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IS YOUR HOME GROWING MOLD?

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Household mold has been linked to a number of health problems. Take a quick quiz to find out if your home may be growing mold.

Even 1 Yes indicates your home could have or be vulnerable to a mold problem.

MYTH-BUSTER

Bleach Mold Myth Exposed

Mold's root structure actually grows into porous surfaces but Chlorine Bleach (sodium hypochlorite 6%) does not inhibit the growth of mold on porous surfaces. Because the ion structure of bleach prevents chlorine from penetrating into porous materials, when bleach is applied onto mold growing on porous surfaces, the water part of the solution soaks in, fostering further mold growth, while the bleach chemical sits atop the surface and gasses off. Additionally, over time, chlorine bleach can cause long-term breakdown of wood products.

Chlorine Bleach is NOT a registered EPA mold-remediation product nor is it recommended by the agency to be used as a routine practice during mold cleanup. If there is no EPA registration number for mold-remediation on a product's label, it is not as effective for such use as those that are registered.

Professor Jeffrey Morrell, Oregon State University Dept. of Wood Science, Adam Taylor [graduate research assistant] and Camille Freitag [Senior Research Associate] conducted a study on the effects of chlorine bleach on mold growth on Douglas Fir wood [an important timber crop in the state of Oregon]. The research study, published in Forest Products Journal, 54:4, 2004, concluded, "While bleach is often recommended for remediation of surface mold on wood and other porous surfaces, our [university research study] study results illustrate that the treatment does not eliminate the surface microflora."

MOLD FACTS

TERMS

Absidia sp. Mold common to indoor environments. Reported to be an allergen. May cause infection called mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. Sites of infection are lungs, nasal sinus, brain, eyes, and skin. Infection may have multiple sites.

Acremonium sp. Reported to be an allergen. Mold can produce a toxin, which is toxic if ingested. It can produce nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mycetomas, infections of the nails, onychomycosis, corneal ulcers, eumycotic mycetoma, endophthalmitis, meningitis, and endocarditis.

Allergen A substance, such as mold, that can cause an allergic reaction.

Alternaria sp. Extremely widespread, ever-present fungus. Commonly found outdoors but also found in carpets, textiles, and on horizontal surfaces such as window frames in building interiors. Capable of producing tenuazonic acid and other toxic metabolites, which may be associated with disease in humans or animals. Produces large spores that may be deposited in the nose, mouth, and upper respiratory tract. May be related to bakers' asthma and has been associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sinusitis, deratomycosis, onychomycosis, subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, and invasive infection. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms.  Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Antimicrobial Agent that kills microbial growth (i.e., chemical or substance that kills mold or other organisms).

Arthrinium phaeospermum Widespread fungus on dead plant material, particularly swampy grasses. Considered an allergen. Documented in various subcutaneous infections. No toxic related diseases are on record to date.

Ascomycete One of the major classes of fungal organisms. Contains the "sac fungi" and yeasts. Many ascomycete spores are reported to be allergens.

Aspergillus sp. Especially common fungus on decaying vegetation, soils, stored food, and feed products in tropical and subtropical regions. Considered to be allergens. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms. Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema. Reported to cause a variety of infections of the ears and eyes. Sever pulmonary infections may also occur. Many species produce mycotoxins, which may be associated with disease in humans and other animals. Some of these toxins have been found to be carcinogenic in animal species. Several toxins are considered potential human carcinogens.

Athlete's Foot A fungal infection of the skin, usually in the foot area.

Aureobasidium pullulans A yeast-like fungus, commonly found on caulk or damp window frames in bathrooms. May be pink or black in color. Although it seldom causes infections, it can be allergenic. This mold is a type of mildew. It will grow in cooler climates.  No toxic diseases have been documented to date.

Basidiomycetes One of the major classes of fungal organisms. Contains the mushrooms, shelf fungi, puffballs, and a variety of other macrofungi. Spores are reported to be allergenic.

