Molds are simple, microscopic organisms that are present virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Molds are fungi and are needed to break down dead material and recycle nutrients in the environment. For molds to grow and reproduce, they need a food source – any organic material, such as leaves, wood, paper or dirt and moisture.

Because molds grow by digesting the organic material, they gradually destroy whatever they grow on. Sometimes, new molds grow on old mold colonies. 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.

Everyone is exposed to some mold on a daily basis without evident harm. It is common to find mold spores in the air inside homes and most of the airborne spores found indoors come from outdoor sources.

Mold spores primarily cause problems when they are present in large numbers and people inhale many of them. This occurs primarily when there is active mold growth within the home, office or school where people live or work. People can be exposed to mold by touching contaminated materials and by eating contaminated foods.