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Envision3 Group, Inc. is a full service Phoenix, Arizona Environmental Firm providing a broad range of environmental consulting including but not limited to mold testing, mold inspections, asbestos inspection, asbestos testing, asbestos management, site assessments, indoor air quality assessments, mold testing, remediation design and implementation, lead based paint inspections and field services to a wide variety of clients. Our personnel are committed to providing prompt and professional environmental services. We pride ourselves on the increasing number of private, corporate, and government clients who exclusively use Envision's services to solve their complex environmental and regulatory concerns.

MOLD IN THE NEWS

Remove source of mold as soon as possible.
Rosie Romero
Special for The Arizona Republic

Mold is all around us. Some (mushrooms) you can eat, others (penicillin) make you better, but some can make you sick. Although the verdict is still out on some research, there's something we know for sure: Get rid of mold when you find it.

Are all molds dangerous to your health?
No. The human body can tolerate small amounts of mold; high doses are a concern. For the majority of molds, the most common side effects are allergic reactions due to indoor air- quality problems. Reactions range from sneezing or eye irritation to asthma attacks, and can occur in people with or without allergies. Children, elderly and those with impaired immune systems are more susceptible. Symptoms that are non-allergic or -irritant are not commonly reported, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. However, research is ongoing.

Although most molds produce allergens, under certain conditions some can release mycotoxins. In high doses, these can be toxic. In most cases, the amount produced is extremely small.

What else does mold do?
Mold causes damage, even in dry climates like Arizona. This can include an unsightly cosmetic stain or permanent damage to your home. The longer the mold is there, the more damage it will cause.

Where should you look for mold?
Mold is a natural fungus found all over the earth. All types of mold have one thing in common: They need moisture to survive. Some of the most common places to find mold in the home include bathroom (moisture from baths or showers), kitchen (steam from cooking), windows (condensation or bad flashing), attics (from roof leaks), roofs (weather), basements (underground), vents and ductwork (can have condensation and transfers airborne mold spores to other areas of the home) and crawl spaces.

Are there precautions that need to be taken while cleaning mold?
Especially if you have allergies or asthma, it is recommended to stay on the safe side and wear rubber gloves and goggles. A respirator also can be worn while cleaning. If you're working with drywall or wood, remember to treat the area with a proper water sealant after the moisture problem is fixed and the area is clean and mold-free. If the area is over 10 square feet, or if you're concerned with certain health problems, a professional can do the job.

There are concerns that even dead mold spores may be allergenic. Whenever possible, mold must be removed and not just cleaned.

How can you prevent mold?
Many people think that Arizona is immune to mold because of the dry climate, but mold can grow on a wet surface in 48 hours. The sooner the area is cleaned, the better. You must eliminate the moisture source. If you don't, mold will keep reappearing.

Take preventive measures at home.
Occasionally, check areas that are more susceptible to mold growth and get things fixed before much damage occurs. Make sure no sprinklers are hitting the house when they come on, don't use your air-conditioning system if you suspect mold contamination, etc. Additional insulation can prevent condensation on cold surfaces, such as windows, flooring and piping.

Following is an excerptfrom the EPA Mold Website:
Why is mold growing in my home?

Molds are part of the natural environment.  Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided.  Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the non-microscope eye and float through outdoor and indoor air.  Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet.  There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Can mold cause health problems?

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing.  Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins).  Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.  Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common.  They can be immediate or delayed.  Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people.  Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold.  Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.  This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional.  You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.

How do I get rid of mold?

It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust.  The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present.  Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors.  If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem.  If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.

Useful Links:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - "Molds in the Environment"

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - "Questions and Answers on Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds"

Environmental Protection Agency - "Information regarding mold"

Planet Mold (http://www.planetmold.com)

New York City Mold Guidelines

OSHA Indoor Air Quality Guidelines

Environmental Protection Agency / Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings

USA Weekend Article (7 21-02) - When Mold Takes Hold

CBS News: An Insidious Mold - The Melinda Ballard Story

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS: Toxic Effects of Indoor Molds

Indoor Toxic Molds and their Symptoms By Nachman Brautbar, M.D.

