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Acton, Agoura, Agoura Hills, Agua Dulce, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Artesia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bel Air, Bell, Bell Canyon, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Bradbury, Brentwood, Burbank, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Canyon Country, Century City, Cerritos, Chatsworth, City of Commerce, City of Industry, Claremont, Commerce, Compton, Covina, Cudahy, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, Eagle Rock, El Monte, El Segundo, Elizabeth Lake, Encino, Gardena, Glendale, Glendora, Granada Hills, Hacienda Heights, Harbor City, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hazard, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Hollywood, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Irwindale, La Canada, La Crescenta, La Mirada, La Puente, La Verne, Lake Hughes, Lake Los Angeles, Lake View Terrace, Lakewood, Lancaster, Lawndale, Lennox, Leona Valley, Littlerock, Llano, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Los Nietos, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Mar Vista, Marina del Rey, Maywood, Mission Hills, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Montrose, Mount Baldy, Mount Wilson, Newhall, North Hills, North Hollywood, Northridge, Norwalk, Oak Park, Pacific Palisades, Pacoima, Palmdale, Palos Verdes Estates, Panorama City, Pasadena, Pearblossom, Pico Rivera, Playa del Rey, Pomona, Porter Ranch, Quartz Hill, Rancho Dominguez, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Reseda, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Marino, San Pedro, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Saugus. Sepulveda, Shadow Hills, Sherman Oaks, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Gate. Studio City, Sun Valley, Sunland, Sylmar, Tarzana, Temple City, Terminal Island, Toluca Lake, Topanga, Torrance, Tujunga, Universal City, Val Verde,Valencia, Valley Village, Valyermo, Van Nuys, Venice, Verdugo City, Vernon, Walnut, West Covina, West Hills, West Hollywood, Westchester, Westwood, Whittier, Wilmington, Winnetka, Woodland Hills

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	ALL ABOUT MOLD

	Mold in Your Home
	Mold plays an essential role in our outdoor ecosystem. Without mold, we would find ourselves wading neck-deep in dead plant matter. And we wouldn't have great foods and medicines, such as cheese and penicillin. However, problems arise when mold starts digesting organic materials we don't want them to, like our homes.

	What are molds?
	Molds are microscopic organisms that produce two things: 1. enzymes to digest organic matter, and 2. spores to reproduce. With more than 100,000 species in the world, molds can be found literally everywhere. Molds are part of the fungi kingdom along with mushrooms, yeast, moss and mildew. In nature, mold plays a key role in balancing the ecosystem by decomposing and digesting leaves, wood, plant debris, and virtually any other natural or man-made organic materials. When defining mold it is important to distinguish between mold growth you can visibly see on a surface, and mold spores that cannot be seen with the naked eye but are ever-present in the air. The mold you can see growing on the surface of construction materials can cause property damage. The mold spores you cannot see floating in the air can cause people damage. Mold spores are regenerative cells surrounded by a very tough coating that can survive detergents, chemicals, bleach and extreme temperatures. Invisible to the natural eye, mold spores typically require between 400 and 600X magnification to identify. It is has been said that 250,000 mold spores can fit on the head of a pin. A visible patch of mold the size of a quarter can represent literally billions of mold spores. Molds reproduce by releasing spores. Airborne mold spores are literally everywhere - all the time, continually floating in and out of the buildings we all live and work in. Generally speaking, every day levels of mold spores floating in and out of buildings is not a problem unless there is dampness somewhere in the building. When airborne mold spores come in contact with wet or damp construction materials, such as wood, drywall, cabinets, carpet, etc. they colonize (settle). When mold spores colonize on a surface they can grow and spread rapidly, significantly multiplying indoor spore levels, giving off a variety of odors, and exhibiting hundreds of different colors and textures. [return to top of page]

	Where can I find mold?
	Molds thrive in warm and humid conditions, but you can find them year-round in virtually every type of environment, both indoors and outdoors. You'll find them outdoors in shady, damp areas and places where leaves or other vegetation is decomposing. Indoors you will find them in basements, showers, sink cabinets and in other areas where humidity levels are high or moisture intrusion has occurred. It's worth noting that you can use the terms "mold" and "mildew" interchangeably. Mildew is often applied to growth of fungi on fabrics, window sills or bathroom tiles, however, mold, mildew, moss, and mushrooms are all just different variations of the same thing - fungi or fungus. People who live near the ocean or in areas where it rains frequently often assume that mold simply comes with the territory. People who live in dry desert areas assume they could never have mold problems. While both assumptions may likely be true outdoors, geography has nothing to do with indoor mold growth. Any time mold is growing indoors it is because something got wet. [return to top of page]

