Mold Spore Control, Doing It Right and Properly
Mold and Mildew Spores, Spore Functions, Structure, and Control
Apr 6, 2009
Water arrives in many ways: simple rain, floods, tornados, hurricanes, monsoons, snow, hail and sleet. These bring to organisms precious water needed for life. Without water, there would be no life. With water, there is life and among the living are molds, yeasts and bacteria. The molds, yeasts and bacteria can form spores. Spores are important for survival and dissemination (spread). An understanding of mold spores is important for control. Without control, mold spores can cause extensive damage of materials and goods.
Features of Fungal Spores
- Mold spores are reproductive, they are like fertilized eggs; each spore can generate a new mold. One mold colony can produce millions of spores in a day.
- Mold spores are resistant to drying (dessication) and heat, but they may be killed by boiling, ozone, and fungicides containing phenolics and quaternary ammonium treatments.
- Mold spore walls are chemically similar to their thread-like hyphae. However, spore walls are much thicker more than mold hyphae. The thick spore walls resist drying and protect against heat.
- Mold spores are produced on specialized hyphae as shown in photos below for both Aspergillus and Penicillium. Some molds like Rhizopus form spores inside a sporangium.
Mold Spore Control and Remediation
Mold spores are produced in the thousands or millions within hours of the start of sporulation. One spore may germinate, grow into a colony the size of a quarter or half dollar in a few days or weeks, then sporulate over the next few days. Each spore can start a new colony. Each spore is a potential new problem which may cause new damage.
Things to remember and consider:
- Spores can spread: easily, rapidly and distantly
- Extensive mold remediation is a job for professionals. Damage to walls, ceilings, carpets, major portions of the house requires experienced help. Get at least 3 different estimates. Negotiation is always in order. Contractors should be licensed and insured and have at least 4-6 referenced customers that can and should be called.
- Gloves, N95 respirator masks, goggles, protective clothing and sealable, disposal bags are needed.
- Persons at risk with molds, or with allergies, should never attempt any decontamination or remediation. Immunocompromised persons at increased risk for mold and other infections include: diabetics, corticosteroid users, transplant patients and even pregnant women.
- Fungicidal-certified sprays in cans can be purchased at food or hardware stores. Read the directions and warnings! Mold and spore-laden items should be sprayed over the entire surface prior to movement or discard. After spray application, the items should remain in place for a minimum of 10 minutes up to 20 min and sprayed lightly again. Salvageable items can then be wiped with gloved hands and a clean cloth lightly-misted with spray. The fungus and spray may damage the finish of the item or area so good judgment must be used.
- Spore disturbances by gloved hands, or any movements of the mold-contaminated item will distribute spores near and far from the item. Spraying, as indicated above, is a necessity to avoid spore survival, transfer and dissemination.
- If removing a molded item to a discard bag, lift carefully, place into center of large opened bag and seal bag tightly and completely to prohibit spore escape (most spores should be killed by the fungicide applied earlier). Wash gloved hands with abundant soap and ample running water. Reusable gloves are fine if washed thoroughly and disinfected with antifungal spray.
- Some items are salvageable, other items may be a complete loss and should be discarded.
- Dehumidification or air conditioning and getting moisture levels below 85 % humidity are important. A reduction to 65-70% humidity works well. Dehumidifiers that empty automatically into condensate lines are preferred.
- A humidity meter is very helpful and costs about $20. Some dehumidifiers have built in meters.
Molds are opportunists when nourished by water and simple nutrients. They prosper inside and outside of homes and business structures. They are ubiquitous. They always welcome watery and humid environments. Do not leave out a wet welcome mat for molds. Keep it dry and keep it safe throughout the home or business!
Sources
Microbiology, Principles and Explorations. 1999. J.G. Black. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. 786 pp.
see more Learning About Mold (2004) and Mold Clean-Up Guidance (2006)
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