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IAQ
The Facts on Mold
Etymology: Middle English mowlde, perhaps alteration of mowle, from moulen to grow moldy, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse mygla to grow moldy Date: 14th century 1 : a superficial often woolly growth produced especially on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms 2 : a fungus (as of the order Mucorales) that produces mold
Q & A from the CDC Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Summary Statement on Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds
Q I heard about toxic molds that grow in homes and other buildings. Should I be concerned about a serious health risk to me and my family?
Q. How common is mold, including Stachybotrys chartarum (also known by its synonyn Stachybotrys atra) in buildings?
Q. How do molds get in the indoor environment and how do they grow?
Q. What is Stachybotrys chartarum (stachybotrys atra)? Q What are the potential health effects of mold in buildings and homes?
Q. How do you get the molds out of buildings, including homes, schools, and places of employment?
Q. What should people to do if they have Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) in their buildings or homes?
Mold fears downplayed; Air quality experts warn against overreaction Excerpt from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram ( Monday, Apr. 9, 2001) By Michelle Melendez
The specter of so-called "black mold" creeping across North Texas is creating unnecessary panic and a surge in the mold removal and testing business, air quality experts say. "I'm getting 200 calls a day. People are scared all that mold is killing them," said Ken McBride, regional industrial hygienist for the Texas Department of Health. "I think they're overreacting quite a bit." Mold has been around forever, but the panic started just a few months ago, McBride said. Mold growth has increased since the 1950s, when people began building airtight houses that trap moisture and stopped cleaning bathrooms and closets as often as they used to. "Prior to the 1950s, we had plaster walls that wouldn't allow mold to grow and oil- based paints that sealed the walls," McBride said.
Mike Lee, air quality expert for the Fort Worth school district, said teachers call every day worried about spots they find in their classrooms. The district tested air quality twice in 1994 and again in 1999 and 2000. Now, it is retesting 40 buildings that had mold and other problems. But none of the problems warranted shutting down buildings. Lee said, "the media are fueling the panic by misusing the term "black mold." "There are at least 7,000 species of fungus, and 4,000 of them are black."
Household bleach kills most mold, but finding all of it is the key. McBride said the more people look for mold, the more they will find it. If it is kept under control, it doesn't create a problem. It doesn't make sense to close entire buildings when small patches of mold are found, and no law requires buildings be shut down, he said. Instead, a public education campaign is needed. Prevention is key.
