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The Truth About Mold - Healthy air. Healthy buildings. Healthy people!

What Is Mold?

Mold is a natural byproduct of the fungi family that thrives when nutrients (primarily organic substances and water) are found in the right conditions. These organic substances include materials commonly found in buildings: soil, dead plants, carpets, drywall, fiberboard, wook, papaer, dust, lint, and etc.

Mold thrives when moisture and nutrients are present. Reducing either mitigates mold growth.

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) mechanical systems don't generate mold. Their metallic surfaces do not provide the organic matter mold needs to grow.

However, systems that are insufficiently maintained could harbor such matter and support mold growth. Education, identification, remediation, and innovative solutions are required to minimize mold growth in our indoor environments.

Good Mold and Bad Mold?

Yes, there is such a thing as "good" mold! Molds are the "bleu" in bleu cheese and Roquefort. Molds improve our wine. They produce penicillin and antibiotics and are used widely in the food and beverage industry. Without mold and mold's decaying mechanism, the natural environment would be overwhelmed with large amounts of dead organic matter.

Despite many harmless and beneficial molds, some molds can be toxic and pose very serious health threats to humans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cautions that all molds can cause health problems under certain conditions.

Often reported as a toxic mold is Stachybotrys Chartarum, a greenish-black mold, which can grow on high cellulose, low nitrogen materials such as fiberboard, drywall, paper, dust and lint in the presence of moisture.

Health Effects?

There are suspected correlations of mold exposure contributing to the following symptoms:

• Allergic reactions, including irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
• Flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and diarrhea
• Worsening of asthma

Preventing Mold Growth

• Consider air conditioning (possibly augmented with a dehumidification system).
  These systems pull the moisture from the building, thus minimizing growth by depriving mold of one of its nutrients.
• Use caution when you turn off your air conditioning.
  In humid climates, extended periods of non-operation of HVACR equipment may allow humidity levels to become quite high in buildings. Mold requires this humidity to gain a foothold in the building and thrive.
• Install insulation and vapor barriers to prevent condensation on cold objects such as water pipes, beams, and plumbing fixtures.
• Keep sinks, showers, tubs and other "wet" areas free of standing water.
• Demand architectural, design, and construction applications that prevent water from entering the interior.
  Areas of concern include improperly pitched roofs, poorly designed balconies, windows, doors, improperly installed flashing, vapor barriers, and thin stucco.
• Maintain the integrity of the building envelope through regular inspections of caulking, roof flashing, and seals of the building's exterior.
• Respond immediately to leaks whether building-related (foundation, roofing, around windows or doors, or other sources) or equipment-related (pipes, plumbing fixtures, or HVACR drainpans).
• Perform semi-annual maintenance of HVACR mechanical systems using Preventative Maintenance Agreements with your ACCA member contractor. If water pooling or dust and dirt are allowed to accumulate in a system, the HVACR system could support mold growth.
• Have your HVACR contractor ensure proper airflow and ventilation is maintained.
• Inform your HVACR contractor of your mold concerns and point out locations of suspicion or evidence of mold.
• Educate your family or building occupants about mold, the dangers and prevention.

If You Suspect Mold...

First, alert your HVACR contractor (and/or the building contractor if the building is relatively new) regarding your concerns. The next step is education and exploring solutions. If health issues are present, evacuation, abatement, and remediation are necessary.

The identification of mold requires specialized testing and laboratory analysis to determine the type of mold and any of the health hazards that may be associated with it. If your HVACR contractor does not perform mold analysis, abatement, and remediation, they may be able to identify a partnering company that is trained and qualified in this type of work.

Properly-sized and maintained HVAC systems can reduce the moisture that leads to mold growth!

• When installing a new HVAC system, insist that your contractor design the system based on a proper load calculation (Manual J for homes, Manual N for commercial buildings).
• Regular maintenance is key! Arrange for semi-annual checkups through a preventive maintenance program with your ACCA member contractor.
• Most of all, don't be alarmed. Cases of health-impacting toxic mold growth are extremely rare. If you suspect a mold problem, contact your ACCA member contractor right away to determine if there's a problem.

[© 2002, Air Conditioning Contractors of America Association, Inc.
Reprinted with permission.]

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