What is Mold?

Molds are: • Simple, microscopic organisms called fungi • Examples of fungi also include mushrooms and yeasts • Molds are nature’s recycler, breaking down dead material

Molds release countless tiny, lightweight spores. These spores travel through the air.

Where does mold grow?

Mold grows indoors and outside in moist environments. Outdoor sources of mold may include compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas. Indoors, mold can grow around leaks and where there has been flooding. Mold can grow in dust, wallpaper, paint, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and furniture. Mold can look like spots and can present itself in different colors. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend or perform testing of molds. Since mold affects people differently, the CDC does not recommend relying on sampling and culturing to assess your health risk.

How can mold affect my family’s health?

Some people are not affected by mold. Others are more sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause symptoms including, but not limited to, nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing/wheezing, and eye or skin irritation. Certain individuals have severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and those with chronic lung diseases may get serious infections in their lungs if exposed to mold.

How can I clean mold in my home?

While you will need to find the source and fix the moisture problem, you can clean mold from hard surfaces. You can use commercial products, soap and water or a bleach solution (not more than 1 cup of bleach in a gallon of water or a 1:8 dilution). Do not mix chemicals to clean your moldy surfaces; mixing chemicals can lead to toxic fumes.

For more questions about mold and your child’s health, call PEHSU @ 877-800-5554

This material was supported by the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) and funded (in part) by the cooperative agreement FAIN: U61TS000238 from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Mold Information Sheet August 2002

4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver CO 80246 Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology Division ─ (303) 692-2700 Air Pollution Control Division ─ (303) 692-3100

