Chignik Lagoon Community Wide Mold Control

What is mold?

Mold Molds are fungi that can be found anywhere - inside or outside - throughout the year. The term fungi and mold are often used interchangeably but mold is actually a type of fungi. About 1,000 species of mold can be found in the United States, with more than 100,000 known species worldwide. 

Mold Basics Molds are a part of the natural environment Breaks down organic matter Should be avoided indoors Mold can grow on almost any surface Water or excessive moisture speeds up mold growth

Mold needs Moisture Molds are usually not a problem unless the spores land on a damp spot and begin growing. They digest whatever they land on in order to survive. There are molds that grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods and insulation, while other molds feast on the everyday dust and dirt that gather in the moist regions of a building. 

When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth often will occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains uncorrected. While it is impossible to eliminate all molds and mold spores, controlling moisture can control indoor mold growth.  All molds share the characteristic of being able to grow without sunlight; mold needs only a viable seed (spore), a nutrient source, moisture, and the right temperature to multiply. This explains why mold infestation is often found in damp, dark, hidden spaces; light and air circulation dry areas out, making them less hospitable for mold.

Mold can grow anywhere Molds can grow on virtually any substance, as long as moisture or water, oxygen, and an organic source are present. Molds reproduce by creating tiny spores (viable seeds) that usually cannot be seen without magnification. Mold spores continually float through the indoor and outdoor air. 

Indoors, mold growth should be avoided Indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Problems may arise when mold starts eating away at materials, affecting the look, smell, and possibly affecting the structural integrity of the buildings. 

Molds gradually damage building materials and furnishings Molds gradually damage building materials and furnishings. If left unchecked, mold can eventually cause structural damage to a wood framed building, weakening floors and walls as it feeds on moist wooden structural members.

True or False

It has not been proven that mold is a health risk

FALSE The negative health impact of mold exposure is well documented. Molds produce and release spores. They can also produce toxic agents known as mycotoxins. Spores and mycotoxins can have a negative effect on human heath. Health effects of mold exposure generally falls into four categories. These four categories are allergy, infection, irritation, (mucus membrane and sensory) and toxicity. Bottom line if you are exposed to indoor mold, get rid of it!

Black mold is the most hazardous?

False Although black mold is the most infamous mold in our homes, all mold can cause an allergic reaction and respiratory problems. The effect of mold on people varies. While some people react to mold allergens not everyone will react to mold, the effects can be varied depending on ones’ sensitivity to mold. Regardless of the color of mold, all mold problems should be addressed.

Bleach kills mold?

False This tends to be a complicated myth as there are several parts to consider. For instance mold growing on non porous materials such as hard plastic, concrete, glass and solid wood can be cleaned with bleach and water. However mold growing on most porous materials such as wood, carpet, ceiling tile, or drywall can mean that the bleach may not reach the roots of mold since its a water-based solution. Which may make it grow again.

I can just paint over mold to seal it up?

FALSE In fact mold will eat the paint. Many people will attempt to paint over mold only to discover in a few months time that mold has caused paint to start to peel off. Mold has to be removed before you paint, even if you are using mold resistant paint.

The Chignik Lagoon students science experiment on mold control A demonstration project was conducted by the Chignik Lagoon students on how climate change and mold are related. The students would determine under what weather conditions, for how long and where to place and turn on de-humidifiers. The students analyzed the local historic weather data for the past 20+ years specifically as it relates to moisture, creating a trending chart to show the increase in wetter conditions. The students looked at the data closely in an effort to get an average set of conditions before the warmer weather occurred, they used this data as part of their control during the second part of the project.

The second part of the project was the placement of the de- humidifiers in participating homes in strategic locations, recording the humidity levels before, after and possibly during a two-week timeframe. The results from this demonstration project would include; determining what times of the year, wind direction, rainfall and for how long community members should turn on de-humidifiers and where they should be placed.

Hypothesis The hypothesis that running a dehumidifier for two hours a day reduces humidity to a normal range, which will help prevent mold growth in homes. Procedure Researched weather data for the month of March. They asked residents to participate in the project and those who said yes were given a humidity monitor. The participants took readings from the monitors once a day for a week. After a week they were given a dehumidifier to turn on for 2 hours

After 2 hours a reading was taken After 2 hours a reading was taken. This was done for a period of one week. Once all the data was collected it was organized into the following graphs.

In conclusion, the students found that on average running a dehumidifier for two hours per day reduced the humidity in a house to an ideal humidity level, which is 30% to 50%. What they tried to prove by doing this project was that dehumidifiers lower the amount of water in the air. Because of climate change the weather is warmer and more humid which is the perfect weather for mold.

Causes While you cannot control Mother Nature, you can certainly limit the potential for indoor mold growth by limiting moisture sources and responding quickly to water leaks. The biggest mistake people make is ignoring minor issues until they become major problems. Early detection and assessment can minimize the risk of exposure to toxic molds and save thousands of dollars in repair costs. Mold cannot grow without a constant source of water which can be as simple as steam from your showers, condensation on your windows, improper weather sealing, leaky pipes, or major flooding.

Prevention To control mold growth Keep humidity levels as low as possible, ideally no higher than 50% Fix any leaks in your home as quickly as possible especially the damp areas such as basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. Provide good ventilation for showers, laundry, sinks, and cooking areas. Cover cold surfaces such as water pipes with insulation

Remediation Who should do the clean-up of mold depends on the size of the mold problem. If the mold area is less than 10 square feet ( roughly 3 ft. by 3 ft. ) then in those cases you can handle the job yourself. If the mold area is bigger than 10 square feet you should consult a remediation professional.

Bleach These products tend to be most effective at removing mold. Bleach will kill mold and its spores however this is only effective on non porous surfaces such as tiles, bathtubs, glass and some countertops. When using bleach you should use a ratio of 1 cup of bleach for every gallon of water. Apply the solution using a spray bottle or a bucket with a sponge or cloth. You do not need to rinse the surface unless it is used for food or can come in contact with children or pets. Safer alternatives can be used such as borax or vinegar. These do not leave behind hazardous residues or fumes. ALWAYS remember not to use bleach on non porous surfaces.

Borax Borax is a natural cleaning product that has the advantage of not emitting fumes or chemicals. It is also a natural mold inhibitor. When using borax a ratio of one cup of borax per gallon of water should be used. There is no need to rinse the surface as borax is a natural inhibitor. However you should rinse the surface if it is being used for food or can come in contact with children or pets as it is toxic when ingested.

Vinegar Vinegar is non-toxic and does not give off fumes like bleach does. When using vinegar it is not necessary to dilute with water as it is natural and safe. Use white distilled vinegar, pour into a spray bottle and spray on moldy surface and let it sit for an hour. Wipe the area clean with water and allow the surface to dry. Any smell from the vinegar should dissipate within a few hours. To prevent mold from growing on surfaces just spray and leave it.

For more tips and information on mold and how to remove it use the following link. Mold Removal, How to Kill Mold with Bleach, Borax, Vinegar

Resources This project was made possible by the funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant administered by the ANTHC. Mold Resources, EPA, OSHA, and Advanced Look Residential & Commercial Building Inspections Indoor Environmental Testing Consulting Mold | US EPA https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/molds/in&dex.html http://www.advancelookalaska.com/