What can I do to Avoid Mold?

Mold cannot be avoided entirely.

Of the three conditions necessary for mold to develop (mold spores, moisture and a food source), moisture is the only one we can control. The Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) is To reduce the opportunities for mold to exist the international association of distributors, in your home or building, try to control manufacturers and allied professionals of ceramic moisture. Some (but not necessarily the only) tile, stone and related products. strategies you can implement include: What is Mold? CTDA’s mission is to provide educational and • Use ceramic tile systems recommended by networking opportunities for distributors of Where does it come from? quali ed distributors to reduce or eliminate ceramic tile and their suppliers to further the moisture. Why should you be aware of it? consumption of ceramic tile. • Reduce humidity to a range of 30 to 60 percent. What can you do to Avoid it? 800 Roosevelt Rd. • Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 • Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. Building C • Suite 312 • Cover crawlspaces. • When leaks are identi ed, control them This brochure is provided by CTDA as a public quickly. service. All information contained herein was obtained from one or more of the following If I have Mold, how do I clean it? sources: • Determine the extent of the aected area. If USEPA – www.epa.gov the aected area is larger than 10 sq. ft., Responsible Solutions to Mold Coalition – consult a professional. www.responsiblemoldsolutions.org • Use protective gloves and goggles, avoid National Association of Home Builders – contact with your skin. www.moldtips.com • Clean the area with a combination of deter- gent or household cleaner and warm water. • Rinse the area with clear water and dry completely. • Discard the gloves and other cleaning materials after completion. What is Mold? Research continues to determine the health 2. Mold can be eliminated only in eects of mold. However, current thinking is sterile environments. Mold is a fungus, a group of living organisms. that for many people, mold is not a signi cant Mold is part of our environment. Outdoors, it health risk. We all bene t from some molds such as helps our ecosystem function by breaking the species that led to the development of down organic matter. Indoors it can cause Because molds produce allergens (substances penicillin. Only “clean room” technologies, health problems such as allergic reactions, skin which can cause allergic reactions in some like those used in some hospitals – which irritation and more. individuals), molds can cause reactions in some are too expensive and unnecessary for the people. Some reactions might include: sneez- home or oce – can eliminate mold Where does Mold come from? ing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. Mold spores. Therefore, the only thing you can exposure can also irritate the eyes, skin, nose, control in your home or oce is moisture. Mold occurs naturally as part of our environ- throat and lungs of anyone. ment. Three conditions must be present for 3. Only experts can clean mold. mold to exist and survive: Exposure to mold can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma. Homeowners can clean small patches of 1. Mold spores mold using household detergents and 2. Moisture Common Myths About Mold warm water. After cleaning, rinsing and 3. A source for sustainability – a drying the spot where mold has grown, “food” source (Courtesy of the Responsible rubber gloves and cleaning cloths used in Solutions to Mold Coalition) the process should be discarded. Larger If these three conditions are patches of mold may need to be elimi- present, mold will form and grow. 1. Mold grows only on paper, wood and nated by trained professionals. other organic material. 4. Once mold starts, it will always Why Should You Be Aware of Mold will grow on any surface, including glass, be present. Mold? berglass and even steel. Mold needs three things to grow: 1)mold spores (which are almost Mold can be stopped in its tracks, but only always in the air); 2) moisture; and 3) a food if moisture is minimized or eliminated. Mold is an irritant, a nuisance and potentially a source. Houses are constructed using a wide health risk. You should be aware of mold to Therefore, leaks should be corrected as variety of organic materials; therefore, the only soon as they become apparent. Building avoid it when possible and understand how to eective strategy to control mold is to control deal with it when necessary. experts urge homeowners to be aware of moisture. some of the telltale signs of mold, which include dampness, odors, discoloration, peeling paint, condensation, compacted insulation and actual mold outbreaks.