Biocide A substance or chemical agent, such as a pesticide, that is capable of destroying living organisms such as mold.

Bipolaris sp. Widespread fungus most frequently associated with grasses, plant material, decaying food, and soil. Common to indoor and outdoor environments. Produces large spores, which would be expected to be deposited in the upper respiratory tract. Various species of this fungus can produce the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin, shown to produce liver and kidney damage when ingested by laboratory animals.

Candida sp. Fungus that contains a variety of organisms that have been isolated from the environment, as well as human skin and mucous membranes.

Chaetomium sp. Fungus found on a variety of substrates containing cellulose, including paper and plant compost. Readily found on damp or water damaged paper in sheetrock.

Chrysosporium sp. Widespread and common fungus found in the soil and on plants. Rare agents of onychomycosis, skin lesions, endocarditis, and uncommon agents of the pulmonary mycosis adiaspiromycosis. No toxic diseases have been documented to date.

Cladosporium sp. Most commonly identified outdoor fungus found on dead plants, woody plants, food, straw, soil, paint and textiles. Often found indoors on the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior of supply ducts. A common allergen, it can cause mycosis.  Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms.  Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Curvularia sp. Reported to be an allergen. Fungus may cause corneal infections, mycetoma and infections in immune compromised hosts.

Dreschlera sp. Fungus found on grasses, grains and decaying food. Can occasionally cause a corneal infection of the eye.

Epicoccum sp. A common allergen found in plants, soil, grains, textiles, and paper products.

Fungicidal activity The act of destroying fungus.

Fungicide  A substance or chemical that kills fungi.

Fusarium sp.  Common soil fungus found on a wide range of plants and often in humidifiers. Can produce potent trichothecene toxins. The trichothecene (scirpene) toxin targets the circulatory, alimentary, skin, and nervous systems. Produces vomitoxin on grains during unusually damp growing conditions. Symptoms may occur through ingestion of contaminated grains or possibly through inhalation of spores. Can produce hemorrhagic syndrome in humans, which is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, and extensive internal bleeding. Reported to be allergenic. Frequently involved in eye, skin and nail infections.

Gastric Lavage  A procedure to empty the contents if the stomach

Geotrichum sp.  A common contaminant of grains, fruits, dairy products, paper, textiles, soil and water, and often present as part of the normal human flora. Can cause a secondary infection (geotrichosis) in association with tuberculosis. This rare disease can cause lesions of the skin, bronchi, mouth, lung, and intestine.

Hypersensitivity  Great or excessive sensitivity.

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis  A group of respiratory diseases that cause inflammation of the lung (specifically granulomatous cells). Most forms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis are caused by the inhalation of organic dusts, including molds.

Mildewstat  An agent the inhibits mildew.

Mucor sp.  Fungus often found in soil, dead plant material, horse dung, fruits, and fruit juice. It is also found in leather, meat, dairy products, animal hair, and jute. May be allergenic. May cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. The sites of infection are the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may have multiple sites.

Mucosal damage  Causing harm to the mucous membranes.

Mucous membranes  A membrane lining all body passages that communicate with the air, such as the respiratory and alimentary tracts, and have cells and associated glands that secrete mucus.

mVOC (microbial volatile organic compound)  A chemical made by mold that is a gas at room temperature and may have a moldy or musty odor.

Mycotoxin  A toxin produced by a mold.

Nigrospora sp.  Reported to be allergenic.

Nonporous  Impenetrable, not porous, not having small openings that allow absorption.

Pathogenic bacteria  Bacteria that is capable of causing disease.

Paecilomyces sp.  Fungus commonly found in soil and dust, less frequently in air. Linked to wood-trimmers disease and humidifier associated illnesses. Reported to allergenic. Some members of this genus are reported to cause pneumonia. May produce arsine gas if growing on arsenic substrate. This can occur on wallpapers covered with paris green.

Papulospora sp.  Fungus found in soil, textiles, decaying plants, manure, and paper.

