Allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions).Inhalation exposure to mold indoors can cause health effects in some people. Lesson 3 - Health Effects That May Be Caused by Inhaling Mold or Mold Spores EPA Fact Sheet: Flood Cleanup - Protecting Indoor Air Quality (PDF).Please note that the guidelines covered in this course were developed for damage caused by clean water (not flood water, sewage, or other contaminated water). Often, more than one type of mold can be found growing in the same area, although conditions such as moisture, light and temperature may favor one species of mold over another.īuildings that have been heavily damaged by flood waters should be assessed for structural integrity and remediated by experienced professionals. In most cases, temperature is not an issue some molds grow in warm areas, while others prefer cool locations such as bread stored in a refrigerator. Most buildings are full of organic materials that mold can use as food, including: Mold can grow on virtually any organic substance. Moisture control is the key to mold control.īesides moisture, mold needs nutrients, or food, to grow. Controlling indoor moisture helps limit mold growth. Moisture is the most important factor influencing mold growth indoors. To grow indoors, mold needs moisture and food. It is important, therefore, to prevent mold from growing indoors. The potential human health effects of mold are also a concern. Cause cosmetic damage, such as stains, to furnishings.As molds grow they digest whatever they are growing on. Mold is not usually a problem indoors - unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in settled dust however, they will not grow if moisture is not present. Mold spores cannot be eliminated from indoor environments. Mold spores are ubiquitous they are found both indoors and outdoors. The number of mold spores suspended in indoor and outdoor air fluctuates from season to season, day to day and even hour to hour. ![]() Many spores are so small they easily float through the air and can be carried for great distances by even the gentlest breezes. Molds can multiply by producing microscopic spores (2 - 100 microns in diameter), similar to the seeds produced by plants. Also called fungi or mildew, molds are neither plants nor animals they are part of the kingdom Fungi. They are part of the natural environment and play an important role in the environment by breaking down and digesting organic material, such as dead leaves. Molds are organisms that may be found indoors and outdoors. Health Effects That May Be Caused by Inhaling Mold or Mold Spores.Chapter 8: Communicating with the Building Occupants.Chapter 6: Containment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).Chapter 5: Large Areas and Other Special Concerns.
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