Rief Guide Mold, Moisture, - US EPA

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United StatesEnvironmental ProtectionAgencyA Brief Guide toMold,Moisture,andYour HomeIndoor Air Quality (IAQ)

EPA 402-K-02-003(Reprinted 09/2012)This Guide providesinformation and guidancefor homeowners andrenters on how to cleanup residential moldproblems and how toprevent mold growth.U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Air and RadiationIndoor Environments Division1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W.Mailcode: 6609JWashington, DC 20460www.epa.gov/iaq

A Brief Guide to Mold,Moisture, and Your HomeContentsPageMold BasicsWhy is mold growing in my home?Can mold cause health problems?How do I get rid of mold?223Mold CleanupWho should do the cleanup?4Mold Cleanup Guidelines6What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas8How Do I Know When the Remediationor Cleanup is Finished?9Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control TipsActions that will help to reduce humidityActions that will help prevent condensationTesting or sampling for mold10111213Hidden Mold14Cleanup and Biocides15Additional Resources161

MoldBasics The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean upthe mold promptly and fix the water problem. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and itemswithin 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.Why is mold growing in my home? Molds are part of theMold growing outdoors onfirewood. Molds come in manycolors; both white and blackmolds are shown here.natural environment. Outdoors, molds play apart in nature by breaking down dead organicmatter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, butindoors, mold growth should be avoided. Moldsreproduce by means of tiny spores; the sporesare invisible to the naked eye and float throughoutdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growingindoors when mold spores land on surfaces thatare wet. There are many types of mold, and noneof them will grow without water or moisture.Can mold cause health problems? Molds are usually nota problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet ordamp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potentialto cause health problems. Molds produce allergens(substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, andin some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins).Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may causeallergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responsesinclude hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runnynose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactionsto mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed.Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthmawho are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure canirritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold2

allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms otherthan the allergic and irritant types are not commonlyreported as a result of inhaling mold.Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. Thisbrochure provides a brief overview; it does not describeall potential health effects related to mold exposure.For more detailed information consult a healthprofessional. You may also wish to consult your state orlocal health department.How do I get rid of mold? It is impossible to get rid of allmold and mold spores indoors; some mold sporeswill be found floating through the air and in housedust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture isnot present. Indoor mold growth can and shouldbe prevented or controlled by controlling moistureindoors. If there is mold growth in your home, youmust clean up the mold and fix the water problem. Ifyou clean up the mold, but don’t fix the water problem,then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.Molds can graduallydestroy the thingsthey grow on. Youcan prevent damageto your homeand furnishings,save money, andavoid potentialhealth problems bycontrolling moistureand eliminating moldgrowth.Magnified mold spores.3

MoldCLEANUPIf you already have amold problem –ACT QUICKLY.Mold damages what itgrows on. The longerit grows, the moredamage it can cause.Leaky window – mold is beginning torot the wooden frame and windowsill.Who should do the cleanup? Who should do the cleanupdepends on a number of factors. One consideration isthe size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is lessthan about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself,following the guidelines below. However: If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or moldgrowth covers more than 10 square feet, consult theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide:Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.Although focused on schools and commercial4

buildings, this document is applicable to otherbuilding types. It is available on the Internet at: www.epa.gov/mold. If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professionalservice provider) to do the cleanup, make sure thecontractor has experience cleaning up mold. Checkreferences and ask the contractor to follow therecommendations in EPA’s Mold Remediation inSchools and Commercial Buildings, the guidelines ofthe American Conference of Governmental IndustrialHygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines fromprofessional or government organizations. If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/airconditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminatedwith mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem,for instance, or there is mold near the intake to thesystem), consult EPA’s guide Should You Have the AirDucts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking furtheraction. Do not run the HVAC system if you know orsuspect that it is contaminated with mold - it couldspread mold throughout the building. Visit www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs to download a copy of the EPA guide. If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewageor other contaminated water, then call ina professional who has experience cleaning and fixingbuildings damaged by contaminated water. If you have health concerns, consult a healthprofessional before starting cleanup.5

