Safety Partners, LTD

Mold can be found anywhere. Molds can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problems remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

Reactions to mold growth can include:

Irritant Effects can be caused by mold exposure and include irritation of the yes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and sometimes can create a burning sensation in these areas.
Allergic Reactions to mold, for sensative individuals, are common and can be immediate or delayed. These may include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneexing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash, occurring when mold is dead or alive. Repeated or single exposure may cause previously non-sensative individuals to become sensative.
Asthma can be triggered in persons who are allergic to molds. The irritants produced by molds may also worsen asthma in non-allergic (non-sensitized) people.
Hypersensitivity Pneumontis may develop following either short-term or long-term exposure to molds. This uncommon disease resembles bacterial pneumonia.
Opportunistic Infections can occur in people with weakened immune systems (i.e., immune-compromised or immune-suppressed individuals), who may be more vulnerable to infections by molds. Healthy individuals are usually not vulberable to opportunistic infections from airborne mold exposure.

HOMEOWNERS

The U.S. EPA states that "in most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. In specific instansces, such as caseswhere litigation is involved, the source(s) of the mold contamination is unclear, or health concerns are a problem, you may consider sampling as a part of your site evaluation."

REALTORS

Illinois real estate transactions usually include the Illinois Association of Realtors Mold Disclosure Form, including five parts: Seller Disclosure, Mold Inspections, Hold Harmless, Receipt of Copy, and Professional Advice. Safety Partners, LTD can provide professional consultation for you and your clients!

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