Spores and microscopic fragments of mold growth are a natural component of both outdoor and indoor air. However, when molds germinate and grow, they can produce large amounts of spores. Recently, concern has arisen that elevated levels of mold spores in indoor living or working environments may increase the risk of adverse health effects, particularly respiratory problems. EHIB staff has prepared review documents summarizing currently available knowledge regarding the occurrence of molds and possible human health effects. This page allows access to these documents and provides links to other sites with helpful information regarding molds and other indoor air contaminants.

Q & A

Publications

Mold in My School: What Do I Do?  This 4-page fact sheet, designed in a question and answer format, provides information on health effects and other concerns that can arise when water damage or mold growth is found in classrooms and other school facilities.  It also provides guidelines for prevention and cleanup of water intrusion, moisture accumulation and mold growth.  This document was distributed to California school districts in October, 2001.  You will need Acrobat 5.0 to access this file.

“Black Mold and Human Illness” by Texas Medical Association, 2002 The Council on Scientific Affairs of the Texas Medical Association conducted a review of the medical and scientific literature to evaluate the association between Stachybotrys chartarum and human health effects.  The report (4.5 pages of text, 18 references) concludes that currently there is not sufficient evidence that breathing Stachybotrys spores while inside water-damaged buildings causes human health problems.

Mold in My Home: What Do I Do?   ¿Moho en Mi Casa: Que Hago? A concise, informative 4 page summary of health problems that may be associated with mold exposure and recommendations for removing mold growth and preventing its return.

	Health Effects of Toxin-Producing Molds in California Short article designed for health professionals describing what is known about health effects of toxin-producing molds in the indoor environment, especially Stachybotrys chartarum. This article discusses mechanism of action, route of exposure and summarizes cases from the medical literature.
	Stachybotrys Chartarum (atra) — A mold that may be found in water-damaged homes A fact sheet designed for general audiences describing growth characteristics of the mold, Stachybotrys chartarum. Also describes possible health effects from exposure to this mold, methods to prevent occurrence and recommendations for clean-up methods.
	Fungi and Indoor Air Quality Four-page article describes types of molds commonly found indoors in home and office environments and the physical conditions that encourage their growth. Health effects that may be related to a variety of molds are discussed. Health problems including allergic, infectious and inflammatory conditions are included. Methods for preventing and controlling indoor mold contamination are reviewed.
	Bioaerosols and Green-Waste Composting in California Review of medical literature regarding biological agents and their metabolic or degradation products that are produced during the composting of yard waste (grass clippings, shrubbery, leaves, etc.). Common types, sources, exposure levels and potential health effects of biological agents such as Aspergillus fumigatus, bacterial endotoxins and thermophilic actinomycetes are described. The occurrence of these bioaerosols in the natural environment and at large municipal composting facilities is discussed.
	Misinterpretation of Stachybotrys Serology This four-page fact sheet is designed for health professionals and describes the current status (December, 2000) of biomonitoring for human exposure to the fungus Stachybotrys chartarum. There is currently no testing method that can accurately determine whether an individual has been exposed to Stachybotrys toxins or spores.  You will need Acrobat 5.0 to access this file.

Links

 

	Report of Microbial Growth Task Force May 2001, American Industrial Hygiene Association report.  based on best currently available knowledge, this report addresses 11 common questions about remediating microbial growth (including molds) and worker protection during clean-up.  Example of questions include: when should indoor microbial contamination be cleaned up, what clean-up methods be used and should bleach or other biocides be used.  Treatment of water-damaged furnishings and evaluating success of remediation are also discussed.  Uncertainties and gaps in current knowledge about these topics are also noted.
	http://www.cal-iaq.org/iaqsheet.htm This site contains fact sheets on several indoor air quality problems including molds, asbestos, radon, ozone-generating air cleaners, and guidance for hiring an indoor air quality consultant.  it also contains links to many other websites with helpful information on indoor air quality.
	Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings April, 2001 guidance from U.S. E.P.A. on preventing, investigating, evaluating and removing or cleaning up moisture and mold problems.  This document is specifically directed to schools and commercial buildings, but contains information that is helpful to home owners and renters as well.
	http://www.epa.gov/iaq Information on a wide variety of indoor air contaminants, including biological (such as molds and dust mites) and chemical (such as environmental tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and others).
	http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/asthma/factsheets/molds/molds.htm Concise information on molds in the environment: mold types, their possible human health effects, where molds are found and recommendations for decreasing indoor mold exposure.
	http://www.dehs.umn.edu/iaq/flood.html University of Minnesota site describes a systematic approach for appropriately cleaning up water problems in buildings due to floods, roof leaks, potable water leaks, sewage backup, steam leaks and groundwater infiltration.
	http://www.dehs.umn.edu/iaq/fungus/glossary.html University of Minnesota fungal glossary: short descriptions of commonly identified environmental fungi (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, etc.). Also has links to mold photographs and references.
	http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4909ae.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report of its review and reanalysis of the 1993-1996 Cleveleand, Ohio infant lung bleeding cases that brought Stachybotrys chartarum mold to national attention. CDC concludes that exposure to this or other molds was not proven to be associated with lung bleeding in these cases.
	http://www.cdc.gov/od/tds/ref29.pdf Report of the CDC internal working groups that reanalyzed the investigation of 1993-1996 Cleveland infant lung bleeding cases.

	www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/aialr/moldslide/moldtext.html Minnesota Department of Health. This site contains answers to commonly asked questions about the health effects of indoor molds, recommendations on how to investigate your home for the presence of mold growth.   It also describes how to remove molds and, most importantly, some simple things one can do to prevent mold growth in a building.
	Indoor Mold: Health Hazard Identification and Control Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corporation.  Moisture & Air: Problems & Remedies, Householder's Guide.   Practical recommendaitons for finding and fixing air or water leaks in a house.
	http://www.cdc.gov/od/tds/ref30.pdf CDC compilation of reports that were individually submitted by external panel members reviewing the 1993-1996 Clevleand infant lung bleeding case investigation.

http://www.cal-iaq.org Indoor Air Assistance Line (510) 540-2476