(Revised July 2002)
Introduction What Is Mold?
What Exactly Is Toxic Mold?
How Can You Prevent Mold from Forming?
What Do You Do If You Suspect Mold Damage?
Can You Get Rid of Mold When It Is Discovered?
Are You Suffering from Mold Exposure?
A Final Reminder About Mold
How to Contact Us
Mold and Toxic Mold Educational Resources
The topic of mold and toxic mold has become an increasing area of concern among consumers and insurance companies because of the possible negative health effects and resulting damage to real and personal property. Currently scientists, health professionals, insurance researchers, and economists are studying mold to further understand how it impacts health, the insurance industry, and finances, as the effects are not always clear.
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Mold is made up of microscopic organisms that can be present both indoors and outdoors. Mushrooms, yeast, mildew and mold are types of fungi that are needed to break down dead organic material and subsequently recycle decomposed organic nutrients into the soil and environment. In order for mold to grow and reproduce, moisture and a food source must be present. While moisture comes from a water source, any organic material such as wood, paper, leaves, or soil can furnish the food source. Mold growth on surfaces can often be seen in the form of discoloration that can range in color from orange to green to brown to black. Sometimes mold can even be white. Molds release tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air.
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Certain types of mold can produce toxins, called mycotoxins, that the mold uses to inhibit or prevent the growth of other organisms. It is believed that very specific environmental conditions are needed for mycotoxins to be produced. Currently, the specific conditions that cause mycotoxin production are not fully understood. The presence of toxic mold is serious, as mycotoxin exposure can be dangerous to your health. Scientists, doctors, and health specialists are still debating exactly what effect mycotoxin exposure has on specific health conditions.
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Mold in your home is caused by moisture and can usually be found in damp, dark areas where moisture tends to accumulate. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, roofs, attics, crawl spaces, windows, sliding glass doors, and plumbing pipes are all potential avenues and hiding places for water leaks. If water is not detected, it can accumulate over time causing an environment where mold can grow. To prevent mold growth it is important to manage normal areas of moisture in your home such as the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. Proper ventilation is an important component to drying common moisture. Regular drying and cleaning of wet areas in the home can greatly decrease mold growth.
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It is important to immediately locate the source of moisture if you suspect mold damage. Once the water leakage and accumulation has stopped, the area must be thoroughly dried and then cleaned. In some instances the contaminated areas and materials should be removed. Your homeowner's policy may cover mold cleanup and damage to property caused by mold when the mold damage is considered to be the consequence of a covered peril. For instance, if a pipe bursts and floods an area of your house while you are on vacation, and mold is present on your return, the mold cleanup and property repair will most likely be covered if the water damage is covered under the policy. Contact your agent or company representative immediately if you experience water damage. Timely inspection and cleanup of water damage can help to minimize the growth of mold. As a general rule, mold and other problems caused due to lack of maintenance or wear and tear are not covered under a homeowners policy.
Upon accepting and examining your claim, an adjuster or company representative may deny your claim stating the cost of mold detection, cleanup, and property repair are not covered under your policy. If this occurs, you should review your policy provisions and exclusions to see if you agree with the adjuster or company representative's position. If your agent or company representative refuses to respond to a mold claim, or any other filed claim, then immediately contact the California Department of Insurance (CDI) for assistance. Besides contacting the CDI for assistance, you may consider consulting an attorney, especially if the adjuster or company representative refuses to cover mold cleanup or property damage as a result of a covered water loss, such as a broken water pipe.
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Methods of mold cleanup vary upon the type of mold discovered. Testing the mold may be necessary if extensive damage is present to determine what type of mold you have. If mold damage is pervasive, you may need to hire a contractor that specializes in mold removal. Whether mold damage is covered or not, you can seek assistance from your agent or company representative on how to proceed with mold abatement. Do not be discouraged, it is possible to get rid of mold.
How to Tips for Mold Cleanup
When attempting to cleanup mold it is important to use the following guidelines:
- Identify and eliminate all sources of moisture.
