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Mold: A "Growing" Problem

Mold is a part of the natural world and plays an important role in the decomposition cycle. Mold has also played a major role in the way we fight bacterial illness, with it being the original source for the discovery of our first antibiotic, penicillin. However, mold has become an "environmental evil" with its impact on human health being sensationalized" by the media, sometimes causing a hysterical response.

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's report, "Adverse Human Health Effects Associated with Molds in the Indoor Environment," October 2002.) states that mold (and other fungi) may affect human health through three processes: allergy; infection; or toxicity. However it also notes that it is estimated that only 10% of the population has allergic antibodies to mold and that only ½ of this group would be expected to show clinical illness. The report states that outdoor molds are more important in airway allergic disease than indoor molds. While there is a relatively small percent of the population who suffer from mold sensitivity, it can be a huge problem for them. Furthermore, mold in homes can cause damage to goods, materials and even cause structural damage.

During the warm weather months, it is often the damp, moist weather that makes us uncomfortable rather than the heat or high temperatures. When it is very humid out, everything feels sticky and sweaty, and unpleasant odors can blossom. Humidity, combined with warm temperatures provides perfect growing conditions for mold. Mold needs three things to grow: moisture, a food source, such as wood, paper products, wall board, etc. and a warm temperature.
Because mold needs water to grow, indoor moisture can lead to mold problems. Therefore, the key to mold control is moisture control. In order to eliminate an indoor mold problem, the water source must be fixed. Just cleaning up mold without eliminating the water source will not fix the problem.
Mold can be cleaned up. This process can be quite simple or quite complex. If it is a small area (less than 10 square feet) you can probably handle the job yourself. But if it is a larger area, it would be wise to hire someone who has experience in cleaning up mold. If you do it yourself, you should wear goggles, gloves and use an N-95 respirator (as long as you don't have any breathing problems.) If you suspect that your ventilation system is involved, you need to obtain guidance from the beginning of the clean-up. Using a ventilation system that is contaminated with mold can spread it throughout you home and make matters worse.

Mold can hide. If you smell mold, but can't see it, it may be lurking behind drywall, wallpaper, top sides of ceiling tiles or even in the drip pan of your refrigerator. But be careful! Don't go ripping off moldy wallpaper haphazardly. Such action could cause the release of a large quantity of mold spores into the air.

Don't go looking for mold if you do not see or smell it. The Connecticut Department of Public Health does not recommend testing as the first step to determine if you have a mold problem. There are no air standards for levels of indoor mold. If you can see or smell mold or mildew, you have a moisture and mold problem. Remember, you must eliminate the moisture source in order to eliminate the mold.

For a complete information packet on mold (including moisture reduction and cleanup), District residents (Hamden, North Haven and Woodbridge) can call QVHD, 203.248.4528. Or you can request information online or through email, dculligan@qvhd.org

Quinnipiack Valley Health District
1151 Hartford Turnpike
North Haven, CT 06473

Phone. (203)248-4528
Fax. (203)248-6671
E-Mail. info@qvhd.org