MOLD: Keep it Outside

Identifying, Fixing & Preventing Indoor Mold Issues

What is Mold?

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Mold Spores

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Spores are EVERYWHERE!• Reproduction• Invisible• Easily Airborne• Cause of health effects

Growth Requirements

How does your mold grow???

1. Moderate Temperatures

2. Food Source

3. MOISTURE

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Health Concerns

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For most people:

Allergies & Asthma

Health Concerns

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Very Rare: Mold Infections

Health Concerns

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Mycotoxins

Toxic Black Mold

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Stachybotrys sp.• Health risks are unproven• Can produce mycotoxins

IMPORTANT:All mold can cause health effects.All mold is cleaned up the same way.Don’t put up with any mold in the indoor environment.

How to deal with mold

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Find & Fix Moisture Problems

Flooding

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Rushford, MN- Sept 2007

Basements

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Efflorescence (not mold)

Pay attention to exterior drainage

Leaking Building Envelope

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Ice Dams

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Condensation

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High Indoor Humidity+Poor Air Circulation

Keep indoor humidity under control• 20-30% RH in winter months• Ventilation• Avoid humidifier use

Mold Testing

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MDH doesn’t recommend mold testing in most cases

• Expensive

• No health based standards

• Testing may miss problems

Testing is not a substitution for visual inspection!

Inspection Techniques

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Non-invasive inspection(Used during home inspections & real estate transactions)

Inspection Techniques

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Boroscopes Moisture Meters Infrared Cameras Smart Phone Camera

Inspection Techniques

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Minimally Invasive Inspections

Mold Remediation

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• Solve the water problem first!

• Things to consider before clean-up:• Protecting yourself• Types of materials damaged • Size of area damaged

PPE

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Clean or Throw Away?

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Clean or Throw Away?

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Cleaning Up Mold

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1. Scrub2. Collect Excess Water3. Rinse with Clean Water4. Dry

Cleaning Up Mold

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Bleach really is OPTIONAL*• Ventilate area & dilute bleach• Use it as a rinse after scrubbing the mold off• Eliminating the water source is what keeps

the mold away

* Unless you are cleaning up sewage, flood water.

Rebuilding

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Make sure everything is dry• Fans, dehumidifiers• Think about new building

materials

Renters & Mold Complaints

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612-728-5767

Schools & Mold Complaints

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Minnesota Public Schools are required to have: • An IAQ Coordinator• IAQ Management Plan for the Building

Health Care Facilities & Mold Complaints

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MDH Office of Health Facilities Complaints651-201-4201

Financial Assistance for Homeowners

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Possible sources of aid:• Insurance Policies (hit or miss)• Weatherization Programs• Loans

• MN Housing & Finance• USDA Loans

• Valuation reduction on property

IAQ Consultants

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Summary

Things to Remember:

• All mold indoors is a problem

• Mold can cause allergies and make asthma worse

• Control moisture and you will control mold

• Skip the mold testing (in most cases)

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Contact Information

Indoor Air Unit651-201-4601

Kelly Smeltzer, MPHKelly.smeltzer@state.mn.us

651-201-4621

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mailto:Kelly.smeltzer@state.mn.us

MOLD: Keep it OutsideWhat is Mold?Mold SporesGrowth RequirementsHealth ConcernsHealth ConcernsHealth ConcernsToxic Black MoldHow to deal with moldFloodingBasementsLeaking Building EnvelopeIce DamsCondensationMold TestingInspection TechniquesInspection TechniquesInspection TechniquesMold RemediationPPEClean or Throw Away?Clean or Throw Away?Cleaning Up MoldCleaning Up MoldRebuildingRenters & Mold ComplaintsSchools & Mold ComplaintsHealth Care Facilities & Mold ComplaintsFinancial Assistance for HomeownersIAQ ConsultantsSummaryContact Information