- Dry all affected areas for 2 to 3 days.
- Wear proper cleanup clothing including rubber gloves, eye protection, and one-strap dust masks when dealing with mold. Mold should never touch your skin or get into your eyes or lungs.
- Discard all mold affected porous materials including ceiling tiles, dry wall, and rotten wood. Contaminated carpet, drapes, and upholstered furniture may be professionally cleaned; however, you may need to discard if signs of mold persist.
- Bag and dispose of all material that contains moldy residues. If properly enclosed, items can be disposed of in household trash.
- Clean all affected non-porous or solid materials (i.e., glass, plastic, metal, floors, cabinets, or wood furniture.)
- Use non-ammonia soap or detergent (or a commercial cleaner) in hot water, and scrub the entire area affected by mold.
- Scrub cement-block walls or other uneven surfaces with a stiff brush or cleaning pad.
- Rinse cleaned items with water and dry thoroughly. A wet/dry vacuum is very helpful in removing water and cleaning items.
- Disinfect cleaned items with a 10% solution of household bleach (1 1/2 cup household bleach per gallon of water). Disinfectant must cover all affected surfaces.
- Keep disinfectant on the treated material for a least 10 minutes.
- Make sure work area is well ventilated. Bleach fumes can irritate eyes, nose, and throat and damage clothing and shoes.
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The severity of the impact of mold on individuals depends upon the type and amount of mold present and the susceptibility and sensitivity of the person experiencing mold exposure. All molds can cause potential health problems, which may result in inflammation, allergies, or infection. Some possible symptoms of mold exposure may include hay fever, respiratory problems, nasal and sinus congestion, eye irritation, coughing, skin rashes, or skin irritation. Exposure over time to mold spores continues to be debated as a possible link to sometimes serious, chronic upper respiratory ailments. Seek medical advice from your doctor or other health care professional if you have been exposed to mold and feel you may be suffering mold-related symptoms. Also, always locate the source of any strange smell in your house, especially the dank musty smell that is commonly associated with mold and mildew. Early detection of mold and mold causing water problems in your home is an important safeguard to protecting your property and health.
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Most mold problems can be resolved before they start by using a little common sense and by following through on simple home maintenance projects. Whenever water or damp conditions are discovered, immediately determine the source of the moisture and fix the problem as quickly as possible. By ignoring the problem, you may suffer more costly property damage, and you may also allow a moist environment to exist that can aid in the formation of mold. Additionally, your policy may exclude coverage when you become aware of a water or dampness problem and do not take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage. If you suspect water damage, then contact your insurance agent, broker, or insurance company regarding filing a water damage or mold claim. If you believe that your insurance company is not handling your water or mold claim in a way consistent with the provisions of your insurance policy, then you may want to contact an attorney about your rights under the policy
. Also, it is always a good idea to be familiar with your insurance policy, including all definitions and exclusions. Reading your policy can also help you determine if filing a claim is appropriate in your specific situation.
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If you experience any questions or problems regarding a water damage claim issue with your insurance company (with or without the presence of mold), then please contact the California Department of Insurance (CDI). Our Consumer Hotline can assist you at 1-800-927-HELP (4357) or 213-897-8921 from out-of-state. You may also visit our Web site for additional information: www.insurance.ca.gov.
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If you are interested in learning more about mold and toxic mold, the following resources can be helpful in your research:
California Department of Health Services
Indoor Air Quality Section
2151 Berkeley Way (EHLB)
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: 510-540-2476
Web site: www.dhs.ca.gov
Type key word "mold" in search box for information
California State Library
California Research Bureau
900 N. Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95841
Phone: 916-653-7843
Web site: www.library.ca.gov
Double-click on CA Research Bureau Public Policy Reports
Type key word "mold" in search box for information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
U.S. EPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-947-8000
Web site: www.epa.gov
Type key word "mold" in search box for information.
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