Toxic Mold

This page is a review of what toxic mold is and isn't.

Consider this a beginning Toxic Mold 101 introduction and quick overview.

There are millions of different kinds of molds; only a very few are toxic (toxigenic meaning toxic to certain portions of the population) or pathogenic.  That's not to say interior mold growth should be ignored; rather the sky is usually not falling if you see a small amount of black discoloration on tile in your bath.

Getting rid of toxic mold can be as painful as a divorce - and sometimes more trouble.  You must fix all the water leaks or the best remediation (professional removal of the mold) won't remain successful.. That means, simply, that if you don't fix all the leaks, chances are good the mold will return. Keep in mind that water damages buildings and presents a far greater problem than mold.  The water present will draw cockroaches, dust mites, rodents and other critters.  The wet building materials will decompose and off gas chemicals.

If you live in a condo or an apartment or share a wall with your neighbor you may be "inheriting" their mold problem.

Mold grows because water is getting into places it doesn't belong, like from a stucco crack, building defect, broken window, roof leak or a plumbing leak, etc.

Sometimes elevated interior humidity alone is enough to trigger elevated levels of toxic mold inside occupied areas.  This occurs usually in uninsulated dwellings that have several occupants, extensive contents, single paned windows and no kitchen or bath exhausts.  Sometimes the dryer is venting into the living space further contributing to elevated interior humidity.  Sometimes new mothers will decide their baby's room need a humidifier causing interior mold growth.  If humidifiers are not properly maintained bacteria can also become a problem.

When certain molds grow inside buildings it can trigger allergic responses in the people that occupy the space.  Some people can become very, very sick from mold and other environmental contaminates.  It depends on how long and how much you have been exposed to and to which molds.  The longer the exposure the more probability of developing a hypersensitivity to mold increases.   See Melissa.org.

A very few molds may cause serious health threats in immunocompromised people.  These molds families are
   
     Fusarium/Alternaria

    Chaetomium/Cladosporium

    Penicillium/Aspergillus types

    Stachybotrys

There are several "first cousins" to the molds listed above that may under certain conditions also produce mycotoxins. 

    Read what the CDC has to say.

    Read what the Institute of Medicine’s
    Damp Indoor Spaces and Health has to say.

For specific health questions, you should always consult your primary care physician.  However, here is a link to some Bay Area Drs. that treat mold, lead, chemical sensitivity issues.

Water leaks damage the structure and may contaminate the contents.

Minimize the possibility/probability of mold growth by starting professional drying as soon as possible. See who does this work.

The foundation of our work relies on a visual inspection of your specific problem. 

We start with a Mold Status Inspection and Report.  This identified if a microbial problem is present and, in simpler problems, how to eliminate it.  See more.

If mold is found, preliminary lead and asbestos testing is indicated before remedial work begins.

It cannot be overstated: experience with a solid foundation in building sciences, is mandatory for a professional result.  Our goal is to give you the information that you need to reach your goal for indoor air quality.

Each inspection is focused on solving your specific problem.  If that problem involves a commercial building or a very complex set of problems in a residence, a protocol may need to be written.  This document is a blue print for properly removing microbial contamination.  See more.

After any remedial work post validation testing with a report is always suggested.  See more.

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