Testing for mold infestation is often a necessity
In order to obtain clarity about a mold infestation situation, a precise analysis of the mold infestation should be carried out. In addition to self-testing, a professional analysis after testing can provide precise results that often initiate further important measures. GSA Schadstoffanalytik carries out this precise analysis after sampling for mold infestation testing.
Which method (material sample, room air measurement, foil contact sample) or other – is the most effective depends on the individual infestation situation. Our staff will be happy to advise you.
Testing mold infestation
Everyone knows it, nobody wants it: mold in the home. If there’s a musty smell in the air that just won’t go away, it could be mold. But what should you do then? Now is the time to act. But what can you do if you have discovered mold in your home?
First of all, a specification should be made, so it is important to clarify exactly what type of mold is involved. Various self-tests are available in stores for this purpose, but these can often only provide a rough guide value.
What is mold?
The term “mold” is used colloquially to refer to various molds and other biological microorganisms. The term “mold” is primarily associated with spoiled food or animal feed. However, discoloration and coatings on various building materials – often indoors – are also referred to as mould.
Moulds are characterized by a network of microscopically small fungal threads (hyphae), also known as mycelium. They spread out in a circle and only grow at the ends. During growth, spore carriers (sporangia; for reproduction) are formed. These spore carriers contain the fungal spores, which are released into the surrounding air and spread through air movement. In general, black mold and food mold are the best known and most common types.
Even if the first association with mold has negative connotations, there are indeed “positive” molds. In food production (e.g. cheese and sausage production), molds serve as a refinement and flavor carrier. Another positive example is the discovery of the brush mold Penicillum, which has enabled the development of modern antibiotics.
Why is mold infestation so dangerous?
The danger posed by mold is often unspecific. Depending on the species, the spores are 2-20µm in size and spread widely in the ambient air. The spores can enter the lungs via the respiratory tract and cause irritation. These then manifest themselves in symptoms such as coughs, colds, migraines or asthma. Other non-specific symptoms include conjunctivitis, joint pain or skin changes.
Long-term exposure can lead to chronic respiratory diseases. To date, there are no limit values for how large the infestation must be to pose a health risk. What is certain, however, is that a health risk cannot be ruled out.
Mold in the apartment
If mold appears in your home, there is a lot of concern. But how did it develop?
Mold spores are naturally present in low concentrations in the air and can therefore enter the home. There they only need the right conditions to spread on a surface.
This includes moisture, because molds like it damp, a relative humidity of at least 60% is the ideal environment. This humidity can be caused by moisture damage (e.g. burst water pipes or damp walls/ceilings due to constant moisture ingress from outside) or by structural defects (e.g. improper/missing insulation; condensation due to thermal bridges) in the home. If the temperature is then between 15 and 25°C, the spread is greatly facilitated. Under these ideal conditions, the health hazard finally becomes visible: black/green/white spots can be found under the wallpaper, on the wooden ceiling or in insulating materials. Another indication of an acute mold infestation is the typical “musty” smell that constantly reappears even after intensive ventilation.
Combat mold yourself
If you have mold in your home, you want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. There are various products available from specialist retailers to solve this problem. Self-protection should always come before any action, i.e. a respirator mask (type FFP-2 or FFP-3), disposable overalls and gloves are the simplest protective measures to take. The rule of thumb is that mold infestation up to 0.5m² can be removed by yourself. If larger areas are affected or if there is uncertainty about how to proceed, a specialist company should always be commissioned. Only when the cause and extent of the infestation has been clarified can it be successfully removed. Products containing a high proportion of alcohol (e.g. 70% isopropanol) have proven effective. This removes moisture from the substrate and thus reduces an important factor in the spread of mold. Chlorinated mold killers such as those from Mellerud, Wepos or MEM can also help with smaller infestations.
Preventive measures
Once the mold in the home has been removed, preventative treatment is recommended. There are various options for this purpose, such as anti-mold paint or anti-mold wallpaper. These are different prevention principles: The wallpaper should function as a cold-heat bridge by means of an insulating layer and thus minimize the settling of condensation. However, success is very limited, as even tiny dust particles between the wallpaper and the wall are enough to provide a breeding ground for mold. Before using the special paint, the infestation should be removed and the area thoroughly cleaned and dried. Anti-mould paints usually contain a biocide to prevent the (renewed) spread of mould. This is precisely the point of criticism, as (depending on the biocide) evaporation cannot be permanently ruled out and this can lead to a further health hazard. However, this is not the only point of criticism of anti-mold paints. As many biocides have a very high volatility and are minimized by abrasion, the question arises as to the duration of the protective effect. If suitable conditions continue to exist, mold growth cannot be ruled out.
Vinegar as a household remedy against mold
The common household tip of using vinegar against mold is a big misconception and is not recommended. For one thing, the acid concentration is usually far too low to kill molds. Secondly, it can react with the substrate, especially if it contains lime. This neutralizes the effect of the vinegar. It can also have the opposite effect, as the neutralized vinegar provides the moulds with new nutrients.
Prevention of mold
To counteract the formation of mold, living spaces should be properly ventilated. In normal everyday life, breathing, cooking, showering, etc. create moisture in the home. Moisture is created in the home through breathing, cooking, showering, etc. To prevent this moisture from becoming an elixir for mold, an exchange of air must take place. This exchange is achieved by so-called shock ventilation, in which the windows are opened wide and a draught is ensured for at least five minutes. As a rule of thumb, you can ventilate three times a day for five minutes each time. After cooking or showering, you should also air the room to remove as much moisture as possible from the home. Furthermore, furniture should not be placed too close to the walls to allow air exchange there as well. A ventilation gap of 10 cm is sufficient in most cases. As a further measure, a HEPA filter in the vacuum cleaner can be used to absorb the fine spores from the air.
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[1]: Source Featured image: © Przemysław Ceglarek / 123RF.com
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