MOLD OVERVIEW

Molds are fungi that grow both indoors and outdoors and create spores that travel through the air in search of a good place to grow. Some people are sensitive to molds and experience allergy-type reactions. A few people experience severe reactions. Certain groups are more at risk of bad reactions to mold exposure such as infants, the elderly, people with respiratory conditions such as asthma, and people with weakened immune systems. However, prolonged exposure to excessive levels of mold will negatively impact the health of nearly anyone, that's why a mold inspection by a certified mold specialist is a vital part of ensuring a clean, safe and healthy environment.

There are around 1,000 types or species of mold in the United States, and around 100,000 worldwide. Some molds are beneficial to make cheese and penicillin. Others are known to be highly toxic. Outdoors, molds play an important role in nature by breaking down organic matter such as toppled trees, fallen leaves, and dead animals. Indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Problems may arise when mold starts eating away at materials, affecting the look, smell, and possibly, with the respect to wood-framed buildings, affecting the structural integrity of the buildings.

All molds share the characteristic of being able to grow without sunlight; mold needs only a viable seed (spore), a nutrient source, moisture, and the right temperature to proliferate. This explains why mold infestation is often found in damp, dark, hidden spaces. Mold does not like light and air circulation that dry areas out, making them less hospitable for mold growth.

If you suspect that you have a mold problem and need remediation, call Strictly Business Mold Inspection. Strictly Business serves Brooklyn and Staten Island in New York, and in New Jersey, the cities and towns of Princeton, New Brunswick, Ocean City, Atlantic City, Belmar, Camden, Manasquan, Trenton, Point Pleasant and Morristown, among others. Mold inspection services are also provided in the Philadelphia area.