Mold Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Wondering about mold? You're not alone. Here's what people most often ask and what you need to know.

IDPH fact sheets that relate to mold include:

• Moisture in the Home
• Reducing Your Exposure to Mold
• Mold and Your Health
• Indoor Environmental Quality: Testing Should Not Be the First Step
• After the Flood Comes the Clean Up (Infographic)

IDPH recommends contacting your local building or code enforcement officials for assistance. Mold problems often result from building or property maintenance code violations. Persons in incorporated areas should contact their municipality or city government, while persons in unincorporated areas should contact their county government.

IDPH does not inspect rental housing or enforce rules related to mold. We can provide advice to you and your landlord for addressing the mold, but we cannot require your landlord to follow our recommendations.

IDPH does not perform inspections of residential environments for mold. We primarily respond to requests for assistance by providing health-related information by telephone and recommendations for homeowners, landlords, or tenants to take to alleviate conditions that may represent a potential health hazard.

IDPH does not have funds to assist property owners with mold clean up or related home repairs. Contact your local community development program or charitable organizations for more information about grants or loan programs for home rehabilitation and repairs.

Talk to a legal services provider or tenant organization, such as Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Prairie State Legal Services, or Chicago’s Metropolitan Tenants Organization. These services and others are found online and are available at low or no cost. Different legal remedies, like repairing and deducting, may be available depending on where you live. Ask a lawyer about renters’ rights and responsibilities and how to use legal remedies correctly.

No. IDPH does not test for mold. Even if testing is done, no standards or guidelines exist to judge acceptable mold levels. Generally, IDPH does not recommend mold testing.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) maintains an online Consultant’s Listing. You can search their list of certified industrial hygienists and firms by specialty (mold), service type (residential, commercial, or both), state, and ZIP code. The American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) also offers a list of individuals certified in indoor environmental consulting and microbial consulting. Professionals with these credentials must pass an examination and demonstrate a minimum level of professional experience.

IDPH does not license individuals to perform mold assessments or testing. IDPH cannot recommend the services of any contractor.

IDPH does not recommend testing for mold. If mold growth is visible, testing is not needed to identify what type or level of mold is present. Mold testing is not typically helpful in determining what steps to take for clean up.

If you can see or smell mold, testing is usually not necessary. There is likely a source of moisture that needs to be repaired. The mold needs to be cleaned, and damaged materials removed. Even if testing is done, no standards or guidelines exist to judge acceptable amounts of mold. Testing cannot determine whether health effects will occur.

You can search online for professionals who perform mold remediation. The following nonprofit organizations offer third-party certifications related to mold remediation, allowing consumers to search for individual members and credential holders.

• American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) – look for Certified Microbial Remediators (CMR) and Microbial Remediation Supervisors (CMRS).
• Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) – look for Mold Remediation Specialists (MRS).
• National Organization of Remediators and Microbial Inspectors (NORMI) – look for Certified Mold Remediators (CMR).

The Mold Remediation Registration Act (Public Act 103-0893) requires IDPH to adopt rules and establish procedures for parties that provide mold remediation services to register with the state and provide evidence of active third-party certification and financial responsibility. This act also requires IDPH to conduct a public awareness campaign.

Many molds can cause adverse health effects. Mold exposure can cause a variety of symptoms. Sensitive people who have touched or inhaled mold or mold spores may have allergic reactions, such as a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, skin rash, and itching. Molds can trigger asthma attacks in people allergic to molds, causing wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an allergic reaction to mold that causes inflammation or swelling in your lungs. Repeated exposures can cause permanent lung damage.

People with weak immune systems have a higher risk of an infection caused by certain types of Aspergillus mold.

The guidelines for cleaning smaller areas (less than 10 square feet) of mold growth include the following practices:

1. Find and repair the source of excess moisture. Dry wet areas within 24-48 hours to minimize potential mold growth. Any mold clean up plan that does not address underlying moisture problems will fail.
2. Heavily damaged, porous materials (such as carpeting or drywall) that cannot be thoroughly dried and cleaned should be discarded and replaced. Non-porous surfaces and porous materials that cannot be removed should be cleaned using a soap or detergent solution and dried thoroughly. Areas that have been cleaned may also be disinfected using a household disinfectant prepared following the directions on the product label. All visible mold growth must be cleaned off using a soap or detergent solution before applying a disinfectant. Disinfectants will be less effective if dirt and visible mold are not removed first.
3. Minimize dust and debris when removing moldy drywall, carpet, and other materials by misting surfaces with water. Do not dry scrape or sand surfaces contaminated with mold; do not use hammers when removing drywall.
4. Water-damaged materials and debris should be double-bagged, sealed, and the outside of the bag wiped clean before removing it from the work area. This will help to prevent mold spores from spreading to other, uncontaminated areas.
5. Provide continuous ventilation, especially when cleaning agents or disinfectants are used. Disinfectants should be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the removal of mold, mildew, or fungi.
6. Use a portable air cleaner with high-efficiency filters to reduce mold spores, mold fragments, and dust.
7. Wear rubber gloves and protective clothing that are easily cleaned or discarded. In addition, wear a properly fitted N95 or HEPA respirator mask. These masks can be purchased at a hardware store. To prevent eye irritation, wear goggles without ventilation holes.
8. Turn off the heating and air conditioning system temporarily and seal off all vents to prevent the spread of mold to surrounding areas.
9. Clean all surfaces in the work area before stopping work. Surfaces should be cleaned by HEPA vacuuming until surface dust is no longer visible. After vacuuming, surfaces should be wet cleaned with a soap or detergent.

A professional mold remediator should clean up areas of mold growth larger than 10 square feet.

Homeowners and volunteers cleaning or removing moldy or water-damaged materials should wear an N95 respirator to minimize exposure to mold spores, particulates, and inhalable debris. Proper use of N95 respirators is important to reduce the risk of illness. Before using one of these respirators, review and follow the user instructions that came with the product. An N95 respirator will not filter gases or vapors from cleaning products or generator exhaust. It should be replaced with a clean respirator if it becomes damaged, soiled, or breathing becomes difficult. It should fit without air leaking around the edges of the mask. Disposable N95 respirators can be purchased at hardware stores or home improvement centers.

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Environmental Health
525 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62761

217-782-5830
TTY (hearing impaired use only) 800-547-0466

DPH.Tox@illinois.gov

• American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency