NUTS & BOLTS
RISK MITIGATION
Mold Monster MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION TECHNIQUES FOR INVESTORS DEALING WITH THIS NASTY ORGANISM.
occurs within a temperature range of 68 and 86 degrees • Air velocity – stagnant areas with little ventilation support microbio- logical activity • Nutrients – homes that are not well- kept and have more dust and debris are more susceptible to mold growth • Humidity – anything above 50 per- cent relative humidity will support mold growth • Moisture – moisture content of 18 per- cent or greater will cause mold growth HEALTH ISSUESANDOTHER PITFALLS CAUSEDBYMOLDS There are more than 100,000 species of molds, and about three dozen of those cause health problems in humans, Pohs found. Susceptibility to molds varies among the population, but exposure to mold and mold spores can cause symptoms ranging from allergic symptoms (runny noses, itchy eyes, sneezing, rashes) to more severe responses like asthma attacks and respiratory infec- tions. Some toxic molds can suppress the immune system, damage the intestines or cause blood vessels in the skin or lungs to rupture. Pohs stated that in extreme cases, they may even increase susceptibility to cancer. If someone shows signs of memory loss and difficulty in thinking, the person’s home, office and other living and working space should be tested for the presence of toxic mold and other unhealthy molds. No federal or state environmental laws
by BreAnn Stephenson
I
n cyberspace, there is a wealth of information available about mold.
percent, according to Pohs. Unless a colony runs out of food, it will continue to spread. Mold tends to thrive in dark interior spaces, growing on surfaces such as wood, paper, carpet and food. It is most often found in poorly ventilated areas such as basements, attics, garages and bathrooms. Common activities can produce humid- ity in a home. Breathing and perspiration both in humans and pets produce moisture, as do routine household activities. According to the Pohs Institute, mold growth is dependent upon the following: • The time spent wet – the longer a mate- rial stays wet, the higher the likelihood of mold development • Water source contamination – micro- biological activity is directly related to the amount of water involved • Substrate – natural materials usually support fungi growth best, but some fungi will grow on virtually anything • Light – most molds thrive in dark places like closets, attics, inside walls, behind wallpaper and refrigerators • Temperature – optimal mold growth
You could read hours’ worth of studies on howmycotoxins affect the immune system, exacerbate allergies and the like, but what information is most important for you as a real estate investor to know? Let’s discuss the basics of what encourages mold growth and what you can do to stop it dead in its tracks. MOLD 101: THEWHO,WHAT, WHEN,WHEREANDWHY Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and out. Outdoors, molds play an important part in the “circle of life” by breaking down dead organic matter such as plants, fallen leaves and dead trees. Mold that grows indoors can be a potential hazard to the occupants of the home if left untreat- ed. According to the Pohs Institute, one of the oldest and largest insurance schools in New York, of the hundreds of thousands of species of fungi, more than 270 species of mold can be found in homes. Molds need two main things to grow: moisture and “food.” Though they do not grow in dry conditions, their spores can still lie dormant until the right environment exists: oxygen-rich environments with either standing liquids or humidity over 70
78 | think realty magazine march :: april 2017
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