WHAT ARE YOU BREATHING IN?
MOLD GUIDE
It is important to understand how to control and prevent mold and moisture in your home. Below is some abbreviated and basic information gathered from the EPA.
Click the following link to read the entire U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's mold guide for homeowners. http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf
Guide to Basic Mold Information and Prevention:
Why is mold growing in my house?
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
Can mold cause health problems?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed.
Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.
How do I get rid of mold?
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust.
The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
Molds can gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth.
Click the following link to read the entire U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's mold guide for homeowners. http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf
Guide to Basic Mold Information and Prevention:
- The key to mold control is moisture control.
- If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
- It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Why is mold growing in my house?
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
Can mold cause health problems?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed.
Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.
How do I get rid of mold?
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust.
The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
Molds can gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth.
POLLUTANT SOURCES
Courtesy of the EPA (http://www.epa.gov/)
There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. These include combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution.
The relative importance of any single source depends on how much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the source is and whether it is properly maintained are significant. For example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly adjusted.
Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings, and household products like air fresheners, release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently. These include smoking, the use of unvented or malfunctioning stoves, furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in cleaning and hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in redecorating activities, and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in house-keeping. High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities.
There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. These include combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution.
The relative importance of any single source depends on how much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the source is and whether it is properly maintained are significant. For example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly adjusted.
Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings, and household products like air fresheners, release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently. These include smoking, the use of unvented or malfunctioning stoves, furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in cleaning and hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in redecorating activities, and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in house-keeping. High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities.
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH
Courtesy of the EPA (http://www.epa.gov/)
Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.
Immediate effects
Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person's exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified. Symptoms of some diseases, including asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants.
The likelihood of immediate reactions to indoor air pollutants depends on several factors. Age and preexisting medical conditions are two important influences. In other cases, whether a person reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity, which varies tremendously from person to person. Some people can become sensitized to biological pollutants after repeated exposures, and it appears that some people can become sensitized to chemical pollutants as well.
Certain immediate effects are similar to those from colds or other viral diseases, so it is often difficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air pollution. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the time and place symptoms occur. If the symptoms fade or go away when a person is away from home, for example, an effort should be made to identify indoor air sources that may be possible causes. Some effects may be made worse by an inadequate supply of outdoor air or from the heating, cooling, or humidity conditions prevalent in the home.
Long-term effects
Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.
While pollutants commonly found in indoor air are responsible for many harmful effects, there is considerable uncertainty about what concentrations or periods of exposure are necessary to produce specific health problems. People also react very differently to exposure to indoor air pollutants. Further research is needed to better understand which health effects occur after exposure to the average pollutant concentrations found in homes and which occurs from the higher concentrations that occur for short periods of time.
Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.
Immediate effects
Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person's exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified. Symptoms of some diseases, including asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants.
The likelihood of immediate reactions to indoor air pollutants depends on several factors. Age and preexisting medical conditions are two important influences. In other cases, whether a person reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity, which varies tremendously from person to person. Some people can become sensitized to biological pollutants after repeated exposures, and it appears that some people can become sensitized to chemical pollutants as well.
Certain immediate effects are similar to those from colds or other viral diseases, so it is often difficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air pollution. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the time and place symptoms occur. If the symptoms fade or go away when a person is away from home, for example, an effort should be made to identify indoor air sources that may be possible causes. Some effects may be made worse by an inadequate supply of outdoor air or from the heating, cooling, or humidity conditions prevalent in the home.
Long-term effects
Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.
While pollutants commonly found in indoor air are responsible for many harmful effects, there is considerable uncertainty about what concentrations or periods of exposure are necessary to produce specific health problems. People also react very differently to exposure to indoor air pollutants. Further research is needed to better understand which health effects occur after exposure to the average pollutant concentrations found in homes and which occurs from the higher concentrations that occur for short periods of time.
HELPFUL LINKS ABOUT AIR QUALITY
EPA's A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
This guide, published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will provide valuable information such as the causes of mold, the health hazards it poses, and how to rid your home of it permanently.
http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf
EPA's An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality
Here the EPA will report on the various sources and affects of indoor air pollutants and how to use your indoor ventilation systems to prevent these pollutants in your home.
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html
EPA's Guide to Clean Energy
At this site the EPA outlines how utilizing clean energy in your home affects not only your environmental impact, but also your wallet. In addition they provide several state and local programs that save energy and improve air quality as well as a few clean energy programs that promote clean technologies.
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/
Energy Star
This link to the Energy Star website will provide all information on Energy Star rated products that will save energy in your home or office as well as make a positive environmental impact. This page also includes links to cost-effective benefits such as tax credits for energy efficiency and the Energy Star appliance rebate program.
http://www.energystar.gov/
EPA's Consumer Guide to Radon Reduction
Here you will find helpful information about Radon, testing for Radon, what to look for in a Radon-Reduction system, how it enters your home, and how to prevent the cancer-causing gas from entering your home.
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html
U.S. Department of Energy- News Room
Here you will find recent news updates from the U.S. Department of Energy such as the benefits of using Smart Grid electrical meters, and the increased initiative from Washington D.C. to boost the research and development of Carbon Capture and Storage.
http://www.energy.gov/
FTC's Saving Starts @ Home
Here the Federal Trade Commission provides an interactive illustration of ways you can conserve energy in your home while reducing your energy bill.
http://www.ftc.gov/energysavings
ACEEE
This is the home page for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Here you will find current events, publications, and news reports in the environmental field as they relate to the economy, as well as consumer resources such as energy efficiency incentives.
http://www.aceee.org/
The Tax Incentives Assistance Program (TIAP)
Here the TIAP provides information on the various federal income tax incentives for the use of energy efficient products and technologies. This also includes the latest tax incentives updates as well as any IRS forms necessary to take advantage of the incentives.
http://energytaxincentives.org/
EPA's Guide to Protecting Your Household from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide can be deadly, but it is preventable. Follow the EPA's prevention tips and learn how to detect if Carbon Monoxide is in your home.
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html
This guide, published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will provide valuable information such as the causes of mold, the health hazards it poses, and how to rid your home of it permanently.
http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf
EPA's An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality
Here the EPA will report on the various sources and affects of indoor air pollutants and how to use your indoor ventilation systems to prevent these pollutants in your home.
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html
EPA's Guide to Clean Energy
At this site the EPA outlines how utilizing clean energy in your home affects not only your environmental impact, but also your wallet. In addition they provide several state and local programs that save energy and improve air quality as well as a few clean energy programs that promote clean technologies.
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/
Energy Star
This link to the Energy Star website will provide all information on Energy Star rated products that will save energy in your home or office as well as make a positive environmental impact. This page also includes links to cost-effective benefits such as tax credits for energy efficiency and the Energy Star appliance rebate program.
http://www.energystar.gov/
EPA's Consumer Guide to Radon Reduction
Here you will find helpful information about Radon, testing for Radon, what to look for in a Radon-Reduction system, how it enters your home, and how to prevent the cancer-causing gas from entering your home.
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html
U.S. Department of Energy- News Room
Here you will find recent news updates from the U.S. Department of Energy such as the benefits of using Smart Grid electrical meters, and the increased initiative from Washington D.C. to boost the research and development of Carbon Capture and Storage.
http://www.energy.gov/
FTC's Saving Starts @ Home
Here the Federal Trade Commission provides an interactive illustration of ways you can conserve energy in your home while reducing your energy bill.
http://www.ftc.gov/energysavings
ACEEE
This is the home page for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Here you will find current events, publications, and news reports in the environmental field as they relate to the economy, as well as consumer resources such as energy efficiency incentives.
http://www.aceee.org/
The Tax Incentives Assistance Program (TIAP)
Here the TIAP provides information on the various federal income tax incentives for the use of energy efficient products and technologies. This also includes the latest tax incentives updates as well as any IRS forms necessary to take advantage of the incentives.
http://energytaxincentives.org/
EPA's Guide to Protecting Your Household from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide can be deadly, but it is preventable. Follow the EPA's prevention tips and learn how to detect if Carbon Monoxide is in your home.
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html