Mold putting a black mark on many Texas homes

By JULIET BRISKIN | Central Texas Edition

Extension plant specialist, Chip Lee from Stephenville, outlined some 'common-sense' do's and don'ts in home construction. --Staff Photo by Juliet Briskin

March 14, 2002 -- Black mold has become a hot topic for homeowners across Texas and parts of the United States. On March 5 the Texas Cooperative Extension Service and the Heart of Texas Builders Association hosted a black mold seminar in Waco.

The seminar served to educate builders and homeowners on the prevention of mold growth, what causes the growth and how to remove the mold if it is found.

Janie Harris, Extension specialist for housing and the environment, spoke about how mold serves as an indoor pollutant and its effects on human health. "Mold is everywhere," she explained. "It is a fungi and there are over 1000 types that have been identified in Texas. It must have moisture to live and flourish, yet we have molds surviving in very dry climates."

Harris explained that mold growth does not necessarily relate to the humidity in a given region, but is the result of some type of indoor moisture problem. "Molds may exist in dry climates, but it will not grow if you do not have the moisture," she said.

In addition to moisture, Harris explained, "mold must have a nutrient source such as wood products, a cellulose, pet dander, human skin or the backing on carpet. Often times there are many different kinds of molds present, not just one type."

Additional conditions that lead to mold growth include reduced lighting, lack of air circulation and warm temperatures.

According to Harris the ideal relative indoor humidity should fall between 40 and 60 percent. "The reason for this is that indoor pollutants and molds do not multiply or survive well within this range," she said. "Mold in particular starts to grow once you get beyond 60 percent relative humidity."

Harris suggests investing in a gage that will measure the humidity and temperature inside the home. They are generally found in home improvement stores or garden centers she said.

According to Harris the presence of mold is fairly easy to detect. "Most of us know that you can smell mold," she stated. "You may be able to see the mold but some times your only indication that it is present is persistent unexplainable poor health of the occupants of the home or a clammy feeling in the air of the home."

Harris explained that reactions to mold depends upon individual age, health status, sensitivity to mold and length of exposure. "Mold spores are airborne and enter the human body through the lungs," stated Harris. "They can also be ingested and some people have reactions through contact with their skin. We have found that those most sensitive to mold include the very young, the very old and those with compromised immune systems."

Some of the health problems that can occur from mold exposure include asthma attacks, allergies, bleeding in the lungs, coughing up blood, sinus infections, burning eyes and nose bleeds. "Stachybotrys or black mold is what the media has latched on to because a few years ago in Cleveland, Ohio nine infants died after being exposed to it," she said. "After an extensive investigation, it was discovered that the stachybotrys mold was growing in the basements of each of the infants' home following a flood."

Some of the common molds found in the home include aflatoxins and ochratoxins which are airborne, but as Harris explained, "the important thing is not what kind of mold you have in your home, but that you have mold and what are you going to do about it?"

Once mold is discovered she explained, homeowners can face an expensive and lengthy clean-up. Ideally the mold will be caught early on she said. "First you must locate the moisture source and correct the problem," said Harris. "Then remove the mold by cleaning and disposal. You need to clean, disinfect and dry the surface where the mold was present."

According to Harris there are some household items that cannot be saved. "You need to get rid of carpets if they have been molded," she said. "Most fabric household furnishings will need to be replaced. It is also important to establish containment around the work area to minimize the spread of spores."

Harris suggest hiring a professional to help locate and remove the mold if the homeowner cannot locate its source or if the area affected is larger than 30 square feet.

When cleaning and removing the mold she recommends wearing a mask, goggles, rubber gloves and preferably disposable clothing. "The type of mask that you wear when cutting grass won't cut it," she said. "It must be something that will filter out very fine particles."

Following Harris' presentation, Dr. Chip Lee, plant pathologist, professor and specialist with the Extension service, spoke about mold and prevention from a builder's aspect. Lee also runs a construction company and has rebuilt homes infected with black mold. "If we just use our heads and a little common sense," said Lee, "we won't have a mold problem. This is not rocket science."

He pointed out that the most important thing to remember is that for a mold problem to occur in a house there must be water. "If you keep the water out of the house, you will keep the fungus out of the house," he stated. "There are a lot of ways to keep water out of the house. One thing to consider is the lot elevation where the house is being built. Are you below curb level?"

According to Lee, weep holes should not be covered, flower beds should not be built up above the brick pocket and the slab of the house should be above street level. "The weep holes are there to allow water to drain from the house," he explained. "They are there for a reason so leave them alone."

Lee explained that houses are vulnerable to water through leaky roofs, metal roofs, old and leaky plumbing, poor lot drainage and poor chimney placement.

"We need to remember that most mold problems are not caused by roof leaks, despite what the insurance companies say," he stated. "The problem is most often generated by chronic water leaks from plumbing. Ninety percent of the mold found in a house is within 18 inches of the floor. That's not coming from the roof."

For more information about mold and mold prevention contact a local Extension agent.