Mold Inspection and Testing Professionals Since 1991 - Olympian Home Services

Q 1. I've heard about toxic black molds that grow in homes and other buildings. Should I be concerned about a serious health risk to me and my family?

A. The potential hazards commonly presented by molds that may contain mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your home. There is always some mold everywhere - in the ambient air and on most surfaces. There are low numbers of case reports that toxic molds (those containing certain mycotoxins) inside homes can cause unique or uncommon, health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage and memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a link between the presence of the toxic black mold and these conditions has not been completely proven. A common-sense approach should obviously be used for any mold problems existing within buildings and homes. The common health concerns from  molds include hay-fever like allergy symptoms. Certain individuals with severe respiratory illness (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, asthma) may often experience difficulty breathing. Persons with immune suppression can be at an increased risk for infection from molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a qualified medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.  For the most part, one should take routine measures to prevent mold growth in the home.

Q 2. How common is mold, including Stachybotrys chartarum (also known by its synonym Stachybotrys atra) in buildings?

A. Molds are very common in both homes and buildings alike and will easily grow anywhere indoors where there is moisture and or elevated humidity. The most commonly found indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. We do not have accurate information about how often Stachybotrys chartarum is found in buildings and homes. While it is less common than other mold species it is not rare.

Q 3. How do molds get in the indoor environment and how do they grow?

A. Molds naturally thrive in our indoor environment. Mold spores may also enter your home through open doors, windows and HVAC systems. Spores in the exterior air can easily attach themselves to people and pets, making clothing, shoes, handbags, and pets convenient vehicles for carrying mold indoors. When mold spores drop on locations where there is excessive moisture, such as where leaks may have occurred in roofing, pipes, walls, or where there has been flooding, they will certainly grow.  Many building materials provide adequate nutrients that can encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wooden products, are very conducive for the growth of many mold species. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.

Q 4. What is Stachybotrys chartarum (stachybotrys atra)?

A. Stachybotrys chartarum (also well known by its synonym Stachybotrys atra) is visually, a green-black mold. It can grow on materials with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, including fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust, and even lint.  Growth occurs when there is adequate moisture from water damage, elevated humidity, condensation, water infiltration, leaks or flooding. Constant moisture is necessary for its growth. It is not always necessary, to determine what type of mold you may have. All molds should be treated as toxigenic if they will not be tested prior to removal; use caution and hire a professional when in doubt.

Q 5. Are there any circumstances where people should vacate a home or other building because of mold?

A. These choices have to be made individually. If you believe you are ill because of exposure to mold in a building, you should consult your physician to determine the appropriate action to be taken.

Q 6. Who are the people who are most at risk for health problems associated with exposure to mold?

A. People with allergies are usually much more sensitive to molds. People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections.

Q 7. How do you know if you have a mold problem?

A. Large mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled.

Q 8. Does Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) cause acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants?

A. To date, an association between acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants and Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) hasn't been proven. Further studies are needed to determine what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage.

Q 9. What if my child has acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage?

A. Parents should ensure that their children get proper medical treatment.

Q 10. What are the potential health effects of mold in buildings & homes?

A. Mold exposure does not always present a health problem indoors. However many individuals are sensitive to molds. These people may experience symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, or wheezing when exposed to molds. Some people may have more severe and negative reactions to molds than others. Severe reactions can occur among workers exposed to large quantities of molds in their occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions include a fever and shortness of breath. People with chronic illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

Q 11. How do you get the molds out of buildings, including homes, schools, and places of employment?

A. In most cases mold can be removed and eliminated by a thorough cleaning with a bleach and water solution. If you have an extensive amount of mold and you do not think you can manage the cleanup on your own, you may want to contact a professional who has experience in cleaning mold in buildings and homes.

Q 12. What should people to do if they determine they have Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) in their buildings or homes?

