All About Mold

Information About MoldIn many parts of the country, summertime means high temperatures and high humidity – a combination that can breed large amounts of allergens. In particular, dust mite allergen and mold spores thrive in hot, moist environments. In this article, we will focus on mold – what it is, how it grows, the health problems it can cause, and what you can do to prevent mold from gaining a foothold in your home. Learn all about mold below.

General Information – What is Mold?

Mold is a naturally occurring fungus that is both necessary and useful – outdoors. It actively decomposes matter such as dead leaves and fallen trees, playing a crucial biological role in our larger environment. But indoors, as we all know, it should be avoided. Mold reproduces via microscopic spores. Tiny and light, mold spores are a ubiquitious airborne threat. If a mold spore lands on a damp surface that provides it with moisture and nourishment (cellulose), it will grow and reproduce to form colonies. That’s when problems start!

Adverse Health Effects of Indoor Mold

While most individuals aren’t affected by exposure to incidental mold growth, on some overripe fruit for instance, others can experience the following reactions especially when mold growth is prolific:

  • Allergies – Inhaling or touching mold spores may cause allergic responses. Symptoms can include a runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes (dermatitis). Allergic reactions can be immediate upon exposure or delayed until allergens build up in the body. A sealed HEPA air purifier can often dramatically reduce airborne spores in a given room.
  • Asthma – Mold can trigger asthma symptoms including wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) flare-ups – Molds can produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which typically include aldehydes, alcohols, keytones, and hydrocarbons according to information presented by American Air and Water. Individuals who are sensitive to VOCs may experience MCS symptoms including dizziness, nausea, memory problems, breathing difficulties, flu-like symptoms, rashes, and hives.
  • Respiratory problems – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that “In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, and wheezing in otherwise healthy people. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.”

Long-term Effects of Mold Exposure

Long-Term Effects of Mold ExposureShort-term effects of mold, while serious, are at least relatively easy to spot. Long-term effects of mold exposure on the other hand, may not present obviously as mold-related. As John Martyny, PhD, an industrial hygienist with the National Jewish Health Center in Denver puts it in WebMD, “Very often, people don’t really know what the problem is. They have an allergic reaction, lots of sinus drainage, lots of upper respiratory problems, and it doesn’t last for just a month or two. This goes on 12 months, a year. It is not a minimal problem – it can really change your life.”

Furthermore, prolonged mold exposure can cause serious respiratory problems with symptoms like chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Dr. Martyny goes on, “Some people who are exposed to high levels of any mold for a long time develop lung hypersensitivity – which leads to scar tissue in the lungs. Some people recover when the mold source is removed. But if they’ve been exposed for a long time, they may never recover.”

Though yet to be definitively proven, according to the CDC and other reputable sources, it’s likely that certain toxic molds present a serious health threat if they take hold and multiply within your home. The mold can send dangerous spores called mycotoxins into your living environment. Official names of these mycotoxins include: trichothecenes, beta glucans, nitric oxides, aflatoxins, stachybotrys mold (commonly called “black mold”), penicillium, and aspergillus. These mycotoxins can interfere with cell and DNA function, cause respiratory illness, skin rashes, memory problems, and brain damage, among other serious health problems.

Ways to Prevent Mold Formation

The best way to reduce your chance of exposure to dangerous mold is to keep it from forming in your home. Here is a checklist from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about how to prevent mold formation:

Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips

  • Act Quickly To Stop Mold!When water leaks or spills occur indoors – ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens in most cases mold will not grow.
  • As per Gutter cleaning Kansas city, Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
  • Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
  • Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
  • Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter.
  • If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture / water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.

Actions that will help to reduce humidity

  • Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters to the outside whenever possible. (Combustion appliances such as stoves and kerosene heaters produce water vapor and will increase the humidity unless vented to the outside.)
  • Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers when needed.
  • Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering. Use exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the dishwasher, etc.

Actions that will help prevent condensation

  • Reduce the humidity.
  • Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.
  • Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.

Control Home Humidity to Reduce Excess Moisture
For more information on controlling indoor humidity in your home, visit our Home Humidity Control page.

Cleaning Up Mold Safely

Mold cleanup can be a dangerous undertaking, exposing the person doing the cleaning to excess amounts of the substance as it gets disturbed. In general, according to the EPA’s Mold Cleanup guidelines, if the moldy area is less than about 10 feet square, you can attempt to do the job yourself; otherwise, you should consult a mold remediation professional.

When cleaning up any amount of mold, it’s important to take the proper precautions:

  • Wear goggles and gloves to avoid contact with mold.
  • Prevent mold spore inhalation by using an KN95-rated respirator/mask.
  • Consider using an All-in-1 Mold & Mildew Clean Up Kit.
  • Also remember to keep the room or area you are cleaning well-ventilated to avoid over-exposure to fumes from cleaning products.

For more a more detailed explanation of cleaning up after water damage and safely restoring areas affected by excess moisture or flood waters, check out our Restoring Water Damage section of our website.

When humidity is high, making every effort to control moisture and humidity in your home helps protect your family from the dangerous impact mold can have on your health. To learn more about the overall effects humidity can have on the human body.


For more information on mold, allergies, and humidity,

Mold FAQs
Common Types of Household Mold
Winter Mold Allergies
Mold Allergy & Food Sensitivity
Dehumidifier Buying Guide
Do Air Purifiers Eliminate Mold?
Air Purifier Buying Guide