, and e) utilize an independent, accredited lab for their sample analysis.
- Ask to see a sample mold inspection report. Does the company do good work? Is the sample report complete, easy to read, and contain color photographs?
- Look for referrals from The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) or The Amercian Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC)
- Does the company answer their phone? Do they respond to web and email inquiries in a timely manner?
- Is the person you speak to on the phone professional? Are they patient and do they spend time to answer your questions?
Try not to feel overwhelmed. Take it one step at a time. The key is finding the right company to help you.
Here are a few places to go to perform research for mold related issues:
- www.iaqa.org
- www.epa.gov/mold
- www.planetmold.com
- http://allaboutmold.wiki.zoho.com/
- www.moldsci.com
- www.emlab.com
by Michael Bains, President, Mold Inspection Sciences
We Live, Eat and Breath Mold
The other day, I was on a call with a client. We had performed a mold inspection and microbial testing for them, and their results were… let’s say less than typical. There were a lot of possibilities, and sources, and we talked through all of their options as far as moving forward. At the end of the conversation, the client thanked me, and said that I seemed to know a lot about mold, and my time was appreciated. I replied with a simple joke: “Hey, it’s not hard when all you have done for the past 10 years is live, eat and breathe mold”. We had ourselves a good chuckle, and ended our conversation there. But, it didn’t quite end in my mind, and I started thinking about that comment. What I realized is that we all live, eat and breathe mold every day of our lives. Let me explain:
We Live Mold – Mold in our homes is definitely considered to be a bad thing. However, mold outside of our homes is actually a necessary organism, and adds to a healthy ecosystem. Its purpose is to break down dead, organic material such as plants, trees and animals. Without mold, those materials would just sit around, and start to pile up, and let’s face it, make the world a pretty yucky place. If it weren’t for mold, we would live in a very different world. It could even stand to reason that if there was not mold, humans as we know ourselves might not be around today. So, in essence, we live, in part, due to mold.
We Eat (and drink) Mold - This is an easy one. Mold is actually used in multiple types of food. Whether it be the mold used in the production of certain cheeses, or fungi (which is in the same family as mold) used to create bread, wine and beer. So, I guess you could say we all eat (and drink) mold.
We Breathe Mold - Believe it or not, we all inhale mold on a day-to-day basis. In fact, 99% of you reading this right now probably just took a breath that had some good old mold spores in it. Mold, because it is a natural part of our environment, is everywhere! Mold spores, which is what a mold source uses for reproduction and spreading out looking for new food and water sources, are most commonly distributed via airflow. This is happening on a daily basis outside, and as a result the spores are widely spread throughout our environment. As a result, those spores infiltrate our home through open windows and doors, through invisible cracks in the home envelope, through natural and mechanical ventilation, and on our clothes and contents coming into the home. Almost every breath you take will invariably have some amount of mold spores within it. So, every single one of us breathes mold on a daily basis.
When you put all this together, you find that we all “Live, eat and breathe mold”. That being said though, as with everything there can be too much of a good thing. When mold is originating from an indoor source, and we are exposed to excessive amounts of mold spores and/or byproducts of mold (mycotoxins), we can experience health effects. If you believe that you might have a mold problem within your home, the best thing you can do is consult with a certified Mold Investigation Specialist. Through a thorough mold investigation and microbial sampling process, they can help you determine if you are dealing with normal mold conditions, or something that needs to be professionally remedied.
by Brandon Apple, Mold Inspection Sciences
March 31, 2012 at 1:08 pm brandon4moldinspectionsciences Leave a comment
Symptoms of Mold Exposure
Clients often ask us “what are the symptoms of mold exposure”? Below are some of the common symptoms:
- Respiratory problems; including difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath;
- Sinus and nasal congestion and irritation;
- Irritation of the eyes — watery, burning, red;
- Coughing;
- Sore and/or dry throat;
- Skin rashes and irritations;
- Problems with sense of smell;
- Typical symptoms normally associated with a cold or allergies; and
- Memory problems, odd mood swings, nose bleeds, body aches and pains, and fevers are occasionally reported in mold cases.
Mold exposure can also exacerbate other illnesses and conditions, including asthma. These symptoms are often worse for the young, elderly, or people with compromised immune systems.
If you have any of these symptoms and you believe they may be related to mold, it’s prudent to engage a mold inspection and testing professional to perform an analysis of your home and/or place of work.
by Michael Bains, President, Mold Inspection Sciences
Good Mold vs. Bad Mold
Being in the mold inspection industry, we get asked all the time: “Is it good mold or bad mold”. To be honest, this is a tough question to answer. I think instead of looking at it as good vs. bad, it should really be lumped into 3 categories: Good, Normal, and Bad.
Let’s start with the good, shall we? Molds can be good when they are used for medicines, or in the production of certain cheeses, and let’s be honest, mold that is Outside our home is typically considered to be a good thing. So, most people don’t even notice mold when it’s good, unless they are reaching into the fridge for that stinky wine cheese they love so much.