ABOUT MOLD • Humidifiers mold growth within a home, office or What are Molds? • Wet clothes drying indoors or school where people live or work. clothes dryers exhausting indoors People can also be exposed to mold by Molds are simple, microscopic Warping floors and discoloration of touching contaminated materials and organisms, present virtually walls and ceilings can be indications of by eating contaminated foods. everywhere, indoors and outdoors. moisture problems. Condensation on Molds, along with mushrooms and windows or walls is also an important What symptoms are commonly yeasts, are fungi and are needed to indication, but it can sometimes be seen with mold exposure? break down dead material and recycle caused by an indoor combustion nutrients in the environment. For molds problem. Have fuel-burning appliances Molds may produce health effects to grow and reproduce, they need only routinely inspected by your local utility through inflammation, allergy, or a food source – any organic material, or a professional heating contractor. infection. Allergic reactions are most such as leaves, wood, paper, or dirt— common following mold exposure. and moisture. Because molds grow by Should I be concerned about Typical symptoms that mold-exposed digesting the organic material, they mold in my home? persons report (alone or in gradually destroy whatever they grow combination) include: on. Mold growth on surfaces can often Yes, if indoor mold contamination • Respiratory problems, such as be seen in the form of discoloration, is extensive, it can cause very high and wheezing, difficulty breathing and frequently green, gray, brown, or black persistent airborne spore exposures. shortness of breath but also white and other colors. Molds Persons exposed to high spore levels • Nasal and sinus congestion release countless tiny, lightweight can become sensitized and develop • Eye irritation (burning, watery, or spores, which travel through the air. allergies to the mold or other health reddened eyes) Some of the most common indoor problems. Mold growth can damage • Dry, hacking cough molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, your furnishings, such as carpets, sofas • Nose or throat irritation Aspergillus, and Alternaria. and cabinets. Clothes and shoes in • Skin rashes or irritation damp closets can become soiled. In Can mold become a problem in time, unchecked mold growth can How much mold can make me my home? cause serious damage to the structural sick? elements in your home. Molds will grow and multiply It depends. For some people, a whenever conditions are right— when HEALTH EFFECTS relatively small number of mold spores sufficient moisture is available and How am I exposed to indoor can trigger an asthma attack or lead to when organic material is present. Be on molds? other health problems. For other the lookout in your home for common persons, symptoms may occur only sources of indoor moisture that may Everyone is exposed to some mold when exposure levels are much higher. lead to mold problems: on a daily basis without evident harm. Nonetheless, indoor mold growth is • Flooding It is common to find mold spores in the unsanitary and undesirable. Basically, • Leaky roofs air inside homes, and most of the if you can see or smell mold inside • Sprinkler spray hitting the house airborne spores found indoors come your home, take steps to identify and • Plumbing leaks from outdoor sources. Mold spores eliminate the excess moisture and to • Overflow from sinks or sewers primarily cause health problems when cleanup and remove the mold. • Damp basement or crawl space they are present in large numbers and To be prudent, infants less than one • Steam from shower or cooking people inhale many of them. This year of age should not be exposed to occurs primarily when there is active chronically moldy, water damaged allergies, chemical sensitivities, or agencies seldom provide this service. environments. asthma. Mold inspection and cleanup is usually • Persons with weakened immune considered a housekeeping task that is Are some molds more hazardous systems, such as people with HIV the responsibility of homeowner or than others? infection, cancer chemotherapy landlord, as are roof and plumbing patients, and others with chronic repairs, house cleaning, and yard Allergic persons vary in their diseases. maintenance. sensitivities to mold, both as to the • Infants and young children. Another reason the health amount and the types to which they • The elderly. department does not recommend react. In addition to their allergic testing for mold contamination is that properties, some indoor molds, such as Will my health or my child’s there are few available standards for Fusarium, Trichoderma, and health be affected, and should we judging what is an acceptable quantity Stachybotrys, may produce compounds see a physician? of mold. In all locations, there is some that have toxic properties, which are level of airborne mold outdoors. If called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are not If you believe that you or your sampling is carried out in a home, an always produced, and whether a mold children have symptoms that you outdoor air sample also must be produces mycotoxins while growing in suspect are caused by exposure to collected at the same time as the indoor a building depends on what the mold is mold, you should see a physician. Keep samples, to provide a baseline growing on, conditions such as in mind that many symptoms measurement. Because individual temperature, pH, humidity or other associated with mold exposure may susceptibility varies so greatly, unknown factors. When mycotoxins also be caused by many other illnesses. sampling is at best a general guide. are present, they occur in both living You should tell your physician about The simplest way to deal with a and dead mold spores and may be the symptoms and about when, how, suspicion of mold contamination is: If present in materials that have become and for how long you think you or your you can see or smell mold, you likely contaminated with molds. While children were exposed. have a problem and should take the Stachybotrys is growing, a wet slime steps outlined below. Mold growth is layer covers its spores, preventing them DETECTION OF MOLD likely to recur unless the source of from becoming airborne. However, How can I tell if I have mold in moisture that is allowing mold to grow when the mold dies and dries up, air my house? is removed and the contaminated area currents or physical handling can cause is cleaned. spores to become airborne. You may suspect that you have At present there is no mold if you see discolored patches, GENERAL CLEAN-UP environmental test to determine cottony or speckled growth on walls or PROCEDURES whether Stachybotrys growth found in furniture or if you smell an earthy or buildings is producing toxins. There is musty odor. Evidence of past or The following is intended as an also no blood or urine test that can ongoing water damage should also overview for homeowners or apartment establish if an individual has been trigger more thorough inspection. You dwellers. We recommend that you exposed to Stachybotrys chartarum may find mold growth underneath consult EPA and other documents spores or its toxins. water-damaged surfaces or behind listed in the useful publications section. walls, floors or ceilings. Who is at greater risk when Elements of the Clean-up exposed to mold? Should I test my home for mold? Procedures