A. Mold growing in homes and buildings, whether it is Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) or other molds, are a clear indication that there is a problem with either water or some sort of moisture. This is the primary issue that needs to be properly addressed in all cases. Mold can sometimes be cleaned off of non-porous surfaces with a weak bleach solution. Mold beneath carpets typically requires that the carpets be removed as part of the remediation process. Once mold grows on insulation and wallboard, the only way to rectify the problem is by removal and replacement of the affected materials. We do not believe that anyone needs to take different precautions with Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra), than with other molds (we at Olympian beg to differ). In locations where flooding has occurred, immediate cleaning of walls and other water-damaged items with water mixed with chlorine bleach, diluted 10 parts water to 1 part bleach, is necessary to inhibit and prevent extensive mold growth. Never combine bleach and ammonia. Moldy items should be discarded.

Q 13. How do you keep mold out of buildings and homes?

A. As part of routine maintenance, buildings should be inspected for evidence of any water damage and or visible mold. The conditions causing mold (such as water leaks, condensation, infiltration, or flooding) should be corrected to prevent mold from growing.

Specific Recommendations:

Keep the humidity level in your house below 49%.
Always use an air conditioner and or a dehumidifier during the humid months.
Be sure home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust
fans in kitchen and bathrooms (make sure the vent directly to the exterior.)
Use mold growth inhibitors that can be added to paints.
Always clean bathroom with formulated anti-mold products.
Never carpet your bathroom.
Remove and replace flooded carpets.

Summary:

Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) and other molds may cause health symptoms that are nonspecific. Currently there is no specific test that proves without doubt, an association between Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) and any particular health symptoms. Persons with persistent suspicious symptoms should see their physician to seek medical advice. However, if Stachybotrys chartarum (stachybotrys atra) or other molds are found in a building, prudent practice recommends that they be carefully and often, professionally removed. Use the simplest and most expedient method that properly and safely removes mold.

Ten Things You Should Know About Mold

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other
    respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor
    environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
   a. venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture generating sources to the outside;
   b. using air conditioners and de-humidifiers;
   c. increasing ventilation;
   d. and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Wash mold off of hard non-porous surfaces with water and detergent, then dry completely. Absorbent materials such
    as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced. 
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls,
    roof, or floors) by adding insulation. 
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by
    classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
10.Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance,
    providing moisture is present. There are many molds that are able to grow on wood surfaces, paper, carpeting, and
    food.

Exposure To Black Mold (pdf)

Mold testing is on the minds of many homeowners lately, and every time you turn around, mold is in the news and people are affected. There are many different types of mold, and many are harmless and pose no threat to your health. There are some types of mold that can be irritating or even toxic, and these molds can cause anything from light allergy symptoms resembling hay fever to a serious and even life threatening illness. Toxic black mold has been reported widely in the news. Many times when black mold is seen, people worry about the toxicity level which can cause serious medical symptoms. This may not be the case. Toxic molds can be found in many different colors, but the most serious is Stachybotrys mold, which is black in color. The problem with toxic mold is that when the mold dries, spores are released into the air that can be inhaled into your lungs. This can lead to serious illness. Mold testing is an efficient way to determine if there are any mold colonies growing in your home, as well as what types and levels of mold are present.

If you are going to buy a home, you should have mold testing conducted to ensure the presence of good air quality in your new home. Mold testing can be done several different ways, including a home mold testing kit and a home mold inspection, where samples of the mold are taken by a certified professional and then analyzed by an accredited laboratory. The way you test for mold will be determined by several factors, including your budget, the area you live in, and your preferences. Mold testing will help you determine whether or not there is a mold problem, how bad it is, and what mold types are involved. It is not always possible to detect mold by looking at the walls, because it can hide inside the walls and ventilation ducts, spreading spores in the air and threatening the health of you and your family.There are times that you can see mold on the walls and ceilings as well, and if you see mold it should be tested and cleaned accordingly.  Mold growth is caused by excess moisture, and these fungi really thrive in warm, damp, and dark places, like basements and bathrooms. Sometimes a small leak in the roof or exterior of the home can allow water and moisture into the interior structure, and cause mold colonies to grow. This is another reason why mold testing should be done. A mold inspection can also help you locate water problems and damage before it worsens.

