Detect Mold
Moulds thrive on many organic substances and, provided with sufficient moisture, they rapidly break down wood, paper, and leather. In fruit the enzymes penetrate well behind the area of the visible growths to damage the plant. Besides being destructive, however, moulds also have many industrial uses, such as in the fermentation of organic acids and cheeses. Camembert and Roquefort cheeses, for example, gain their particular flavors from the enzymes of Penicillium camemberti and Penicillium roqueforti, respectively. Penicillin, a product of the green mould Penicillium notatum, revolutionized antibiotic drugs after its discovery in 1929, and the red bread mould Neurospora is an important tool in genetic experiments.
Ways of detecting mold
A thorough inspection of a building is a sure way of detecting any form of mold. During the inspection one must be aware of any musty smell as well as keep a watch for damp areas and rot. A musty smell is a sure indication as well as the first indication of the presence of mold. Rotting material and water seepage are another of the sure indications of mold. It is dangerous to leave mold unattended. Unfortunately, anytime can be the season for mold. There are mold spores everywhere in the environment looking for a moist organic surface on which to grow. A musty odor can be an indication to mold growing or if you can see mold, you have a serious problem. Reliable sampling for mold can be expensive since it requires special equipment and training.
Protection from mold
People react to mold, living or dead so the mold must be removed. During removal protect your health by using a mask or respirator that will filter out mold spores. Wear eye protection, rubber gloves, and clothing that can be immediately laundered. Dampen moldy materials before removal so that airborne spores can stick to it and so minimize the number of airborne mold spores. The use of testing kits available in the market is a good way to detect the toxic variety of mold. However, depending on the severity of the problem, it would be best to let the experts handle a major problem to prevent any untoward health problems.