1. Understanding Mold Caltex International Association of Home Inspectors Presentation July 3, 2008

2. Caltex International Association of Home Inspectors Presentation July 3, 2008 Agenda TopicSpeaker Mark DeAngelis, The Tile Shop IntroductionMark DeAngelis Mark DeAngelis, The Tile Shop IntroductionMark DeAngelis Caltex International IntroductionKevin Sodhi, Caltex Caltex International IntroductionKevin Sodhi, Caltex Overview of Mold Overview of Mold Heath Effects of Mold Heath Effects of Mold Mold Sampling – Brian DeAngelis Brian DeAngelis Mold Sampling – Brian DeAngelis Brian DeAngelis Interpretations of Mold sampling reports Interpretations of Mold sampling reports Putting together a Mold remediation plan Putting together a Mold remediation plan How to remove and clean up mold – Remediation and Guidelines – EPA methods How to remove and clean up mold – Remediation and Guidelines – EPA methods Clearance criteria – Testing the job after removing Mold Clearance criteria – Testing the job after removing Mold

3. Mold Remediation Overview Of Mold What is Mold and how does it grow?

4. Mold Facts Invisible - 4-80 microns Invisible - 4-80 microns Fungi : the correct term for molds, mildew, mushrooms, yeast, rusts, and smuts Fungi : the correct term for molds, mildew, mushrooms, yeast, rusts, and smuts Fungi is everywhere in our environment Fungi is everywhere in our environment Most types require free water to begin colonization Most types require free water to begin colonization Requires an external food source Requires an external food source Releases spores for reproduction Releases spores for reproduction Cell fragments, spores, and cell by-products may be allergenic, infectious, and toxigenic Cell fragments, spores, and cell by-products may be allergenic, infectious, and toxigenic Estimated 100,000+ species, but currently only about 100 species are identified as pathogenic to humans Estimated 100,000+ species, but currently only about 100 species are identified as pathogenic to humans

5. How does mold grow? Primary Requirements For Mold Growth Primary Requirements For Mold Growth Moisture – Humidity above 60% Moisture – Humidity above 60% Nutrient source - Cellulose Nutrient source - Cellulose Proper Temperature – warm to humid Proper Temperature – warm to humid “Starter” Spore or Colony “Starter” Spore or Colony Time – 48 hrs to 2 weeks depending on the type of mold Time – 48 hrs to 2 weeks depending on the type of mold

6. As a home inspector where will I find mold? Attics – causes are Roof leaks, ridge vents, sofet vents, bathrooms being vented to the attics etc Attics – causes are Roof leaks, ridge vents, sofet vents, bathrooms being vented to the attics etc Basements – rain or sewage backups, high humidity levels, failed sump pump, hot water tank leaking, failed basement walls, no gutters, water coming towards the house etc. Basements – rain or sewage backups, high humidity levels, failed sump pump, hot water tank leaking, failed basement walls, no gutters, water coming towards the house etc.

7. Inspecting for Mold Are there obvious signs of water leaks or mold growth in water oriented areas such as the bathroom or kitchen? Are there obvious signs of water leaks or mold growth in water oriented areas such as the bathroom or kitchen? Are there water stains in any of the other rooms ceilings, walls, floor or on furniture? Are there water stains in any of the other rooms ceilings, walls, floor or on furniture? Is there hidden moisture inside wall cavities, under floors, or behind tiles? Use moisture meter here. Is there hidden moisture inside wall cavities, under floors, or behind tiles? Use moisture meter here. Has the property experienced roof leaks, failed foundation, floods, etc. Has the property experienced roof leaks, failed foundation, floods, etc. Is it located in a flood zone? Is it located in a flood zone? Is the humidity of the crawl space, basement, or attic higher than 50%. Mold can grow in 50% or higher humidity. Is the humidity of the crawl space, basement, or attic higher than 50%. Mold can grow in 50% or higher humidity. Are there elevated levels of mold spores into the air or various rooms of the building Are there elevated levels of mold spores into the air or various rooms of the building

8. Mold is a moisture problem Locate and Fix all Sources of Mold Causing Water Problems Roof leaks Roof leaks Leaky faucets Leaky faucets Lack of ventilation Lack of ventilation Leaky windows Leaky windows Failed foundations Failed foundations Others Others

