MoldBlogger - Fight Mold & Win

A reader asked,

Question :

My wife, 7 month old son, and I moved into a rent house in October of 2007. By January, my son had developed congestion that just would not go away. In early February, my son had a febrile seizure and kept the congestion throughout the month. We saw multiple doctors and specialists, but none could seem to pinpoint a diagnosis.

Finally, my wife took our son to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas. Our previous Pediatrician diagnosed my son with Pneumonia. After a 10 day supply of Suprax, is congestion showed no signs of altering. My son also had extreme diahrrea, and terrible diaper rash for which we took him to yet another doctor, and he diagnosed it as a fungus.

He perscribed a steriod/fungal fighting cream. That following day, we went out of town and the cream seemed to work tremendously and his diahrrea stopped. When we came back to the house, his symptoms re-occured. I decided to do a home mold test in his room, and the results were positive.

I immediately checked my family into a hotel and my son seemed to get better after a couple of days. A certified inspector came out and took an air sample from outside, the living room, and my son’s room. The results showed an elevated mold condition in my son’s room (200 outside, and 880 in room) for Penicillium and Aspergillus.

An allergist told me that it’s probably not allergies since he is only 1 year old and his immune system isn’t stablized enough yet to even have allergies. Can these symptoms be tied to the elevated mold problem?

Answer :

Without actually being there, from what you’re described, your son’s situation definitely seems to be a result of mold exposure - ESPECIALLY if he gets better in a different environment.

My advice would be to move your son as soon as you possibly can. In many situations it may be best to talk to your landlord and try to fix the problem by removing the mold and preventing further growth. However, because your son is so young and is experience pretty severe symptoms, it would be in his and your best interest to get out of that building - now.

You have the evidence by having such a high mold count in his room, and he is symptomatic - mold definitely looks like it’s the culprit.

Further Recommended Reading :

• Does Your Home Have Mold?
• Impact of Mold on THoughts, Emotions, & Personality

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger team

Question :

A reader asked the following question through our “Ask a Mold Question” section of our site :

Can mold grow on plastic cups that have been washed and stacked together but not dried completely?

As long as either food or juice particles are not left in the cups, mold should not grow in the stacked cups.

However, it does start to smell if left stuck together like that for a while - mostly because the water gets stagnant, heats, and grows bacteria.

So even though it is not probable that mold will grow, stacking wet cups together creates the perfect habitat for bad bacterias.

And it warps plastic cups!

So overall, its best to stay away from stacking wet cups =]!

Answer :

How about mold growth when putting the flow control of a childrens sippy cup together when it comes out of the dish washer and it’s not completely dry? Would the same concerns follow it as well as the cups? I just wonder that since it makes a tighter seal if there is more concern of mold growth. I like to put them together when they come out of the dish washer so I don’t lose them. Thanks for your help!

Sippy cup pieces, you have to be really careful with.

The same thing applies as far as mold growth goes, though the chances that the inside of the piece will grow mold is much higher only because its a smaller area and juices etc go through the holes.

Watch for “souring” of the pieces, and make sure that all particles of juice or anything else are thoroughly cleansed.

A good idea would be to run one of those wirebrushes through each hole if its possible.

As far as drying it - as long as the pieces are not smelling “sour” or changing colors - they’re probably just fine. Just use your best judgement! =]

Further Recommended Reading :

• Remove Mold on Baby Clothes and Bibs
• How to Remove Mold and the Smell from Clothing

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger team

What types of Mold Grows on Food?

On December 15, 2007, a reader requested the following:

Informative Request:

I really need to know what type of mold grows on the following food:

Cauliflower
Tomatoes
Raspberries
Lunch Meat (Chicken Breast)
Hotdog
Pita
Yogurt
Mozzarella Cheese

I cant seem to find this info anywhere…so if anyone could help me as soon as possible it would be much appreciated.

Answer:

Different types of mold grow on different types of food.

Some molds cause severe health problems and sickness quickly where as others progressively worsen over time. Molds that contain mycotoxins are the cause of the illness from mold exposure.

Listed in the following are types of mold that typically grow on different foods:

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is susceptible to a type of mold called White Mold or Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum.

This mold causes the vegetable to have to have a dark, green greasy or water soaked appearance.

Tomatoes & Raspberries

Both of these fruits can be assaulted with gray mold, or botrytis blight. Fruits or vegetables affected by this type of mold usually contain a visible grayish fuzz.

Lunch Meat (Chicken Breast)/ Hotdogs

According to the USDA, the following are the most common types of mold that can grow on meats and poultry:

Alternaria, Aspergillus, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Geotrichum, Monilia, Manoscus, Mortierella, Mucor, Neurospora, Oidium, Oosproa, Penicillium, Rhizopus and Thamnidium. They are most certainly not limited to these types however.

I would recommend the following site for more information: USDA Mold Facts

Pita

Pita, because it is a type of bread, will most commonly develop the same forms of mold that other breads do.

Two of the most common are Rhizopus, a blackish fuzzy fungus, and Penicillium, which is a bluish-grayish-greenish fuzzy fungus usually having a white border.

