Mold Information

The media sounded an alarm, the public heard the horror stories, and now homebuyers worry about the presence of molds in the homes they purchase.

If the high-profile status of molds is relatively recent, the subject of all the concern has been around forever. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "Molds can be found almost anywhere; they grow on virtually any substance when moisture is present. Outdoors many molds live in the soil and play a key role in the breakdown of leaves, wood and other plant debris."

EPA says molds are here to stay. "There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture."

But homebuyers want to know more than this. Unfortunately, just as when the public first became aware of asbestos, radon and problems with E.I.F.S., the body of knowledge about molds in indoor environments is far from complete.

What is known, according to the EPA, is that "molds can trigger asthma episodes in individuals with an allergic reaction to mold." Because of this health factor, it recommends the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as a source of information.

Here is a link to the EPA: A Brief Guide
http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html

Source: The American Society of Home Inspectors