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What All Contractors Need to Know About Mold & Mold Contamination

Public anxiety over health problems and property destruction caused by mold is at an all time high. Increased media coverage, coupled with large court damages and new government regulations, have made mold the highest profile Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) issue–and mold remediation the fastest growing IAQ service!

What Causes Indoor Mold Growth?

Mold can grow on virtually any organic substance or building material comprised of wood, wallpaper, drywall, carpet, paint, adhesives, fabrics, ducting and insulation. Mold is in the air everywhere and when it lands on a damp indoor spot with little or no UV light, it begins digesting and growing. This produces thousands of microscopic spores that are released into the air while the destructive organism eventually damages the materials on which they feed and grow.

Mold infestation and rampant growth usually occurs whenever water damage or other moisture problems in indoor environments go unaddressed or are treated improperly. Typical problem situations encountered are:

Visible mold is typically only the tip of the iceberg, and usually a sign that the problem may already be extensive. It is not uncommon to find 10 times or more mold growth out of sight inside the crevices of a wall or within an HVAC system.

Mold Exposure and Immune System Response

As molds feed on their food source and the colony grows, they produce byproducts of digestion. Mycotoxins, antibiotics and glucans are agents that can be toxic to humans depending upon exposure.

Based on a 1999 study, researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota concluded that an immune response to fungus was the cause of chronic sinusitis in 96% of the patients studied (sinusitis that lasts 3 months or more). An estimated 40 to 50 million Americans suffer from this problem, which is the most common chronic disease in the United States. Prior to this study, it was estimated that only 10% of these problems were fungus-related.

The study results clearly portray a disease process in which the body’s immune response system irritates the membranes of the nose and produces cold or flu-like symptoms. As long as the fungi remain, so will the irritation.

Mold-Related Allergic Reactions

In addition to immunologic response, the presence of some mold and fungal species in buildings has been shown to or is suspected of causing or contributing to other persistent health-related symptoms in sensitive individuals such as:

Painful headaches Disorientation & dizziness Nausea Diminished reflex response Diarrhea Depression Loss of concentration Chronic asthma Chronic fatigue Rashes and open sores

Toxic Mold-Related Illnesses

Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium are mold species commonly found indoors. All are capable of producing mycotoxins, which can affect virtually anyone exposed to them. Potential reactions consist of immune disorders, pathogenic disease and cancer. Mycotoxins, produced by Stachybotrys or black mold, have been linked to a number of health problems including pulmonary hemorrhaging.

Aspergillus species A.parasitis and A.fumigatus also produce aflotoxins. Aflotoxins have been identified as acutely toxic to the liver, brains, kidney and heart, and possibly carcinogenic (cancer causing) to the liver. All species are fairly prevalent in buildings. Some Stachybotrys and Fusarium species can also produce marcocyclic trichothecenes.

The most serious health effects of mold toxicity are often found in young children, the elderly and those afflicted with respiratory illnesses. For people with immune system-related diseases, such as leukemia or HIV, Aspergillosis is often fatal (a disease related to Aspergillus infections).

Sick Building Syndrome

The EPA uses the term ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ or SBS to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. Since the 1980’s, homes and buildings have been built with energy efficiency in mind. Airtight structures with ample insulation reduce airflow and heat loss, but also prevent a building from drying out when it gets wet.

Allergy medications can treat the symptoms, but physicians and allergists also recommend "allergen avoidance"—taking measures to reduce or eliminate exposure to the source of the problem. However, if the person’s livelihood takes place within a building that has SBS, avoiding the source may be difficult. Therefore, the need for quality mold abatement services has grown immensely and will continue to expand each year.

Good IAQ is Good Business

Providing good IAQ for public health has become a hot topic in a large number of state legislatures. New bills are continually being introduced that cover the full spectrum of mold related activities including:

• Licensing of mold investigators and remediators
• Studies of mold and associated health impacts
• Impact on Insurance and real estate
• New guidelines and building codes
• Public education, regulatory oversight and funding

Disaster Restoration Contractors

Mold problems are not just a problem for mold remediation contractors. Since most disasters involve water damage, facility disaster restoration companies face situations almost daily that put them into the mold abatement business–whether they want to be in it or not. These companies must be cognizant of mold problems and should have certified mold remediation professionals on staff. Restoration companies that do not are risking their future in today’s litigious environment, and missing out on a booming IAQ business.

Facility Service Contractors

Professional HVAC contractors, duct cleaning contractors, carpet and furnishings companies and facility cleaning companies (and facility maintenance personnel) must also be concerned about mold. The work they perform can have the potential for causing or exacerbating conditions conducive to mold growth, or failing to recognize potential mold problems.

Renovation and Remodeling Contractors

Remodeling, renovation and demolition contractors can unknowingly disturb dust particles containing Aspergillus and release millions of spores into the air. This can occur during minor maintenance activities as simple as replacing fluorescent light bulbs that involve disturbing ceiling tiles. Fungal spores can even be present on brand new building materials.

How Can Professional Contractors Mitigate Mold Problems?

Employee training as to how to recognize mold growth and the problems that can cause or exacerbate these problems is essential. Many contractors have found that implementation of control measures, such as work area containment, negative pressure and Abatement HEPA-AIRE Portable Air Scrubbers during indoor construction, renovation and maintenance activities, to be a smart business decision and an excellent investment.

These measures may add a little cost up front, but they can save contractors a lot more down the road and actually generate revenue. That’s because customers and insurance companies now recognize that portable air scrubbers purify the air and remove harmful pollutants such as mold and particulates. These measures can improve job quality, increase productivity and customer satisfaction and reduce cleanup time. They can also help mitigate liability concerns, worker compensation claims, health hazards and safety risks.

Need More Information?

Abatement Technologies experienced and knowledgeable sales consultants, customer service and technical support staff are ready to assist you with product recommendations and procedures for keeping in compliance. Call us or Contact Us for a complete package of information.

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