Mold is a living organism that can spread and deteriorate building materials. Mold is easily disturbed, causing spores to become airborne. Once these spores are airborne, they can be inhaled through our noses and mouths and down into our lungs, leading to allergic reactions and, in some cases, severe effects.

Mold growth can oftentimes be found in damp, dark, areas such as:

• Kitchens
• Basements
• Bathrooms
• Storage closets
• Un-insulated walls
• Around plumbing fixtures
• Recently flooded or wet areas
• Anywhere with poor ventilation

There are hundreds of different genuses of mold or fungi and thousands of different species within those genuses. Many of these different genuses of mold react differently and thrive under varying conditions of temperature and humidity.

When mold is thriving and growing, it will produce three things: Spores, odors/gases known as MVOCs (microbial volatile organic compounds), and mycotoxins, which are byproducts produced by certain mold genuses.