Beach to Bayou recently became certified to conduct Indoor Air Quality testing, which includes general mold screening. Because Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has become a significant concern for the general public, I'd like to use the next few issues of the Inspection Question of the Week to provide some general information about IAQ, or more specifically - MOLD.

True or False? Mold is a relatively new concern which is found only in poorly maintained homes.

FALSE - Mold is not a new concern, it is as old as the earth itself. Written documentation of mold concerns date to at least to the Old Testament, where in the Book of Leviticus [Chapter 14:39-47], mold is identified as a serious hazard and the Book outlines a procedure for remediation. Furthermore, mold can be found in every type of home - the US Census Bureau estimates that each year, about 35% of American homes are subject to some type of moisture related damage, which can create the conditions ripe for mold growth.

Greg Bahr at Resortquest