Mold: A problem that isn't going away in Pacific Northwest
RATIONAL ANSWERS TO ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS
BY JOE JENSENScenario One: A moldy smell in the foyer of her newly
constructed 2,800-square-foot home concerned Mrs. Palmer.
Comprehensive indoor and exterior tests to determine mold
sources were conducted, and the results were compared. While
some mold was present in the house, the exterior tested almost
four times higher. Therefore a greater concern was the area in
which she lived.
Scenario Two: A burst pipe in a commercial building in
industrial Portland caused extensive flooding. Upon
investigation, indoor mold levels were found to be two times
higher than outside background samples.
Confusing? In both cases, mold was present. However, without performing both outdoor and indoor testing, it would have been difficult to assess the needs of the structures and the health of the people affected. Testing can only provide a snapshot of what's happening inside or outside a building. Because there are no national standards for mold remediation, sampling alone cannot define a person's susceptibility.
Mold issues and concerns have grown rapidly over the past five years - especially in the Pacific Northwest. Adding to the public's concern is the fact that the federal Environmental Protection Agency has not determined permissible exposure levels to mold.
Muddying the waters even further, the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control does not recommend routine sampling for mold. The CDC
says several variables influence peoples' susceptibility
including climactic conditions, air movement and seasonal
changes. Statistics from the University of Wisconsin about
mold's notoriety both inform and inflame:
- Homeowner insurance claims for mold damage topped $18
billion in 2001 with payouts of $2.5 billion.
- Thirty-five states, including Oregon and Washington, now
allow insurers to limit or exclude mold coverage from all
homeowners' policies.
- About 10,000 mold-related court cases have been filed nationwide in the last three years.
What to look for; steps to take
Can you see mold? If moisture is visible, for example, in a carpeted area or drywall, it is imperative to dry the area out within 24 hours to prevent further mold growth. Check crawl spaces for standing water or excess moisture.
Is someone sick? Current evidence indicates that the most
common symptoms caused by molds are allergies. More serious
health issues have been linked to various types of mold in
individuals with compromised, or weakened, immune systems. See
your doctor.
Do you live in a newer home? With today's increased technology
for sealing the building envelope and the concern about
conserving energy, newer homes are often sealed so tight that
moisture cannot be released. Porous materials like particle
board used in newer homes are more likely to be vulnerable to
mold than plywood.
"Greener, more sustainable buildings are the answer to the serious problems with mold in schools, homes and offices," said Glen Gilbert, president and chief executive officer of the Cascadia Green Building Council. "If builders follow the (U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards for materials and indoor environmental quality, buildings are unlikely to have mold problems, even in the most extreme conditions."
Was wood framing exposed to moisture? Wood framing may be
exposed to the rain during new home construction. The moisture
is already in the wood. Or green wood that's not properly dried
or aged may have been used. These are all possible causes of
mold indoors.
"We've avoided water intrusion for years," explained Cecil Smith
of Healthyhomebuilder.com. "We use electric heat and ventilation
to dry down the house. This method works great when you're
building homes during Pacific Northwest winters." To determine
if moisture is present in wood, we recommend testing components
with a moisture meter.
Do clothes driers, bathrooms or kitchens vent into crawl spaces? Warm, moist air should always vent outdoors. Mold cannot grow without a moisture source. Attics should be well-ventilated and checked.
Because of the lack of standards, we face real concerns about liability and health concerns. That's why it's important that each site be treated individually and information gathered to develop a proper snapshot of what may or may not exist.
Joe M. Jensen is a certified mold remediation specialist.