What is White Mold? The Ultimate Fact Sheet

Thanks to the lack of attention and awareness given to this fungus among us, there’s quite a lot of misinformation and uncertainty out there when it comes to indoor mold growth. With mold’s ability to pop up anywhere and everywhere throughout a home, this gray area often leads to a range of questions when a problem manages to slip in. One of the most common lines of inquiry is: what is white mold, and is it a problem?

WHAT IS WHITE MOLD, BUT ALSO, WHAT IS MOLD IN GENERAL?

Before getting into what is white mold, it’s easiest to first explain and define mold in general.

Mold is a type of fungus with over 100,000 species identified so far across the world. Each species reproduces by creating microscopic spores and releasing them into the environment.¹’² These spores can catch a ride on the air current and will float to wherever that leads, which is how they often get into places like our homes.

A spore’s ability to get anywhere and everywhere largely rests on its size. They’re so small that they’re invisible to the naked eye and are measured in a unit called microns.

THESE FOUR ELEMENTS ARE:

1. Moisture: the often missing puzzle piece
2. Food: it eats almost anything
3. Temperature: 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit is preferred but some species can live in extremes
4. Oxygen: it needs very little of this, which is why it can grow in walls

Given each of these components for 24-48 hours, a mold spore will transition into the land of the living. And it just so happens that all four components are frequently found right in our own homes.

OKAY, BUT WHAT IS WHITE MOLD?

The answer to “What is white mold?” is simple: it depends. With the ease with which mold can get into homes and with so many variations out there, the truth is that white mold could be any number of species. Some species also grow in a variety of colors, which makes it even more difficult to answer, “What is white mold?”

All of that being said, oftentimes when white mold is discovered, it’s one of the “common” molds found within homes, like Aspergillus. Just because they’re common doesn’t mean they aren’t a problem, though, contrary to what many might think. Aspergillus, in particular, is a species of mold with the ability to produce microscopic toxins called mycotoxins, which are a no-no for our health.⁵ Interestingly enough, while the FDA regulates these toxins in our foods, there’s no acceptable level within a home.⁶

But, back to “What is white mold?” The long and short of it is, white mold could be Aspergillus, Penicillium, or any other species in between; it could be allergenic, pathogenic, and toxic; and it could or could not be able to produce mycotoxins. Either way, it’s all got to go.

WHY IS MOLD IN THE HOME DANGEROUS?

Another common misconception is that because mold is everywhere, it’s no big deal when it’s in the home. That’s untrue for a multitude of reasons, but the greatest one is attributed to the differences in the volume of exposure. Yes, it’s impossible to avoid exposure to mold particles in nature. With so many species and the particles’ ability to go everywhere, we can encounter them while walking into the grocery store, driving in the car, or out on a jog.

So really, the answer to “What is white mold?” is: something you do not want in your home.

WHAT IS WHITE MOLD? A HEALTH HAZARD

The size of the particles associated with mold is the main reason this fungus among us is bad news in a home. They’re so small that they can be inhaled, ingested, and absorbed into the body. The EPA classifies these sorts of particles as particulate matter and further breaks them down into two segments.⁷

THESE TWO CATEGORIES ARE:

• PM10: particles that have a diameter of around 10 micrometers or less.
• PM2.5: fine particles that have a diameter of around 2.5 micrometers or less.

Typically, when one of these particles enters the body, the immune system will descend and get rid of it in a jiff. But, think back to the contaminated bubble house image. Mold growth in a home means that the immune system isn’t facing just a couple of particles here and there while out and about during the day. Every time someone is in a home or indoor environment, their body is facing an army of particles that can make their way inside with every breath taken or bite of food consumed.

