Where Does Mold Come From?

Written By:
Henry P. Shotwell, Ph.D., CIH
Senior Vice-President

Molds are among the earliest known life-forms; they are found in all parts of the world, including Antarctica (“Scientists Tackle Antarctica Mold,” Peter Rejcek, editor, Antarctica Sun, February 4, 2007). They do not have mouths or digestive tracts. Instead, they release digestive enzymes that break down paper, fruits, leaves, shoe leather, bacon or anything else they have landed on and can use for food. The molds then absorb the liquefied food.

According to Olson, fungi and other primitive life-forms go back at least 2.8 billion years ago [Olson, J.M. (2006), “Photosynthesis in the Archaean Era,” Photosyn Res. 88(2):109-17]. They are one of the oldest life-forms on earth.

Molds reproduce through the release of microscopic spores which are released to the air. If they settle on a surface that has the right amount of water and food and is at the right temperature, the spores will “germinate” and create a “stem” called a mycelium. Branches called Hyphae form along the myceliae. At the end of the hyphae (in most molds) a “fruiting body” forms. More spores are created in the fruiting bodies and are released when conditions are right, thus starting the whole process all over again.

Since mold spores are found in the earth’s atmosphere all over the world, there is no practical way to eliminate all mold spores from the indoor air. But we can control their growth in places they are unwelcome—your bathroom, cellar, kitchen and so on. Since we can’t eliminate the things mold uses for food, sheetrock, wallboard, rugs, paper, bread, cheese, bananas, and the like, we are really left with only one practical solution—control the moisture that is so essential for mold growth.

Obviously, in the wake of a major storm, there’s nothing we can do to prevent flooding or leaking roofs from making available all the moisture a mold might need to grow and multiply. But under normal conditions, we can use dehumidifiers, we can vent the warm moist air from a clothes dryer, find and repair water leaks or condensation, clean-up water and dehumidify, immediately after a storm. By eliminating the excess moisture, we can prevent the growth and spread of mold.

What if you have had a broken water pipe or a flood? In this case, there is every likelihood that a large amount of water will be present for a significant amount of time, fully saturating walls, rugs, furniture and other items. Most of these will develop visible colonies of mold growth in a few days. In all likelihood, the combination of water damage and mold growth will require the replacement of these items. Some things, like area rugs could be salvaged if the visible mold can be removed and the item thoroughly dried, but the majority of soaked, absorbent items will have to be discarded.

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