Breads are of course not limited to these two types.

Yogurt/Mozzarella Cheese

As Mozzarella cheese and yogurt are both dairy products, and of course mozzarella is a soft cheese, the most common type of mold that can be grown is Penicillium.

Aspergillus is another common mold that grows on dairy products. Soft dairies such as yogurt, sour cream, and soft cheeses (mozzarella, etc) should be disposed of quickly.

Further Recommended Reading :

• Mold on Food
• Allergy Risks to Food Mold

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

Mold Types in Health Facilities

A reader asked the following question on November 10, 2007 :

Question:
I completed a swab test kit from IMS Laboratory on a ceiling tile in an endoscopy department and the lab results showed too numerous to count Acremonium sp., Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp. and Epicoccum ingrum.

How big of a concern should this be. My understanding of the report is that these are common molds found everywhere outside. Should these molds be showing up in a health care facility, endoscopy clinic?

Answer:

Mold Spores

Each of these molds give off spores that float through the air, looking for the ‘perfect’ place to attach, and then reproduce and thrive. Yes, these types of mold are everywhere - outside.

They need to stay outside. They have their specific place in nature, however you don’t want them in your home, your business, and especially not your health care facility.

Acremonium sp. & Alternaria sp.

Both of these though not considered the most dangerous types of mold do give off toxins that cause ill health effects or allergies in people. Also note that Acremonium sp. is found growing very closely with stachybrotys mold - the most dangerous type of mold found so far.

Asthma is a big problem these types of mold can cause and the best way to prevent is to remove the mold entirely. If people were to come to an endoscopy clinic, and then leave feeling sick with symptoms of mold exposure, the clinic would have a fairly large problem on their hands.

The employees will begin to have symptoms of “hay fever” and an ongoing cold - which just doesn’t look good to a patient walking in to be taken care of.

Aspergillus sp.

Studies show this specie of mold is the second most dangerous mold type next to stachybotrys. It carries harmful mycotoxins that cause severe illness in humans.

This is one mold type you definitely do not want growing in your health care facility.

Mold Spreads Quickly

Also remember that mold spreads - quickly. The best time to take care of a mold problem is immediately after finding. The longer remediation is put off, the more mold will grow - the bigger the job of removing mold.

Also, even if there is just a slight trace of one toxic mold type, and a large amount of a not so dangerous mold - each give off spores and both reproduce at a fast pace. It won’t be long before the area is over run with toxic mold and looking for a new area to permeate.

Mold in Health Care Facilities

When ingested, breathed in, or even taken in through the skin, mold spores attack the immune system. These mycotoxins that certain breeds carry and give off make people sick and weaken the area that fights infection. People in health care facilities are generally not in top condition anyway.

Mold exposure affects these people harder because their ability to fight off sickness is not as strong as a healthy, young immune system. When dealing with mold in a health care facility extra precaution should be taken to keep the facility clean and free of growing mold spores.

I would also recommend you read the following informative posts :

• Identifying Potentially Dangerous Molds
• Dangerous Mold: Who is at the Greatist Risk?

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

On November 6, 2007, a reader requested the following:

Question I need to know about mold on food!

Is it safe to cut off mold from food and continue to eat it?

Mold growth stems from roots that grow deep into the material they choose to thrive on. Out of these roots, grows stalks that usually tower above whatever the mold is growing on and form spores.

Mold is not only growing on the surface of food, but all the way through it, often times permeating toxicity that will make people sick. Even if the visible mold is cut off, many times the roots as well as bacteria and toxic mycotoxins will still be left growing in the food.

Trust me, you don’t want to eat toxic mold roots.

Is Mushroom Poisoning because of Mold?

Mushroom’s are a fungus and many kinds release their own type of poison causing sickness in humans.

Though some of the symptoms are the same, fungus is only a type of mold and not the same thing.

Some Molds are Good to Eat

Not all molds are poisonous and release the mycotoxins that make people sick.

Many of these types of molds are what can be used to make certain types of cheeses, and flavoring in wine.

Softer, richer cheeses, like Brie and Gorgonzola, even have a layer of white mold coating.

Mold Grows in the Refrigerator, How Can This be Minimized?

Molds grow in the refrigerator because they can deal with salty, sugary foods like bacon or jam better than other toxic invaders.

According to the USDA, there are 3 main things you can do to minimize mold growth in the refrigerator:

3 Ways to Minimize Growth in Your Refrigerator

• Clean the refrigerator every few months with a baking soda/water solvent making sure to scrub any visible mold growth with a bleach/water mixture
• Keep all sponges, dishtowels, mops, and cloths clean and free of a musty, dirty smell
• Make sure the level of humidity in your home is below 40% [this is good anyway to prevent mold all throughout your home]

Don’t Buy Moldy Food from the Store

Another good tip is to never buy moldy foods from the store. Make sure you check all of your breads, cheeses, and vegetables as well as any other easily molded foods before you bring them home.

This will prevent the embarrassing event of taking the moldy food back to the store for exchange as well as saving you and your family time and possible sickness!

