Mold
Reducting Mold PDF Print E-mail

IDPH Fact Sheet

Reducing Your Exposure to Mold
Molds are small organisms found almost everywhere, inside and outside, including on plants, foods and dry leaves. They can be nearly any color – white, orange, green or black. Molds are beneficial to the environment and are needed to break down dead material. Very tiny and lightweight, mold spores travel easily through the air.
Most building surfaces can provide nutrients to support the growth of mold. When mold spores land on material that is damp – for example, walls, floors, appliances (such as humidifiers or air conditioners), carpet or furniture – they can begin to multiply. When molds are present in large numbers, they may cause allergic symptoms similar to those caused by plant pollen.

What does mold need to grow?
Mold needs –

  • a food source such as leaves, paper, wood or dirt
  • a source of moisture
  • a place to grow

What are sources of moisture in my home?
Many sources can cause moisture in your home including –

  • flooding and sewer overflows
  • leaky roofs
  • humidifiers
  • damp basement or crawl spaces
  • constant plumbing leaks
  • clothes dryers vented indoors

How can I be exposed to mold?
We all are exposed to mold every day. When mold is growing on a surface, spores can be released into the air where they can be easily inhaled. A person who inhales a large number of spores may suffer adverse health effects.

What health effects can be caused by exposure to mold?
Some people are more sensitive to molds than others. These include –

  • infants and children
  • elderly persons
  • immune compromised persons (people with HIV infection, cancer, liver disease, etc., or who are undergoing chemotherapy)
  • individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma and allergies

The same amount of mold may cause health effects in one person, but not in another. Exposure to molds can cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and headaches.

When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers, they can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems for people. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to the mold. See the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) fact sheet, “Mold and Your Health,” for more information about health effects.

Can my home be tested for mold?
If you can see or smell mold, testing is usually not necessary. It is likely that you have a moisture problem that needs to be fixed. Testing for mold is very difficult and expensive. Homeowners must hire a contractor to test their homes. Testing cannot determine whether health effects will occur. Mold is normally found outdoors and levels fluctuate from day to day depending on the season. Due to these uncertainties, IDPH does not recommend testing in most cases.

What should I clean and what should I get rid of?
If the home has been flooded, remove all drywall to at least 12 inches above or around any water mark. Harder, non-porous materials such as glass, plastic, or metal can be kept after they are cleaned. Carpets and rugs that cannot be thoroughly dried and cleaned should be discarded and replaced. If the damaged area is small, you may be able to save the carpet by cleaning the area with a mild detergent. There also are professional home cleaning services that may be able to clean your carpets.
If flood water or sewer overflows are the cause of the moisture problem, infectious organisms also may be a hazard. For information see IDPH’s fact sheet, “Cleaning Up After Flood and Sewer Overflows.”

How can I clean moldy surfaces?
It is important to make sure that the source of moisture is fixed before the mold is cleaned up. If this is not done, the mold will grow again. How you clean up areas contaminated with mold depends on the surface where the mold is growing. A professional should be consulted if large areas (more than 30 square feet) are contaminated with mold. If the surface is non-porous (glass, plastic, varnished wood, tile, etc.), you can take the following steps:

- The surfaces first need to be cleaned:

  • Use a non-ammonia soap or detergent in warm water and scrub the entire area affected by the mold. Use a stiff brush or cleaning pad on block walls or uneven surfaces.
  • Rinse clean with water.
  • Dry completely.

- The next step, if desired, is to disinfect the surfaces to help kill any mold missed by the initial cleaning:

  • Ventilate the area before using a disinfectant.
  • Disinfect the area with a solution of water and bleach (no more than 1 cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water). Never mix bleach with ammonia; the vapors are hazardous. Straight bleach will not be more effective.
  • Let disinfecting areas air dry completely.

How can I reduce my exposure to the mold while cleaning it up?
During the cleanup of mold, many spores may be released into the air. To prevent health effects, there are several ways you can protect yourself while cleaning up the mold.