Next, we come to normal molds. When talking about normal molds within the home, there are really two types. Airborne mold spores, and mold growth. When it comes to the airborne type, it is simply a fact of life that there is always some degree of airborne mold spores floating around in your home. They come into the home through any gap, penetration, open door, and even on our clothes from the outside, and are considered to be normal, as long as they did not originate within the home. Normal mold growth within the home occurs on a day to day basis. It could be that “mildew” in the corners of your shower, or that weird looking black stuff you see in your window track. What makes it normal, is the fact that it is growing on a non-sustainable food source, the surface is non-porous and can typically be cleaned away with normal housecleaning methods.
Now, for the fun part, Bad mold. To put it simply, mold growth within the home is considered to be a bad thing when it is growing on a sustainable food source, and is potentially affecting the air with what would be considered “elevated” mold spores which is quite a bit different than the normal airborne mold spores we talked about earlier. The food sources within a home are pretty numerous, and can include: Drywall, wood framing, wood subflooring, debris, contents, etc… What makes this a bad thing? Well, typically when conditions such as these start to occur, the proper removal of said mold is just a bit much for the average homeowner. Not only must the impacted materials be properly removed and/or cleaned, but the airborne spores in association with the mold must be addressed as well. The proper removal of a mold problem is a very technical process, and requires the right equipment, and is just not something that the average homeowner should take on themselves.
The first step a homeowner should take when they believe they may have a mold problem is to have the conditions assessed by a Mold Investigation Specialist. Through a thorough investigation and proper testing, they will be able to tell you if you have a mold problem or not. Or, if you really prefer the terminology, if it’s good mold or bad mold.
by Brandon Apple, Mold Inspection Sciences
March 21, 2012 at 2:20 pm brandon4moldinspectionsciences 1 comment
Common Mold Myths
There is an abundant amount of information available at our fingertips regarding Mold. Much of it is relevant, accurate and useful information. The problem is that even the experts differ in opinion on some topics. As a Certified Mold Inspector, I see many different situations and unusual conditions in homes, apartments and businesses. I also hear comments and read information that sometimes makes me scratch my head. So, I thought I’d discuss a couple of my favorite Mold myths.
Myth # 1: Only Black Mold is bad.
Mold can present itself in many different colors, and while it is true that the most concerning types of Mold, such as Stachybotrys, are commonly black in color, many types of Mold that do not have a black appearance can cause adverse health effects for some individuals. Most Mold professionals agree that indoor Mold growth of any color is a potential health risk and should not be present inside homes and businesses. In addition, mold growth, of any color, inside a home or business is a sign of a water intrusion problem which can comprimise building materials, both structurally and cosmetically, and can be expensive to remedy.
Myth # 2: Bleach is an effective treatment for Mold
Bleach is comprised mostly of water and adding additional water to a Mold problem is kind of like throwing gasoline on a fire. It appears to get rid of the Mold initially, but all too frequently, the Mold returns in a short period of time and the problem becomes worse than before the initial bleach treatment. The other shortcoming of bleach is that it will not reach or eliminate Mold that is hiding in inaccessible areas. Such as inside wall cavities, under flooring, behind wallpaper, or Mold that is absorbed into porous building materials, such as drywall. In most cases, it is best to leave the removal and cleaning of a mold problem to a professional Mold Remediation Company.
Myth #3: You can just paint over Mold to seal it and prevent re-growth
Simply painting over Mold affected building materials does not provide a long-term fix to a Mold problem. We are often told by our clients that someone treated the Mold with bleach and then sealed (painted) the area. This is most often times just a band-aid unless the initial cause of the Mold growth is addressed and corrected. The underlying cause of most Mold problems is excessive moisture and wet building materials, commonly due to water intrusion, leaks or excessive humidity. If the excessive moisture problem is not corrected, repaired or eliminated, then Mold will most likely return.
More Mold Myths debunked to come at a later date. Thanks for reading.
by Craig Cooper, Mold Inspection Sciences
Why You Need a Mold Inspection – Part I
One of the most common questions our offices receive is “Why do I need a mold inspection? Won’t mold sampling and testing tell me what I need?” From our experiences over the last 10 years, which includes tens of thousands of mold inspection projects across five states, we consider the mold inspection to account for about 75% of the puzzle and mold sampling and testing to account for the other 25%.
Both parts are important, but they must be done in tandem — you can’t just count on one to tell the entire story.
Rather than write abstractly about why you need both an inspection and testing, I thought it would be more useful to provide a number of examples to make my case. This posting will be the first of several hypothetical case studies I’ll present.