The USDA also advises 4 ways of handling food already contaminated with mold :

4 Ways to Remove Moldy Foods

• Never try to smell the moldy foods, this is bad for your respiratory system
• If you see food is contaminated with mold, put it in a bag and throw it away where the it is out of reach from children and animals.

  Also recommended : Do not throw the contaminated food away in your house trash can; take it outside to the dumpster, preventing unseen spores from contaminating your home.

• Clean the refrigerator or pantry where the moldy item was kept.
• Check the nearby items for mold in case of cross contamination

Further Recommended Reading :

• 3 Ways to Decrease Mold in the Home
• 7 Ways to Know if a Mold is Dangerous

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

Source : USDA: Mold on Food Facts

On October 24, 2007, a reader asked the following question:

Question

I have a 3 month old who spits up a lot and as often as i change her clothes or put bibs on her etc, she is constantly wet by her neck and chest.

I let her clothes air dry after removing them from her but before putting therm in the hamper. Recently, however, her clothing started to get moldy up by the neck.

I now have one cotton, one terry and one velor stretchy of hers that is no longer wearable. I tried soaking these outfits in vinegar before washing but saw no difference.

I also tried rubbing some oxy-clean solution on before washing but that did not do it either. Any suggestions? I am looking forward to a response on how to best remove this mold. (and how to prevent mold from growing on other outfits.) Thanks.

Answer

How to Prevent Mold on Baby Clothes

One suggestion I have in preventing the mold from growing is to wash and dry the baby’s clothes and bibs immediately after wear.

This will prevent any chance there might have been for mold growth. If mold does grow, like in the case above, soaking the outfits in vinegar water or bleach will kill the mold. Rinse thoroughly and wash as usual.

Thoroughly dry them on high in your dryer, or outside directly in the sun. Remember, mold DOES stain. Not every time, but it does stain, though it looks a little faded.

Its the same as spilling spaghetti sauce on clothing, even after washing, there is sometimes an orange stain left. Whether you want to continue using the bib for your baby is a personal decision, but know that the mold is not there growing, its only a stain.

You can also smell check the area for a musty, moldy smell as well.

Further Recommended Reading :

• How to Remove Mold and the Smell from Clothing

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

On October 8, 2007, a reader asked the following question:

Question

I have had a chase lounger in storage only now to find mold on the bottom skirt. How do I remove it? Thanks

Answer

How to Remove Mold from Furniture

Removing mold from furniture is probably one of the more harder tasks. You can’t exactly place your sofa in the washing machine. Not all furniture is saveable either.

If you suspect mold growth inside your chair or sofa, disposing of the piece entirely would be the safest action.

If mold growth is only in one specific area and does not smell:

• 1. Rent a HEPA certified vacuum and clean the area affected.
• 2. Then use a detergent/water mixture (add bleach if detergent does not contain ammonia)
• 3. Scrub the area well.
• 4. Rinse the fabric thoroughly.
• 5. Set the piece in a highly ventilated area where it can dry quickly within the first 24 hours to prevent mold regrowth.

Be sure to watch and make sure the mold does not come back.

For more information on removing furniture and mold visit Remove Mold from Furniture

Further Recommended Reading :

• 3 Tips for Do-It-Yourself Mold Removal

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

The Effects of Mold on Pregnancy

On October 15, 2007, a reader asked the following question:

Question:

We live a house built in the 80’s. I am pregnant, so it’s harder to ignore the smell of mold. I am worried that this will be potentially harmful to my family. Would I be wasting my time with household kits? Should I call someone to come asap?
thanks.

Answer:

Mold Affects Pregnancy

The questions concerning mold and pregnancy have been circulating for years. Unfortunately, not a whole lot of time and research has gone into the topic. However, based upon experiences women have had, I would recommend getting as far away from the mold issue as possible while you are pregnant.

Mold is never good to breathe and can cause harmful side affects to the mother and the rest of the family living in the home. Many women have reported birth defects and miscarriage in their unborn child after having severe exposure to mold during their pregnancy.

Whether there is a definite relationship between mold and these problems, there is no definite answer. To be safe though, definitely get away from the mold altogether, or have a reputable professional come and deal with the problem.

Do not as a pregnant woman, attempt to remove the mold yourself. The least amount of exposure you have, the better.

To read more information and the experiences of women who have dealt with this issue read Mold & Pregnancy

Further Recommended Reading :

• Asthma & Mold in Children
• Mold in Schools

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

On October 14, 2007, a reader asked the following question:

Question: “I breathed in some mold… what should I do?”

Answer:

When dealing with mold remediation or clean up, personal protection and safety are extremely important.

Mold exposure can cause severe illness depending upon the amount of mold and time exposed.

Are you experiencing any side affects such as difficulty breathing, skin rash, or trouble seeing?

If so, definitely make an appointment with your doctor asap.

Depending upon the amount of exposure experienced, you might want to ask your doctor’s advice in any case. Remember for future reference to always wear Personal Protective Equipment.

Further Recommended Reading :

• Symptoms of Mold Exposure
• Warning Signs: How to Tell if You Have a Mold Problem

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team