MoldCleanup GuidelinesBathroom TipPlaces thatare often oralways damp can be hard to maintain completelyfree of mold. If there’s some mold in the shower orelsewhere in the bathroom that seems to reappear,increasing the ventilation (running a fan or openinga window) and cleaning more frequently will usuallyprevent mold from recurring, or at least keep themold to a minimum.Tips and techniques The tips and techniques presented inthis section will help you clean up your mold problem.Professional cleaners or remediators may usemethods not covered in this publication. Please notethat mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage.It may not be possible to clean an item so that itsoriginal appearance is restored. Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems assoon as possible. Dry all items completely. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water,and dry completely.Moldgrowingon theundersideof a plasticlawnchairin an areawhererainwaterdrips throughand depositsorganicmaterial.6

Mold growingon a piece ofceiling tile. Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tilesand carpet, may have to be thrown away if theybecome moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the emptyspaces and crevices of porous materials, so the moldmay be difficult or impossible to remove completely. Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold (seediscussions: What to Wear When Cleaning MoldyAreas and Hidden Mold.) Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up themold and dry the surfaces before painting. Paintapplied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel. If you are unsure about how to clean an item, orif the item is expensive or of sentimental value,you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists infurniture repair, restoration, painting, art restorationand conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, waterdamage, and fire or water restoration are commonlylisted in phone books. Be sure to ask for and checkreferences. Look for specialists who are affiliated withprofessional organizations.7

What to wear whenCLEANINGmoldy areasIt is importantto takeprecautions tolimityourexposureMold growing on a suitcase stored in ahumid basement.to mold andmold spores. A void breathing in mold or mold spores. In orderto limit your exposure to airborne mold, you maywant to wear an N-95 respirator, available at manyhardware stores and from companies that advertise onthe Internet. (They cost about 12 to 25.) Some N-95respirators resemble a paper dust mask witha nozzle on the front, others are made primarilyof plastic or rubber and have removable cartridges thattrap most of the mold spores from entering.In order to be effective, the respirator or maskmust fit properly, so carefully follow the instructionssupplied with the respirator. Please note that theOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)requires that respirators fit properly (fit testing) whenused in an occupational setting; consult OSHA formore information (800-321-OSHA or osha.gov/).8

Wear gloves. Long gloves that extend to the middle ofthe forearm are recommended. When working with waterand a mild detergent, ordinary household rubber glovesmay be used. If you are using a disinfectant, a biocidesuch as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning solution, youshould select gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene,nitrile, polyurethane, or PVC (see Cleanupand Biocides). Avoidtouching mold or moldyitems with your barehands. Wear goggles. Goggles thatdo not have ventilationholes are recommended.Avoid getting mold ormold spores in your eyes.Cleaning while wearing N-95respirator, gloves, and goggles.How do I know when the remediation or cleanupis finished? You must have completely fixed the wateror moisture problem before the cleanup or remediationcan be considered finished. You should have completed mold removal. Visible moldand moldy odors should not be present. Please note thatmold may cause staining and cosmetic damage. You should have revisited the site(s) shortly aftercleanup and it should show no signs of water damageor mold growth. People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy thearea without health complaints or physical symptoms. Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no easyanswer.9

Moisture and MoldPREVENTION andcontrol tipsMoistureControl is the Key toMold Control When water leaks or spills occurindoors - ACT QUICKLY.If wet or damp materials or areasare dried 24-48 hours after a leakor spill happens, in most casesmold will not grow.Mold growingon the surfaceof a unitventilator. Clean and repair roof gutters regularly. Make sure the ground slopes away from the buildingfoundation, so that water does not enter or collectaround the foundation. Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drainlines unobstructed and flowing properly.10

