Mold (American English) or mold (English English) is part of the natural environment. Mushrooms play an important part in nature by breaking dead organic matter such as falling leaves and dead trees; indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds multiply by using small spores. Spores are like seeds, but not visible to the naked eye, which floats in the air. Mushrooms may start growing indoors when spores land on moist surfaces. There are many types of mushrooms, but all require moisture and food sources for growth.
Video Indoor mold
Health effects
Mushrooms are everywhere, and mold spores are a common component of household dust and workplace. In large quantities they can harm human health, potentially causing allergic reactions and respiratory problems.
Some molds produce mycotoxins which can pose a serious health risk to humans and animals. "Toxic mold" refers to the fungus that produces mycotoxins, such as Stachybotrys chartarum . Exposure to high mycotoxin levels can cause neurological problems and death. Prolonged exposure (eg, daily exposure) can be very dangerous.
Symptoms
Symptoms of fungal exposure may include nasal and sinus congestion; runny nose, eye irritation; itchy, red, watery, breathing problems, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing, chest tightness, coughing, throat irritation, skin irritation (such as rash), headache, and sneezing constantly.
Asthma
The infant may develop respiratory symptoms as a result of exposure to Penicillium , the genus of the fungus. Signs of breathing problems associated with molding in infants include persistent coughing or wheezing. Increased exposure increases the likelihood of developing respiratory symptoms during the first year of life. Studies have shown a correlation between the possibility of developing asthma and exposure Penicillium .
Mushroom exposure has a variety of health effects, and mushroom sensitivity varies. Exposure to fungi can cause irritation of the throat, nasal congestion, eye irritation, coughing and wheezing and skin irritation in some cases. Exposure to fungi may increase sensitivity, depending on the time and nature of the exposure. People with chronic lung disease have a higher risk for fungal allergy, and will experience more severe reactions when exposed to fungi. Wet indoor environments are correlated with upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing in asthmatics.
Maps Indoor mold
Cause and condition of growth
Mushrooms are found everywhere, and can grow in almost any substance when moisture is present. They reproduce with spores, which are carried by the air currents. When spores land on a humid surface suitable for life, they begin to grow. Mushrooms are usually found indoors at levels that do not affect the healthiest individual.
Since common building materials are able to sustain mold growth and mold spores everywhere, the growth of fungi in the indoor environment is typically associated with water or moisture and may be caused by improper flooring drainage (such as concrete). Flooding, leaking roofs, building maintenance or in-house pipe problems can lead to the growth of interior fungi. Water vapor generally condenses on a colder surface than air containing moisture, allowing the fungus to thrive. This steam vapor passes through walls and ceilings, usually condensing during winter in climates with long warming seasons. The floors above the crawl and basement rooms, without a vapor barrier or with dirt floors, tend to be moldy. "Mat test" detects moisture from concrete slabs without sub-slab steam barrier. Some materials, such as polished concrete, do not support mold growth.
Significant mushroom growth requires moisture and food sources and substrates capable of sustaining growth. Common building materials, such as plywood, drywall, furring strips, carpets, and carpet mats provide food for prints. On the carpet, dust and cellulose are not visible is the source of food. After the water damages the building, the fungus grows on the wall and then becomes inactive until the next high humidity; the appropriate conditions reactivate the mold. Higher mycotoxin levels in buildings that have experienced water incidents.
Hidden prints
Mushrooms can be detected by odors and signs of water damage on walls or ceilings, and can grow in places that are not visible to the human eye. These can be found behind the wallpaper or panel, inside the ceiling tiles, the back of the drywall, or the bottom of the carpet or carpet pads. Piping on walls can also be a source of fungus, as they can leak (causing moisture and condensation).
Spores need three things to grow into mushrooms: nutrients - cellulose (green plant cell wall) is a common food for indoor spores; moisture - To start the process of putrefaction caused by the fungus; growth time-from 24 hours to 10 days after provision of growing conditions.
Fungal colonies can grow inside the building, and the main danger is the inhalation of mycotoxins. After a large flood or leak, mycotoxin levels are even higher after the building is dry.
Food sources for in-building molds include cellulosic based materials such as wood, cardboard and paper facing drywall and organic materials such as soap, cloth and dust-proof skin cells. If a house has a fungus, moisture can come from a basement or crawl, a leaky roof or a pipe leak. Insufficient ventilation can accelerate the buildup of moisture. Fungal colonies can form where ventilation is at worst and in perimeter walls (as they are nearest dew point).
If there are fungal problems at home only at certain times of the year, the house may be too airtight or too windy. Printing problems occur in airtight houses more often in warmer months (when humidity is high inside the house, and moisture trapped), and occurs in windy houses more often in the cold months (when warm air comes out of the living and condensing areas). If a house is artificially moistened during the winter, this can create favorable conditions to be established. Moving air can prevent mold growing, because it has the same drying effect with low humidity. The fungus grows best at warm temperatures, 77 to 86 ° F (25 to 30 ° C), although growth may occur between 32 and 95 ° F (0 and 35 ° C).
Removing one of the three requirements for the mold reduces (or eliminates) the growth of new molds: moisture; food for mushroom spores (eg, dust or feathers); and warmth because molds generally do not grow in cold environments.
The HVAC system can produce all three needs for mold growth. The air conditioning system creates a temperature difference, inducing condensation. The high rate of dusty air movement through the HVAC system may provide plenty of food for the mold. Since the air conditioning system is not always running, warm conditions are the last component for mold growth.
Assessment
The first step in the assessment is to determine whether the fungus is present through a fungal examination conducted by the Certified Microbial Investigator. This inspection consists of a visual inspection of the premises; readings of humidity meter, sample lifter tape, and indoor and outdoor air samples. If the fungus is actively growing and appears to be confirmed, sampling for specific species is not required.
Intrusive observation is sometimes required to assess the level of printing. This includes moving furniture, lifting (or removing) the carpet, checking behind a wallpaper or panel, checking the ventilation ducts and exposing the wall cavities. Detailed visual inspection and the introduction of a moldy odor should be used to find the problem. Efforts typically focus on areas where there are signs of moisture or moisture (moisture), or where moisture problems are suspected.
Sampling
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) generally does not recommend sampling unless a space occupant has symptoms. Sampling should be done by a trained professional with special experience in sampling-sampling protocols, sampling methods and interpretation of findings. It should be done only to make certain determinations, such as the concentration of air spores or identifying certain species. Prior to sampling, further action should be determined.
In the US, sampling and analysis should follow recommendations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the EPA and the American Healthcare Industry Association (AIHA).
Types of samples include air, surface, bulk, and cotton. Air is the most common form of sampling to assess the level of mold. Both indoor and outdoor air are sampled, and the spore rate of the fungus is compared. Air sampling often identifies hidden prints. Surface sampling measures the number of fungal spores stored on the indoor surface, collected on tape or in dust. Bulk material collection from the contaminated area is used to identify and quantify prints in the sample. With cotton, the cotton cloth is rubbed in the sampled area, often measured, and then sent to the mold test laboratory. The final result shows the level and species of mold located in the area of ​​the suspect.
Some types of sampling are recommended by AIHA, because each has its limitations; for example, the air sample will not identify the source of the hidden mold and the tape sample can not determine the level of contamination in the air.
Remediation
The first step in solving the indoor molding problem is to remove the source of moisture; New molds will begin to grow on wet and porous surfaces within 24 to 48 hours. There are a number of ways to prevent mold growth. Some cleaning companies specialize in fabric restoration, remove mushrooms (and mold spores) from clothing to remove odors and prevent further damage to clothing.
An effective way to clean the fungus is to use a detergent solution that physically removes the fungus. Many commercial detergents are marketed for fungal removal including EPA approved antifungal agents.
Significant fungal growth may require professional mold remediation to remove affected building materials and eliminate excessive sources of moisture. In the extreme case of mold growth in the building, it may be more cost effective to condemn the building than to reduce the mold to a safe level.
The purpose of remediation is to remove (or clean) contaminated materials, prevent mold (and dust contaminated with fungi) from entering (or uncontaminated) areas while protecting workers who undertake reduction.
HEPA_vacuum "> Method of cleaning and deletion
The purpose of cleaning is to remove the fungus and remove the contaminated material. Kill the fungus with insufficient biocide, because the chemicals and proteins that cause the reaction in humans remain in die mold. The following methods are used.
- Evaluation: Prior to remediation, this area is assessed to ensure safety, clean the entire moldy area, and approach the mold appropriately. EPA provides the following instructions:
- HVAC Cleanup: Must be done by a trained professional.
- Protective clothing: Includes full face or full respirator mask. Goggle with a half-face respirator mask prevents mold spores from reaching the mucous membrane of the eye. Coverall hazmat coverall is available to hold particles to a micrometer, and protective clothing keeps the fungal spores from entering the skin wound. Gloves made of rubber, nitrile, polyurethane, or neoprene.
- Brushing or dry agitation: Brushing or sanding wire is used when microbial growth can be seen on solid wood surfaces such as framing or underlayment (subfloor).
- Dry ice blast: Eliminate mold from wood and cement; however, this process can spray the fungus and its by-products into the surrounding air.
- Wet vacuum: Wet dusts are used on wet materials, and this method is one that is approved by the EPA.
- Wet wipe: Remove the fungus from a non-porous surface by wiping or scrubbing with water and detergent and dry quickly.
- HEPA (high efficiency particulate air vacuum): Used in the remediation area after the material has been dried and the contaminated material removed; collected debris and dust stored to prevent the release debris.
- Removal of debris: Sealed in the remediation area, flakes are usually disposed of with ordinary construction waste.
Tools
Equipment used in mold remediation includes: moisture meter: measure drying of damaged material; Humidity gauge: often paired with a thermometer; borescope: A camera at the end of a flexible snake, illuminating potential fungal problems inside walls, ceilings and crawl spaces; digital camera: Document findings during assessment; personal protective equipment (PPE): Respirators, gloves, fire-retardant clothing, and eye protection; thermographic camera: The infrared thermal-imaging camera identifies a secondary source of moisture.
Level of protection
During mold recovery in the US, the level of contamination determines the level of protection for remediation workers. The level of contamination has been mentioned as I, II, III, and IV:
- Level I : Small, remote area (10 square feet (0.93 m 2 ) or less); remediation can be done by trained building staff;
- Level II : Medium size, isolated area (10-30 square feet (0.93-2.79 m 2 )); can also be rehabilitated by trained and protected building staff;
- Level III : Large and isolated areas (30-100 square feet (2.8-9.3 m 2 )): Professionals experienced in microbial investigations or mushroom repair should be consulted, and personnel should be trained in the handling of hazardous materials and equipped with respiratory protection, gloves and eye protection;
- Level IV : Extensive contamination (over 100 square feet (9.3 m 2 )); requires trained professionals equipped
After remediation, the site should be re-evaluated to ensure success.
Housing template prevention and control
According to the EPA, home printing can be prevented and controlled by cleaning and repairing roof gutters, to prevent water seepage into the house; keep the dust pan air conditioning clean and clear drainage channels; monitoring of indoor moisture; draining the moisture or condensation area and removing its source; Treating structural wood or framing of affected wood with EPA-approved fungicidal encapsulation layer after pre-cleaning (especially crawling room, unfinished basement or poor ventilation; attic).
See also
- Environmental engineering
- Environmental health
- Greenguard Environment Institute
- High ozone shock treatment
- House dust mites
- Indoor air quality
- Occupational asthma
- Sick building syndrome
Note
External links
- Environmental Protection Agency Mold Homepage
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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