Talk about a serious task for the immune system! The issue leading to yet another point of confusion for mold is that no two people react the same way to exposure. While one person’s immune system will go gung-ho to fight off the foreign invaders and prevent them from any major health reactions, another individual’s defenses may get bogged down and malfunction, resulting in a long list of symptoms or related autoimmune conditions. Exposure to Aspergillus, for example, can lead to a condition called Aspergillosis. ⁸

Researchers are still attempting to determine exactly how and to what extent mold exposure affects the body, but it’s a tricky subject to figure out. Factors such as lifestyle, immune system status, genetics, species of mold, presence of toxins and bacteria, and volume of exposure all play a role. What they do know is that anyone with a developing or compromised immune system is at greater risk of developing symptoms faster and to a greater extent. ⁹’¹⁰’¹¹’¹²’¹³

WHAT IS WHITE MOLD? AN INDOOR CONTAMINANT THAT’S G2G

Knowing the answer to what is white mold is important, but at the end of the day, any species of mold should be treated the same way: immediately and correctly. The species itself might not be naturally toxic, but it could still produce toxins that are harmful to health. Not to mention, mold and its byproducts aren’t the only particles at the contaminant particle party. Depending on the source of the water event that led to the growth, bacteria may be around as well.

The ability for this trio of contaminants to exist in a home is yet another reason why mold needs to be handled properly.
So, for anyone who finds mold inside of their home, here are the steps to take to kick it to the curb.

A SMALL PROBLEM

For a small issue that can be tackled yourself, the first step is to determine which surface you’re working with. These can be broken down into three categories.

THESE INCLUDE:

1. Porous: liquid absorbs into them
2. Non-porous: liquid pools on top of them
3. Semi-porous: some liquid pools on top and some seeps into it

Once you’ve got this settled, you’ll need the proper gear.

THIS INCLUDES:

• Protective gear: A mask and gloves will help limit exposure to particles on the surface and any kicked up from remediation.
• A HEPA vacuum: To reach the EPA standard and be qualified as a HEPA filter, they must filter out 99.7% of particles that pass through that are 0.3 microns in size.¹⁴
• Botanical cleaning products: These will help pull particles up from the surface and don’t contain harsh chemicals like other products such as bleach (which you should never use on mold).¹⁵ I recommend Benefect Decon 30 for non-porous surfaces.
• Microfiber rags: These are 100 times more effective at removing small particles than regular rags.
• A spray bottle: For your cleaning product.

To make it even easier, HomeCleanse offers both a Content Cleaning Kit and a Home Detox Box to help get you started removing contaminants from a home.

A LARGE PROBLEM

Sometimes a moldy problem requires a team of professionals to come in and ensure that the home is the safe space it’s supposed to be. Knowing the answer to, “What is white mold?” and the health problems this fungus among us can cause highlights the importance of handling any indoor mold issue quickly and properly.

First, contact a qualified mold inspector. Not all mold inspectors are built the same, though, so choose carefully. This individual should spend a few hours going through the home and thoroughly inspecting the space by collecting a range of data.

SOME OF THE DATA YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO SEE IS:

• Types of molds present
• Quantities of each mold
• Potential spores in the HVAC system
• Presence of mycotoxins
• Presence of bacteria

Each box must be checked off or else the mold could come back or a bunch of contaminants could remain behind, prolonging exposure for those inside the building. Essentially, when this company finishes the project, you should be confident that the home won’t trigger chronic illness.

WHAT IS WHITE MOLD? CHECK. HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT

The best offense is a good defense. Or, in this case, the best way to handle mold is to prevent it from occurring in the home in the first place.

The goal of preventing indoor growth is to remove as many particles as possible that can opportunistically begin growing and eliminate the components they need for growth.

STEPS TO ACHIEVE THIS INCLUDE:

• Fixing leaks immediately
• Maintaining an indoor humidity level between 30 to 50%¹⁶
• Regularly inspecting mold hotspots in the home
• Invest in air purification
• Frequently deep clean
• Create airflow in bathrooms and the kitchen when the rooms are in use
• Schedule a technician to service the HVAC bi-annually
• Clean all appliances regularly
• Wash machine washable items with EC3 Laundry Additive

This list offers a great starting point for helping ensure your indoor environment is a healthy place. But, don’t try to tick them all off at once. When it comes to mold, do what you can when you can. Time and finances don’t always allow for every attempt all at once. As long as you’re actively working on creating a clean environment, you’re absolutely going in the right direction.

CLEANING UP THE CONFUSION