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We continue to read and hear about the dangers of toxic mold. In getting ready for the start of the school year, there were numerous reports of schools engaging in last minute project to clean mold out of classrooms. The Kulua Tower at the Hilton Hotel in Honolulu just reopened after being closed for a year and millions spent repairing mold damage. Obviously, mold is still a very important concern.

What are the latest facts from science? Is there any new breakthrough that has proven that mold is not a problem. Or is there some new evidence that justifies all of the concern? These are important questions because finally some research is being completed where for many years, we debated to what extent mold is a problem largely on the basis of perceptions, rumors and a few highly publicized cases. These have led us to take significant precautions whenever we found mold in a home, office or other location and go to some expense to remove it completely and as rapidly as possible.

In July, a conference sponsored by EPA and the Air and Waste Management Association was held in Durham, North Carolina reviewed some of the latest research on mold and other air contaminates. This conference, “Engineering Solutions to Indoor Air Problems” is held every three years and is one excellent source of information on the current knowledge level. The following is a rough summary from this year’s conference:

• Volatile Organic Compounds – The gasses given off by molds and other organisms during growth have long been suspected of causing many of the symptoms that are often reported where there is significant mold growth. Although some effect has been scientifically demonstrated, there is still no research that has allowed an understanding of exactly what may be going on.
• Mycotoxins – Certain types of molds produce chemicals during growth that are known to be toxic. The type and concentration of toxic substances produced is dependent on growing conditions as well as the type of mold. These have led to most of the fear about mold. When stories are published about toxic black mold, it is the toxins that cause all of the concern. There is fear that breathing the air or touching the surfaces in a room contaminated with mold can cause serious injury or even death. We have massive evidence that eating certain types of mold contaminated food causes huge problems. In addition, there is some data that agriculture workers have been harmed by handling mold contaminated commodities. These cases primarily involve skin contact. There is no evidence related to inhalation of mold toxins.
• Infections – There is overwhelming evidence that several species of fungi can cause serious and potentially deadly lung and other infections. There have not been, however, any cases documented in normal healthy individuals. All of the cases that have been documented involve persons who have compromised immune systems. These include those undergoing cancer treatment, the elderly, infants and those recovering from surgery or some other illness.
• Allergens – The most massive (and conclusive) data is that virtually all fungi (molds) are capable of triggering allergic reactions. The onset of the reaction and its intensity as well ad duration vary widely from individual to individual. However, the evidence is clear. If you are an individual who has concerns about allergies, mold should be a huge concern for you. Without question, molds, mold spores and possibly even the VOCs they give off trigger allergic reactions. There is even some evidence (primarily from animal studies) that exposure to mold can lead to allergy problems for individuals who previously did not exhibit allergic reactions. Mold is suspected as being a possible cause of the recent rise in asthma in children.

We are still far from having definitive answers. A significant amount of research has been started in the recent past and is ongoing. New findings are coming out every day. We are still far from having proof that mold is quite the problem that the newspaper and talk show headlines would have us believe it is. At the same time, the evidence that we do have does not support those who try to downplay the seriousness of indoor mold by pointing out that we have been living with mold for millennia and we are still around. Even though the prevalence of mold may be no greater than in the past (which is doubtful) we are just beginning to understand the negative impact mold may have on our health and well being.

There is one question that we can answer without any reservation. Should people live or work in moldy environments? NO

Dated: August 24, 2003

Mr. Baker’s field of expertise is the control of contamination in air-conditioning and ventilating systems by mold, mildew and bacteria. He writes and speaks frequently about the efficacy, legal risks, and regulatory issues involved in various control strategies. He serves on ASHRAE Technical Committee TC 2.3, TC 2.4, TC 9.8, and Sampling of Airborne Particulate Concentration in Commercial and Residential Buildings GPC 17P. He also serves as a member of ASTM D22.06 (Indoor Air Quality) and is on the Board of Directors of the Indoor Air Quality Association and the Florida Public Health Foundation. Because HVAC applications encompass new uses from an U.S. EPA regulatory standpoint, Mr. Baker works closely with the EPA and industry groups, including serving as the chair of the IAQ committee of the Consumer Specialty Products Association, to help formulate policy in this area.

Bob Baker is Chairman and CEO of BBJ Environmental Solutions, Inc., a company specializing in providing clean air through environmentally responsible products, such as BBJ MicroBiocide , BBJ Micro Coil Clean , “FreshDuct Odor Eliminator “, and BBJ Mold and Mildew Remover™ as well as the revolutionary new Power Coil Clean™. For additional information, Mr. Baker can be reached at (800) 889-2251 or through the company web site at www.bbjenviro.com.