MOLD A GROWING

CONCERN
BY
HYGIENITECH OF WNY,
inc.
People First

 The most important factor is to protect the

health and safety of the occupants and the
remediation staff.
 This may mean the relocation of people to an
alternate location while the remediation is
taking place. Remediation should be
conducted during off hours because people
will not be in the area.
IS MOLD SOMETHING NEW

 It’s as old as the Bible

 Leviticus 14:32-53
 33And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: 34“When you have come into the
land of Canaan, which I give you as a possession, and I put the £leprous plague in a
house in the land of your possession, 35and he who owns the house comes and tells
the priest, saying, ‘It seems to me that there is some plague in the house,’ 36then
the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest goes into it to
examine the plague, that all that is in the house may not be made unclean; and
afterward the priest shall go in to examine the house. 37And he shall examine the
plague; and indeed if the plague is on the walls of the house with ingrained streaks,
greenish or reddish, which appear to be deep in the wall, 38then the priest shall go
out of the house, to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days. 39And
the priest shall come again on the seventh day and look; and indeed if the plague has
spread on the walls of the house, 40then the priest shall command that they take
away the stones in which is the plague, and they shall cast them into an unclean
place outside the city. 41And he shall cause the house to be scraped inside, all
around, and the dust that they scrape off they shall pour out in an unclean place
outside the city. 42Then they shall take other stones and put them in the place of
those stones, and he shall take other mortar and plaster the house.
 43“Now if the plague comes back and breaks out in the house, after he has taken
away the stones, after he has scraped the house, and after it is plastered, 44then the
priest shall come and look; and indeed if the plague has spread in the house, it is an
active leprosy in the house. It is unclean. 45And he shall break down the house, its
stones, its timber, and all the plaster of the house, and he shall carry them outside
the city to an unclean place. 46Moreover he who goes into the house at all while it is
shut up shall be unclean until evening. 47And he who lies down in the house shall
wash his clothes, and he who eats in the house shall wash his clothes.
 48“But if the priest comes in and examines it, and indeed the plague has not spread
in the house after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house
clean, because the plague is healed. 49And he shall take, to cleanse the house, two
birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. 50Then he shall kill one of the birds in an
earthen vessel over running water; 51and he shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop,
the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in the
running water, and sprinkle the house seven times. 52And he shall cleanse the house
with the blood of the bird and the running water and the living bird, with the cedar
All About Mold
 Mold can be found virtually everywhere. They
can grow on almost any organic substance as
long as moisture and oxygen are present. Many
types of mold grow on wood, paper, carpet, food,
and insulation. When excess moisture is present
in a building or its associated structures, mold
growth will often occur, especially if the problem
causing the mold is not corrected. While,
eliminating all mold spores in the indoor
environment is not realistic, it can be controlled
indoors by controlling the moisture levels and
removing already present mold.
 All About Mold
 Mold spores reproduce by creating
spores that are generally not visible
to the naked eye. Mold spores float
through the air on a regular basis.
When the spores land on a wet spot
indoors or outdoors, they begin
growing and eating whatever they
are growing on in order to survive.
Molds over time destroy what they
grow on because their food is many
of your household materials that
contain cellulose.
 All About Mold
 Mold requires water to grow in.
 This may take the form of a puddle, flowing leak, or even very slight
dampness. Therefore, it is important to prevent moisture problems in
building. Moisture problems can have multiple causes such as uncontrolled
humidity, leaks etc. Other moisture problems have been linked to changes
in building construction practices over the last several decades. Some of
these changes have resulted in buildings that are tightly closed. They often
do not have sufficient ventilation. In many instances this has led to
moisture and mold problems. Moisture problems can include roof leaks,
landscaping problems such as insufficient grading, and leaking gutter
problems, pipe condensation, cracked foundations, and unvented
combustion appliances. Delayed maintenance or insufficient maintenance
are also associated with moisture problems in buildings.
 Mold Facts
 All mold cannot be eliminated so it is
essential to control moisture by eliminating
moisture problems and leaks.
 Be sure to thoroughly dry any wet or even
damp building materials within no more
than 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
 Prevent condensation on cold surfaces such
as windows, pipes, exterior walls, roofs,
and floors by installing insulation wherever
possible.
 Clean mold off the surfaces using the
Caltex System but be aware that if the
surface is absorbent and the mold
infestation is severe, you may have to
replace part or all of the surface.
Mold Facts