Mold testing may just be the first step in finding and repairing a mold problem. If mold testing shows that you do have harmful mold in your home, it should be taken care of immediately. The methods you can use will depend on how bad the problem is. If there are just a few small spots on a hard surface, use soap and water or bleach water to wipe down the areas and eliminate the mold. If porous or softer items are spotted with mold, you may need to throw them away and replace them. If your home has a significant mold problem, you must hire an inspector and may also need to have remediation done.

Mold testing can alert you to the problem, and remediation can solve the issues and keep the air in your home toxic spore free. Even small areas of mold should be cleaned up in a safe and efficient manner. Always use a N95 respirator mask, gloves, and goggles to prevent any spores from being inhaled or getting in your orifices and on your skin. Any clothes, rags, sponges, and other cleaning materials should be thrown away to prevent any spores from becoming airborne when dry. If the mold problem is severe, covers a large area, or there are a lot of spores in the area, more safety equipment may be needed to thoroughly protect you from the mold. Recommendations by the EPA are that you wear a full face powered air purifying respirator, or PAPR for short. These masks should have HEPA filters equipped, and you should also wear disposable shoe covers, gloves, and coveralls to prevent and reduce exposure.

Mold testing should be conducted to give you peace of mind, as well as prevent any health issues caused by airborne mycotoxins. A professional mold inspection will be needed, especially if the mold is extensive and more than you can handle. Olympian offers quality home mold testing kits and professional in-home mold inspections throughout the New York and New Jersey areas, to help you determine whether or not you are dealing with a serious toxic mold problem, and how to safely get rid of it.

Mold testing in New York:  It might not sound like the most glamorous job in the world, but few issues will affect as many homeowners' personal safety as this one will.  You can bet that more people have dangerous mold in their homes than will ever be in a house fire. 

Just what are we talking about when we refer to household mold?  Molds are of course microscopic living organisms, specifically fungi, that grow in larger groups called filaments.  When you "see" mold, you are not seeing any individual fungus, but an entire filament.  Molds are found naturally in the environment.  Outside, molds are an important part of Mother Nature's work, as they break apart dead organic material (for instance, dead trees and leaves).  However when they make it inside your house, they become dangerous to living organisms--specifically you and your family.  Molds reproduce and multiply through tiny spores, which are invisible to the human eye, but float at will throughout both the indoor and outdoor air.  It's usually when these spores land on surfaces inside the house that they start growing indoors.  An important point to remember is that there is no mold which will grow without moisture / water nearby.

When mold spores land on damp or wet spots and start growing, then their threat to your health increases.  Big Apple residents beware, when this happens, the need for mold testing in New York is very real!

Molds can produce substances which spur allergic reactions, they can produce irritants, and sometimes, even toxic substances.  If a family member touches or inhales the mold spores, this could cause allergic reactions if a person is sensitive to such allergens.  These responses might include runny nose, sneezing, skin rash or red eyes.

Of special concern is the fact that molds often bring about asthma attacks in those with asthma, especially those allergic to fungi.  Exposure to mold also often irritates people's skin, eyes, throat, nose and lungs.  This can happen in both those who are and aren’t allergic to mold.

Remember when we said that mold cannot grow without moisture?  This is what makes mold testing in New York so tricky.  When you're in a more naturally-humid environment, for instance, in Louisiana or Florida, the places where mold can be found are more obvious.  But in the Big Apple, it tends to hide in not-so-plain sight.  This is why trained professionals are so important in this area.

Olympian’s New York inspectors are very careful about looking for mold in the home.  Whether the inspection takes place in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, Yonkers or somewhere else, finding the mold--and especially the harmful black mold--is not only difficult, but can be downright dangerous.  Mold testing in New York has become an important health concern throughout the state, and is important within the re-sale home market throughout New York.