Exposure to mold is not healthy for The Colorado Department of • Identify and eliminate sources of anyone inside buildings. Therefore, it is Public Health and Environment does moisture. always best to identify and correct high not recommend testing as a first step to • Identify and assess the magnitude moisture conditions quickly before determine if you have a mold problem. and area of mold contamination. mold grows and health problems Reliable air sampling for mold can be • Clean and dry moldy areas – use develop. expensive and requires expertise and containment of affected areas. Some people may have more equipment that is not available to the • Bag and dispose of all material that severe symptoms or become ill more general public. Owners of individual may have moldy residues, such as rapidly than others: private homes and apartments rags, paper, leaves, and debris. • Individuals with existing generally will need to pay a contractor respiratory conditions, such as to carry out such sampling, because insurance companies and public health Assessing the Size of a Mold • Try cleaning a test area first. If you become moldy. Solid materials – glass, Contamination Problem feel that this activity adversely plastic, and metal – can generally be affected your health, you should kept after they are thoroughly cleaned. There will be a significant consider paying a licensed difference in the approach used for a contractor or other experienced Clean-up small mold problem – total area professional to carry out the work. affected is less than 10 square feet – • Ask family members or bystanders When attempting to clean less and a large contamination problem – to leave areas that are being porous items, the first step is to remove more than 100 square feet. In the case cleaned. as much mold as possible. A cleaning detergent is effective for this purpose. of a relatively small area, the • Work for short time periods and Wear gloves, mask and eye protection homeowner or maintenance staff, using rest in a location with fresh air. when doing this cleanup. personal protective equipment, can • Air out your house well during and • Use non-ammonia soap or handle the clean-up. However, for after the work. detergent, or a commercial cleaner, cases of large areas, it is advisable that Never use equipment with a gasoline in hot water, and scrub the entire an experienced, professional contractor engine indoors, such as the engine on area that is affected by the mold. be used. a water pump, pressure washer or A list of contractors can be located generator, as you could expose your • Use a stiff brush or cleaning pad on at www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/IAQhom.asp. family to toxic levels of carbon cement-block walls or other The Colorado Department of Public monoxide. uneven surfaces. Health and Environment does not • Rinse cleaned items with water and accredit, certify, recommend or Removal of Moldy Materials dry thoroughly. A wet/dry vacuum endorse the listed contractors; their cleaner is helpful for removing credibility can be checked at the Clean up should begin after the water and cleaning items. following websites: www.acgih.org, moisture source is fixed and excess www.aiha.org and www.ascr.org. water has been removed. Wear gloves Disinfection of Contaminated when handling moldy materials. Materials Can mold cleaning-up activities • Discard porous materials, such as be hazardous to my health? ceiling tiles, sheetrock, carpeting, Disinfecting agents can be toxic for and wood products. humans, not just molds. They should Yes. During the cleaning process, • Bag and discard moldy items; if be used only when necessary and you may be exposed to mold, strong properly enclosed, items can be should be handled with caution. detergents, and disinfectants. Spore disposed with household trash. Disinfectants are intended to be applied counts may be 10 to 1000 times higher to thoroughly cleaned materials and are • Dry affected areas for 2 or 3 days. than background levels when mold- Because spores are more easily used to ensure most microorganisms contaminated materials are disturbed. released when moldy materials dry out, have been killed. Take steps to protect your and your it is advisable to remove moldy items Removal of mold growth from family’s health during cleanup: nonporous materials usually is as soon as possible. If there was • When handling or cleaning moldy flooding, sheetrock should be removed sufficient. Wear gloves, mask and eye materials, it is important to use a to a level above the high-water mark. protection when using disinfectants respirator to protect yourself from Visually inspect the wall interior and • After thoroughly cleaning and inhaling airborne spores. remove any mold-contaminated rinsing contaminated materials, a Respirators can be purchased from materials. solution of 10 percent household hardware stores; select one that is bleach (1 cup bleach per gallon of effective for particle removal What can I save? What should I water) can be used as a (sometimes referred to as an N-95 disinfectant. toss? particulate respirator). However, • Using bleach straight from the respirators that remove particles will You should discard moldy items bottle is actually LESS effective not protect you from fumes (from that are porous and from which it will than diluted bleach. cleaning materials). Minimize exposure be difficult to remove mold • Keep the disinfectant on the treated when using bleach or other completely, including paper, rags, material for the prescribed time disinfectants by ensuring good wallboard, rotten wood, carpet, drapes, before rinsing or drying, typically ventilation of the area. and upholstered furniture. 