• Do not install carpet in areas where there

have been moisture problems or where
moisture is present such as bathroom, near
drinking fountains, sections of piping, or
sinks. This removes a food source and
ensures easier cleanup. It also prevents
potential destruction of materials.
Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth
a pound of cure.
 What Are the Major Types of
Mold?
 Stachybotrys (stack-ee-BOT-ris) is member of the
mold family. This particular member is known to
produce airborne toxins. Some of the symptoms that
Stachybotris produces are breathing problems,
faintness, memory loss, hearing loss, and flulike
symptoms.
 Two other commonly found mold types are
Cladosporium and Penicillium. These molds can
grow quickly and produce enough spores and
intensity to cause allergic reactions. These reaction
include asthma, breathing problems, sinus infections,
headaches, coughing, and eye and throat irritation.
 There are two types of mold, Memnoniella and
Aspergillus versicolor, which are known for
producing airborne toxins. Airborne toxins are
technically termed mycotoxins. These can cause
much more severe problems among which are
chronic fatigue, loss of balance and memory,
irritability and difficulty speaking.
 Adverse Symptoms of Mold
Exposure
 Asthma
 Eye irritation
 Rhinitis
 Coughing
 Chest Congestion
 Flu Like Symptoms
 Lung Damage
 Memory Loss
 Fever
 More
 Signs of Mold
• Moist carpeting or stained ceiling tiles may
signal a leak. The source will have to be
determined.
• Musty odors. These often signal mold
growth.
• Recently installed wallboard and other
cover-ups. Replacing ceiling tiles or
painting stained wallboards can cover a
moisture problem, such as a leaky roof or
cracked foundation.
 Signs of Mold
 Wall units or other such large items placed
near external walls in humid climates such as
the Southeastern United States. This can
impair the potential for drying and promote
condensation.
 Indoor plants are just another source of
moisture that can raise the moisture level if
they are allowed to leak onto furniture or
wooden surfaces where mold can grow.
Always place a catch bowl beneath plants and
clean it regularly.
Signs of Mold
 High humidity can indicate poor ventilation and a
moisture problem. Vents installed on the external
siding are another indicator of a home moisture
problem. Keep a temperature- humidity gauge in the
classroom or your living room. Relative humidity
should be consistently below 60%.
 Heat or air conditioning being shut down for long
periods such as summer vacation, or in vacation or
second homes. This is especially relevant in humid
areas such as the Southeastern United States.
WHERE DO YOU FIND MOLD
What Are Some Problems Mold Can
Cause?

 Mold destroys the surface it grows on. Remember,

mold is an organism whose job it is to cause decay.
 Mold can be multi-colored, wet and mushy, furry
looking, and smelly.
 Exposure to mold spores can cause respiratory
distress, illness, and allergic reactions of various
severities based on the individual, length of
exposure, and the amount of exposure.
 In areas of mold infestation there is often a strong
musty odor and dank air quality.
 Hidden Mold Sources
• Back side of dry wall, wallpaper or paneling
• Top of ceiling tiles
• Underside of carpets and pads etc.
• Pipe chases and utility tunnels
• Walls behind furniture
• Condensate drain pans inside air handling units, porous
thermal or acoustic liners inside ductwork
• Roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to rook leaks or
insufficient insulation). Materials such as dry wall with vinyl
wallpaper over it or wood paneling can act as vapor barriers
which trap moisture underneath and provide a moist
environment for mold. You may suspect hidden mold if a
building smells moldy but you cannot see the source, or if
you know there has been water damage and building
occupants are reporting health problems.
 Why Perform Mold Testing?
 It is essential to have mold testing and sampling performed
because:
 Mold spores are too small to be seen and conclusively
identified as a particular species of mold.
 The extent of contamination cannot be determined without
sampling and testing.
 Species of mold have varying health ramifications.
 It is essential to have a pre-remediation air sampling to
compare to the post remediation air testing (also compared to
outdoor air quality).
 To educate the customer particularly if they are mold sensitive
and to take appropriate action to protect the customer and your
staff members.
 The Advantages of Cal-Brite
Versus Cleaners, Biocides,
Sanitizers, and Encapsulants
 There are 4 basic categories that
base most of the mold remediation
products available today. These are
as follows:
 Cleaners
 Biocides