9. Mold Ecology: Comments Basidiospores (basidiomycetes): Basidiospores are extremely common outdoors and originate from fungi in gardens, forests, and woodlands. It is rare for the source of basidiospores to be indoors. However, basidiospres may be an indicator of wood decay. Basidiospores (basidiomycetes): Basidiospores are extremely common outdoors and originate from fungi in gardens, forests, and woodlands. It is rare for the source of basidiospores to be indoors. However, basidiospres may be an indicator of wood decay. Cladosporium: One of the most commonly found molds outdoors and frequently found growing indoors. Spores from Cladosporium are generally present in outdoor and indoor air, even in relatively clean, mold-growth-free, indoor environments. Levels vary based upon activity levels, weather conditions, dustiness, outside air exchange rates, and other factors. Cladosporium: One of the most commonly found molds outdoors and frequently found growing indoors. Spores from Cladosporium are generally present in outdoor and indoor air, even in relatively clean, mold-growth-free, indoor environments. Levels vary based upon activity levels, weather conditions, dustiness, outside air exchange rates, and other factors. Penicillium/Aspergillus types: Penicillium and Aspergillus are among the most common molds found growing both indoors and outdoors (even in relatively clean, mold-growth-free, indoor environments). Levels vary based upon activity levels, dustiness weather conditions, outside air exchange rates, and other factors. Penicillium/Aspergillus types: Penicillium and Aspergillus are among the most common molds found growing both indoors and outdoors (even in relatively clean, mold-growth-free, indoor environments). Levels vary based upon activity levels, dustiness weather conditions, outside air exchange rates, and other factors. Stachybotrys and other marker types: Certain types of mold, such as Aureobasidium, Chaetomium, Memoniella, Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Ulocladium, are generally found in very low numbers outdoors. Consequently their presence indoors, even in relatively low numbers, is often an indication that these molds are origination from growth indoors. When Present, these mold types are often the clearest indicator of a mold problem. Stachybotrys and other marker types: Certain types of mold, such as Aureobasidium, Chaetomium, Memoniella, Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Ulocladium, are generally found in very low numbers outdoors. Consequently their presence indoors, even in relatively low numbers, is often an indication that these molds are origination from growth indoors. When Present, these mold types are often the clearest indicator of a mold problem. Others: Molds in the “Others” category are generally found outdoors in moderate numbers, and are therefore not considered markers of indoor growth Others: Molds in the “Others” category are generally found outdoors in moderate numbers, and are therefore not considered markers of indoor growth

10. The Story of Mold Asperigllus, and Penicillium – called early colonizers. They will begin to grow when humidity goes above 60%. Asperigllus, and Penicillium – called early colonizers. They will begin to grow when humidity goes above 60%. Asperigllus, and Penicillium are difficult to see in microscopes with 400X or 600X magnifications. Labs lump together with yeasts Asperigllus, and Penicillium are difficult to see in microscopes with 400X or 600X magnifications. Labs lump together with yeasts Asperigillus chartum and Asperigillus fumagatus cause many health problems. Asperigillus chartum and Asperigillus fumagatus cause many health problems.

11. Story of mold Asperigllus, and Penicillium will grow more rapidly when the structure begins to dry. Asperigllus, and Penicillium will grow more rapidly when the structure begins to dry. Many species of fungi act like the dandelion. Once they gain a foothold, they can spread rapidly across a surface as long as there is sufficient moisture. This is similar to the dandelion increasing in size across the base. If the moisture source becomes insufficient, many mold species will enter sporation phase, where they produce and release huge numbers of spores into the air. It has been estimated that a single colony of Penicllium 2.5 centimeters in diameter could contain as many as 400,000,000 microscopic spores. These spores are the equivalent of the seeds produced by the dandelion in the analogy. Many species of fungi act like the dandelion. Once they gain a foothold, they can spread rapidly across a surface as long as there is sufficient moisture. This is similar to the dandelion increasing in size across the base. If the moisture source becomes insufficient, many mold species will enter sporation phase, where they produce and release huge numbers of spores into the air. It has been estimated that a single colony of Penicllium 2.5 centimeters in diameter could contain as many as 400,000,000 microscopic spores. These spores are the equivalent of the seeds produced by the dandelion in the analogy.

12. Mold Smell and VOC’S Some fungi also produce chemicals that easily evaporate into the air, called volatile organic compounds or VOC’s can cause irritation, rashes, dizziness, nausea, birth defects, and cancer in some people Some fungi also produce chemicals that easily evaporate into the air, called volatile organic compounds or VOC’s can cause irritation, rashes, dizziness, nausea, birth defects, and cancer in some people

13. Microbial VOC’s Produced during fungal growth and given off as a waste by- product. Indicator for unacceptable IAQ and active/past growth Produced during fungal growth and given off as a waste by- product. Indicator for unacceptable IAQ and active/past growth Some have distinct odors; others do not; earthy, weedy, musty, nutty Some have distinct odors; others do not; earthy, weedy, musty, nutty Production is dependent on substrate and environmental conditions Production is dependent on substrate and environmental conditions Some have been associated with health effects but are mostly considered irritants Some have been associated with health effects but are mostly considered irritants Most are alcohols and ketones specific to certain organisms Most are alcohols and ketones specific to certain organisms Frequently associated with Penicillium, Asperigllus, Fusarium, Alternaria Frequently associated with Penicillium, Asperigllus, Fusarium, Alternaria

14. Before starting a Mold project address the following questions Who will conduct the mold control project? Who will conduct the mold control project? Are pre-work samples necessary? Are pre-work samples necessary? What criteria will be used to determine a successful conclusion to the project? What criteria will be used to determine a successful conclusion to the project? What engineering controls will be employed? What engineering controls will be employed? What form of isolation, if any, will be used? What form of isolation, if any, will be used? What cleaner will work effectively? What cleaner will work effectively? What materials are to be removed? What materials are to be removed? How is debris going to be packaged? Disposed? How is debris going to be packaged? Disposed? What cleaning techniques will be employed? In what sequence? What cleaning techniques will be employed? In what sequence? What tools, supplies, and equipment are necessary? What tools, supplies, and equipment are necessary?