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By Eric C. Ratcliff
Mold Investigations
 CCGHD investigates mold complaints
 Accept written complaints from current
tenants or close relatives
 Dont inspect owner occupied homes
 Investigate only indoor mold issues
 Dont take samples  not useful
Black Mold
 CCGHD interested only in black mold
 Recommend removal of other varieties
 Mold & mildew are synonymous
 An allergen like pollen
 No scientific evidence of adverse health
effects
 Anecdotal evidence of health effects
Health Effects of Mold
 Mainly respiratory  coughing, sneezing, sore
throat, runny nose, congestion
 Other allergic reactions  headaches, burning
eyes, skin rash, etc.
 Irritant
 Does not cause colds
 Can aggravate colds, flu, & Asthma
Exposure Limits
 No exposure limits
 Link to health effects not scientifically
substantiated
 Not known what quantity is acceptable
 Sensitivity to mold varies from person to
person
Toxic Mold
 Toxic mold a misnomer
 Mold itself isnt toxic
 Produce mycotoxins as a by-product
 Toxic only if ingested
 Stachybrotrys - toxic variety < 1% of mold
 CCGHD assumes all black mold is toxic
Killer Mold
 Killer mold - media hype
 Began by flawed study in Cleveland
 CDC retracted entire study
 Misinformation perpetuated by media &
lucrative lawsuits
Mold Problem ?
 Sanitarian identifies mold problem visually &
by odor
 Musty odor, & 10 sq. ft. or more of visible
black mold indicates a mold problem
Mold Removal
 < 10 sq. ft. is a small amount
 10 sq. ft. or more is generally the landlords
responsibility
 < 10 sq. ft. - responsibility of the tenant
Large Amount Small Amount
Large Amount Small Amount
Mold Not An Issue
 If sanitarian cant see it or smell it
 In wall or ceiling cavity  provided there are
no holes
 In unfinished attic
 In unfinished basement
 In garage
County Requirements
 Require removal in occupied rental units
 No requirement for removal in vacant units
 No requirement for removal in owner
occupied dwellings
 Will issue NOV to landlord if appropriate
Outdoor Mold
 Not a health nuisance issue
 Cannot be controlled
 Not regulated
 No requirement for removal
Algae on Buildings
 Green color
 Algae is not mold
 No adverse health effects
 No requirement for removal
Window & Door Frames
 Responsibility of tenant to clean windows,
window frames, & door frames
 Recommend regular cleaning
Bathroom Fixtures
 Tenants responsibility to clean bathrooms, &
remove mold caused by showering
 Also tenants responsibility to clean toilets
Water Stains
 Water stains not a violation
 Water stains can be confused with mold
Causes of Indoor Mold
 Water leaks
 Excessive moisture
 Mold needs moisture or water to grow
 The key to controlling mold is controlling
moisture
Mold Prevention
 Repair leaks such as roof leaks, plumbing
leaks, etc.
 Direct water away from buildings
 Repair downspouts
 Clean gutters
Mold Prevention
 Eliminate sources of moisture
 Vent clothes dryer properly
 Remove water on windowsills
 Wipe down shower stall
 Use bathroom vent
 Purchase dehumidifier
Mold Prevention
 Keep furniture 4 - 6 away from outside wall
 Keep interior doors open
 Provide adequate ventilation
 Maintain adequate heat
 Report water leaks to landlord
Mold Removal Procedure
 If you see mold, remove it
 Clean affected area w/ detergent & water
 Rinse
 Sanitize w/ 10% bleach solution
 Let dry
 Paint or seal if desired
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
 Respirator  half face w/ dust cartridges
 Gloves  especially when using bleach
 Coveralls or long sleeves
Containment
 Not required  mold isnt asbestos
 Doesnt prevent mold  its already present
 Keeps other areas clean
 Limits exposure
Moldy Carpet
 Should be discarded, along with pad
 Mold develops in wet carpet in ~ 6 days
 Mold cannot be removed from textiles
 Wet carpet should be taken up & dried
 At least wet vac carpet
Other Moldy Items
 Professionally clean upholstered furniture
 Clean leather w/ saddle soap
 Separate books & papers  let dry
 Wash & dry fabrics
 Discard items
Mold Remediation Companies
 No state certification
 Contact BBB
 Get 3 estimates & a written contract
 Costs $10,000.00 for basement
 Save money - use elbow grease
Professional Mold Inspections
 No state certification
 Air samples - $300.00 each
 Complete air study - $3,000.00+
 Air study includes indoor & outdoor sampling
 Establishes relative concentrations
Mold Test Kits
 Available in hardware stores
 Various kits available
 Not recommended by CCGHD
 If you test for mold, you will find it
 If you can see it, remove it
Resource List
 www.clermonthealthdistrict.org
 www.cdc.gov
 www.epa.gov
 www.aiha.org
The End

