Fungi and mold naturally occur in our environment, and they produce some very useful results. Yeast is a type of fungi used in preparing breads and other food products. Blue cheese’s unique flavor is attributed to mold, and life-saving penicillin is a product of mold.

Even though some forms of mold can add value to our lives, other forms can be harmful. Excessive amounts of mold, different types of mold and extended exposure to molds may present health concerns for some people. Water intrusion into your office or your customer’s home can result in mold growth. This intrusion of water can result from storm damage, plumbing or equipment failures, long-standing leaks and poor humidity control. When these issues are not addressed, the resulting damage can present increased risk of harmful mold growth.

Some amount of mold spores are normally present in most environments, but if the humidity and moisture levels in a water damaged environment are not promptly returned to normal, mold spores may grow and multiply to a harmful level. Organic materials found inside a building, such as wood, paper, drywall and insulation, provide food sources for mold to flourish. Excessive mold growth can lead to indoor environmental conditions that pose a health threat.

Take Precautions:

If there is an ongoing moisture problem in the building, be alert for:

• The presence of visible mold.
• Strong, musty odors that may indicate mold is present.
• Any evidence of past moisture problems that might have caused undetected mold growth.
• Excessive humidity.