Moisture and Mold - Research Paper Example

Prof. Richard J. Shaughnessy MOISTURE AND MOLD: HEALTH EFFECTS, CORRECTION AND PREVENTION HYPOTHESIS The growth of molds is mainly supported bythe presence of water or moisture. Molds could have adverse effects on humans and animals hence the need for care to prevent their growth, and adopt appropriate eradication approaches when they grow. ABSTRACT Molds are part of the natural environment and actually play an important role in the breakdown of organic matter. Indoor molds however are a menace with adverse health effects especially on people allergic to their spores. If present within a building, the appropriate cleaning method such as using damp wipes, dry ice blasting, wet vacuum or High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) should be used depending on the area affected. Care should be taken to prevent their growth through measures such as keeping humidity levels at the recommended levels through adequate ventilation and most effectively, avoiding or correcting water leakages as soon as possible. INTRODUCTION Mold is quite unsightly wherever it appears, be it on the bathroom curtain as black tiny patches or on the kitchen drain. The worst bit is that it has adverse health effects on anyone who comes into contact with it. This paper explores its growth and prevalence, health effects and most importantly how to revert and prevent its growth. THE NATURE OF MOLDS Molds are a type of fungi and are basically a component of the natural environment. They can be found anywhere, both indoors and outdoors, throughout the year. Outdoor mold is found in damp, shady areas breaks down organic matter such as dead animals, fallen trees and toppled trees. On the other hand, indoor mold occurs in buildings and other enclosures. This variant brings undesirable effects when it eats away at certain materials, negatively changing the look and even the smell. The mold affects wooden building’s structural integrity by damaging and weakening walls and floors (Woodson, 2012). Growth begins when the spores land on wet surfaces like the showers, basements and other wet areas with high humidity levels. Although there are many types of mold, none grows in the absence of water or moisture. However, they all grow without sunlight, as long as there is a seed (spore), moisture, viable temperatures and a nutrient source. Water is available as either liquid or vapor in the indoor environment and often originates from different sources. Liquid water may come from plumbing leakages, from the outside environment such as melting snow, ground water or rain (Adan and Samson, 2012). Exceptional cases may be caused by disasters such as hurricanes, firefighting and floods. During initial stages of building construction, impermeable layers like foam glass, plastics and concrete slabs have been used to keep moisture and dampness out. However, the writers note that due to poor workmanship, bad construction, lack of maintenance or poor designing water penetration may still take place, providing conditions for the growth of mold . Moisture problems may also arise from landscaping, gutters directing water under or into a building, poor or delayed maintenance, humidifiers, backed-up sewers and combustion appliances like stoves or furnaces. About 1000 species are found in the US, but the most common types include Penicillium, and Aspergillus, which mostly grow indoors, while Cladosporium and Alternaria are outdoor molds, but can be found indoors if outdoor air has access to the inside (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Stachybotrys chartarum is also found in homes and buildings but unlike the rest, it is not common. All types should be treated with caution due to the health and structural risks involved. Areas with high levels of mold exposure include saunas, farms, flower shops, greenhouses, mills, antique shops, construction areas and summer cottages. HEALTH EFFECTS OF MOLD Every home has got some mold which is not dangerous unless it grows in large amounts on materials damaged by water. Molds produce allergens that cause adverse effects by causing allergic reactions which may be immediate or delayed (Woodson, 2012). They include runny and irritant nose and throat, sneezing, skin rash and red eyes. In asthmatic people allergic to mold, breathing in the spores may trigger an attack. Lungs of both allergic and non-allergic people are also affected. Other symptoms include breathing difficulties like wheezing, dizziness, headaches and sinus and nasal congestion. Systemic infections could mostly affect people with weak immunity, uncontrolled diabetes, AIDS or liver disease. Those under immune suppressive medication like those undergoing organ transplant procedures and cancer patients under chemotherapy are also at a high risk of systemic infections (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2014). Others at risk include children and infants and also those with lung diseases and infections. Some types of mold like the Stachybotrys may cause serious gastrointestinal infections. CLEANUP OF MOLD Most molds are easy to deal with even though most are not so harmless. However, it is important that one finds out the source of moisture and stops it, otherwise the menace would recur (Brown and Portman, 2013). One should dress in protective clothing like gloves and where the mold dust enters the air, masks and goggles are important. If one develops a health reaction such as headaches or nausea, a professional will have to be called in for the task, while those with fragile health, respiratory complications