What is it?
Molds are fungi that grow throughout both natural and man-made environments. Tiny particles of mold are present in indoor and outdoor air, most prevalent throughout nature since molds help to decompose organic materials. Molds produce microscopic cells called “spores” which are very tiny and spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions.

Potential Health Concerns:
Mold can affect the health of those who are exposed to it. People are mainly exposed to mold by breathing spores or other tiny fragments, but exposure can also take place through skin contact with mold contaminants (for example, by touching moldy surfaces) and by swallowing it.

The type and severity of health effects that mold may produce are usually difficult to predict. The risks can vary greatly from one location to another, over time, and from person to person.

The most common health problems caused by indoor mold are allergy symptoms. Although other, more serious problems can occur, people exposed to mold commonly report problems such as:

> nasal and sinus congestion	> cough
> wheeze/breathing difficulties	> sore throat
> skin and eye irritation	> upper respiratory infections (including sinus)

What RDS can offer you:
Since mold is present in almost every environment, we know it’s often hard to determine if you should have your home tested for mold and mildew. It is an increasing concern for many home and business owners and we certainly recommend testing simply for the purposes of your own piece of mind. We have a variety of mold and mildew testing services that are quick, convenient and affordable to help you determine if the mold present at your location is potentially harmful. In just a short time, we can come in, sample the suspect material and send it off for quick analysis.

If it is determined that there is a concerning level of mold present, we’ll assist you with identifying the most effective and safe way for resolving the problem.