Indiana Mold Remediation

Molds are in every environment throughout the world, including here in Indiana. Like mushrooms and wood rot, mold is part of the Fungi Kingdom. They provide a valuable service, breaking down dead plant materials and taking part in the circle of life.

Molds reproduce through the release of spores into their environments. The spores form at the top of the mold structure and are often what gives mold its unique color. Air, water, or insects can cause the mold spores to disperse into the air. If conditions are right, these spores can amplify into large colonies. While the spores tend to not be visible with the naked eye, these colonies become visible as they mature.

Surface mold generally poses no risk to the structural integrity of materials on its own. The presence of mold can indicate moisture, which promotes other organisms that do affect these items.

More research is needed to get a clear picture of the health problems associated with mold exposure. it is still prudent to avoid exposure to mold within indoor environments.

There are generally four different areas of discussion when it comes to the potential health effects of mold; spore, mold toxins or mycotoxins, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), and glucans or fungal cell wall fragments.

Mold is literally everywhere. Mold spores are found in every environment on earth, both inside and outside. All of the components are already present within your home to grow except moisture. Elevated humidity, water damage, or condensation are the primary ways that moisture becomes sufficiently present on surfaces for mold to grow.

Health effects that can be reasonably associated with mold and damp environments include the following,

• Increased asthma development and exacerbation
• Difficulty and/or labored breathing (dyspnea)
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Respiratory infections
• Bronchitis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Eczema
• And upper respiratory tract symptoms.

Those who have known allergies are generally more susceptible to mold and its byproducts, but nonallergic individuals may also be affected. Those with compromised immune systems are at the highest risk for health problems associated with mold. Generally speaking, most people have a high tolerance for exposure to mold and most symptoms subside once the sources are removed.

The effects of toxins or other byproducts of mold growth are not well understood in the medical community. Ongoing investigation and research is being conducted. There is toxicological evidence obtained in vivo (from people or animals) and in vitro (in test tubes) that show the occurrence of diverse inflammatory and toxic responses after exposure to microorganisms (including mold) isolated from damp buildings. This includes mold spores, metabolites and components. While the effects of these components at real world levels is still under investigation, there are those within the medical community that believe even low dose exposure may pose potential problems for people who are genetically susceptible.

It is rare that someone would need to move out of their home because of mold, but there are times when relocation might be a good idea.

Choosing whether to move out of your home for any reason can be challenging. Financial and emotional stresses and a perceived health risk can add fear and confusion to that decision. Immediate evacuation from the home may be warranted if you suffer from a severe health issue, a compromised immune system, or a doctor has made the suggestion.

If you do not suffer from an extreme health condition, moldy areas in a home can usually be isolated from the rest of the house as an alternative to moving out. Visible mold should be removed, when found, and the home can usually be restored without significant risk to occupants.

More often than not, if you have a mold problem you will be able to see it or smell it.

Sometimes, though, areas of mold growth may be hiding. You or your doctor may suspect mold in your home even though you haven’t seen it. Mold is always present, but because it is so small, it can go unnoticed until it grows into a problem. This is especially true in hidden areas like a crawl space or attic.

Mold requires moisture to survive, so it is often found in areas with water damage or high humidity. Areas with a previous water issue can still have mold growth. Knowing the history of the home can help to determine if there is a possible problem that you can’t see. You may need A thorough mold investigation, possibly with testing, if you think you may have mold in your home but can’t find it.

According to the EPA, “You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source…”

As molds grow they produce compounds released into the air known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOC’s). The “musty” smell that people often associate with mold growth can be attributed to these compounds. They generally are good indicators that mold is growing somewhere in the home.

Smells can be very hard to describe without referring to other odors, so we often hear that my house smells “musty” or “earthy” or “gross” or some other word that people use to try and tell us what’s going on. From experience, we have found that many times these unpleasant odors are associated with other sources such as mice nesting or sewer gas. Unfortunately, until you have experienced various odors first hand many times, it can be hard to tell the difference.

The more history that is known about a house, the easier it is to narrow down the source of an unpleasant odor. The occurrence of water damage in the past, the presence of mice, or recent plumbing problems can all help to determine where the odor is coming from and what the solution is to resolve it.

Mold requires several conditions to grow. It needs food, moisture, and the right temperature. Once these are met, spores may germinate after 12 hours and can start to grow within 24 to 48 hours.

What often appears as a rapid outbreak of mold has taken weeks, months or years to reach the level at which it is visibly seen. It’s important to control humidity indoors and always dry out water damaged materials as quickly as possible. Maintaining a clean home with periodic dusting and deep cleaning dramatically reduces the chances of developing significant mold problems.