You might wonder where mildew and mold come from. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mold creates minute spores for reproduction, which always are present in the atmosphere. With moist conditions, mold attaches to surfaces, then often damages property and creates health problems. Toxic or black mold causes severe damage and serious health effects. Prevention and treatment after the fact are often the only ways to deal with black mold.
Mold
Mold spores are constantly carried indoors and outdoors via circulating air, and once spores land on moist surfaces, including paper, carpet, wood and food, they start to digest their new home and begin growing, says the EPA. With excess dampness, mold growth often rages out of control.
Mildew
According to FEMA, mildew and mold are types of fungi that flourish in damp environments, and mildew is "mold in its early stages." Typically, problems are most obvious when mildew and mold are seen on outside wall surfaces in environments with high humidity, according to the EPA. However, "mildewy" or musty odors are often the first indication of an encroaching mold problem, as mildew and mold aren't always visible, warns the Toxic Black Mold Information Center site, or TBMIC.
Mold Effects
Some people are particularly sensitive to common environmental mold and mold spores and usually suffer from allergies when mold counts are high. However, mold production and infestation indoors often cause acute allergies, infections and even serious illness, according to FEMA. If you discover a mold problem in your home, school or work environment, address the situation immediately.
Toxic Mold Effects
Certain mold is highly toxic such, as Stachybotrys atra, and often causes severe health problems, warns FEMA. Toxic black mold and related fungi generate volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which contaminate environments, according to the TBMIC. These contaminants affect not only mucous membranes but also the central nervous system. Look for symptoms such as a sudden inability to pay attention, problems with concentration, headaches and dizziness, warns the site.
Control and Prevention
Since mold spores are ever-present, there's no way to completely get rid of mold, but you can control mold growth by controlling moisture, according to the EPA. Problems occur mostly when excess moisture goes undiscovered or after flooding. Always perform a thorough house or building checkup and look for visible signs of mildew and mold, such as leaky pipes and roofs, rusting and condensation on pipes, and discoloration, peeling and cracking on walls and other surfaces, says the TBMIC.
Cleanup and Treatment
The best way to avoid a mold infestation is with prevention, but mold proliferation is often unavoidable, especially after a devastating hurricane or flood. According to FEMA, the first step in mold cleanup and treatment is to stop the water source, and the second step is to get rid of all "wet or contaminated porous materials," including drywall, ceiling tiles, wood and wood byproducts. Dry out and clean one room at a time with soap, then treat with a disinfectant to kill all mold spores too, according to the TBMIC.
Precautions
If you're highly allergic to mold, you'll have to rely on someone else for mold cleanup and treatment. Anyone cleaning up mold should wear rubber gloves, protective clothing and a mask or respirator, according to FEMA. With black or toxic mold contamination, it's often necessary to hire a professional cleaning company.
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