	How does mold grow in my home or workplace?
	Once mold spores settle in your home, they need moisture to begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on. As long as there is no dampness, excessive humidity, or other of source water intrusion, indoor mold growth should not occur. There are molds that can grow on wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, leather goods, clothing, furniture, carpet, drywall, and insulation. When materials get wet or damp because of high indoor humidity, which is often caused by indoor humidifiers or excessive moisture in concrete slab, roof leaks, plumbing leaks, flooding, etc., conditions are often ideal for indoor mold growth. Indoor mold growth can also occur from sprinklers contacting exterior walls over time, or from standing water next to or under the structure. Realistically, it is almost impossible to rid all airborne mold spores from an indoor environment, however, you can prevent mold from growing indoors by controlling moisture. [return to top of page]

	How can I be exposed to mold?
	Illness from mold exposure can only occur one of three ways; 1. through absorption into the skin, 2. ingestion, or 3. inhalation. While it is never good to have mold growing indoors, if it is, you are not necessarily exposed to a health risk just because its there. Nobody gets sick looking at mold on a wall. But when molds are disturbed, their spores may be released into the air. You then can be exposed to the spores through the air you breathe. Also, if you directly handle moldy materials, you can be exposed to mold and mold spores through contact with your skin. Eating moldy foods or hand-to-mouth contact after handling moldy materials is yet another way you may be exposed. Other than small child who doesn't know any better, most people would not intentionally touch mold or knowingly ingest it. But disturbing mold can easily send billions of spores the air and create an immediate health risk in an enclosed indoor environment. How is mold disturbed? An action as simple as cleaning mold that is growing on a surface will send spores airborne. Other ways include: scraping or scrubbing mold off of moldy surfaces demolition or tear out of mold contaminated construction materials vacuuming moldy carpet (conventional vacuum cleaner bags do not trap mold spores - they blow them through the bag and into the air) running a furnace or air conditioner with mold in the duct work running fans in rooms where mold with contaminated materials opening doors an windows when a house smells like mold. If a strong breeze is blowing through it can stir up a lot of settled mold spores into the air. [return to top of page]
	How do I know if I have a mold problem?
	You may have seen white thread-like growths or fuzzy blue-green clusters or small black specks on surfaces in your house, or smelled a "musty" odor. Obviously, if you see mold or smell mold indoors, you have a mold problem. However, you can't always rely upon your senses to tell if you have a mold problem. Hidden mold can be growing inside wall, floor, or ceiling cavities long before being detected. Remember that all indoor mold growth is caused by some form of water intrusion. Have you ever had a flood, a toilet or bath tub overflow, a roof leak, a slab leak, a plumbing leak, a hot water tank leak, or even a freak accident like a fish tank break open? Does water pool under or next to your house. Has water from sprinklers been spraying on the building for a long time? All of these things are what causes indoor mold problems. If you answer YES to any of them, it is possible that you have a mold problem. Common places to find mold are in areas where water has damaged building materials and furnishings. Mold can also be found growing along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, such as inside cold exterior walls, behind dressers, headboards, and in closets where articles are stored against walls. Rooms with both high water usage and humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements are often havens for mold. If you notice mold or know of water damaged areas in your home, it is time to take action to control its growth. It's time for a professional mold inspection. [return to top of page]

	How can I control mold growth in my home?
	Fix any moisture problems in your home: Stop all water leaks first. Repair leaking roofs and plumbing fixtures. Move water away from concrete slabs and remove water from crawl spaces. Redirect sprinklers that spray on exterior walls. If you're not sure about current or previous water intrusion sources, have a mold inspection and moisture assessment done by a Certified Mold Inspector. Increase air circulation within your home, especially along the inside of exterior walls, and ventilate with fresh air from outside. Provide warm air to all areas of the home. Move large objects away from the inside of exterior walls just a few inches to provide good air circulation. Install and use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Ventilate and insulate attic and crawl spaces. Cover earth floors in crawl spaces with heavy plastic. Clean and dry water damaged walls, cabinets, carpets, clothing, bedding, upholstered furniture within 24 to 48 hours, or consider removing and replacing damaged furnishings. Invest in high quality Heppa vacuum cleaner bags. Vacuum and clean your home regularly. [return to top of page]