Our client, Mr. Brown, is in contract to purchase a new home. He wants to make sure that he has no water intrusion or mold problems that could cost him money to repair or that would cause his family health problems. But, Mr. Brown is concerned about the cost of the inspection and the testing. He believes his home inspector will do a thorough inspection, so he just wants mold testing in a few rooms and wants to skip the mold inspection. We warn him against this decision and try to explain the need for the mold inspection, but he won’t be swayed.
He asks us to collect air samples in a few rooms in the home; including the master bathroom and master bedroom. All of the air samples come back from the lab as ”normal”. Mr. Brown purchases the home and believes everything is ok from a water and mold standpoint. About a month after moving in, he notices a really musty odor in his master bedroom and is seeing some swelling of the drywall adjacent to the master bathroom shower. He hires a plumber to investigate. The plumber opens up the access panel to the shower plumbing and finds the inside of the wall full of mold. Mr. Brown is upset because he had mold testing performed in both the bedroom and bathroom and the air samples were normal. How could this happen?
A proper mold investigation requires both a mold inspection and mold testing. Had Mr. Brown paid for the mold inspection, the inspector would have used their moisture meter around all plumbing areas and places where water and mold are often found — like the areas adjacent to the shower. The inspector would have found elevated moisture and would have observed the staining and swelling of the drywall. The inspector would have recommended a wall cavity sample or invasive testing or both. The mold inspection service would have uncovered the mold problem.
Now, Mr. Brown is faced with a very expensive mold remediation project and repair of the drywall and shower. Since he has already purchased the home, he will likely have to pay for it himself. Had he spent just a little more money for the mold inspection during his due diligence, the responsibility to repair the shower and pay for the mold remediation would have been the seller’s.
That said, Mr. Brown did pay for mold testing of the air in the master bathroom and bedroom. How were those samples “normal”? The mold growth had an active source of water and food. Thus, it was not actively sporulating. And, it was trapped inside a wall cavity. Under these conditions, it is perfectly normal to have an air sample with no elevated spore counts in the air even though there is active mold growth in the area.
Again, this is why you need both a mold inspection — a big part of which is a moisture intrusion investigation — and mold testing.
by Michael Bains, President, Mold Inspection Sciences
Dealing with Mold Problems – Advice for Renters
Our company receives calls every day from people who are concerned about mold in their residence. Many of these people are renters. When you are renting property that you believe may have a mold problem, you are faced with a unique set of issues. For most folks, their primary concern is for their health and the health of their family. No one wants to live in a home or apartment that has a mold problem that is impacting the air that they breathe. In order to understand the source of the problem, the impact on the air, and the proper steps for remediation requires a professional inspection and testing. But, who should pay for these services? As the occupant of the property, the renter wants to hire a reputable, professional company so that their concerns and needs are addressed. However, the renter does not own the property and it is not their responsibility to pay for structural defects or other water related problems outside their control. So, the renter is also reluctant to pay for a mold inspection for property they don’t own. Landlords differ drastically in how they respond to their tenant’s concerns about mold. Many are truly concerned about their tenants health and the condition of their property and will hire the best professionals to investigate the property. Other landlords are scared and confused and don’t know how to react. Still others don’t really care and will do anything they can to avoid spending money. Further, many landlords don’t believe that mold is a real problem and they don’t take it seriously. Their goal is to spend as little money as possible to “fix” the problem and they don’t follow industry standards and that puts their tenants at risk.
After many years of experience in working with both tenants and landlords, I have the following advice for renters:
- If you believe you have a mold problem, begin by discussing the concern with your landlord. How they react will dictate your next step. If they are concerned and want to do the right thing, let them. Just keep a couple of things in mind: 1. Make sure the company the landlord hires is certified or licensed and has a good reputation with organizations like the Better Business Bureau and 2. Inform the landlord that you would like copies of all reports issued.
- If your landlord is anything but cooperative and professional, you need to hire your own company. This will ensure that 1. You hire the right company and 2. You will have access to the reports and information. Assuming it is determined that you do have a mold problem, it is appropriate to present the report to your landlord and 1. ask for reimbursement for your costs and 2. request that they have the problem addressed by a professional remediation company as outlined in the report provided by the company that inspected the property. Once the remediation work is performed, you will want the original inspection company to return to inspect the work of the remediation company and perform post air sampling. On the flip side though, if it turns out that you do not have a mold problem, it is appropriate that the renter does not request reimbursement from the landlord.
Our company does work for both landlords and tenants. We are fair to both parties and report the facts and condition of the property as they are. However, we do only work for one party and the party that engages our services, signs our service agreement, and pays our invoice is our client.
Dealing with mold problems, especially as a renter, can be confusing and frustrating. You want to be fair to your landlord while ensuring the health of the occupants of the home. Each step you take should be carefully measured.
My recommendation is to start by calling a reputable company and discussing your options and the best plan of action. Our company operates in Texas, Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington. If you live in one of those states, please contact us. We can help.
A complete list of our locations.
by Michael Bains, President, Mold Inspection Sciences
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