What is mold?

Molds are fungi: simple, microscopic organisms, present virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. They can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods. Molds are needed to break down dead material and recycle nutrients in the environment. Mold growth on surfaces can often be seen in the form of discoloration, frequently green, gray, brown, or black, but also white and other colors. Molds release countless tiny, lightweight spores, which travel through the air.

How am I exposed to indoor mold?

It is common to find mold spores in the air inside buildings and on most indoor surfaces including clothes, walls, and furniture. Most of the time mold spores found indoors come from outdoor sources. Frequent cleaning of the room/unit and furnishings helps keep these levels low. Cleaning small areas of visible mold, such as mold that may occur around a tub/shower, is necessary to prevent unsanitary conditions.

Where does mold grow? Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, both indoors and outdoors, year-round. For molds to grow and reproduce, they need only a food source (any organic material, such as leaves, wood, paper, or dirt) and moisture. Outdoors molds can be found in shady, damp areas or places where leaves or other vegetation are decomposing. Indoors molds can be found where humidity levels are high, such as basements or showers.

Molds will grow and multiply whenever conditions are right. Be on the lookout for common sources of indoor moisture that may lead to mold problems:

• Flooding
• Weather conditions: heavy or flooding rains, large snowfall, high outdoor humidity
• Leaking roofs or windows
• Water sprinkler spraying onto buildings
• Plumbing leaks
• Overflow from sinks or toilets
• Moldy shower curtain
• Damp basement or crawl space
• Steam from shower or cooking
• Humidifiers or air diffusers
• Wet clothing drying indoors or clothes dryers exhausting indoors
• Discoloration of walls and ceilings can be an indication of moisture problems

Health Effects.

 The vast majority of people are exposed to small amounts of mold or their spores on a daily basis without evident harm. However, mold growth inside a room is an unsanitary condition that may present potential health risks to any occupants. Therefore, it is always best to identify and correct high moisture conditions quickly before mold grows and possible health problems develop.

How to prevent mold in a living space: 

Here are some suggestions:

• Report any water or moisture issues immediately. This includes any leaks behind a toilet or under sinks, dripping faucets, wet carpet, leak from a ceiling or air vent, moisture under tiles.
• Housing and Residential Life allows for a 10-gallon fish tank. However, since additional water does contribute to humidity and moisture issues, we ask residents to consider this impact if opting to have a tank.
• If the bathroom is equipped with an exhaust fan, be sure to turn it on when taking a bath or showering and leave it on until the bath/shower is over and all steam has left the room.  Steam from a shower can also cause the fire alarm to activate.
• When using the shower, use a shower curtain and keep the curtain inside of the bathtub/shower enclosure to prevent water from collecting on the floor.
• After using the shower, it is best practice to pull the shower curtain across the bathtub/shower enclosure so that it has plenty of space to dry. Leaving the curtain bunched together does not allow it to dry properly and encourages mold growth. Be sure to leave the curtain inside of the bathtub/shower enclosure.
• It is important to inspect the shower curtain for mold. If mold is found on the shower curtain, clean it with a shower cleaner, launder it if it can be washed and dried, or remove it and install a new one.
• Bathrooms need to be cleaned on a regular basis so that there is not an increase in the rate of mold growth.
• If the room/unit is equipped with a ceiling fan, leave it on LOW. This helps circulate the air, which in turn helps to dehumidify the area.
• Whether cooking in an apartment or in a community kitchen, use the exhaust hood above the stove. This will assist in removing steam and moisture from the area.
• Set the thermostat in the space to AUTO. This allows the unit to circulate on and off and function properly.
• OSU Housing and Residential Life recommends a temperature range of 70-75 degrees year-round.
• Do not have exterior doors open while the air conditioning or heating is running. This makes the units work twice as hard and can lead to their malfunction and can bring mold spores from the outside into the living area.
• Clean all living spaces regularly including taking out the trash and cleaning the refrigerator.
• Pick up wet towels or clothing. Don’t put them on the floor or on wooden furniture.
• Clean up all liquid spills quickly and thoroughly.
• Inspect the room regularly for indications and sources of indoor moisture and mold, including closets, cabinets, under beds or desks, under sinks, or other areas with limited air circulation.
• Whenever possible, move wet items to a dry and well-ventilated area or outside to expedite the drying process. During rainy/snowy/wet weather, don’t put wet shoes on the carpet or in a dark closet or corner.
• Remove wet rugs as soon as possible.
• Limit live plants or have none, especially if susceptible to allergies. If a plant dies remove it as soon as possible as dead/decomposing plants can cause air quality issues.

University Housing and Residential Life Procedures 

Upon reports of suspected mold, Housing and Residential Life will submit an emergency work order and coordinate with OSU Facilities Management.

The process includes:

• A visual assessment will be performed.
• OSU Environmental Health and Safety may determine the need for air quality testing.
• If needed, Facilities Staff may perform the following steps:
  • Clean, repair, or replace the heating/air conditioning unit
  • Repair plumbing and stop leaks
  • Seal any leaking doors or windows
  • Clean and disinfect the area
  • Train residents on proper cleaning techniques or how to properly operate the thermostat and HVAC system
  • Obtain the services of a professional company such as Blackmon Mooring to conduct testing and/or cleaning.

• Moisture and humidity levels may be tested and a humidity logger may be added to your space. If signs of abnormally high humidity or moisture are encountered a more thorough assessment may be carried out.
• A dehumidifier and/or a fan may be provided for resident use to accelerate the drying time. If one is installed in a space, it is important to leave it running at all times.
• A Synexis machine or similar air scrubber may be installed in the space, and should be left running at all times, including during maintenance and cleaning.
• On the recommendation of OSU Facilities Management and/or OSU Environmental Health and Safety, the following steps may be taken:Make any needed repairs to the facility, equipment, or surrounding areas.
• Further remediation and/or duct cleaning as specified by OSUEHS.
• Cleaning by ABM Housekeeping:
  • Perform a thorough cleaning of this space and cleaning should start from the top down.
    • Horizontal services should be wiped down with a water and detergent solution.
      • Carpet/upholstered furniture:
        • Wet vacuum (in the case of porous materials, some mold spores/fragments will remain in the material but will not grow if the material is completely dried). Steam cleaning may be an alternative for carpets and some upholstered furniture.
        • High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum after the material has been thoroughly dried. Dispose of the contents of the HEPA vacuum in well-sealed plastic bags.
        • Hard surfaces: damp-wipe surfaces with plain water or with water and detergent solution (except wood—use wood floor cleaner); scrub as needed.