Mold Services in Baton Rouge

PART 1 IN OUR SERIES ON MOLD

• Molds have been part of the environment since humans have walked the planet.
• References to mold can be found in the Bible and scientists estimate molds evolved more than 400 million years ago.
• Molds are part of the diverse group of organisms called fungi, which include a wide range of species from tiny molds to large mushrooms.
• Fungi are part of nature’s recycling system and play a key role in breaking down organic materials such as plants, leaves, wood fiber and other natural materials.
• Fungi extract food from organic material, and they grow and reproduce by way of spores.
• Conservatively, more than 100,000 species of mold exist in the world and at least 1,000 species are common in the U.S.
• Molds and other fungi are estimated to comprise a quarter of the entire biomass on earth.
• As such, molds and mold spores are everywhere.
• The air we breathe is a virtual jungle of fungal spores and we regularly encounter mold spores as part of everyday life.
• Humans have coexisted with molds for thousands of years. So why are molds a concern today?
• Recent court cases involving mold, sensationalistic media coverage and publication of questionable scientific research have increased public awareness of the issue.
• To date in the U.S., there are no regulations
• or exposure limits for molds or mold spores, and the mycotoxins that may be present.
• While there are many claims that so-called “toxic molds” like Stachybotrys cause severe health effects, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states:
• “At present, there is no test that proves an association between Stachybotrys chartum and particular health symptoms.”
• Molds require four things for growth: food, suitable temperature, oxygen and moisture.
• There are a host of materials in and around a house that, under proper conditions, can become a breeding ground for mold.
• Molds require four things for growth: food, suitable temperature, oxygen and moisture.
• In certain situations, wood ALONE can provide the necessary elements to allow mold to grow.

The Key Element for Mold Growth Is