What is Mold?

We at H&L Environmental Services Ltd are recognizing the month of September as Mold

awareness month as such we have put together some short infomercials answering some questions which many persons have asked over the years.

The first topic will take a closer look at Mold.

Mold is a form of fungi where small invisible spores are produced on root-like structures called hyphae. The spores can become airborne and be spread from one area to the next. Mold is found everywhere in the air and on surfaces, both indoors and outdoors and plays a crucial role in nature as they secrete enzymes and decompose materials on which they grow, releasing nutrients back into the environment.

Mold can enter the indoor environment through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets can and be carried indoors.

Mold requires three factors for growth: moisture, cellulose based substrate and time. However, moisture is the limiting factor and therefore mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, in high humidity or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, concrete structures, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

Although mold is ubiquitous an issue arises where the growth indoors goes unchecked due to excess moisture. We will take a look at the impacts of mold growth indoors in further detail later on.