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Facts about Mold and Dampness
There is always some mold everywhere - in the air and on many surfaces. Molds have been on
the Earth for millions of years. Mold grows where there is moisture.
Mold and Your Health
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at
all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness,
throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People
with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people
with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their
lungs when they are exposed to mold. These people should stay away from areas that are likely
to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.
In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor
exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise
healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity
pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found
limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise
healthy children.
In addition, in 2004 the IOM found sufficient evidence to link exposure to damp indoor
environments in general to upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise
healthy people and with asthma symptoms in people with asthma. The IOM also found limited
or suggestive evidence linking exposure to damp indoor environments in general to shortness
of breath, to respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children and to potential development of
asthma in susceptible individuals. In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional
guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould 7) [PDF - 2.52
MB] (http:/ /www.euro.who.int/document/E92645.pdf) @ (http://www.cdc.gov/Other/disclaimer.html) .
Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of
asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to
asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can
reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies, but more research is needed in this
regard.
A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage
among infants (/mold/hemorrhage_infants.htm), memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including
the mold Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra), has not been proven. Further studies
are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health
effects.
Mold and Your Home
Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways,windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also
attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets can and be carried indoors.
‘Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes,
or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles,
and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet,
fabric, and upholstery.
You Can Control Mold
Inside your home you can control mold growth by:
* Controlling humidity levels;
omptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes;
+ Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;
+ Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.
If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem.
Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or
a bleach solution (/mold/dampness facts htm#note) of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of
water.
Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. If
you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of
mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for
molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold
on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you can not rely on
sampling and culturing to know your health risk. Also, good sampling for mold can be
expensive, and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable quantity of mold
have not been set. The best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth.
If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:
+ Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia
or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.
+ Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
* Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
+ Ifthe area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial
Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also
applies to other building types. You can get it by going tothe EFA website at
http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold remediation html
(http:/ /www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html)
(http //wwew ede gov/Other/ disclaimer html)
* Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning
product.
MOLD PREVENTION TIPS
+ Keep humidity levels as low as you can—no higher than 50%--all day long. An air
conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Bear in mind that humidity
levels change over the course of a day with changes in the molsture in the air and the ait
temperature, so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
+ Be sure your home has enough ventilation, Use exhaust fans which vent outside your
home inthe kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your
ome.
+ Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture togrow.
+ Glean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24-48 hours) ater
looding,
+ Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.
* Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
* Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried
promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that
may have a lot of moisture.
+ To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection
Agency's publication Aubrief Guide to Mald. Moisture and Your Home
{http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide html) & (http://www.cde.gov/Other/ disclaimer html) at
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide. html (http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html) @
(http://www.ede.gov /Other/disclaimer.html) .
Page last reviewed: July 13, 2009
Page last updated: September 18, 2012
Content source: National Center for Environmental Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta,GA ng
30333, USA
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