Mold Is Everywhere
By- R. Bruce Thornal, CAFS, CIE, CMC/CMI

Colorado Quality Air Sciences

Mold is everywhere. Mold has been around long before man started walking this earth and will be here long after man has become extinct. Mold has always found a way to survive, in spite of man’s best efforts to eliminate it.

There are even references to mold in the Bible.

The prospect of being exposed to microbial contamination (mold) in one’s residence or workplace is a terrifying thought. The media has chosen to focus on ‘toxic mold’, ‘black slimy mold’, and ‘killer mold’. There are molds that are allergenic (causing an allergic reaction) to almost anyone and then there are molds that are allergenic to very few of us. Any allergenic reaction to the presence of mold depends upon a number of factors; the genus/species of mold, the person’s general health at the time of exposure, the length of time of exposure and other environmental conditions and health symptoms of the exposed person. Mold can be dangerous to some people and have less effect on others.

Mold needs only two things to survive; a food source and a water source. An excellent food source for mold is any carbon-based (and particularly any cellulose, or wood- based) substance. In today’s structures, food sources for mold are readily available (sheetrock, wood wall studs, wood flooring or wood decking); the availability of a moisture source is the only unknown quantity for mold to thrive. Once an adequate ‘moisture source’ has been located, long- dormant mold spores can gain a foothold. As long as the food and moisture sources are supplied, the mold colonies will continue to grow and prosper.

We say that there are no structures that have a ‘mold problem’; there are only structures that have a ‘moisture problem.’ If there is a ‘musty, moldy smell’ or family members and co-workers are experiencing previously unknown health symptoms, there may be microbial contamination (mold) in your residence or building. If an interior water pipe has burst a toilet or show has overflowed floors above you, the dishwasher or washing machine has developed a leak or the kitchen sink or basement has flooded, there may be mold growing.

There is only a forty-eight (48) hour window to eliminate the moisture source before mold starts to grow and be happy. Once mold starts to grow and ‘flower’, it produces spores (seeds) that can cause severe allergenic reactions in persons that are susceptible to the particular type of mold that has developed a foothold in the person’s environment.

If a person feels sick in one environment and fine in another, he or she may be exposed to microbial contamination (mold). There are indoor environmental quality tests that can be conducted to determine if microbial contamination has occurred after a moisture intrusion. Please consult a qualified, certified Indoor Environmental Professional to ensure that the indoor environmental quality of your home or workplace is as healthy as you deserve it to be!