  • Anyone with a chronic illness, such as asthma or emphysema, or who are immune comprised, should not do the cleanup.
  • Do not allow bystanders to be present when you are doing the cleanup.
  • Wear rubber gloves and clothing that can be easily cleaned or discarded.
  • To prevent eye irritation, wear goggles that do not have ventilation holes.
  • Wear an N95 or HEPA respirator mask purchased from a hardware store to reduce the mold spores you breathe in.
  • Tightly cover the air return vent if there is one in the affected area.
  • Turn on an exhaust fan or place a fan in a window to blow air out of the affected room to the outside (make sure the air is blowing outside the home, not into another room).
  • Open windows in your house during and after the cleanup.
  • Work over short time spans and take breaks in a fresh air location.
  • Double bag materials before you remove them from the contaminated area.

Where can I get more information?
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Environmental Health
525 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62761
217-782-5830
TTY (hearing impaired use only) 800-547-0466

Additional References
Web Sites

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Inc.
http://www.acgih.org

American Industrial Hygienist Association
http://www.aiha.org

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov

 
 
Mold and Your Health PDF Print E-mail

IDPH Fact Sheet

How can I be exposed to mold?
People are exposed to molds every day, usually by touching or breathing them. Because molds naturally exist outdoors and indoors, living in a totally mold-free environment is practically impossible. As molds grow, spores can be released into the air where they can be easily inhaled. People who inhale large numbers of spores may get sick. Possible health concerns are an important reason to prevent mold growth and to clean up molds in indoor environments.

How can mold affect my health?
Many molds can cause health effects. Molds produce allergens, irritants and, sometimes, toxins that may cause adverse reactions in humans. A reaction to mold depends on how much a person is exposed to, the age of the person and the person’s sensitivities or allergies. The same amount of mold may cause health effects in one person, but not in another.
Exposure to mold can cause a variety of symptoms. Sensitive people who have touched or inhaled mold or mold spores may have allergic reactions such as a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, skin rash and itching (dermatitis). Molds can trigger asthma attacks in people who are allergic to molds, causing wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. A disease like pneumonia may also develop after exposure to mold, but this is uncommon.
Infectious diseases from molds can occur in people with weakened immune systems, such as those who are immune-compromised or immune-suppressed from drug treatment. Some types of mold are known to cause infections in immune-compromised people. Such infections can affect the skin, eyes, lungs or other organs. These are considered opportunistic infections that usually do not affect healthy people.

What are microbial volatile organic compounds?
Another source of irritation from mold exposure comes from substances known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). These compounds are produced through fungal metabolism and are released directly into the air, often giving off strong or unpleasant odors. Exposure to mVOCs from molds can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and has been linked to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nasal irritation and nausea. The effects of mVOCs are not completely understood and research is still in the early stages.

What are mycotoxins?
Other metabolites, called mycotoxins, are potent substances produced by some molds. People can be exposed to mycotoxins through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact. Many molds, including species commonly found indoors, are capable of producing mycotoxins. The existence
or identification of a toxin-producing mold indoors does not mean that building occupants have been exposed to mycotoxins or that they are even present, since molds do not produce them under all conditions. Mycotoxins can cause a variety of adverse health effects, but more research is needed to determine the health risks posed by mycotoxins in indoor environments. However, it is clearly advisable to avoid exposure to mold and mycotoxins.

Is there a test to determine if I have been exposed to mold?
Some physicians have recommended testing for mold-specific antibodies. The presence of antibodies only indicates that you have been exposed to a substance at some time. It does not tell you when you were exposed, where the exposure took place, or how much of the mold you were exposed to. Having a positive test for mold-specific antibodies alone is generally considered insufficient to prove that health effects reported by individuals in moisture-damaged buildings are caused by exposure to mold.

