Empowerment Through Unity
Mold Action Committee
The Mold Action Committee at Arise was founded to bring mold awareness to the community and get mold regulations for Massachusetts through organizing, outreach, advocacy and coalition building.
We are pressing the local and state legislators to enforce the regulations we fought for and to pass the air quality bill.
If you or someone you know suspects mold, or to learn more and get involved in the Arise Mold Committee, call Arise at 413-734-4948.
To support the Mold Action Committee, click the support button below. Your contribution helps us provide much needed air purifiers and other supplies to help families fight back against mold exposure. With your support, we can provide HEPA air purifiers, education, outreach, advocacy and support to families in Springfield battling against mold and the chronic health conditions it causes.
What is mold?
Mold is a microorganism and type of fungus, molds are part of the natural environment and can be found everywhere, outside and indoors. Mold thrives in wet places. It can form on damp materials—outside on decaying organic matter like leaves, and inside, for example, on the paper face of wet drywall. People come in contact with molds every day. Mold spores and fragments can get into the air we breathe. You may touch mold through household or occupational activities. Some mold may grow on food. Of the many species of mold, most are not harmful.
Should I be concerned?
Allergic reactions to molds are the most common health effects in people, including symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. People without allergies, but who are exposed to mold, likewise may experience symptoms, including eye irritation, sore throat, congestion, skin rash, and headaches.
Infants who live in moldy homes were 3 times more likely to develop asthma by age 7
Indoor concentrations of pollutants, such as mold, tend to be higher in low-socioeconomic status households. For example, their homes may have inside water leaks, a predictor of mold and moisture development. Research also shows that some low-income multifamily units may have low air exchange rates and inadequate ventilation, leading to higher exposure to mold allergens” Mold can be a concern in your home, even if you are not actively experiencing symptoms.
How to clean mold
1. Put on personal protective equipment (gloves, mask, goggles) to protect your eyes, nose, mouth, and skin.
2. Take it out! Anything that was wet and can’t be cleaned and dried completely within 24 to 48 hours should be taken outside.
3. Take photos of discarded items for personal record and any legal proceedings.
4. Open all doors and windows when you are working, and leave as many open as you safely can when you leave.
5. When electricity is safe to use, use fans and dehumidifiers to remove moisture.
6. If you use cleaning products, do not mix cleaning products together. DO NOT mix bleach and ammonia because it can create toxic vapors. Vinegar is commonly used to treat mold and is nontoxic. Clean with water and detergent. Remove all mold you can see. Dry right away.
7. Painting or caulking over mold will not prevent mold from growing. Fix the water problem completely and clean up all the mold before you paint or caulk.
8. Dry your home and everything in it as quickly as possible – within 24 to 48 hours
Harm Reduction
Air Purifiers
An Air purifier is a machine with a filter and a fan inside. The machine circulates the air in a room or home through the filter to remove particles from the air. For the removal of mold spores from the air we recommend HEPA grade purifiers. We recommend them because HEPA filters remove particles as small as .3 microns from the air. Mold spores are typically 3 to 40 microns in size, HEPA filtration guarantees any mold spores or partial mold spores are removed from the air.
Dehumidifiers
A dehumidifier is a machine with a fan and a condenser inside. Dehumidifiers work by circulating the air through the condenser to remove excess moisture from the air inside a room or home. Dehumidifiers help get rid of mold in your home by removing the airborne water particles that mold need to survive and reproduce.
We strongly recommend that if you have identified a mold issue in your home that you begin to use both a dehumidifier and purifier to stop the spread of mold and reduce any possible health impacts.
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