by J. H. Haines New York State Museum Biological Survey Albany, NY WHAT DOES MOLD MEAN? by J. H. Haines New York State Museum Biological Survey Albany, NY

Black killer mold eats husband’s brain, poisons crystal chandelier, woman given $32,200,000

Mold is… -On your cheese -On your leather boots -In your shower -In your school Is it a $32,000,000 problem?

WHAT IS A MOLD? WHAT IS A FUNGUS? Molds (=Mildew) are a simple kind of fungus Fungi are a kingdom separate from plants, animals, and bacteria Fungi have beneficial role in nature

This is where fungi live. Wood rot fungi

FUNGI ARE GOOD Fungi recycle nutrients Fungi clean forest of debris Some fungi are symbiotic with plants Even disease fungi strengthen gene pool of host

The mycelium is the “body” of the fungus

Mushrooms Some of the best known fungi are mushrooms

Some of them specialize in rotting wood

Many fungi are too small to notice FUNGI ON WOOD

Molds are just mycelium and spores

Fungus spores are small Pollen Spore

FUNGUS SPORES ARE EVERYWHERE 10 m

THE EARTH IS COVERED WITH SPORES THE EARTH IS COVERED WITH SPORES. A SPORE HERE AND THERE IS NOT A CRISIS

WATER IS THE PROBLEM, MOLD IS THE SYMPTOM

JUST ADD WATER AND THEY WILL GROW

Mold is a problem when… -It produces toxins -It is pathogenic -It is just too numerous

Paper is a favorite food of fungi

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF THERE IS MOLD IN YOUR BUILDING? You can see it as dark patches or minute fuzz You can smell it as a “musty” odor Air in the space feels damp

FIX THE MOISTURE PROBLEM FIRST, THEN CLEAN UP THE MOLD

YOU DON’T HAVE TO KILL MOLD. IT IS A TOXIC PARTICLE, NOT A DISEASE

WHEN DO YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP? Mold won’t fit under dinner plate Mold is widespread You sense mold but can’t find it There is potential for conflict

WHAT IS NOT A BIG PROBLEM? Mold in your refrigerator Mold on your window sill Mold in your shower Mold on a removable item (A cardboard box in the basement) Dust that looks like mold

THIS IS A PROBLEM

WHAT ARE THE HIDDEN PROBLEMS? Mold Inside of walls In air handling ducts In crawl spaces

The simple technique for identifying mold

Ulocladium, The tape sample

A tool to sample air

SPORES IN AN AIR SAMPLE

AIR SAMPLE: VIABLE-TYPE Air is drawn in, particles impact agar Only spores that grow in agar plates will show up Culture is most sure method of identifying some molds

MOLDS AND HEALTH Allergens: Often found in buildings Pathogens: Rarely found in buildings (Histoplasma & Cryptococcus) Toxin producers: Often found in buildings (Aspergillus versicolor, Trichoderma viride, Stachybotrys chartarum)

Black killer mold. Stachybotrys

STACHYBOTRYS CHARTARUM

Stachybotrys chartarum One of the most common molds with potentially life-threatening toxins Spores may contain toxin Complaints are headache, loss of energy, respiratory, and sinus problems

Stachy: How bad is it? In about one in “normal” 50 houses (According to one study) Can travel in spores and dust from substrate Cannot form gas Cannot normally be found in blood Cannot grow in human body Does not have to be live to be toxic

Cladosporium sphaerospermum

Aspergillus Aspergillus

Penicillium

Alternaria

REMEDIATION Prevent airborne spores and dust Replace porous surface materials that have obvious mold growth (e.g., wallboard, ceiling tiles, cloth) Clean hard surfaces. Repaint if appropriate Take air and surface samples before and after Follow New York City Health guidelines

SUMMARY Mold spores are everywhere Water is the problem. Mold is the symptom You don’t have to spray it If there is mold, just clean it up Fear of mold can be larger problem than mold itself. Education is the cure