Indoor Air Quality and Mold FAQ's

The following are frequently asked questions about Indoor Air Quality and Mold:

What is IAQ?

IAQ stands for indoor air quality.  There are numerous factors that effect the air we breath, some of them natural and some of them as a result of man's influence on our environment.  Sometimes, environmental contamination can be as a result of natural influences and man's influence such as mold contamination.  The following is a list of some (not all) of the factors that influence our indoor air quality:

What is Mold?

Molds are part of the diverse group of organisms called fungi, which include a wide range of species from tiny molds to large mushrooms.  Fungi are part of nature's recycling system and play a key role in breaking down organic materials such as plants, leaves, wood fiber and other natural materials.  Fungi extract food from organic material, and they grow and reproduce by way of spores.  Conservatively, more than 100,000 species of mold exist in the world and at least 1,000 species are common in the U.S. Molds and other fungi are estimated to comprise a quarter of the entire biomass on earth.  As such, molds and mold spores are everywhere.  The air we breathe is a virtual jungle of fungal spores and we regularly encounter mold spores as part of everyday life.

What is the difference between mold and mildew?

For the most part, nothing.  Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus.  In old English, it meant "Honeydew" (a substance secreted by aphids on leaves, formerly thought to distill from the air like dew), and later came to mean mildew in the modern senses.  The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit.  Molds can thrive on any organic matter, including clothing, leather, paper, and the ceilings, walls, and floors of homes with moisture management problems.  Mildew often lives on shower walls, windowsills, and other places where moisture levels are high.  There are many species of molds.  In unaired places, such as basements, they can produce a strong musty odor.

What is "Black Mold"?

Many mold species appear black.  Stachybotrys chartarum (=S. atra) has received notoriety and considerable recent media attention has been focused on this fungus due to infant deaths in Cleveland from pulmonary hemosiderosis which may be associated with contamination of residences with this fungus.  Stachybotrys typically appears as a sooty black fungus occasionally accompanied by a thick mass of white mycelia.  As a general rule, air sampling for Stachybotrys yields unpredictable results mainly due to the fact that this fungus is usually accompanied by other fungi such as Aspergillus and Penicillium that normally are better aerosolized than Stachybotrys.  It has been isolated primarily form water damaged building materials with cellulose contents (such as drywall sheetrock and dropped ceiling tiles).  It is well known as a cellulolytic fungus.  Stachybotrys produces slimy spores.  They do not become airborne easily.  Therefore, its detection in any air sample from indoors should be considered significant.  Their dissemination may be carried out by water, rodents, insects, or occasionally by air in buildings.  Stachybotrys chartarum is well known as a mycotoxins producer and has been implicated in many indoor air quality related problems.  Clinical syndromes related to exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum have been documented.  If you find mold in your home meeting the above description do not disturb it.  Get professional advise first to avoid potentially large-scale airborne and surface contamination

Is "Black Mold" (Stachybotrys chartarum) dangerous?

It can be.  The very young (children and infants), elderly, and immuno compromised persons are especially suceptble to effects from this mold.  The presence of this fungus in buildings is significant because of the mold’s ability to produce mycotoxins, which are extremely toxic, such as Satratoxin H.  Stachybotrys chartarum is known to produce potent mycotoxins trichothecenes, stachybotrylactone (a spirolactones), stachybotrylactam (a spirolactams), and cylosporin.  Both stachybotrylactone and stachybotrylactam have anticomplement effects.  Cyclosporin is commonly used as an immune-suppressive drug in organ transplant or bone marrow transplant patients.  Possible synergistic effects between the trichothecenes and stachybotrylactone, stachybotrylactam, and cyclosporin have not yet been evaluated.  Exposure to these toxins can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or dermal exposure.  Symptoms include dermatitis, cough, rhinitis, nose bleeds, a burning sensation in the mouth and nasal passage, cold and flu symptoms, headache, general malaise, and fever.  Inhalation of conidia may also induce pathological changes (pneumomycotoxicoses).  Satratoxin H has been reported to be abortogenic in animals and in high doses or chronic low doses it can be lethal.  S. chartarum produces other macrocyclic and trichoverroid trichothecenes and produces phenylspirodrimanes, which are immunosuppressive. 

What is Remediation?

Coming soon.

 

What is Restoration?

Coming soon.

 

Can I clean up mold myself?

Coming soon.

 

Does ACS (NJ Mold Professionals) do mold remediation?

No.  We believe it is a clear conflict of interest to do mold investigations, testing, and mold remediation.  Why?  It would not be proper to do and inspection, investigation, or testing, tell you that you need mold remediation, perform the remediation, and then test to see if it was done properly.  In fact, we make it a point to stay "arms length" from any mold remediation companies.  We can and will however manage a mold remediation project being performed by an independent remediation company of your choice.  In addition, we can prepare "Technical Specifications for Microbial Remediation" that you can use to solicit bids for your remediation project.  Most competent and experience remediation companies will not conduct remediation until a professional has defined the Scope-of-Work and prepared a protocol for the remediation.  Beware of companies that say they will do the testing, remediation, post remediation testing, and restoration.

Does ACS (NJ Mold Professionals) do mold Restoration?

No.  That is not our area of expertise.  Depending on the size of the project and Scope-of-Work for the Restoration, you may be able to complete the Restoration yourself.  Ideally, you will use a competent and experience general contractor or even a handyman (handyperson) to complete the restoration.

Where can I get more information on IAQ and Mold?

We have listed several good sources of information on our "Links" page.

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Last Update 12/05/2009