Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce that waft through indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp surface they begin digesting that material in order to survive. Molds can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. ALPHA’s experienced staff of certified indoor air environmentalists and trained technicians can perform testing for evaluating health exposures in your home, apartment or condo. Our mold services include investigations of mold levels and types, possible sources for mold growth, and recommendations for mold remediation.

Indoor Air Regulations and Mold

Standards or Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for airborne concentrations of mold, or mold spores, have not been set. Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.

There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed.

Asthma and Mold

Molds can trigger asthma episodes in sensitive individuals with asthma. People with asthma should avoid contact with or exposure to molds. More information can be found on these sites:

• EPA’s Asthma web site
• Allergy & Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics (AAN/MA)
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)
• Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America

Floods/Flooding

Mold growth may be a problem after flooding. Excess moisture in the home after minor or major flood events is cause for concern about indoor air quality primarily because it provides breeding conditions for microorganisms. A fact sheet that provides tips to avoid creating indoor air quality problems during cleanup can be found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) web-site.

Other Mold Information Resources can be found on the following websites

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
• “Molds in the Environment” Factsheet