Originally Posted By: rfeiler
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Paul and Dave you asked for it;
The problem of mold has been around a long time. The method to deal with it has changed little in 3500 years although our ability to identify spores and remediation steps have improved greatly.
There are two references in the bible to mold (Leviticus). They both state that that the contaminated material must be removed.
The population of Europe was limited for 500 years by endemic mold induced food poisoning called ergotism. The genus Claviceps and Fusarium infected rye kernels before and after harvest producing long acting toxic alkaloids which caused hallucinations and death.
The Irish potato blight in 1845 caused widespread famine by killing the plants.
Molds are part of the Fungi kingdom. It is the largest and least identified bio-mass on earth. There are 76000 known varieties with total estimates being as high as 1.5 million.
Mold does not make its own food like other plants rather it consumes the surface it isgrowing on. That is why it is concidered a structural defect. Molds are the bio in biodegradeable. They break down organic materials. Where do all the leaves go (other than blow into your neighbors yard)?
Molds do have some other benefits. Cheese, beer, wine, bread, and some antibioticts are derived from mold.
Mold indoor mold comes from outdoors. It floats in in the way of spores, and when it lands on a suitable surface it begins to grow. What it likes is a temperature between 32 and 104f, a ph between 3 and 8 and moisture. Some mold have been found in hot springs at 140 f. Humidity of 40% and higher or a moist suface is prefered.
Molds can be a wide variety of colors. The mold found on the tile in bathrooms is actually growing on the soap scum and dirt on the tile.
Molds can be single cell (yeast) or multicell like morels or
s#!t.
We won’t get into the reproductive cycles unless you are ready for a nap.
Any two square inches of surface area contain 1.2 to 25 million mold spores. The best biocides kill 99.9%, what does that leave 12 to 250 thousand spores (just add water).
When molds are growing in large quantities called colonies they can become a health concern. They are divided into three groups; allergenic, pathogenic, and toxic.
Allergenic can cause allergic or asthmatic like symptoms
Pathogenic can cause serious health problems in people with decreased immunal systems.
Toxic molds can cause serious health problems in almost anyone.
When the environment goes dry mold can produce spores, release them into the air where the find another suitable surface to start all over again.
I can ramble all day I just cant type all day. Ther is more in the way of testing to be shared if anyone is interested.
. I’d say an inspection from a NACHI member in your area 