Keep indoor humidity low. Ifpossible, keep indoorhumidity below 60 percent(ideally between 30 and 50percent) relative humidity.Relative humidity can bemeasured with a moistureor humidity meter, a small,inexpensive ( 10- 50)instrument available at manyhardware stores.Condensation on the inside of a windowpane. If you see condensation or moisture collecting onwindows, walls or pipes - ACT QUICKLY to dry thewet surface and reduce the moisture/water source.Con densation can be a sign of high humidity.Actions that will help to reduce humidity: Vent appliances that produce moisture, such asclothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters to theoutside where possible. (Combustion appliancessuch as stoves and kerosene heaters produce watervapor and will increase the humidity unless ventedto the outside.) Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifierswhen needed. Run the bathroom fan or open the window whenshowering. Use exhaust fans or open windowswhenever cooking, running the dishwasher ordishwashing, etc.11

Actions that will help prevent condensation: Reduce the humidity (see preceeding page). Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doorsand/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed. Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation. Increase air temperature.Moldgrowingon awoodenheadboardin a roomwith highhumidity.12

Renters: Report all plumbing leaks and moisture problemsimmediately to your building owner, manager, orsuperintendent. In cases where persistent waterproblems are not addressed, you may want to contactlocal, state, or federal health orhousing authorities.Testing or sampling formold Is sampling for moldneeded? In most cases, if visiblemold growth is present, samplingis unnecessary. Since no EPA orother federal limits have beenset for mold or mold spores,sampling cannot be used toRust is an indicator that condensationcheck a building’s complianceoccurs on this drainpipe. The pipe shouldwith federal mold standards.be insulated to prevent condensation.Surface sampling may be usefulto determine if an area has beenadequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for moldshould be conducted by professionals who have specificexperience in designing mold sampling protocols,sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sampleanalysis should follow analytical methods recommendedby the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA),the American Conference of Governmental IndustrialHygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.13

hiddenMoldMold growingon theback side ofwallpaper.Suspicion of hidden mold You may suspect hidden mold if abuilding smells moldy, but you cannot see the source,or if you know there has been water damage andresidents are reporting health problems. Mold maybe hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall,wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, theunderside of carpets and pads, etc. Other possiblelocations of hidden mold include areas inside wallsaround pipes (with leaking or condensing pipes), thesurface of walls behind furniture (where condensationforms), inside duct work, and in roof materials aboveceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation).Investigating hidden mold problems Investigating hiddenmold problems may be difficult and will require cautionwhen the investigation involves disturbing potentialsites of mold growth. For example, removal of wallpapercan lead to a massive release of spores if there is moldgrowing on the underside of the paper. If you believe thatyou may have a hidden mold problem, consider hiring anexperienced professional.14

Cleanup and Biocides Biocides are substances that can destroyliving organisms. The use of a chemical or biocidethat kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, forexample) is not recommended as a routine practice duringmold cleanup. There may be instances, however, whenprofessional judgment may indicate its use (for example,when immune-compromised individuals are present).In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilizean area; a background level of mold spores will remain- these spores will not grow if the moisture problemhas been resolved. If you choose to use dis in fectants orbiocides, always ventilate the area and exhaust the air tothe outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with othercleaning solutions or deter gents that contain ammoniabecause toxic fumes could be produced.Please note: Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in somepeople, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it mustalso be removed.Water stainon a basementwall — locateand fix thesource of thewater promptly.15

AdditionalResourcesFor more information on mold related issues includingmold cleanup and moisture control/condensation/humidity issues, visit:www.epa.gov/moldMold growing on fallen leaves.This document is available on the Environmental Protection Agency, IndoorEnvironments Division website at: www.epa.gov/mold16

NOTESAcknowledgementsEPA would like to thank Paul Ellringer, PE, CIH, for providing the photo on page 14.Please note that this document presents recommendations. EPA does not regulatemold or mold spores in indoor air.

United StatesEnvironmental ProtectionAgencyIndoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Cleanup and Biocides 15 Additional Resources 16 A Brief Guide to Mold, . 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. . prevent mold from recurring, or at least keep the mold to a minimum .

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