Fungi- Tampa flooring for Carpet, Wood, Ceramic Tile, Laminate, Stone, Vinyl, etc.

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Fungi, Mold and Mildew

Fungi. There are thousands of fungi, of which, hundreds can cause problems in buildings. There are more than sixty types of black mold. Mold and mildew are common terms used to describe a class of fungi called microfungi. Fungi that produce problems in residential and commercial buildings are Aspergillus spp. (commonly known as bread mold), Stachybotrys spp., Blastomyces dermatitidis, Penicillium spp., Alternaria spp., Rhizopus spp., and a host of others.

The goal of mold remediation should be

to eliminate the smell,
to remove or encapsulate the contaminated surfaces, and
to bring the indoor air quality to levels equal to outdoor air quality.

What's the risk? Why do such problems need to be remedied? Two major types of problems can develop: (1) contamination related and (2) health related.

Contamination. If contributing conditions are unchanged and the contamination is not remedied, the fungi will spread. Fungi will overtake the walls, ceiling, furniture, clothes, etc. The air ducting system will become contaminated and spread the problem throughout the building. The air quality will become completely unfit. The building and all of its contents could end up condemned as a bio hazard if the condition becomes too extreme. Obviously, the costs can surpass the value of the building.

Health. The health problems originating from "sick buildings" are most likely to attack children, the elderly, asthmatics, and immunocompromised persons. The spores act as allergens. Furthermore, fungi produce toxins, though not all. Related health problems include (but are not limited to) sore throat, rash, red or watery eyes, runny nose, coughing, headaches, fevers, asthma attacks, skin infections (e.g., Sporotrichosis, i.e., infected nodules), ear infections, sinus cavity infections, fungal pneumonia, bone infections, pulmonary problems (e.g., lung infection), heart problems, nerve damage, brain infections, and even death. Usually, the reactions are mild if present at all. We do not suggest that risks be treated lightly.

Solution. Remediation methods used vary from a short visit to weeks of extensive work. Moisture and warmth are the two major factors that add to a mold problem. Adjustments in moisture and temperature have exponential effects on fungi growth. In addition to the fungi, wet buildings are common to develop bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas) and insects (e.g., dust mites and roaches). To cure the problem, the building must be dried out, the contaminated surfaces removed, the surfaces treated with an anti-microbial and cleaned, the surfaces sealed as necessary, the area may need to be vacuumed with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum, and the air purified. Airing out the house is helpful in some circumstances. Contact the EPA and request "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home" (EPA 402-K-02-003) and/or "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings" (EPA 402-K-01-001) before attempting the remediation on your own.

Testing. Testing can help and is required by EPA guidelines and by insurance companies in some situations. "Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards," says the EPA (EPA 402-K-02-003). Tests sometimes give misleading results because of the method used, the time of day, the temperature, the relative humidity, the moisture content, and the volume of air movement. Simple D.I.Y. testing kits are available at your local hardware store. More extensive testing is available from environmental hygienist labs.

For more information, call EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at