THE TRUTH ABOUT MOLD
5/13/2004
Leading environmental remediation firm LVI Services dispels 10 common myths
about mold and highlights best practices
NEW YORK – Mold is the number one indoor air quality issue, and yet, mold contamination and remediation continue to be clouded by “myths, half-truths and misunderstandings,” according to LVI Services, Inc., the nation’s largest environmental remediation firm.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mold can be found almost anywhere; it can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. Where mold is a concern, it must be cleaned up and sources of excess moisture eliminated, or the problem will get worse over time. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.
“There are basic solid facts about mold that most people agree on. Beyond those facts, however, the confusion and controversy are alive and well,” said Burton T. Fried, chief executive officer of New York City-based LVI Services.
“There are so many myths, half-truths and misunderstandings that people don’t always know who or what to believe. In many cases, the legal, scientific and practical considerations contradict one another. Some people believe mold is a more serious problem than previously acknowledged, while others say the whole issue has been blown out of proportion. As usual with these kinds of debates, the truth is somewhere in the middle, and people need to understand that middle ground.’”
Despite the ongoing questions and confusion, best practices for mold control, remediation and prevention have emerged and are being validated – much like asbestos and lead-based paint have become more manageable over time. With nearly 20 years of environmental remediation experience nationwide, LVI Services is committed to leading an ongoing dialogue about mold, including refuting 10 common myths (beginning on the following page):
10 Common Myths About Mold
Myth 1: All molds are toxic.
Fact: Mold is actually a naturally occurring biological contaminant – with some positive characteristics, including the ability to break down leaves, wood and other plant debris. Mycotoxins, which can damage the brain, lungs, nervous system, kidneys, liver and reproductive organs, are primarily produced by molds such as stachybotrys chartarum (“black mold”) and penicillium. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control mold growth is to control moisture.
Myth 2: Only people who live in a humid, wet climate have to worry about mold.
Fact: Water incursion and damp buildings are the primary sources of mold, and climate is far from the only consideration. Though the air outside might not feel warm and humid, the atmosphere between walls, in basements, under sinks, around pipes and in crawl spaces may be a perfect home for mold. Mold can survive almost anywhere with water and humidity (usually where relative humidity exceeds 60 percent). Standing water, water-damaged materials or wet surfaces also serve as a breeding ground for mold.
Myth 3: Some surfaces can be immune to mold.
Fact: Mold can grow on any surface that has water and humidity present. If a material sustains water damage, mold will likely grow. In fact, in areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting because it is more difficult to remove moisture and mold from carpet than from hard surfaces.
Myth 4: If you don’t see mold, you don’t have mold.
Fact: Mold is an insidious material that at its very early stages is quite natural and unassuming. Often, mold can be found hiding in spaces around pipes, behind cabinets and under sinks. By the time you know it’s there, it can be a significant problem. It may be visible and detectable to only trained professionals, and control and remediation should be left to experts who understand the potential hazards and best practices.
Myth 5: Effective regulations and laws are in place to deal with this issue.
Fact: While some states, including California, New York and Texas, do have standards for mold identification and remediation, those rules are not uniformly applied. There are no nationwide standards or guidelines in place for environmental testing, remediation techniques, contractor qualifications, and worker training and protective equipment. As a result, this area is susceptible to unscrupulous or uninformed service providers. Congress and no less than 20 states are currently working on mold-related legislation.
Myth 6: If a building is contaminated by mold, insurance will cover it.
Fact: The insurance industry is concerned about the escalating and often unpredictable costs associated with mold testing and remediation. In fact, many commercial property insurance policies now contain exclusionary language that precludes coverage for loss or damage caused by, or resulting from, a “fungus,” which can be defined to include mold. For some companies, the solution is to purchase specialty environmental insurance to cover potential hazards such as mold.
Myth 7: Cleaning off the area where mold was growing will eliminate the mold.
Fact: Mold can become latent and reactivate. Tiny mold spores replicate every 24 hours and often grow back. They grow due to a source of water, so the source, all sources, must be located and repaired for the long term. It is also much easier to clean off hard surfaces – with water and detergent and then drying the surface. For absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles and carpeting, surface cleaning is often not enough; they may need to be replaced.
Myth 8: The worst mold can do is cause cold-like symptoms.
Fact: Researchers and health experts continue to debate the exact symptoms associated with mold exposure, and the type and severity of symptoms vary widely among people. Furthermore, many of the ailments associated with mold exposure are symptomatic of other common illnesses. The most common health effects and symptoms include allergic reactions, asthma, other respiratory complaints, headaches and fatigue, but prolonged exposure to high levels of mold may even cause memory loss or death. Some molds produce aflotoxins, some of which have been proven to be carcinogenic.
Myth 9: Mold can only grow around pipes, leaks or because of floods.
Fact: Mold is not limited to areas directly affected by water damage. In fact, mold spores often invade the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems of buildings and homes. Because mold spores are carried through the air, having one of the more toxic species of mold in an HVAC system can be a serious problem. Remediation processes may include dehumidification, negative-pressure containment and HEPA vacuuming – which is why it is essential that trained mold remediation professionals lead the cleanup effort.
Myth 10: If a plumber or contractor checked a building and did not mention mold, that building must be free of mold.
Fact: Many plumbers and contractors are not specifically trained to recognize and remediate mold. Plumbers fix leaks, while demolition contractors specialize in removing affected building materials. However, neither group is in a position to lead the effort to analyze mold hazards, correct serious problems and prevent future mold buildup.
Fried said, “Mold remediation, just like asbestos or lead-based paint abatement, is a specialized field with specialty firms that have studied the issue and use best practices. Unfortunately, it is simply too easy for people to say they know what they’re doing. We want commercial property owners, building tenants and homeowners to become smart about this, so they know the mold warning signs, and how and when to ask for help.”