	How do I clean up mold?
	The time you are most likely to stir up spores and expose yourself and other occupants to potential health risks is the very time you are trying to clean up your mold problem. That's when you need to be the most careful. First, try to determine the extent of the mold infestation. If you are absolutely certain that the affected area is small and well-defined, you can do the clean up yourself, as long as you are free of any mold allergies or health problems. However, if you cannot be certain whether or not the mold problem is extensive, such as between the walls or under the floors, you should leave clean up to a professional. The best money you will spend before hiring a mold remediation contractor is having an independent, third-party, certified mold inspector conduct a mold inspection and moisture assessment. For more information click here. [return to top of page]

QUICK LINKS

	Mold In Your Home
	What Are Molds?
	Where Is Mold Found?
	How Does Mold Grow In My Home Or Workplace?
	How Do I Know If I Have A Mold Problem?
	How Can I Control Indoor Mold Growth?
	How Do I Clean Up Mold?

FREE MOLD BROCHURES

Absidia mold is a relatively rare cause of human zygomycosis. Zygomycosis is an opportunistic mycoses that manifests with pulmonary, rhinocerebral, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, renal or meningeal involvement. Disseminated zygomycosis may originate from these infections. Zygomycosis is very rarely observed in immunocompetent host. The growth of Absidia, particularly from clinical samples of patients with immunosuppression or diabetes mellitus, should be regarded as potentially significant.

Alternaria molds have emerged as opportunistic pathogens particularly in patients with immunosuppression, such as the bone marrow transplant patients. They are one of the causative agents of phaeohyphomycosis. Cases of onychomycosis, sinusitis, ulcerated cutaneous infections, and keratitis, as well as visceral infections and osteomyelitis due to Alternaria have been reported. In immunocompromised patients the colonization may end up with development of invasive disease.

Among all filamentous fungi, Aspergillus is in general the most commonly isolated one in invasive infections. It is the second most commonly recovered fungus in opportunistic mycoses following Candida. Some Aspergillus spp. produce various mycotoxins. These mycotoxins, by chronic ingestion, have proven to possess carcinogenic potential particularly in animals. Among these mycotoxins, aflatoxin is well-known and may induce hepatocellular carcinoma. It is mostly produced by Aspergillus flavus and contaminates foodstuff, such as peanuts.

Aureobasidium pullulans is one of the causative agents of phaehyphomycosis. It may cause keratomycosis, pulmonary mycosis with sepsis and other opportunistic infections, as well as cutaneous mycoses such as eumycotic dermatitis. While Aureobasidium mansoni was reported to cause nosocomial meningitis, Aureobasidium pullulans was isolated in patients with peritonitis. Aureobasidium may also colonize hair, skin, and nails in humans. The pathogenicity of Aureobasidium remains limited and uncommon. Thus, Aureobasidium pullulans is commonly considered as a contaminant.

Botrytis is a filamentous fungus isolated from decaying plants. Despite its cosmopolitan feature, it is more commonly reported from tropical and temperate areas. o infections due to Botrytis have been reported in humans or animals. It may act as a facultative pathogen in plants and is commonly considered as a contaminant.

Chaetomium is a dematiaceous filamentous fungus found in soil, air, and plant debris. As well as being a contaminant, Chaetomium spp. are also encountered as causative agents of infections in humans. Some species are thermophilic and neurotropic in nature. Chaetomium spp. are among the fungi causing infections wholly referred to as phaeohyphomycosis. Fatal deep mycoses due to Chaetomium atrobrunneum have been reported in an immunocompromised host. Brain abscess, peritonitis, cutaneous lesions, and onychomycosis may also develop due to Chaetomium spp.

Cladosporium is a dematiaceous (pigmented) mould widely distributed in air and rotten organic material and frequently isolated as a contaminant on foods. Cladosporium spp. are causative agents of skin lesions, keratitis, onychomycosis, sinusitis and pulmonary infections.

Curvularia is a dematiaceous filamentous fungus. Most species of Curvularia are facultative pathogens of soil, plants, and cereals in tropical or subtropical areas, while the remaining few are found in temperate zones. As well as being a contaminant, Curvularia may cause infections in both humans and animals. Curvularia spp. are among the causative agents of phaeohyphomycosis. Wound infections, mycetoma, onychomycosis, keratitis, allergic sinusitis, cerebral abscess, cerebritis, pneumonia, allergic bronchopulmonary disease, endocarditis, dialysis-associated peritonitis, and disseminated infections may develop due to Curvularia spp. Curvularia lunata is the most commonly encountered species. Importantly, the infections may develop in patients with intact immune system. However, similar to several other fungal genera, Curvularia has recently emerged also as an opportunistic pathogen that infects immunocompromised hosts.

As well as being common plant pathogens, Fusarium spp. are causative agents of superficial and systemic infections in humans. Infections due to Fusarium spp. are collectively referred to as fusariosis. The most virulent Fusarium spp. is Fusarium solani. Trauma is the major predisposing factor for development of cutaneous infections due to Fusarium strains. Disseminated opportunistic infections, on the other hand, develop in immunosuppressed hosts, particularly in neutropenic and transplant patients. Fusarium infections following solid organ transplantation tend to remain local and have a better outcome compared to those that develop in patients with hematological malignancies and bone marrow transplantation patients.

Graphium is a filamentous fungus found in soil and plant material. While Graphium may be isolated as an occasional contaminant, its telemorphs, Petriella, Pseudallescheria, and Ceratocystis may cause diseases. Most isolates of Graphium isolated in the clinical laboratory are synanamorphic forms of Pseudallescheria boydii or secondary forms with Scedosporium apiospermum.

Nigrospora is a filamentous dematiaceous fungus widely distributed in soil, decaying plants, and seeds. It is a common laboratory contaminant. Although it has been isolated from a few clinical samples, its pathogenicity in man remains uncertain. Nigrospora has been isolated from cutaneous lesions of a leukemic patient and from a case with keratitis. However, its pathogenic role as a causative agent is not well-known.

Penicillium spp. are widespread and are found in soil, decaying vegetation, and the air. Penicillium spp. are known to produce mycotoxins. Penicillium spp. are occasional causes of infection in humans and the resulting disease is known generically as penicilliosis. Penicillium has been isolated from patients with keratitis, endophtalmitis, otomycosis, necrotizing esophagitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis, and urinary tract infections. Most Penicillium infections are encountered in immunosuppressed hosts. Corneal infections are usually post-traumatic. In addition to its infectious potential, Penicillium verrucosum produces a mycotoxin, ochratoxin A, which is nephrotoxic and carcinogenic.

Rhizopus is a cosmopolitan filamentous fungus found in soil, decaying fruit and vegetables, animal feces, and old bread. While Rhizopus spp. are common contaminants, they are also occasional causes of serious (and often fatal) infections in humans. Some species are plant pathogens. Rhizopus spp. are among the fungi causing the group of infections referred to as zygomycosis. Although the term mucormycosis has often been used for this syndrome, zygomycosis is now the preferred term for this angio-invasive disease. Rhizopus arrhizus is the most common cause of zygomycosis and is followed by Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis.

Scopulariopsis is commonly considered as a contaminant, it may cause infections in humans, particularly in immunocompromised patients. It is a weakly keratinolytic fungus which is highly resistant to benomyl. It is among the fungi that cause onychomycosis especially of the toe nails.

Stachybotrys produces trichothecene mycotoxins, the satratoxins. These toxins may be acquired by ingestion of food products contaminated with the fungus or experimentally, via direct inhalation of the spores. In addition to its mycotoxins, Stachybotrys produces an hemolysin, stachylysin, which lyses sheep erythrocytes. The existence of the mycotoxin, as well as the stachylysin, has been demonstrated in some strains.

Although it is commonly considered as a contaminant, Trichoderma may cause infections in presence of certain predisposing factors. Very few human cases due to Trichoderma have been identified. Trichoderma infections are opportunistic and develop in immunocompromised patients, such as neutropenic cases and transplant recipients, as well as patients with chronic renal failure, chronic lung disease, or amyloidosis. Peritonitis, pulmonary, perihepatic, and disseminated infections have so far been reported.

Ulocladium is a dematiaceous filamentous fungus that inhabits the soil and decaying herbaceous plants. It is widely distributed in nature and may be isolated from paper, textiles, and wood as well. Ulocladium is commonly considered as a contaminant. It may very rarely cause human disease. Ulocladium spp. may cause phaeohyphomycosis and particularly subcutaneous infections.

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