Mold in New Jersey

Concern about exposure to indoor mold growth in New Jersey & Philadelphia is steadily escalating as the public becomes increasingly aware of the adverse health effects and symptoms that mold can cause, including asthma, respiratory infections, and other allergic reactions.



Studies show that between work, home, and school, New Jersey residents spend an average of 90% of their time indoors. We like to think that these places are environmentally safe, but just how safe are they? According to a recent survey by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 75% of homes with a history of water intrusion are never properly mold remediated and will likely test positive for 26 specific molds, including Stachybotrys, that are directly linked to asthma and other respiratory illness.

What is Mold?

Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. Mold growth will often occur when excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed.

Mold and Property DamageShould I have my New Jersey home or business tested for Mold?
If visible mold is present then it should be remediated. If mold is suspected but not visibly detectable then you should hire a professional that can perform a New Jersey mold inspection including but not limited to moisture, temperature and humidity readings. Thermal Imaging services are available to locate hidden moisture sources behind walls that may be causing hidden mold. After your mold inspection, it may be necessary to collect air samples to reveal mold colonies and determine the extent of contamination throughout the building if any. This serves well to provide a written protocol that will properly get rid of your mold and its source. Sampling for airborne mold spores can also indicate whether the molds are typical of indoor/outdoor air or unusual at the time of testing.

Who should clean up the Mold?
You want a company who specializes and is certified in New Jersey Mold Clean Up & Remediation. Not your local handyman or contractor. MasterTech Environmental & Pest Services specializes in water and mold remediation and has the experience to handle your unique needs.

Mold Health Effects Can Mold cause health problems?
Molds release spores similar to the way some plants release pollen as part of its reproduction cycle. The spores that are released can cause allergies in some people. Mold can also cause other problems ranging from irritation to eyes, skin, nose and throat to conditions even more serious. There are some molds such a Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, and Ulocladium that can produce toxins.

Who is affected by Mold?
There is a wide range of people in New Jersey that are more at risk from mold exposure that include:
– Infants and children
– Elderly people
– Pregnant women
– Individuals with respiratory conditions such as allergies and asthma
– Individuals with weakened immune systemsNot all of the health risks that are said to be cause by molds have been substantiated. However, one thing is certain – mold is an asthma trigger and over 5,000 asthma related deaths are reported in the U.S. alone each year, (mostly children). For that reason, periodic home inspections and New Jersey mold testing is recommended. All indoor mold issues should be addressed immediately. People with asthma should avoid contact with molds and limit their exposure to moldy environments.

Mold Clean Up & Remediation

The Purpose of Mold Clean Up & Remediation to Remove Mold, Not to Kill It
The goals of mold remediation are;
1) Provide for the safety and health of occupants and workers
2) Documentation of the conditions and work process
3) Control the mold contamination at its source
4) Physically remove the mold
5) Eliminate the water source to prevent recontamination

1) Provide for the safety and health of the occupants and workers
Because of the adverse health associated with mold, performing mold clean up & remediation can expose workers and occupants to health and safety hazards. It is essential to implement engineering controls such as containment of the work area, air pressure controls using air-scrubbers/negative air machines and appropriate personal protective equipment (for the workers) to prevent cross contamination.

2) Documentation of the conditions and work process
In order to properly conduct mold clean up & remediation in New Jersey, it is necessary to first perform a mold inspection of the building to determine the extent of the mold contamination. This should be done by a certified mold inspector or remediator. In most cases if the mold is visible it is not necessary to perform air samples. If there is no visible mold but mold is suspected then a visual inspection along with moisture, temperature and humidity readings are necessary. Air samples can then be used to reveal mold colonies and determine the extent of contamination throughout the building. By gathering this necessary data a certified mold tester and remediator can provide you with a written protocol for remediation. After the work is completed and to avoid conflicts of interest an air sample conducted by an independent third party may be performed to verify the remediation is successful.

3) Control the contamination at its source
It is imperative that mold contamination be controlled as close as possible to its source. When mold remediation is under way, mold spores become aerosolized (air born) becoming hard to capture. A properly installed mold containment area can prevent cross contamination, protect occupants and make it easier to properly clean the air of mold spores.

4) Physically remove the mold
The best way to get rid of mold in New Jersey is to physically remove it, place the contaminated debris in 6mil plastic bags and remove from the site. Many companies will attempt only to kill or encapsulate the mold. Dead mold is just as bad as living mold and it still needs to be removed from the site. Encapsulating mold is covering up and not solving the problem.

5) Eliminate the water source to prevent recontamination
Mold growth is inevitable if moisture is not controlled. In order to prevent recontamination after mold remediation, the source of water needs to be eliminated and once the materials are dry, reconstruction can begin.

MORE ON MOLD HEALTH AFFECTS IN NEW JERSEY & PHILADELPHIA:

Molds are fungi similar to mushrooms and yeast. There are over 100,000 species of mold and at least 1,000 are common in the United States. Fungi are heterotrophic, they do not produce their own food like plants. They must get their food from their environment. They do this by secreting digestive enzymes to dissolve organic and inorganic materials. They absorb the soluble products from digestion.

Molds reproduce by releasing spores that usually cannot be seen without magnification. Mold spores float through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When these spores land on a damp or wet surface indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they land on in order to survive. Molds gradually destroy the things they land on.

There are many types of molds that exist and there are many types of molds that only grow in an indoor environment that has had water damage. All molds have the potential to cause adverse health effects. Molds can produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people allergic to mold. Others are known to produce potent toxins and/or irritants like Stachybotrys, Chaetomium and Ulocladium to name a few. Potential health effects and property damage are important reasons to prevent mold growth and to remediate any existing indoor mold growth.



For more information on Mold Inspections & Mold Removal in New Jersey or Philadelphia, click here or call us at 856-220-5334.



MasterTech Environmental & Pest Services