Inspectors have become quite effective at finding molds in the basement, around leaks.  However, it's somewhat tricky since sometimes, basement mold has been found even where there is no leak.  Many of these fungi have become adept at hiding within the walls or beneath the basement carpet.  For this reason, New York inspectors are training regularly to learn more about these health hazards.

We cannot overstate the importance of finding a trained inspector to detect mold in your home. The health risks are quite real.  In fact, there are documented cases of mold falling on a person's face and making them sick for weeks, with lung infections.

Your best bet:  Do not disturb the mold yourself unless you're a trained inspector.  Even then, the inspector should wear a respirator if the area is seriously moldy.  Repeated exposure to the stuff can cause your symptoms to become even more serious.

Mold inspections, which are needed to determine the type of mold and extent of the contamination in your home, are becoming a common practice today as the public becomes more aware of what could be making them sick.  Mold inspections are sometimes requested when the fungal contamination indoors exceeds an individual’s ability to perform adequate clean-up, or when the occupant is suffering from suspected mold associated health problems, and are performed by air and swab sampling along with a visual inspection looking for water issues. They are becoming increasingly popular when people purchase homes, joining structural and wood-boring insect inspections as contract contingencies, and are now performed on a regular basis for activities such as real estate transactions.  Especially if you are buying or selling a home, mold inspections are the key to protecting you and your wallet. What mold inspections are about, is finding the source of the problem.  Mold inspection and testing services should always be considered when individuals, or businesses, suspect health risk, or hazard, to occupants in an indoor environment.

Mold is a name given to any growing fungus.  Mold needs food, the substrate in which mold grows on; the proper temperature, mold tends to grow best in the temperature that we live in; and moisture, this is the only ingredient that we can control. Mold can look white, gray, black, brown, yellow or greenish.  Mold colonies may appear cottony, velvety, granular, leathery and glassy. Mold can be visible, or sometimes hidden.  Mold is a structural, health and environmental problem.  Mold spores can cause serious health problems even if the spores are dead or dormant or inactive while waiting for more moisture to resume growth.  Mold growth is often the result of a structural or construction defect, or of maintenance neglect, that allows moisture to enter the building.  Mold grows by eating and destroying organic building materials and other cellulose-based materials such as carpeting, upholstery, and clothing.  Molds will often grow in damp or wet areas indoors.  Mold has the potential to cause health problems and even make a home uninhabitable.

Mold can be found in several places in the home environment.  Mold begins to grow indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet or damp.  Mold will not grow without water or moisture.  Mold will always be found floating in the air and in house dust.  Mold has the potential to damage property and create adverse health effects.  Mold spores are microscopic, and are not observable with the naked eye.  Mold infestations often result when building materials such as drywall, wood framing and cabinetry, become wet, for 24 or more hours.  Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. Mold growth can damage your furnishings, such as carpets, sofas and cabinets.  Mold, the most dangerous offender of all, often goes undetected because of its invisibility.  Molds can be found on plants, dry leaves, and on just about every other organic material.

When mold is found thriving in indoor environments the health risk or hazard to susceptible individuals can increase significantly. Health risk is greatest in the elderly, immuno-compromised, and children.   Mold inspections and mold testing services should always be considered when individuals, or businesses, suspect health risk, or hazard, to occupants in an indoor environment, because the negative health effects of mold are usually caused by the spores and other allergens released by the mold into the air.  Inhaling, or coming in contact with these spores or toxins is what causes negative health effects. Health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.

