Good molds play a key role in the production of fine wines, cheeses and antibiotics. However, when mold contamination is experienced in a home you will not be experiencing these types of cultivated molds.
Most indoor common molds found are, at minimum, allergenic, and several are toxic to some individuals when there are spore counts in sufficient quantity that may affect certain types of people. Virtually every air and most swab samples taken are found to have allergenic and/or toxic molds present.
When mold contamination is experienced, such as under a leaking kitchen sink or in a poorly ventilated bath room, the production of allergens or toxins may be occurring. In short, there are no "good" mold conditions.
Two additional important points here are:
1) There are no established threshold limits for mold exposure by any scientific body or governmental agency.
2) Not every person reacts to mold in the same way.
If you experience a mold contamination in your home or during a home purchase the best thing to do is to have a professional mold inspector do an inspection. To get an honest opinion I firmly believe that you should hire an inspector who does not do any repairs or remediation to mold problems and therefore has no reason to hype up a small situation into a bigger situation.
For more information go to http://www.moldcheckpros.com or call (818) 951-9120
Blue Cheese has been my favorite mold .. but to sit and breath it in all day might get me a little dizzy
Here in Hawaii many people have the mold problem. I don't think any mold is good. It can be one of the most expensive cleanups to endure.
I agree with getting an independent assessment from someone who does not sell repairs or service.
John.. You are right. One should get an inspector that knows about mold.. then have a specialist come in a treat it.
Horrible stuff.
But, isn't it true that all crawlspace homes have some mold, after all, the dark, damp space under your home is ideal for mold to grow??? All mold is not toxic, right??
THE OTHER FACTOR YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER BESIDES THE POTENTIAL HEALTH REASONS IS THERE IS ALWAYS AN UNDERLIEING CAUSE TO THE MOLD THAT LEADS TO BIGGER PROBLEMS. I REMEMBER WATHCING ON THE NEWS ABOUT THE CREWS IN NEW ORLEANS WHO TORE OUT ALL THE WALLS IN MANY HOMES DUE TO THE MOLD DAMAGE. I WOULDNT WANT TO LIVE IN A CHEESE HOUSE WITH MOLD GROWING EVERYWHERE, AND MOST LIKELY NIETHER WOULD YOUR CLIENTS.
Thanks for the great question Linda,
Mold is everywhere. It is in the air we breathe every day. Not all molds are toxic. Some are allergenic and are not as harmful. Additionally not every person exposed to mold will have the same reaction to it. People with generally healthy immune systems do not react the same way as the elderly, the infant or someone with health problems such as asthma, etc.
As a mold inspector I am not looking for just mold. I am looking for a moisture intrusion situation and/or a mold contamination problem. Just the presence of mold is not the issue. I could take a sample in the most pristine, clean home and there would be a certain level of mold in there but if I compared that sample to a sample that I took outdoors in front of the structure and found that there was a significantly larger number of spores inside the home compred to outside of the home, that would be a red flag.
I hope that this has answered your question and I welcome any other questions that you have.
Mold - such a funny word after you say it or read if a few times! I like your suggestion about hiring an independent inspector that does not also offer remediation.
Good Information. I was in a home recently that the whole lower level was contaminated. Now that was bad mold and the inspector said we shouldn't be down there. You never know what was flying thru the air.