Vital Technologies, Inc.

Mold is an organism that is present in many places. It is a type of fungus that works to break down dead material and return nutrients to the environment, making it an important organism in the ecosystem. Mold grows by digesting plant or animal matter, such as leaves, wood, paper, dirt, and food and spreads by releasing tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air. Once the spores land, unless they are destroyed, they begin to take over a new area. Each spore that germinates can give rise to new mold growth, which in turn can produce millions of spores. Mold thrives best in dark moist places. Hot spots of mold growth in the home include damp basements and closets, bathrooms, places where fresh food is stored, refrigerator drip trays, house plants, air conditioners, humidifiers, garbage pails, mattresses and upholstered furniture.

On food, mold often is visible on the food's surface, such as the fuzzy green spots that appear on bread. However, molds also have branches and roots. As it grows, the mold's roots can penetrate deep inside the surface it grows on where it cannot be seen. Similarily, mold can penetrate deep into building materials.
All of us are exposed to some mold every day with no bad effects. We may breathe in mold spores that are present in the air or eat foods in which mold has begun to grow. People with mold allergies, however, may have a reaction if exposed to too much of the fungus. If you have a mold allergy, avoiding all exposure to mold may not be possible. However, you can reduce your risk of an allergic reaction by choosing your foods carefully and implementing environmental controll procedures.

Mold may cause health problems other then common allergy symptoms. Fungi are known to produce toxins, which have been blamed for causing various diseases. Some kinds of mold may cause several different illnesses, including infections. These fungi may lodge in the airways or a distant part of the lung and grow until they form a compact sphere known as a "fungus ball". In people with lung damage or sever underlying illnesses, certain molds may grasp the opportunity to invade the lungs or the whole body.

In some individuals, exposure to these fungi also can lead to asthma or to a lung disease resembling severe inflammatory asthma. This latter condition, which occurs only in a minority of people with asthma, is characterized by wheezing, low-grade fever, and coughing up of brown-flecked masses or mucus plugs. Skin testing, blood tests, X-rays, and lab tests can help establish the diagnosis.

If you have a mold allergy, the best defense is to reduce your exposure. A number of measures exist to control indoor mold levels. Control indoor moisture through the use of dehumidifiers and by keeping your home at a cooler temperature. Fix water leaks in bathrooms, basements and the kitchen. Limit the number of plants brought into the house and be sure they don’t have any traces of mold on leaves or in the potting soil. Try to limit the number of new spores coming into the house by keeping doors and windows closed. Ventilation is important but for someone with a severe mold allergy closing windows and using HEPA filters (both in the air vent and stand alone) may be the best option. Clean contaminated areas with Vital Oxide or a similar “green” product that will kill mold. Vital Oxide works well because of its abilities to penetrate deeply into materials, effectiveness and residual effects.