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Ford County

Indoor Air Quality

Mold Spores and Allergens

Mold produces "spores," tiny specks you cannot see and that float through the air. When you breathe in the mold spores, they get into your lungs and can cause health problems. People with allergies to various types of mold may have reactions under these conditions.

Mold is a growing problem across the America and has been attributed to many respiratory ailments. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states:

Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include: allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complains.

There are about 100,000 different kinds of mold. They can come in a variety of colors: white, orange, pink, blue, green, brown or black. Molds are found almost everywhere, indoors and out. To protect your home and health, you should prevent their growth indoors; however this is not easily accomplished.

Don't Feed Mold Spores

To protect your health and home, it is recommended that you prevent mold growth indoor. This is not an easy task. Even antibacterial bathroom cleansers will not kill mold; however these types of cleanser do allow homeowners to keep mold situations in check and stop their output of spores.

Indoor molds breakdown what they are living on. This may include: soap scum, foods, papers, leather, insulation, finished and unfinished woods, fabrics, drywall, rags and linoleum backing. The longer they grow on site, the more damage the molds cause.

For smaller, more localized mold problems, homeowners should first clean and dry the problem area and then figure out how to keep the area dry. Commercial mildew removers and antibacterial bathroom cleaners can slow mold growth, but can be expensive for larger surfaces. For bigger jobs, a better solution might be:

  1. Protect yourself with a paper filter mask for your mouth and nose, nitrile gloves and safety goggles.
  2. Use them while wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and non-porous shoes.
  3. Mix 1 cup bleach in a gallon of water (or 1 part bleach to 8-10 parts water). To help loosen mold, add a few squirts of dish soap, if you like - but only if it contains NO ammonia. (CAUTION: Together, bleach and ammonia make a poisonous gas.)
  4. Use a stiff brush to scrub the mold and surrounding surface. Keep area wet for 10-15 minutes.
  5. Rinse the mold with clean water and make sure the area dries thoroughly.
  6. Label any leftover bleach solution and keep it locked away from children.
  7. Wash clothing in hot water (with bleach, if possible) since spores can travel on clothing too.

Any area where mold has been around for some time may need multiple applications of the bleach solution. Areas newly damaged by hard rains, plumbing leaks or flooding need to be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent the start of mold growth.

The good news, molds can not grow and produce spores where moisture is not present. Remember the key to mold control is moisture control.

The key to MOLD CONTROL is MOISTURE CONTROL.

Air Pollution Sources

Possible Air Pollution Sources in the Home

  • Moisture
  • Pressed Wood Furniture
  • Humidifier
  • Moth Repellent
  • Dry Cleaned Goods
  • House Dust Mites
  • Personal Care Products
  • Air Freshener
  • Stored Fuels
  • Car Exhaust
  • Paint Supplies
  • Paneling
  • Wood Stove
  • Tobacco Smoke
  • Carpets
  • Pressed Wood Subflooring
  • Drapes
  • Fireplace
  • Household Chemicals
  • Asbestos Floor Tiles
  • Pressed Wood Cabinets
  • Unvented Gas Stove
  • Asbestos Pipe Wrap
  • Radon
  • Unvented Clothes Dryer
  • Pesticides
  • Stored Hobby Products

Indoor Air Quality Links

Indoor Air Hazards
EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
KDHE: Fungi and Molds
EPA: Molds & Moisture Site
KDHE: Mold Resources
EPA: Air Pollutants
KDHE: Disaster Recovery Information
CDC: Mold
CDC: Air Pollution & Respiratory Health
CDC: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
KDHE: Carbon Monoxide
EPA: Air Ducts