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Indoor mold

  • 1. By Eric C. Ratcliff
  • 2. Mold Investigations CCGHD investigates mold complaints Accept written complaints from current tenants or close relatives Dont inspect owner occupied homes Investigate only indoor mold issues Dont take samples not useful
  • 3. Black Mold CCGHD interested only in black mold Recommend removal of other varieties Mold & mildew are synonymous An allergen like pollen No scientific evidence of adverse health effects Anecdotal evidence of health effects
  • 4. Health Effects of Mold Mainly respiratory coughing, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, congestion Other allergic reactions headaches, burning eyes, skin rash, etc. Irritant Does not cause colds Can aggravate colds, flu, & Asthma
  • 5. Exposure Limits No exposure limits Link to health effects not scientifically substantiated Not known what quantity is acceptable Sensitivity to mold varies from person to person
  • 6. Toxic Mold Toxic mold a misnomer Mold itself isnt toxic Produce mycotoxins as a by-product Toxic only if ingested Stachybrotrys - toxic variety < 1% of mold CCGHD assumes all black mold is toxic
  • 7. Killer Mold Killer mold - media hype Began by flawed study in Cleveland CDC retracted entire study Misinformation perpetuated by media & lucrative lawsuits
  • 8. Mold Problem ? Sanitarian identifies mold problem visually & by odor Musty odor, & 10 sq. ft. or more of visible black mold indicates a mold problem
  • 9. Mold Removal < 10 sq. ft. is a small amount 10 sq. ft. or more is generally the landlords responsibility < 10 sq. ft. - responsibility of the tenant
  • 12. Mold Not An Issue If sanitarian cant see it or smell it In wall or ceiling cavity provided there are no holes In unfinished attic In unfinished basement In garage
  • 13. County Requirements Require removal in occupied rental units No requirement for removal in vacant units No requirement for removal in owner occupied dwellings Will issue NOV to landlord if appropriate
  • 14. Outdoor Mold Not a health nuisance issue Cannot be controlled Not regulated No requirement for removal
  • 15. Algae on Buildings Green color Algae is not mold No adverse health effects No requirement for removal
  • 16. Window & Door Frames Responsibility of tenant to clean windows, window frames, & door frames Recommend regular cleaning
  • 17. Bathroom Fixtures Tenants responsibility to clean bathrooms, & remove mold caused by showering Also tenants responsibility to clean toilets
  • 18. Water Stains Water stains not a violation Water stains can be confused with mold
  • 19. Causes of Indoor Mold Water leaks Excessive moisture Mold needs moisture or water to grow The key to controlling mold is controlling moisture
  • 20. Mold Prevention Repair leaks such as roof leaks, plumbing leaks, etc. Direct water away from buildings Repair downspouts Clean gutters
  • 21. Mold Prevention Eliminate sources of moisture Vent clothes dryer properly Remove water on windowsills Wipe down shower stall Use bathroom vent Purchase dehumidifier
  • 22. Mold Prevention Keep furniture 4 - 6 away from outside wall Keep interior doors open Provide adequate ventilation Maintain adequate heat Report water leaks to landlord
  • 23. Mold Removal Procedure If you see mold, remove it Clean affected area w/ detergent & water Rinse Sanitize w/ 10% bleach solution Let dry Paint or seal if desired
  • 24. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Respirator half face w/ dust cartridges Gloves especially when using bleach Coveralls or long sleeves
  • 25. Containment Not required mold isnt asbestos Doesnt prevent mold its already present Keeps other areas clean Limits exposure
  • 26. Moldy Carpet Should be discarded, along with pad Mold develops in wet carpet in ~ 6 days Mold cannot be removed from textiles Wet carpet should be taken up & dried At least wet vac carpet
  • 27. Other Moldy Items Professionally clean upholstered furniture Clean leather w/ saddle soap Separate books & papers let dry Wash & dry fabrics Discard items
  • 28. Mold Remediation Companies No state certification Contact BBB Get 3 estimates & a written contract Costs $10,000.00 for basement Save money - use elbow grease
  • 29. Professional Mold Inspections No state certification Air samples - $300.00 each Complete air study - $3,000.00+ Air study includes indoor & outdoor sampling Establishes relative concentrations
  • 30. Mold Test Kits Available in hardware stores Various kits available Not recommended by CCGHD If you test for mold, you will find it If you can see it, remove it
  • 31. Resource List www.clermonthealthdistrict.org www.cdc.gov www.epa.gov www.aiha.org