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TOMPKINS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Control of Mold and Moisture in your Home

Mold is an essential part of the natural environment because it breaks down organic matter. To reproduce, molds generate microscopic spores. These spores continually drift around the indoor and outdoor air. When they land on damp organic material they begin to digest the organic matter, grow and produce more spores.

Health Concerns over Mold

There has been much attention regarding “toxic” or “black” mold leading to illness. There is a lot of conflicting information regarding this topic. “We live in a soup of exposures – and it may be a particular recipe, not a single ingredient, that causes illness for some. Dust mites, bacteria, and mold all thrive in damp indoor environments. Pinning vague effects to specific causes is a challenge, even under the best of circumstances.”*

There is no question that some molds such as Stachybotrys chartarum can produce chemicals toxic to people. However, there is debate on whether enough of these toxins are released into the air so that people get sick from breathing them. “The amounts – even the kinds – of chemicals produced by any species of mold, including S. chartarum, are highly variable.”*

Should I be concerned about indoor mold? The answer is yes. What is generally agreed upon is that mold spores contain allergens, and that mold should be controlled in indoor environments. Some individuals are highly allergic to molds, and are known to contribute to asthma in individuals. There is no practical method to eliminate mold and mold spores in indoor environments. However, mold growth can be controlled by the reduction of moisture in the home.

What do I do if I find mold in my home?

The Environmental Protection Agency has developed guidelines regarding mold cleanup and moisture control. Some of the tips are as follows:

1. In most cases, small areas of mold less than ten square feet surface area can usually be handled yourself:

  • Scrub the mold off hard surfaces with soap and water and dry the area completely. Never mix chlorine with ammonia since toxic fumes will be produced.
  • Absorbent or porous materials may have to be thrown out if they become damp and moldy.
  • While cleaning moldy areas, avoid breathing mold or mold spores. While cleaning moldy areas, consider wearing an N95 respirator to reduce your exposure. These are available at many hardware stores.
  • Do not paint over moldy surfaces. The paint is more likely to peel.
  • Use or consult a specialist if you are unsure how to clean an item. Always check references.
  • Wear gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane or PVC. Avoid touching mold with your bare hands.
  • Wear goggles to avoid getting mold or mold spores in your eyes.


2. Control the moisture:

  • Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible.
  • Control the humidity in your home. Ideally, you should keep the relative humidity level at 30%-50%.
  • Ventilate appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters directly to the outdoors. A byproduct of the combustion of propane, kerosene or natural gas is water. Do not use non-vented space heaters in the home.
  • Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when needed.
  • Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering. Use fans that exhaust to the outdoors when cooking, running a dishwasher or dishwashing.
  • Increase air ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows when practical. Use fans as needed.
  • Increase air temperature.

Should I take samples of the air and/or mold? Generally, sampling is not necessary and is a costly process. The amount of spores in the air at a given time is extremely variable. No State or Federal standards exist regarding mold spores in the air or mold growing on surfaces. Without standards there is nothing to compare the results to, and the recommendations are the same regardless of what type of mold is found.

For extensive mold and moisture problems, it is recommended that a professional be consulted. Sampling may be useful to determine cleanup methods and protective measures used during the cleanup. Only a professional with specific experience in mold sampling methods and mold remediation should perform the work. Check the Yellow pages for industrial hygienists or environmental consultants in your area. Always check references.

For more information contact:

Tompkins County Health Department
Division of Environmental Health, 401 Harris B. Dates Drive, Ithaca, New York 14850-1385
607-274-6688

Environmental Protection Agency
IAQ INFO, P.O. Box 37133, Washington, DC 20013-7133
1-800-438-4318/703-356-4020
(fax) 703-356-5386
iaqinfo@aol.com
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/

Center for Disease Control and Prevention
NCEH Health Line
1-888-232-6789
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/mold/

The American Lung Association
61 Broadway, 6th Floor, NY, NY 10006
212-315-8700
http://www.lungusa.org/air/air00_pollutants.html

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 402, Washington, D.C. 20036
Ph 202.466.7643 Fax 202.466.8940
http://www.aafa.org/

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
http://www.aiha.org

*January 2003 issue of Harvard Health Letter, Volume 28, #3

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updated: 9/4/03