MOLD and Indoor Air Quality
How can Environmental Health Services help me with my mold problem?
Environmental Health Services, a division of the Public Health Department, continuously strives to provide consumers with current information and reference material on mold in the indoor environment. Environmental Health Services is not authorized to provide indoor air assessment or remediation.
Is mold a serious problem in the indoor environment?
Everyone is exposed to some mold on a daily basis. Molds are simple, microscopic organisms, present throughout the environment. Molds break down dead material and recycle nutrients in the environment. It is common to find mold spores in the air inside homes, and most of the airborne spores found indoors come from outdoor sources. Mold spores primarily cause health problems when they are present in large numbers and people inhale many of them. This occurs when there is active mold growth indoors. If mold contamination is extensive it can cause high airborne spore exposure. If the level of indoor contamination is high some susceptible individuals may become sensitized and develop allergies to the mold or may develop other health problems.
Resources for more information on mold in the indoor environment can be found below:
Can mold cause health problems?
Individuals can experience health effects related to mold exposure. The extent to which an individual may be affected is dependent upon the state of his or her health, susceptibility to disease, the type of mold, and the duration and severity of exposure to mold. A person's response can be temporary, long-term, or permanent. Inhaled spores rarely cause actual infections.
Many references exist that discuss the health affects related to mold. Some of these include: Molds, Toxic Molds, and Indoor Air Quality
, "Mold in My Home: What Do I Do?", the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Air Pollution guide, and the Healthy Indoor Air for America's Homes Health Effects web page.
Anyone with health problems which they believe are due to mold
should consult a medical professional.
How do I find out more information about mold?
There are a lot of informative resources in print and on the internet that can provide you with information about mold and indoor air quality. The California Department of Health Services has an Indoor Air Quality info sheet "Mold in My Home: What Do I Do?" that provides information about health concerns related to mold exposure and general guidelines on prevention, mold detection, as well as cleanup of mold-contaminated materials. Additional resources available on the internet include the California Department of Health Services Indoor Air Quality Program Infosheets and Related Links, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mold/Moisture web page, the American Industrial Hygiene Association Mold Fact Sheet, and the New York City Health Department Facts About Mold website.
How do I test for mold in my home/office?
In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is not necessary. Knowing the type of mold present or whether it produces toxins is not necessary to determine the appropriate method for clean up.
Sampling may be necessary if hidden mold is suspected. You may suspect mold if a building smells moldy and you cannot see the source or if you know there has been water damage and the occupants are reporting health problems. Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and will require caution when disturbing potential sites of mold growth. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have experience with mold sampling procedures and who have experience interpreting sample results. At this time there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.
Consumers are advised to read the Guidelines for Selecting an Indoor Air Quality Consultant to determine whether the IAQ consultant being considered is qualified to assess mold in the indoor environment.
The California Department of Health Services maintains internet links to laboratories and consultants offering their services in California: Laboratories for Bioaerosol Testing and
Listing of consultants offering IAQ services in California.
How do I clean up a mold problem in my home?
The first step to clean up and remediation of an indoor mold problem is to first identify the moisture source. You should first fix the water problem, identify the extent of mold damage, and then clean up the mold. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Guide to Mold Clean-Up and The New York City Guidelines on the Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments are good resources for the assessment and remediation of mold growth in the indoor environment.
There are currently no State or Federal statutes or regulations that exist with regard to removing mold.
Are there local consultants available that are qualified to deal with mold?
There are local professionals listed in the yellow pages or in other media advertising their services for indoor air quality assessment. The California Department of Health Services maintains a web page that may provide additional contact information for consultants and laboratories offering their services in the state of California. Consumers are advised to read the Guidelines for Selecting an Indoor Air Quality Consultant to determine whether the IAQ consultant being considered is qualified to assess mold in the indoor environment.
*These lists are in no way specifically endorsed or certified by the California Department of Health Services
How do I know if the Indoor Air Quality Consultant is qualified to assess my mold problem?
Guidelines for Selecting an Indoor Air Quality Consultant
My home has recently flooded. Should I be concerned?
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Flood Clean-up Guidelines
Where can I find out more information about indoor air quality in general?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Air Quality Program, the California Department of Health Services Indoor Air Quality Program, the Healthy Indoor Air for American Homes partnership, and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) Indoor Air Quality Publications are good resources for indoor air quality information.
Is there legislature that specifically addresses mold?
Recently passed California Legislation specific to Indoor Mold:
Uniform Housing Code:
Structural housing deficiencies that may contribute to indoor moisture control problems include "dampness of habitable rooms" and/or "faulty weather protection." Such conditions constitute possible violations of the Uniform Housing Code that may introduce or support indoor mold growth. Your local city or county Building Department is the administrative authority for violations of the Uniform Housing Code.
Proposed Federal Legislation:
Pending federal legislation can be found on the House of Representatives Current Proceedings web site. (Search legislation by THOMAS for toxic mold.)
How can I prevent mold from becoming a problem in my home?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed some guidelines for preventing mold and controlling moisture in the home. These tips can be found on the EPA web site addressing Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips.
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