Mold
If you have additional questions about mold in your home, please contact Mark Jones.
Email: markejones@utah.gov
Call: (801)-538-6191
Email: markejones@utah.gov
Call: (801)-538-6191
Mold can be found almost anywhere, so long as moisture is present.
There are thousands of species of mold each with their own characteristics and appearances. If not properly removed, indoor mold growth can cause allergy-like symptoms. Individuals who are immunocompromised, allergic to mold, or have chronic respiratory diseases are at increased risk for infections from mold.
There are thousands of species of mold each with their own characteristics and appearances. If not properly removed, indoor mold growth can cause allergy-like symptoms. Individuals who are immunocompromised, allergic to mold, or have chronic respiratory diseases are at increased risk for infections from mold.
Mold can greatly impact indoor air quality.
Indoor air quality is impacted by pollutants like lead-based paints, secondhand smoke, and mold. These indoor air pollutants can be harmful for health and fixing these problems is important to prevent disease. Mold growth can also be problematic in buildings like schools, especially for children with respiratory issues such as asthma.
Even in a dry climate like Utah, mold can grow indoors.
Mold can get into a building or home through doors, windows, or vents. It can also be carried in on clothing, shoes, or pets. Once inside, mold can grow on nearly anything that holds moisture, including wood, ceiling tiles, wall paper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.
Indoor air quality is impacted by pollutants like lead-based paints, secondhand smoke, and mold. These indoor air pollutants can be harmful for health and fixing these problems is important to prevent disease. Mold growth can also be problematic in buildings like schools, especially for children with respiratory issues such as asthma.
Even in a dry climate like Utah, mold can grow indoors.
Mold can get into a building or home through doors, windows, or vents. It can also be carried in on clothing, shoes, or pets. Once inside, mold can grow on nearly anything that holds moisture, including wood, ceiling tiles, wall paper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.
Controlling mold is all about controlling its growing environment.
Molds need several things to grow and reproduce, including a food source, the right environment, and moisture. Moisture sources can come from flooding, leaky pipes, leaky roofs and foundations, and condensation. Molds will grow whenever conditions are right, so the key to prevent and stop indoor mold growth is controlling excess moisture. Sometimes mold grows in areas not easily seen by the homeowner, such as inside walls or crawl spaces. Water stains or earthy or musty odors can be strong indicators there may be mold present.
Depending on the person, mold can cause mild to severe reactions.
Mild reactions to mold include stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. In severe cases, mold can cause shortness of breath, fever, lung infections, or lead to asthma attacks for people who have asthma.
Molds need several things to grow and reproduce, including a food source, the right environment, and moisture. Moisture sources can come from flooding, leaky pipes, leaky roofs and foundations, and condensation. Molds will grow whenever conditions are right, so the key to prevent and stop indoor mold growth is controlling excess moisture. Sometimes mold grows in areas not easily seen by the homeowner, such as inside walls or crawl spaces. Water stains or earthy or musty odors can be strong indicators there may be mold present.
Depending on the person, mold can cause mild to severe reactions.
Mild reactions to mold include stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. In severe cases, mold can cause shortness of breath, fever, lung infections, or lead to asthma attacks for people who have asthma.
People with respiratory health concerns or serious allergies to mold may be more susceptible to the health effects of mold exposure.
Infants, children, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, people who live or work in moist, poorly ventilated buildings are sensitive populations at risk for adverse health effects of mold.
Infants, children, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, people who live or work in moist, poorly ventilated buildings are sensitive populations at risk for adverse health effects of mold.
To prevent mold growth in your home:
No matter what type of mold is present, you need to remove it.
- Regularly inspect your home for mold and indoor moisture.
- Keep indoor humidity levels low.
- Maintain air flow throughout your home.
- Fix any leaks in the roof, walls, or plumbing.
- Clean up and dry out your home after a flood.
- Add mold inhibitors to paint before painting.
- Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
- Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been saturated with water and cannot be dried right away.
No matter what type of mold is present, you need to remove it.
Resources
- Utah Asthma Program- Mold Resources, Recursos para el moho (Español)
- Utah Asthma Program- Asthma and Mold, El asma y el moho (Español)
- Utah Asthma Program- Tips to Reduce Moisture, Consejos para reducir la humedad (Español)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Mold Basics
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Facts about Stachybotrys chartarum
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency- Mold
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency- Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency- Ten Things You Should Know about Mold
- U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration- Occupational Exposure to Molds
Utah Tracking does not obtain or track mold-related data.
