Mold can be found everywhere, and can be detected both indoors and outdoors, year-round. Persistent warm and humid conditions promote mold growth. Outdoor mold can be found in shady, damp areas or places where leaves or other vegetation is decomposing. Indoor mold can be found where humidity levels are high (like basements and showers) and where moist organic material accumulates (e.g. dirty carpets). Spoiled, rotten food is also a typical source of mold growth. It is common for mold to grow on materials like fiberboard, gypsum board, and paper.
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. For people who are sensitive to mold, exposure can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, and in some cases, skin irritation.
Download the Mold Awareness and Guidance Program to learn more.
