Mold

[mcbrides]

Tandy Reeves said Lo we will get to that also down the way. D&D if you react that quick, you should consider using a face mask the instant you feel the breathing issues coming on. You will never build up a resistance to it. In fact it is just the opposite the more you are around it the more it tears down your immune system.

Never fails that when we are pricing a residential ripout and ask the customer to vacuum the carpet first, they look at us like we each have two heads. Can't burn scented candles, wear cologne, and even some fabric softeners drive us both nuts.

Maybe it's time for us both to train as inspectors ...........

[TFP Admin]

stullis said Well it fits but how did this end up in this thread? I was posting this to Lo's thread.

What Lo said. I split out some of the mold stuff in his topic because it warranted a discussion of its own. Lo's topic wasn't really about mold at all, although it could be a by-product if he wasn't able to resolve the humidity issue. Hope you don't mind.

Jim

[stullis]

No problem Jim, I thought maybe something was wrong with my computer.

Should be an interesting topic.

[Ken]

there is if its doing what you want it to do!!!!

[cproader]

Ken said there is if its doing what you want it to do!!!!

..................:shifty :..................

[Tandy Reeves]

OK, lets get started. The first three are a review of those already posted here: Mold Lo would you and Daris get to your desks?

COLLECTION OF AEROALLERGENS

1. What are aeroallergens?
   • Aero = Air
   • Allergen = Substance that produces an allergic reaction.
   • An aeroallergen is an airborne particulate that produces an allergic effect.
   
   It is estimated that 4% of all Americans are afflicted with asthma with or with ALLERGIC RHINITIS and 7% have allergic rhinitis alone. Rhinitis is an inflamed nasal passage - inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose which is usually accompanied by a discharge of mucus.
   
   
   
2. A large number of the above 11% inhalant allergens and in particular pollens and molds are involved and mot frequently the triggers of human atopic allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis.
   
   Atopic allergic is used to describe a condition that is caused by a hereditary tendency to react to certain allergens, such as occurs in hay fever, some skin irritations, and asthma.
   
   
   
3. Pollens and molds qualify by size and weight as aeroallergens since they are in the 2 to 60 micron range of most particulate matter (Micron is a one millionth of a meter - a unit of linear measurement equivalent to .00003937 inches).
   
   
4. Airborne allergens may be classified as seasonal and non-seasonal. Pollens, which are seasonal and molds, which are not seasonal, provide entries in each category.
   

   TREE POLLENS that are predominate in the spring are generally held to be less allergenic than grasses and weeds that dominate the summer and fall months.
   
   RAGWEED (which is widely considered to be the most allergenic of the pollens) pollinates in late summer and early fall in most localities. However, some western species produce pollen in the early spring.
   
   MOUNTAIN CEDAR is a tree pollen that is considered equally offensive in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. It rounds out one year and begins another by shedding its pollen from November to February.

5. The term "Sick Building Syndrome" (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to the time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone or may be widespread throughout the building.
   
   Indicators of SBS Include:
   1. Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache, eye, nose, or throat irritation, dry or itchy skin, dizziness and nausea, difficulty in concentrating, fatigue, and sensitivity to odors.
   2. The cause of the symptoms is not known.
   3. Most of the complainants report relief soon after leaving the building.
   
   In contrast, the term "Building Related Illness" (BRI) is used when symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants.
   
   Indicators of BRI Include:
   1. Building occupants complain of symptoms such as cough, chest tightness, fever, chills, and muscle aches.
   2. The symptoms can be clinically defined and have clearly identifiable causes.
   3. Complainants may require prolonged recovery times after leaving the building.
   
   It is important to note that complaints may result from other causes. these may include an illness contracted outside the building, acute sensitivity (eg., allergies), job-related stress or dissatisfaction and other psychosocial factors. Never the less studies show that symptoms may be caused by indoor air quality problems.
   
   
6. An indoor air quality investigation procedure is best characterized as a cycle of information gathering and testing. It generally begins with a walk through inspection of the problem areas to provide information about the four basic factors that influence indoor air quality. The walk through also includes the outside of the building.
   • The occupants.
   • The HVAC system (see where the fresh air grills are located. They may be in direct line with what is causing the problem, e.g., next to a drive where vehicle set wit motors running).
   • Possible pollutant pathways.
   • Possible contaminant sources.
   
   MOST FREQUENTLY SPOTTED PROBLEMS IN HOUSES
   
   In a survey the American Society of Home Inspectors Inc. Found these to be the most frequent spotted problems in houses.
   1. Improper surface grading and drainage. Should be 5% or six (6) inch drop from the house in the first ten (10) feet.
   2. Improper electrical wiring.
   3. Roof damage.
   4. HVAC system problems.
   5. Poor overall maintenance including cracked surfaces, crumbling masonry and broken fixtures.
   6. Structural problems.
   7. Plumbing problems including old materials and faulty fixtures.
   8. Faulty exterior, including flaws in windows and doors.
   9. Poor ventilation.
   10. Miscellaneous problems, including asbestos, dripping faucets and sticking windows.
   
   If my count is right nine (9) out of the ten (10) most frequent problems could and probably contribute to moisture, mold and other air-borne pollutants.

Remember if you have any question please feel free to ask and together we will find the answers.