TOXIC MOLD & TORT NEWS

Additional Mold / IAQ Links:

• Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, CDC
  • Mycotic Disease Listing
    Provides fact sheets on fungal diseases.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Mold Web Site
    Provides mold information, actions you can take, and links to other resources.
  • Frequently requested EPA documents:
    • A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
    • Asthma Triggers - Molds
    • An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality: Biological Pollutants
    • Fact Sheet: Flood Cleanup - Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems
    • Flood Cleanup
    • Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings
    • Mold Resources
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  Provides documents on mold from FEMA, whose mission is to reduce loss of life and property and to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure from hazards.
• National Ag Safety Database
  • Causes and Symptoms of Mold and Dust-Induced Respiratory Illness
    Provides information on Farmer's Lung and other respiratory hazards related to exposure to mold spores while working in dusty fields, silos, and grain bins. Includes symptoms, treatment, and control procedures.
  • Farmer's Lung: It Takes Your Breath Away!
    Provides information on Farmer's Lung, an allergy caused by dust from moldy hay, straw and grain, including symptoms and methods of minimizing exposure.
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Moisture, Mold, and Mildew [PDF, 196 KB]
    Provides information for building managers about identifying and correcting problems caused by mold and mildew, including factors that govern relative humidity, common moisture problems, and their solutions.
  • NIOSHTIC-2 Database
    Provides search results on Indoor Environmental Quality and Mold from NIOSHTIC, a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Click "Full View" to read article abstracts.
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID)
  • Mold Allergy Web Site
    Provides questions and answers on mold allergies.
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
  Provides documents on mold from NIEHS, whose mission is to reduce the burden of human illness and dysfunction from environmental causes by understanding each of these elements and how they interrelate. Search on “mold” to see NIEHS’ list of mold-related documents.
• National Library of Medicine Mold Web site
  Provides information in English and Spanish on molds, including cleanup, health aspects, organizations dealing with it, and other resources.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace
    Provides recommendations on how to prevent mold growth and how to protect workers involved in the prevention and cleanup of mold.
  • Preventing Mold-Related Problems in the Indoor Workplace [PDF, 207 KB]
    Provides recommendations to owners, managers, and occupants on how to fix mold problems in buildings.
• Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA)
  Provides information on mold and allergies from AAFA, a non-profit patient organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma and allergies and their caregivers, through education, advocacy and research.
  • Mold Allergy
• American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
  • Evidence Based Statement on Adverse Human Health Effects Associated with Molds in the Indoor Environment
    Provides an evidence-based discussion of the state of scientific knowledge about the nature of fungal-related illnesses, emphasizing their possible relationships to indoor environments. Particular attention is given to the possible health effects of mycotoxins.
• California Department of Health Services
  • Mold in My Home: What Do I Do? [PDF, 42 KB]
    Provides answers to questions and concerns regarding mold in the home and other indoor environments, test interpretation, and cleanup methods.
  • Molds in Indoor Workplaces [PDF, 1.5 MB]
    Provides answers to questions and concerns regarding mold in the workplace, health effects, and cleanup methods.
  Indoor Air Quality Information by State
  Links to offices or programs for each state regarding indoor air-related health inquiries.
• Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and Stachybotrys chartarum: Infectious Disease Perspective
  Scientific review of recent articles regarding indoor mold exposure and mycotoxicosis, with an emphasis on S. chartarum. Possible end-organ effects, including pulmonary, immunologic, neurologic, and oncologic disorders are also examined.
• Institute of Medicine's Damp Indoor Spaces and Health Project
  Provides background and status information on this mold project.
• Minnesota Department of Health’s Mold in Homes
  Provides information regarding health concerns associated with mold exposure in the home and advice on finding and removing mold contamination.
• New York City Department of Health
  • Facts About Mold
    Provides common questions and answers about mold.
    • PDF [75 KB]
  • Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments
    Provides information on health issues, assessment, remediation, and hazard communication.
• North Carolina State University
  • Mold, dust mites, fungi, spores, and pollen: Bioaerosols in the human environment
    Provides information on bioaerosol effects, sources, and control.
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • Causes and Symptoms of Mold and Dust Induced Respiratory Illness
    Provides information on Farmer's Lung, a noninfectious allergic disease caused by inhaling dust from moldy hay, straw, or grain.
• World Health Organization
  • WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould [PDF, 2.5 MB]
    Review of scientific evidence on health problems associated with building moisture and biological agents.

Woman lives in a tent due to toxic mold exposure

Serving the following areas:

Ahwatukee - Mesa - Chandler - Queen Creek - Apache Junction - Scottsdale - Gold Canyon - Peoria - Glendale - Maricopa - Surprise - Litchfield Park - Goodyear - Sun City - Globe - Sedona - Payson - Tucson - Marana - Casa Grande - Cave Creek - Fountain Hills - Gilbert - Paradise Valley - Buckeye - El Mirage

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