It’s always alarming to find mold growing in your house, but it’s important to remember that you can do something about it. Understanding the kind of mold you’ve got is a start. Fusarium is a family of molds with more than 300 species. Although most can’t grow indoors, some do. We spoke with Michael Rubino, mold and air quality expert, to find out what Fusarium mold is and how to treat it.

What Is Fusarium Mold?

“Fusarium is a mold that can thrive in diverse temperatures, including cold conditions,” Rubino begins. “It is both allergenic and toxigenic and grows in homes with water damage.”

This family of molds was first identified in 1809. Fusarium spreads by broadcasting microscopic spores that move easily in the air, causing massive agricultural losses each year around the world.

A condition called “Fusarium wilt” is responsible for the death of vegetable seedlings (tomatoes especially), and other Fusarium-related crop diseases affect grains, corn and horticultural crops. One species of Fusarium offers practical benefit for vegans and vegetarians. Fusarium venentum is the scientific name for quorn, a meat substitute that’s most common in Europe and the United Kingdom. The fuzzy snow mold that sometimes appears on lawns as winter snows melt is a type of Fusarium.

How Do I Identify Fusarium Mold?

“Fusarium can be pink, white, or reddish. It is also known to spread quickly, so you want to address any growth in a home as soon as possbile” Rubino explains. He recommends testing to confirm whether or not you have mold and what kind. “With over 100,000 species of mold identified so far, you can never be 100% confident what species are present just with a simple visual inspection.”

Where Is Fusarium Mold Commonly Found?

Fusarium mold of one type or another is found everywhere in the world. The majority of Fusarium growths happen outdoors, with the greatest damage to agricultural crops. As with most molds, moisture is essential for Fusarium growth.

When it comes to your home, Rubino says that Fusarium mold can be found in:
  • Carpeting
  • Wallpaper
  • Fabrics
  • Natural compost
  • Basements and crawl spaces
  • Bathrooms
  • Windowsills
  • Houseplants
  • HVAC systems

What Are the Health Effects of Fusarium Mold?

Fusarium infections of humans is rare, but they can be serious when they do occur. People with compromised immune systems and post-surgical patients are particularly susceptible to Fusarium. A 2003 study showed that the 90-day mortality rate of cancer patients with Fusarium infections was 80 percent. This mold can cause pneumonia, sinusitis, osteomyelitis and other conditions. As with other types of molds, Fusarium also produces secondary chemicals called mycotoxins that can lead to diseases and even cancer.

Is Fusarium Mold Dangerous?

Because mold of any kind can affect air quality, it’s dangerous to have in your home. Rubino warns that “exposure to Fusarium may result in skin infections, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and dermatitis.” Additionally, “prolonged exposure can lead to severe conditions such as bone infections or brain abscesses,” he continues.

How to Remove and Prevent Fusarium Mold

Reducing household moisture levels is essential for any permanent elimination of Fusarium, but creating drier conditions is not enough. You also need to kill the actively growing Fusarium, as well as the Fusarium spores and root structures. Bleach is not considered an effective option for killing Fusarium on porous surfaces. For that you need to use a registered fungicide that’s been tested and verified effective.

Remediating Mold

“All mold, regardless of species, should be remediated the same way– quickly and correctly.” Rubino declares. He stresses the important of know exactly what kind you’re working with so that you can adequately budget and prioritize. “Fast-spreading or species that can release mycotoxins should be at the top of the list.”

Rubino gives three pillars to look out for when finding a remediation company. The company should:

  1. Remediate the sources properly
  2. Identify and address the problems that led to those sources in the first place
  3. Eliminate all contamination that’s present

He stresses the importance of removing all of the mold, not just the live portions of the colony. “Even remnants of dead mold can cause ongoing exposure and potential health risks.” Just like weeds, that can come back if you don’t pull them out by the root, mold also “develops root-like structures called hyphae.”

Rubino also advises testing again once the remedial team is done to ensure that they’ve gotten all of the mold as well as “other contaminants, such as mycotoxins and bacteria” for your own safety.

If Trying Yourself

Rubino gives some advice if you’re going to try to remediate mold yourself. First and foremost, “only work on areas under 10 square feet.” He also recommends contacting an expert before you start so that they can offer advice.

He also mention some things to keep in mind for success:

  • Use correct engineering controls and put personal protection equipment (PPE) in place
  • The source that led to the growth needs to be resolved
  • All porous materials, like drywall, need to be removed and replaced
  • All surfaces need to be decontaminated using the proper remediation protocols based on the specific surface type
  • The surrounding space should be deeply cleaned to remove any particles released by the active growth

Don’t be afraid to leave it to the experts if it feels too daunting. “If you aren’t confident that you can tick off each box, the professional route is the way to ensure all the contamination is removed.”

Prevention

As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a drop of cure. Rubino explains that the best way “is to mitigate moisture and regularly clean to eliminate particles like dust, spores, and organic matter from the home.”

He suggests several steps including:

  • Keep indoor humidity between 35-50%
  • Address leaks and structural issues that allow for moisture intrusion immediately
  • Routinely clean all appliances
  • Make sure appliances like dishwashers and laundry machines are dried thoroughly when not in use
  • Use botanical cleaning products with surfactants, a HEPA vacuum cleaner, and microfiber towels to clean
  • Clean all machine-washable items with a laundry additive like EC3 to remove microscopic particles
  • Separate the shower curtain and liner after use
  • Squeegee the shower after use
  • Clean the home regularly
  • Hang up bath mats, towels, wash rags, loofahs, and any other wet items to dry after use
  • Use air purifiers to capture airborne spores
  • Upgrade to the highest-rated MERV filter the HVAC unit can handle and change them on time
  • Try to stay away from porous materials like carpeting in the home
  • Declutter often

Source

Michael Rubino is a mold and air quality expert, environmental wellness advocate, and founder of HomeCleanse, a revolutionary company with the vision to end the worldwide health epidemic caused by poor air quality and toxic indoor environments. He is also Chair of Change the Air Foundation and Host of Never Been Sicker podcast.

Author
Steve Maxwell
Steve Maxwell is an award-winning writer, photographer and videographer. He has used his experience as a carpenter, builder, stone mason, cabinetmaker and homesteader to create content for Family Handyman, Reader’s Digest, Mother Earth News, Cottage Life, Canadian Contractor, Canadian Home Workshop and more.
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