[Tandy Reeves]

MOISTURE

This is the most important condition for mold growth. You may hear the term "EQUILIBRIUM CONTENT." This is used to describe a moisture condition when the material has absorbed all the water vapor it will at a specified humidity. In a non-flooded environment mold can germinate and grow when the humidity reaches 75% and the materials are allowed to reach an equilibrium moisture content of 75% or more.

Mold growth in wood is well known and the opportunity for mold increases when the moisture content is above 24%. For sufficient safety margin, the minimum recommended rate is 20% to prevent wood decay.

HUMIDITY

The warning flag goes up when the indoor humidity is above 60% even in non-flooded buildings.

When this has been reached for optimum drying the humidity should be reduced and maintained below 50% relative humidity, preferably below 40% as quickly as possible.

NUTRIENTS

The type and quantity of nutrients play an important role in the growth of mold. A dirty area provides more nutrients for mold growth than a clean area. Organic materials or those with some organic composition such as drywall, adhesives, paper, wood, plaster, leather, and cloth make an ideal growth substrate.

Air Velocity

Most indoor fungi are saprophytes and they grow best when the ambient air is stagnant. Some of the best places to find mold growing is closets, attics and wall cavity. Mold does not grow well if the air velocity is greater than two (2) miles per hour.

As a result air movers can be a major detriment to mold growth.

CAUTION: Air movers should not be installed or setup near existing growth as it will disperse mold spores throughout the area.

TEMPERATURE

Temperature below 35 degrees F. the mold growth is essentially inactive. It will decline dramatically below below 55 degrees F. Its favorite temperature is a moderate one between 68 degrees F. and 86 degrees F.

Notice how close this is to human comfort ranges.

LIGHT

For the most part mold prefers darkness or low light. That is why we see more inside wall and ceiling cavities and in poorly lighted attics, crawl spaces, and basements than in primary living spaces with good lighting.

SUBSTRATE

Mold prefers natural materials to synthetic ones. In most cases (there are probably exceptions) if mold is growing in synthetic there is probably a natural food source in or on the synthetic material (example carpet).

WATER SOURCE CONTAMINATION

The nastier the water is, the greater the spores and the more rapid they will grow if everything else is equal (temp., heat, air, light, etc.). If the area has had previous mold growth then there is a greater degree of mold growth in the area again.

LENGTH OF TIME WET

Mold germination and growth takes time. I have been told mold starts to incubate in seven and one half (7 1/2) hours. The longer a material stays wet the greater the chance for mold growth. However, it takes about two (2) to three (3) days for mold to grow to a point it can be analyzed.

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This is the third part and my question is do you wish to continue or have you had all of the mold you want?

[cproader]

Keep it comin, I am tryin to stay up with ya but it is alot of info.....I'm filin it fer future reference.......

[Nick Arrera]

Please Continue .

[Daris Mulkin]

Tandy you say mold will or can start to grow when humidity level is at 60%. Now isn't that the top parameter for wood flooring?

Daris

[Tandy Reeves]

The true comfort zone for wood is RH 30% to 50% and temp. 60 to 80 degrees.

[mcbrides]

Keep it coming, Tandy.

[Tandy Reeves]

BIOAEROSOL AIR SAMPLING

An effective interpretation of biological air samples is formed primarily by two guiding principles:

1. The comparison of indoor and outdoor samples.
   
   There are currently no guidelines or regulations (this may have changed check your local EPA office) to indicate "safe" or "normal" spore levels, however, it is typically expected indoor counts to be 30% to 80% of outdoor spore counts, with the same general distribution of spore types present.
   
2. Variation is an inherent part of biological air sampling. The presence or absence of a few genera in small numbers should not be considered abnormal.
   
   Rain-washes the air clean of many spore types while it assists in the dispersion of others. Sampling on rainy, foggy, or very humid days may result in outdoor counts which are low or which have a significantly different distribution of spore types.

Sampling on days when there are strong winds also creates problems. Outside counts may be significantly higher than on non-windy days.

Obtaining a baseline sample is usually recommended, thus it is important to be sure to collect at least one exterior sample. If your subject location tests positive to any particulates of concern, it is important to know if the containment's are originating from inside the subject property or from the outside.

Temperature and humidity have not proven to affect the performance of the sampling. With respect to mold growth, temperature and humidity have a significant impact on the rate and magnitude of cellular growth.

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I will start posting less information so you will have more time to digest the information, and perhaps come up with questions. Remember we are in this together.

Time for recess and CP do not remove your mask to spit.

[Lo Down]

Tandy, this would be a great thing to keep as a sticky topic.
T, I wonder if we could have a small reference sticky titled Library or Safety Library. It could contain information like this one on mold. Maybe just the pages Tandy has shared and without all the comments.
This could also be done with other worthy topics too. Asbestos, electrical or tools, air filtration at the workplace .........heck, maybe on the job artery and vein repair too.
Basically, any topic or even a good link that's voted worthy of having enough value to be considered "library" quality.
A library induction might even be a link that someone finds from the EPA or from the Red Cross..........
I'm thinking along the lines of useful information that would be locked, so the Library could not be used as a place to make comments............ just good links and information. Not a 'how to install' type of library........... more related to health and safety stuff. It could be in alphabetical order to keep it simple.
Just a thought...................:scr atch:

[TFP Admin]

Stickied. Good suggestion. I hope to make an article out of the completed work, with Tandy's permission. That'll give it a page of its own.

Jim