Mold Inspections are needed to determine the extent and type of mold in your home, and are suggested in areas that get moderate to plus rainfall.  Mold inspections are performed by air and swab sampling along with a visual inspection looking for water issues, and are often requested when the fungal contamination indoors exceeds an individual’s ability to perform adequate clean up, or when the occupant is suffering from suspected mold associated health problems. They are becoming a common practice today as the public becomes more aware of what could be making them sick.  Builders should have a protocol in place so that mold inspections are done during the construction process and addressed with the appropriate techniques and products. Especially if you are buying or selling a home, mold inspections are an essential tool in helping to protect you and your wallet.
Mold inspections are a win, win, for everyone involved in the transaction.

When faced with the discovery of mold in your home and the disgusting task of having to remove it and clean it up, it is sometimes overwhelming because you often get conflicting information about what actions you should take. Unfortunately like everything else, there are many scam artists out there who will tell you anything to get your money and have no compassion for your predicament. They only think of it in terms of how much money they can make on the deal.

Everyone will tell you that the first thing you should do is have the mold tested and then have the mold removed or remediated by a professionally trained worker. While this is all true there are many other factors that you should look at prior to listening to first person who answered your call for help. Many companies that want to test your home for mold use their own employees for testing, which can be a conflict of interest – especially since most companies are in business to make money.  So they have an incentive to provide results that may prove you have a serious mold problem that needs some major remediation – and guess who can do that for you? The same company!

Like everything else, finding a reputable company to do the work for you is essential because the most important thing that you need is to have your mold problem go away. But if the testing results were flawed then it is difficult to know the extent of your problem unless you have an independent mold inspector do the testing and air sampling, and another company to do the actual removal of the mold once you are confident that you know exactly what you are dealing with.

Let’s face it – mold inspection has become more and more popular as we become more aware of the problems that exist with mold in terms of health and safety. It has become a huge business that thrives on the fact that most people don’t want to deal with mold so they can charge exorbitant prices that people will pay because they just want to get rid of the problem. So for any part of the process – the inspection, the testing and the remediation – if you use the same contractor for any two or all three parts of the process you face the possibility of compromise as the contractor obviously would like to do the whole job because he will make more money.

One way to avoid this is to hire a mold inspector that has been certified to do inspections only and does not do any other parts of the process. He is therefore motivated to just do a good job for you so that he gets paid. Unfortunately there are some who do the mold testing that provide you with results that show that your home has serious mold infestation – the problem is that the report is not about your home, it is another one or one that is just made up to reflect what the tester wanted to show. Again, if this person is not the one who is going to do the remediation, he will be more inclined to show the correct testing results because he has no reason to care whether the results are good or bad – all he will be paid for is the testing.

Another scam that is often done to homeowners to supposedly get rid of mold is to tent a home like you would for ridding it of termites (in the south), only this contractor intentionally injects huge volumes of ozone gas into the structure. The intent is to rid your home of the mold which it will do if the ozone comes in contact with it, but it will not get to the hidden mold that lies behind walls, carpeting or furniture. Not only is it ineffective at ridding your home of mold, but it will damage anything that has plastic or rubber components – such as your appliances, any electronics, electrical lines or extension cords and your heating or air conditioning controls. To top it all off it is not safe for humans according to the Environmental Protection Agency!

It is amazing that scam artists will prey on the misery of homeowners who just want to eradicate the mold and make sure it doesn’t come back, but the only solution is to seek a professional that is reputable and if possible is recommended by someone that you trust. There are currently no federal licensing requirements for the mold testing and remediation industries and most states do not have requirements either. You can also seek assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA to find out the best approach to remedying your problem.

Any contractors that you hire for inspection, testing or remediation should provide you with references that you should check thoroughly and there are certifications for the inspections so you can get that individual to give you recommendations for doing the testing and the remediation.  Your best bet is to avoid any of the ones that say they are a one-stop shop to do the whole process for you with many offering the inspection for free or the money spent to go toward the remediation because they know they will nail you on the laboratory results and the need for major remediation – and unfortunately you will not know if it is justified or not.  Once the remediation is completed, have a third party inspection give you an all clear that the mold problem has been resolved effectively based on an unbiased inspection and laboratory results. These tips should help you avoid the Mold Scam.