Penicillium sp.  Fungus often found in aerosol samples. Commonly found in soil, food, cellulose, and grains. Also found in paint and compost piles. May cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis and allergic alveolaris in susceptible individuals. Reported to be allergenic (skin). Commonly found in carpet, wallpaper, and in interior fiberglass duct insulation. Some species can produce mycotoxins. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms.  Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Periconia sp.  Found in soil, grasses, blackened and dead herbaceous stems and leaf spots, rushes and sedges.

Mycotic keratitis.  It is unknown whether this fungus either produces toxins or is an allergen. It rarely grows indoors.

Phoma sp.  A common indoor air allergen. Fungus produces pink and purple spots on painted walls. May have antigens, which cross-react with those of Alternaria sp.  Will grow on butter, paint, cement, and rubber. May cause phaeohyphomycosis, a systematic or subcutaneous disease.

Pithomyces sp.  Fungus grows on dead grass in pastures. Causes facial eczema in ruminants.

Porous  Having small openings that allow absorption.

Rhizomucor sp.  Reported to be allergenic. Fungus may cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. Often linked to occupational allergy. Sites of infection are the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may have multiple sites.

Rhizopus sp.  Reported to be allergenic. Fungus may cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. Often linked to occupational allergy. Sites of infection are the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may have multiple sites.

Rhodotorula sp.  A reddish yeast typically found in moist environments such as carpeting, cooling coils, and drain pans. In some countries it is the most common yeast genus identified in indoor air. Has been reported to be allergenic. Positive skin tests have been reported.

Spore  The means by which molds reproduce. Spores are microscopic. They vary in shape and range from 2 to 100 microns in size. Spores travel in several ways: passively moved by a breeze or water drop, mechanically disturbed (by a person or animal passing by), or actively discharged by the mold (usually under moist conditions or high humidity).

Sporotrichum sp.  Reported to be allergenic.

Stachybotrys sp.  Several strains of this fungus may produce a trichothecene mycotoxin- Satratoxin H - which is poisonous by inhalation. The toxins are present on the fungal spores. This is a slow growing, dark colored fungus that grows on building material with a high cellulose, low nitrogen content. Areas with relative humidity above 55% that are subject to temperature fluctuations are ideal for toxin production. Individuals with chronic exposure to the toxin produced by this fungus reported cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss, and generalized malaise. These toxins will suppress the immune system, affecting the lymphoid tissue and the bone marrow. Animals injected with this toxin exhibited the following symptoms: necrosis and hemorrhage within the brain, thymus, spleen, intestine, lung, heart, lymph node, liver, and kidney. The mycotoxin is also reported to be a liver and kidney carcinogen. Affects by absorption of the toxin in the human lung are known as pneumomycosis. This organism is rarely found in outdoor samples. Usually difficult to find in indoor air samples unless physically disturbed. Spores are in a gelatinous mass. Appropriate media for the growth of this organism will have high cellulose, low nitrogen content. Spores will die readily after release but dead spores are still allergenic and toxigenic. Percutaneous absorption has caused mild symptoms.

Stemphylium sp.  Reported to be allergenic. Isolated from dead plants and cellulose materials.

Syncephalastrum sp.  Can cause respiratory infection characterized by a solid fungal ball.

Trichoderma sp. Fungus commonly found in soil, dead trees, pine needles, paper, and unglazed ceramics. Produces antibiotics, which are toxic to humans. Reported to be allergenic. Readily degrades cellulose.

Trichophyton sp.  Can cause ring worm and athlete's foot. Reported to be allergenic. Found on soil and skin.

Ulocladium sp.  Isolated from dead plants and cellulose materials. Fungus found on textiles.

Verticillium sp.  Found in decaying vegetation, on straw, soil, and arthropods. A rare cause of corneal infections.

Wallemia sp.  Found in sugary foods, salted meats, dairy products, textiles, soil, hay, and fruits.

Yeast  Some are reported to be allergenic. May cause problems if a person has had previous exposure causing hypersensitivity to develop. May be allergenic to susceptible individuals.

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