or weak immune systems should never attempt the cleanup. Fabrics that have mold such as linens, towels, drapes, clothing and carpets should not be cleaned but disposed off. If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, one should contact experienced professionals for the task. Proper disposal of cloths and sponges used to clean up mold should also be practiced. When using fans, care should be taken to avoid directing the spores to other rooms. Chlorine bleach should never be mixed with detergents or cleaning solutions containing ammonia as toxic vapors may be produced. Where fungicides are used, care should be taken not to use those designed for outdoor use for indoor procedures, as they could be highly toxic to humans and animals in enclosed environments. Moldy surfaces should not be painted before cleaning, as the paint will peel. A weak bleach solution constituting a gallon of water per one cup of bleach easily removes mold from surfaces. However, advanced methods may be needed where the growth is widespread. Wet vacuums may be used, which are basically vacuum cleaners for the purpose of collecting water from hard surfaces with accumulated water, carpets and floors (Woodson, 2012). Dry ice blasting may also be used on cement and wood surfaces. The process involves directing carbon dioxide through pressurized air stream on a surface. Damp wipes may also be used for nonporous surfaces involving the scrubbing or wiping with water and detergents. HEPA vacuum cleaners are used in the final stage of the process, after everything has been sterilized. They are ideal for external surfaces that contain mold. Collected dust and debris should be stored and disposed of correctly. One of the most sensitive building materials is gypsum boards. Since they are paper-faced, they provide a food source for molds to thrive in (Banta, 2007). The center holds any absorbed water, transferred to it when it is installed over wet wood frames. One should never attempt to clean; new ones should instead be installed. After the cleanup, the following checklist will assist one in finding out whether the process was successful. The source of moisture or water problem must have been identified and corrected, while any previously visible mold, moldy odors or mold-damaged materials are no longer present (Woodson, 2012). If sampling is done, there should be similarity in the type and level of mold spores and mold in and outside the building. MOLD AND MOISTURE PREVENTION EPA (2014) advices that one should act quickly in the occurrence of water spills or leaks and special attention should be directed to the walls, roof and plumbing areas. For instance after a flood, the home should be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 48 hours. Roof gutters should also be regularly maintained. During building and design, one should make sure the ground is sloping away from the foundation, to keep water from collecting or entering through the foundation. Before painting, one should add mold inhibitors to paints and mold-killing products should be used to clean bathrooms. Carpets should avoid being placed in basements and bathrooms due to the moisture content. Indoor humidity levels should not be higher than 50 percent. Therefore one will require a dehumidifier or air conditioner to maintain low humidity levels (CDC, 2014). Combustion appliances such as kerosene heaters and stoves should be vented to the outside as they produce water vapor which increases humidity. When showering, the bathroom fan should be kept running or the windows should remain open, just as should be when cooking, dishwashing or running the dishwasher. Moisture or condensation on windows should be dried immediately and the moisture source identified as this could be a sign of humidity. To reduce condensation, one should be keen to increase air movement or ventilation by opening windows or doors whenever possible and using funs. Cold water pipes and other cold surfaces should be insulated. CONCLUSION Molds are an important part of nature as they have been used to manufacture drugs and make cheese. However, they become dangerous when they grow indoors due to their adverse health effects on those who come into contact with them, whether they are allergic to them or not. Since their growth depends on the presence of water or moisture, eradicating dampness and wetness would deter growth of these fungi. Thus, leakages should be repaired as soon as they are noticed and indoor humidity should be maintained at below 50%. Wherever molds occur, cleanup should be done using water and appropriate solutions including chlorine, ammonia solutions. Professionals could also be sought for cleanup services. REFERENCES Adan, O and Samson R. 2013. Fundamentals of Mold Growth in Indoor Environments and Strategies for Healthy Living. Wageningen, Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers. Banta, J. 2007. Extreme Weather Hits Home. Protecting Your Buildings from Climate Change. Gabriola Island, CA: New Society Publishers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Molds in the Environment. http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm accessed 25 Feb 2014. Portman, J and Brown D. 2013. California Tenants’ Rights. Berkeley, CA: Nolo. United States Environmental Protection Agency. A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home. Accessed 25 Feb 2014. http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html Woodson, R. 2012. Construction Hazardous Materials Compliance Guide: Mold Detection, Abatement and Inspection Procedures. Oxford, UK: Elsevier. Read More