In my local paper, Smelly and slimy, yes, but hazardous to our health? Not usual

[Guest guest]

This article was okay describing mold and humidity but when they talk

about how it is rare for you to get very sick is wrong. Also the

part about if your immune system is already weak you can get ill. I

was perfectly healthy before mold. Her source is the CDC. What about

the judgement in California where the writers were being paid as

defense witnesses. Was the CDC involved with those journals. It is

hard to read in my state that after all these years of work and

writing that they still write that mold is not too much of a hazard.

Please write to the author and explain there are many of us.

Smelly and slimy, yes, but hazardous to our health? Not usually

By IN-SUNG YOO, The News Journal

Posted Tuesday, August 15, 2006

A team of SERVPRO mold-remediation specialists removes mold-infested

material from a home being renovated in Henlopen Acres. (Buy photo)

The News Journal/SCOTT NATHAN

When there is mold on sheetrock or drywall, the only good solution

is to remove the affected material. Mold on the home's studs was

sanded away.

(Buy photo)

The News Journal/SCOTT NATHAN

Freshly cut grass, flowers, the smoke from a charcoal grill -- some

summer smells just bring a smile to the face.

Others -- like the musty, sweat-sock stench of mold -- aren't quite

so pleasant.

" The molds thrive in hot, humid weather and that's what we have, "

said Dr. J. McGeady, chief of the division of

allergy/asthma/immunology at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

in Rockland. " The molds [have been] doing very well. "

The potential adverse health effects of mold get a lot of attention,

but talking about this " threat " requires some context.

Like germs, molds have gotten a bad rap, said Dr. ,

chief of clinical allergy and immunology services at Penn

Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia. Slimy and unsightly as

they may be, the truth is that most molds serve positive functions in

nature and don't cause serious health risks.

That said, there are some legitimate health issues. People who are

sensitive to mold can exhibit symptoms -- including nasal congestion

and discharge, secondary sinus infection, inflammation of the ear,

coughing and wheezing -- if they're exposed to mold through

inhalation of airborne spores.

Exposure also can trigger asthma attacks, and skin-to-mold contact

can cause a rash, though it's uncommon. People whose immune systems

are weakened due to disease or drug treatment are at increased risk

of having mold grow inside the body and causing illness.

And stachybotrys chartarum -- the " black mold " that has gained

notoriety for its purported role in " sick building syndrome " -- is

capable of producing more than 200 forms of mycotoxins and can be

particularly nasty if it's ever ingested.

But while some effects of mold exposure can be severe and massive

amounts of mold can be toxic, few people are at risk of even mild

reactions to mold, said. He estimates that a quarter of

people who suffer from seasonal allergies will also react to mold --

less than 5 percent of the population, he said.

" The important thing is to strike a reasonable balance between being

justifiably concerned about possible health hazards and being

unnecessarily concerned or frightened, " said.

Mold forms when mold spores find suitable conditions for growth,

namely damp air or a cellulose-based food source. In the home,

basements and crawl spaces make for prime growth conditions, and wood

building materials and drywall are especially good food sources. When

conditions are ripe, it doesn't take long for mold to spread.

" They can form very quickly, " McGeady said. " Just think of your loaf

of bread. One day there's nothing and the next, it's completely

covered. "

Addressing mold is all about keeping a balanced humidity level in the

home. The higher the humidity, the better the environment for mold

growth. For most people, air moisture level of 30 percent to 50

percent is comfortable, said. When humidity rises above

that, mold growth starts to become a concern. A simple hygrometer can

be used to measure the humidity in a room.

A frequent source of increased moisture is leaky pipes, said Ray

Hopkins, owner of SERVPRO of Sussex County, a fire- and water-damage

restoration company. Identifying mold is the first step to

eliminating it, so it's important to be vigilant, he said. If caught

early enough, most cases of mold growth can be easily addressed or

even avoided.

" The advice for everybody is to make sure that any water intrusion is

spotted and addressed early on, " he said. " It's the water that's the

key to stopping mold growth. The mold is already there, it's

everywhere, but it takes the water added to the mold spores to allow

it to grow. "

If an area that has been flooded can be dried within 48 hours,

there's a good chance the mold won't set in, said Gerald Llewellyn,

toxicologist with the Delaware Division of Public Health. If mold has

begun to set in, a bleach solution can be used on nonporous surfaces

like tile, but affected drywall needs to be removed entirely.

" One must remember that there's paper on both sides of drywall, "

Llewellyn said. " If it's on the front, there's a good chance it's on

the back. "

A fairly handy person should be able to address small areas of mold

growth by cleaning visible mold off the surface and cutting out

drywall that has been affected. If the affected area exceeds 10

square feet, however, a general contractor may be needed.

Extreme cases may require a mold remediation specialist, but

Llewellyn recommends doing a good deal of research into a company

before paying thousands of dollars to have work done.

" There is licensing, but it's not very consistent, " he said. " It's

buyer beware. "

Contact In-Sung Yoo at 324-2909 or iyoo@....

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information on household mold, log onto www.epa.gov/mold and

click on " A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home. "

MOLD-FIGHTING TIPS

Decreasing mold exposure

Sensitive individuals should avoid areas that are likely to have

mold, such as compost piles, cut grass and wooded areas. Inside

homes, mold growth can be slowed by keeping humidity levels between

40 percent and 60 percent, and ventilating showers and cooking areas.

If there is mold growth in your home, clean up the mold and fix the

water problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with

commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more

than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.

If you choose bleach to clean up mold:

• Never mix bleach with ammonia. Mixing bleach and ammonia will

produce dangerous, toxic chlorine fumes.

• Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.

• Wear nonporous gloves and protective eye wear.

• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using bleach or

any other cleaning product.

• If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's guide titled " Mold Remediation

in Schools and Commercial Buildings. " Although focused on schools and

commercial buildings, it also applies to other building types. You

can get it free by calling (800) 438-4318, or from the EPA's Indoor

Air & Mold site at the link above.

Specific recommendations regarding mold

• Keep the humidity level in the house between 40 percent and 60

percent.

• Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier during humid months.

• Be sure your home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans.

• Add mold inhibitors to paints before application.

• Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.

• Don't carpet bathrooms and basements.

• Remove or replace previously soaked carpets and upholstery.

Areas with high mold exposures

• Antique shops

• Greenhouses

• Saunas

• Farms

• Mills

• Construction areas

• Flower shops

• Summer cottages

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention