Less than 100,000 have been named. Approximately 1,000 types of mold are found indoors acoss America. Less than 80 molds are suspected of causing some form of illness, and only a few of them are considered toxic.

THREE MAJOR MOLD GROUPS:

Molds are organized into three groups according to human responses:

Allergenic

Pathogenic

Toxigenic.

Allergenic Molds

Pathogenic Molds

Toxigenic Molds

COMMON INDOOR MOLDS
The most common types of mold found indoors include:

·       Aspergillus and its subspecies (A. flavus, A. versicolor);

·       Cladosporium

·       Penicillium

·       Alternaria

·       Stachybotrys atra (S. atra), also known as "Black Mold."

·        

Often, mold spores, whether dead or alive, cause adverse health effects, primarily of a respiratory nature, including hay fever-like allergic symptoms.

Many of these molds, primarily S. atra, also produce chemical toxins known as "mycotoxins," which are generated and released into the air within the mold spores, leading to the "toxic mold" designation. Exposure to these toxins can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, and can result in symptoms including dermatitis, cough, rhinitis, nose bleeds, cold and flu symptoms, headache, general malaise and fever.

Initial awareness of adverse health effects from S. atra exposure was raised by a mid-1990's study from Cleveland, Ohio, involving infants who had died from sudden and unexplained pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeding of the lungs). Upon investigation, researchers found that the infants resided in homes with high levels of S. atra, linking S. atra exposure to serious health effects.

http://advancedmoldinspections.com/types_of_mold.html

"... Although ozone can damage some fungi, there is not a single study in the peer-reviewed literature that documents sufficient deactivation of fungi to be useful in remediation efforts... It is true that very high levels of ozone over several hours will significantly lower the concentrations of culturable fungi on hard surfaces. At these concentrations, however, the ozone will damage building contents...

Data from studies that assess fungi on materials in houses have not been impressive. 50% reductions have been achieved and considered significant. However, reducing fungal concentrations on a surface from 50,000 to 20,000, although it may be statistically significant, is not important in a remediation sense.

...Overall, then, given the potential dangers of ozone damaging building contents and the possibility of negative health effects both for remediators and for occupants, I would not recommend it's use. In fact, given the negative literature, I would suggest that the use of ozone is contraindicated in mold remediation situations."

Indoor Environment Connections. Volume 12, issue 2. December 2010

PESTICIDE WARNINGS 

EPA noted that many people have responded to the bed bug problem by stepping up their use of pesticides; but this approach must be handled carefully:

- Never use a pesticide indoors that is intended for outdoor use. It is very dangerous and won't solve your bed bug problem.

- Using the wrong pesticide or using it incorrectly to treat for bed bugs can make you sick, may not solve the problem, and could even make it worst by causing the bed bugs to hide where the pesticide won't reach them.

- Check if the product is effective against bed bugs -- If a pest is not listed on the product label, the pesticide has not been tested on that pest and it may not be effective. Don't use a product or allow a pest control operator to treat your home unless bed bugs are named on the product label.

- Keep in mind that any pesticide product without an EPA registration number has not been reviewed by EPA, so the Agency has not determined how well the product works."

Indoor Environment Connections. Volume 12, issue 3. January 2011

Here is some late-breaking mold news from the State of New York:

The New York State Toxic Mold Task Force Report to the Governor and Legislature, which IE Connections has reported in several previous issues, has been finalized. Here are some of its findings and recommendations:

- Evidence does not exist supporting distinction between a category of "toxic mold" species versus other "non-toxic' mold species or between "toxic mold" health effects and health effects associated with other molds;

- Although some molds produce toxins, "their contribution to adverse health effects in damp buildings, base on existing scientific information, is uncertain," the panel found. It added that molds produce volatile compounds, spores and other minute particles "that can cause irritant and allergic responses that range from annoying to serious;"

- Both New York State and New York City should continue to improve building code requirements, so that they prevent or minimize the potential for mold and other moisture related problems to occur. They should both work within the frame work of the International Code Council (ICC) code adoption process to monitor and develop proposals to prevent or minimize mold in new and existing buildings.

The full report, which runs about 150 pages, is one of the more comprehensive i have seen from a public entity. You should check out the whole thing at www.health.ny.gov"

Indoor Environment Connections. Volume 12, issue3. January 2011

"While humidifiers can have big benefits, they can also cause problems if there are not cleaned properly," said a recent report on CBS News. "Mold and fungus can build up and be released into the air... triggering flu like symptoms, even lung infections.  

Reactions can be particularly bad in people with asthma or allergies. Doctors say children can experience increased congestion, coughing, and wheezing."

To keep bacteria away, experts recommend cleaning the humidifier tank and reservoir with a desinfectant every 3 days, changing the water every day, using distilled water to cut down on mineral deposits and replacing filters regularly."

Indoor Environment Connections. Volume 12, issue4. February 2011

Nurses demand healthier school environment

"An association of school nurses is urging the Federal Governament to complete congressionaly mandated environmental health guidelines for the States, in an effort to help address deteriorating school conditions.

Responses to a nationwide survey conducted by the group indicate over 40% of more than 350 respondends say tha they know children and staff had versely impected by avoidable indoor pollutants, and that virtually no agencies assist local schools...

More than 75% said their schools have no indoor air quality team or coordinator, and only 6% said an outside agency helps their schools with environmental issues...

Given the above situation and due to typical air flows through a building, sources of indoor air contaminants can develop in or invade the basement areas, and then end up inside the rest of the building.  

These various sources may end up creating an unsafe work place in the basement as well as the floors above and possibly leading to health effects, or at a minimum result in a loss of productivity and lead to expensive mitigation challenges."

Indoor Environment Connections. Volume 12, issue 4. February 2011