Health + Safety

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Facts About Mold and Mildew

BARD OFFICE OF RESIDENCE LIFE AND HOUSING
Fact Sheet about Mold and Mildew

Bard’s Buildings & Grounds Department provides routine maintenance to prevent
maintenance and mold concerns, and Bard’s Environmental Services Department
cleans residence hall common areas on a daily basis. Buildings and residence hall
rooms are inspected multiple times per year.
If you believe that you have mildew or mold in your residence hall room, please
complete a work order as soon as possible so the issue can be addressed as quickly
and effectively as possible https://www.bard.edu/bandg/

What causes mold to grow?
Mold is a part of the natural environment that aids in the decomposition of leaves, trees,
and other natural outdoor organic materials. Individual mold spores are invisible to the
human eye and are continually floating around outside in nature. However, when those
spores make their way indoors and are exposed to wet/humid areas, they can begin to
grow or colonize. It is impossible to eliminate mold and mold spores in the indoor
environment due to the ingress and egress of daily human activity being carried in on
clothing, shoes, and backpacks.

Mold can grow on almost any material, as long as moisture and oxygen are present.
Maintaining indoor moisture and humidity levels between 30-60 percent will reduce the
likelihood of indoor mold growth. Unfortunately, controlling humidity in large, heavily
populated buildings is difficult, especially in hot humid and rainy weather.

Where is mold and mildew found?
Mold can be found almost anywhere and can grow on virtually any organic substance if
moisture and oxygen are present. The levels of airborne mold spores can vary from month to
month and day to day; are highly reliant on temperature, humidity, other seasonal factors in the
environment; and are not reliable indicators of an indoor dampness or mold problem. It is
impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores. However, since mold requires water to grow, it
is important to identify and prevent moisture problems in buildings to prevent active mold
growth.

Molds come in a variety of colors, including white, which is sometimes seen on a damp
carpet; pink, which is often found on shower walls; and darkly pigmented, which is often
seen around windowsills as a result of condensation. Given a source of moisture, mold
can grow just about anywhere. Moisture control, air circulation, and good cleaning
practices are necessary to control mold growth.

Are there state or national regulations regarding mold?
There are no federal or state regulations governing the presence of mold or mold spore
levels in buildings. There are also no health standards from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) or public health departments for concentrations of mold
spores in the indoor air. However, the presence of visible mold on indoor building
materials should be remediated.

State and federal agencies generally recommend the following measures to address mold and
moisture indoors:
• The best way to deal with mold in buildings is to identify and correct the source of water or
leak; then clean or discard and replace moldy building materials
• Vent bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside.
• Provide adequate and appropriate ventilation to avoid temperature and humidity conditions
that will lead to excess moisture.
• Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to
prevent mold growth.
• Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent and dry completely.
• Prevent the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls,
roof, or floor) by adding insulation.
• In areas where there is perpetual moisture, such as near fountains, by classroom sinks, or on
concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation, do not install carpeting.

Why not conduct mold testing?
Mold testing is not recommended in many cases. Instead, careful detailed visual
inspection and recognition of moldy odors should be used to find problems needing
correction. Efforts should focus on areas where there are signs of moisture or water
vapor (humidity) or where moisture problems are suspected. The investigation goals
should be to locate indoor mold growth to determine how to correct the moisture
problem and remove contamination safely and effectively.
The Department of Health, as well as the CDC and EPA, do NOT recommend testing as
there are no exposure-based standards to use for evaluation of the sampling results.

How does mold spread?
Most molds reproduce through the formation of spores, tiny, microscopic cells that are
resistant to drying and are released into the air. Airborne spores are found both indoors
and outdoors. Air circulation in a building varies throughout the day and depends on the
level of activity in that space. Mold spores are always present in both the indoor and
outdoor environment and can be carried in on clothing, backpacks, shoes, etc.
Is it safe for me to stay in my residence hall that currently has mold?
In most cases, the answer is yes. According to federal health and safety agencies, mold
growth is commonly found in both indoor and outdoor environments. Therefore, varying
levels of mold are around us at all times.

How does mold affect people?
• Some people are sensitive to mold and may experience short-term or acute
reactions in the presence of mold growth. Symptoms associated with mold
exposure are not unique and cannot be readily distinguished from symptoms
caused by other medical conditions, such as the common cold or seasonal
environmental allergies.
We recommend that you see your health care provider if you experience any health
concerns.

What is the inspection process to determine how to address any mold in
my residence?
A qualified team of B&G and/or ES respond to work orders. Staff will knock, enter, and
conduct a thorough visual inspection of furniture, wall, closets, and fan coil units to
check for any evidence of mold growth or other concerns, as well as take internal
temperature and humidity readings. If mold growth is found, staff will take appropriate
steps to clean or remediate.

What will be done if there is mold found in my room?
Measures will be taken to thoroughly clean and dry the area affected. This work may be
completed by staff and/or an outside contractor specializing in water cleanup. Staff will
return to check regularly on the progress until the situation has been resolved and may
instruct residents in ways to assist in that process. Due to the unique circumstances
around each situation, cases are managed independently with communication managed
by the Director of Residence Life.

Does the College conduct proactive inspections for mold?
Mold inspections within occupied spaces during the academic school year are only
conducted at the request of a work order. Proactive inspections occur regularly
throughout the year focusing on common areas in conjunction with the fire and life
safety inspections. Comprehensive building inspections during the summer between
conferences also occur each year.