Mold, everyone's enemy but no health evaluation standards

Everyone can point out mildew in a shower and most people can tell what mold looks like, but are your sure?  Although mold is all around us, particularly during the summer months, the biggest concern with mold is when the "bad" mold is found in a property.

"What causes mold in a building? If the spores land in an excessively moist area of our homes it will grow, sometimes very rapidly. How rapidly?  With the proper environment, mold can spread throughout the entire house in 24 hours. Roof leaks, plumbing leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding are common causes of moisture. Wood, drywall, carpeting, and other building materials that become damp can become moldy. Newer materials like pressed wood or particle board hold moisture for longer periods and are particularly susceptible to mold.

Mold is not always a health problem. If a person is sensitive to molds, the symptoms may be nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, or wheezing. More severe reactions can include fever and shortness of breath. Mold spores can become a greater problem because of the "tight" construction techniques used today. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have received reports about serious effects of toxic mold, such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss, but says the reports are rare, and that links between mold and these serious illnesses have not been proven.

With all the information and research, there are no standards to measure unsafe health mold levels.  When you buy property you need to make sure that any potential mold is safe else you could be risking both your health as well as the health of your loved ones.