 Sanitizers

 Encapsulants
Cal-Brite

 Cal-Briteis a sanitizer and when used will kill

as much mold as a more chemically potent
or harmful biocide. In addition, it retards the
regrowth of mold.
Sanitizers
 A sanitizer can kill bacteria or mold
but renders inactive the mold or
bacteria and makes it much harder
for mold or bacteria to re-grow on
the treated sanitized surface.
 The Cal-Brite Solution
► Cal-Brite
will kill the mold or bacteria
AND retard its regrowth. Using Cal-
Brite and following all EPA mold
remediation project guidelines and
cleaning steps if performed correctly
by the contractor ensures that the
mold and bacteria are killed and that
the dead mold parts are vacuumed
and removed to prevent allergic
reactions in sensitized individuals.
 Bleach
 Chlorine bleach is a biocide. However, it is
hazardous to people and should never be
mixed with other compounds such as
ammonia. Bleach leaves the surface wet or damp
and slightly slimy to the touch. Since bleach does
NOT retard the growth of mold like Cal-Brite does,
the mold can grow again leading to a vicious
cycle of bleaching and mold growing. Eventually,
the homeowner may become frustrated and ask if
there if anything that does not act as a fertilizer
that actually retards the regrowth of mold.
Biocides are not recommended because the mold
parts can still cause allergic reactions after they
are dead. This is especially applicable to
sensitized individuals.
 Biocides
• A biocide refers to an agent that kills bacteria
and mold-biological agents. The last 4 letters of the
word mean “kill/death”. Therefore, it means the death of a
biological organism. There are several types of biocides.
Fungicides are developed to kill mold. Virucides are created
to kill viruses. True biocides are created to kill bacteria.
However, different types of biocides are not effective
against all molds or kinds of contamination. A virucide may
have no effect against mold. Some biocides claim to be very
effective but they are not necessarily as effective as a
dedicated virucide or fungicide. no biocide is 100%
effective against all types of mold and bacteria; a few
spores may survive.
Cleaners

 A cleaner by definition loosens the surface

material and thus makes it easier to wipe off
or “clean”. Cleaners do not kill the bacteria or
mold.
 Small Mold Areas
 Contaminated materials that cannot be
cleaned should be removed from the
building in a sealed plastic bag. Moldy
bagged materials can simply be placed in
the regular garbage.
 The work area and areas used by remedial
workers for egress should be cleaned with
a mop and the Caltex System. This is
important to prevent the spread of mold
spores which may have been tracked in
and out.
 The job site should be left clean and dry,
with no debris or obvious mold problem
Medium Sized Areas
 A medium sized areas is defined as being 10-
30 square feet. This can include any of the
surfaces commonly devoured by mold.
 Remediation can be conducted by
maintenance staff. Such persons should
receive training on proper clean up methods,
personal protection, and potential health
hazards. Training is essential. You must
comply with the OSHA Hazard Communication
Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
 Large Mold Areas
 A large mold problem is defined as
being 30-100 square feet.
 Microbial investigations should be
performed prior to remediation
activities to provide guidance.
 Before Remediation
 Are the building materials or furnishings visibly
damaged? Is mold readily apparent?
 Has maintenance been delayed or the maintenance
plan changed?
 Has the building been recently remodeled or
changed? Look at the plans?
 Is consultation with health professional indicated?
 Have there been grading problems or streams/springs
nearby?
Mold Remediation Steps
• Discard moldy items that can’t be
cleaned
• Dry non-moldy items within 48 hours
• Check for return of the mold and
moisture problem
 How Can I Prevent Mold From
Growing?
► Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building
ASAP
► Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix
the moisture source ASAP.
► Prevent moisture due to condensation by
increasing surface temperature or reducing
the moisture level in the air. To increase the
surface temperature, insulate or increase air
circulation. To reduce the moisture level in
air, repair leaks, increase ventilation (if air
outside is cold and dry) or dehumidify (if
outdoor air is warm and humid).
► Keep heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing
Suggestions for Reducing
Mold Growth
 Vent showers and other moisture-
generating sources to the outside. This
reduces internal humidity. Change filters
in furnaces and ventilation systems
regularly.
 Use air conditioners and de-humidifiers.
Be sure they are in proper working
condition.
 Provide adequate ventilation to
maintain indoor humidity levels
between 30-60%.
 Use exhaust fans whenever cooking,
dishwashing, and cleaning in food
 How Can I Prevent Mold From
Growing?
 Vent moisture generating appliances such
as dryers to the outside where possible.
 Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60%
relative humidity, ideally 30-50%, if
possible.
 Perform regular HVAC building inspections
and maintenance as scheduled.
 Clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48
hours.
 Do not let foundations stay wet. Provide
drainage and slope ground away from the
foundation. Fix foundation cracks and
waterproof basements. Ensuring proper
external grading is also crucial.