10 minutes is recommended for a • Wear protective clothing that is Contaminated carpet is often difficult bleach solution. easily cleaned or discarded. to thoroughly clean, especially when • Bleach fumes can irritate the • Use rubber gloves. the backing and/or padding have eyes, nose, and throat. Make sure working areas are well materials in the home, for example, department’s Air Pollution Control ventilated. cause rubber items to become brittle. Division at (303) 692-3100, • Properly collect and dispose extra www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/aphom.asp. disinfectant and runoff. How can I prevent indoor mold • Never mix bleach with ammonia; problems in my home? FOR LOCAL ASSISTANCE: toxic fumes may be produced. Contact your county or city health Inspect your home regularly for the department, or your local housing, or Can air ducts become indications and sources of indoor Environmental Health Agency. contaminated with mold? moisture and mold listed on Page 1. Take steps to eliminate sources of USEFUL PUBLICATIONS Yes. Air duct systems can become water as quickly as possible. If a leak General Information contaminated with mold. Duct systems or flooding occurs, it is essential to act Biological Pollutants in Your Home. may be constructed of bare sheet metal, quickly: Concise booklet by U.S. EPA aimed at sheet metal with fibrous glass • Stop the source of leak or flooding. affected homeowner. insulation on the exterior, or sheet • Remove excess water with mops or Mold and Moisture. Appendix H in the metal with an internal fibrous glass wet vacuum. U.S. EPA IAQ Tools for Schools liner, or they may be made entirely of • Whenever possible, move wet fibrous glass. Bare sheet metal systems items to a dry and well ventilated Clean-up Guidance and sheet metal with exterior fibrous area or outside to expedite drying. Flood Cleanup. Excellent resource by glass insulation can be cleaned and Move rugs and pull up areas of wet U.S. EPA, with access to the American disinfected. If water damaged, carpet as soon as possible. Red Cross and FEMA. ductwork made of sheet metal with an • Open closet and cabinet doors and www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/flood.html internal fibrous glass liner or made move furniture away from walls to Mold Remediation in Schools and entirely of fibrous glass will often need increase circulation. Commercial Buildings. Valuable to be removed and discarded. • Run portable fans to increase air guidance by U.S. EPA, is also Ductwork in difficult-to-reach circulation. Do NOT use the applicable to residences. locations may have to be abandoned. If home’s central blower if flooding www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/mold_remediation you have other questions, contact an air has occurred in it or in any of the .html duct cleaning professional or licensed ducts. Do NOT use fans if mold contractor. may have already started to grow -- Additional Information: more than 48 hours since flooding. U.S. EPA IAQ INFO, (800) 438-4318, Can ozone air cleaners help • Run dehumidifiers and window air www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/index.html remove indoor mold or reduce conditioners to lower humidity. CDC Air Pollution and Respiratory odors? • Do NOT turn up the heat or use Health Branch, National Center for heaters in confined areas, as higher Environmental Health, (404) 498-1000, The Colorado Department of temperatures increase the rate of www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/mold/ Public Health and Environment mold growth. California Department of Health strongly recommends that you NOT Services, Indoor Air Quality Info Sheet • If water has soaked inside the use an ozone air cleaner in any Mold in My Home: What Do I Do? walls, it may be necessary to open occupied space. Ozone is a strong www.cal-iaq.org/iaqsheet.htm#Mold wall cavities, remove baseboards, oxidizing agent that is used to and/or pry open wall paneling. eliminate odors. However, ozone is a References known lung irritant. Ozone generators Mold in My Home: What Should I Do?, Who can I contact for more have been shown to sometimes produce California Department of Health Services, indoor levels above the safe limit. It information? Indoor Air Quality Info Sheet, July 2001. Facts About Mold, New York City has been shown that ozone is not Should you need additional effective in controlling molds and other Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, information on mold, please contact the Environmental and Occupational Disease microbial contamination, even at Colorado Department of Public Health Epidemiology, February 2001. concentrations far above safe health and Environment’s Disease Control Mold/Moisture/Mildew, EPA, Indoor Air. levels. Also, ozone may damage and Environmental Epidemiology Division at (303) 692-2700 or the

This document was modeled after the California Department of Health Services / Indoor Air Quality Info Sheet Mold in My Home: What Do I Do? July 2001