What medical tests are available to determine if I am allergic to mold?
There are medical tests to determine if you are allergic to a particular substance, such as mold. These can be performed on skin or blood. Skin tests are considered more reliable than blood tests to determine allergic reaction to a substance. Skin tests yield results more quickly, are less expensive than blood tests and are generally considered more sensitive. If an individual has symptoms year-round, which may indicate an indoor allergy, skin testing may be recommended.
Blood testing called the RAST (radioallergosorbent) test can be done to show if you are allergic to a substance. The RAST test detects levels of antibodies to particular allergens. The test is expensive to perform and results are usually not available for about two weeks.
When should I seek a physician’s care, if I know I have been exposed to mold?
People who know they have been exposed to mold and have symptoms that persist should consult their physicians for possible treatment and testing.

Where can I get more information?

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Environmental Health
525 W. Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761
217-782-5830
TTY (hearing impaired use only) 800-547-0466
 
Moisture in Your Home PDF Print E-mail

This fact sheet provides answers to basic questions about moisture in homes. It discusses where moisture comes from, how it can affect your home and what you can do to prevent moisture problems. 
What are some sources of moisture?
Moisture can come from several sources:

  • Plumbing, flashing and roof leaks
  • Damp basements and crawlspaces
  • Cooking, showering and line drying of clothes indoors
  • Humidifiers
  • Improperly vented combustion appliances and clothes dryers
  • Flooding and sewage backups
  • Poor rain water drainage

How can too much moisture affect my home?
Too much moisture can cause mold to grow. Mold can grow in or on almost anything in your home, including paper, carpet, wood, dry wall, insulation, mattresses, and shower curtains. Mold also can grow in improperly maintained air conditioners, humidifiers and dehumidifiers. Excess moisture also provides a good environment for bacteria, cockroaches and dust mites.
Too much moisture can cause wood to rot, which may weaken the structure of your home. Moisture can even cause peeling, chipping or cracking paint, which may contribute to high levels of lead in household dust, especially if your home was built before 1978.

How can too much moisture in my home affect my health?
Mold, bacteria, cockroaches and dust mites have been linked to triggering allergies and asthma attacks, and may cause children who do not have allergies or asthma to develop either condition. Exposure to mold, bacteria, cockroaches and dust mites also can cause watery eyes, a runny nose, nasal congestion, itching, and headaches.
In older homes, moisture can cause paint to peel or crack, which, in turn can produce high levels of lead in household dust. Lead poisoning is the leading environmental illness in children. Exposure to lead in household dust can cause behavioral disorders, learning problems and slow a child's development.

I have mold in my home, but the landlord or builder will not clean it up or fix the moisture problems. What can I do?
The Illinois Department of Public Health does not have enforcement authority related to mold and moisture issues, but we can provide information and advice to property owners and tenants. While local housing ordinances may not specifically address moisture or mold problems, the ordinances do state the landlord is responsible for keeping the home fit to live in and making necessary structural repairs to comply with housing codes. If you feel the property owner is not responding to your concerns about mold, you should contact your local housing or building authority, since some mold problems may be the result of building code violations.

How can I prevent mold and other moisture problems?
Preventing moisture problems is the most important way to control mold in your home. There are several simple ways to prevent moisture from becoming a problem:

  • Fix plumbing, flashing and roof leaks promptly.
  • Cover dirt in crawlspaces with plastic sheeting and ventilate the crawlspace.
  • Install exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Always use exhaust fans when cooking and showering.
  • Avoid using humidifiers since they add moisture and cause mold to grow. If you must use a humidifier, change the water daily and clean the tank weekly.
  • Use air conditioners or dehumidifiers to control moisture in humid weather. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers should be regularly cleaned and maintained.
  • Improve air circulation by opening windows when weather permits, using fans and keeping doors between rooms open.
  • Prevent water from entering basements and crawlspaces by repairing holes and cracks in walls; use landscaping to direct water away from the foundation.
  • Clean and maintain gutters, and make sure drain pipes carry water several feet from your home.

Where can I get more information?
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Environmental Health
525 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62761
217-782-5830
TTY (hearing impaired use only) 800-547-0466

(Rev. 1/06)