Mold may be part of the natural world, but airborne spores from indoor mold growth can cause serious health problems. Mold can flourish in older homes as well as in newer, more energy efficient ones, leaving homeowners vulnerable to allergies and breathing difficulties--not to mention costly clean-up efforts, high insurance premiums, and unsympathetic family and friends. In The Mold Survival Guide, a prominent indoor air quality professional joins forces with a writing specialist to create a clear guide to a common--and increasingly vexing--problem. Jeffrey and Connie May define mold and describe when and how it grows. Readers learn why mold flourishes in certain areas of the home, what conditions are favorable to mold growth, and how to identify the sources of contamination. The Mays also offer detailed guidance on how to clean up mold while minimizing health risks--and identify situations in which professional help is necessary. Because exposure to mold can have serious health consequences, The Mold Survival Guide includes a chapter written by two physicians who explain how exposure to mold can affect our health, from runny noses and coughs to more severe respiratory illnesses. Straightforward scientific explanations combined with expert advice provide readers with a solid understanding of why mold growth can develop and how to get rid of it. Entertaining as well as informative, The Mold Survival Guide will be a valuable resource for homeowners, contractors, insurance professionals, physicians, and everyone else concerned about a common household problem that can have serious consequences.

Husband and wife team Jeffrey and Connie May combine his skills and knowledge as a home inspector and certified indoor air quality professional with her experience as a writer and educator to create a resource text about household molds and the scientific principles behind them. Coverage includes what mold is, the conditions contributing to its growth, how indoor mold can affect health, how to find sources of contamination, small-scale cleanup jobs, and professional remediation. The book is serious but is accessible to the general reader concerned about this common household problem.
Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

The image was shocking: a couple wearing protective suits and masks in their own home The accompanying USA Weekend story documented the mold-related headaches, fatigue, and respiratory problems that forced Melinda Ballard and Ron Allison to abandon their dream house, leaving all their possessions behind. Another family was so terrified that they had their mold-filled house torn down.

Mold growth threatens property managers and builders, as well as home owners and renters. Legal settlements in some mold cases have reached the millions, and home insurance rates are skyrocketing. Some people argue that mold concerns are exaggerated; others are convinced that mold growth is destroying their health.

In The Mold Survival Guide, a prominent indoor air quality professional teams up with a writing specialist to describe mold, to explain where and why it flourishes in homes, and to offer advice on how to eradicate mold while minimizing health risks. The book includes a chapter by two physicians who explain how exposure to mold can affect health.

With clear scientific explanations and expert advice, The Mold Survival Guide is a valuable resource for anyone worried about a common household problem that can have serious consequences.

Entertaining as well as informative, "The Mold Survival Guide" is a valuable resource for homeowners, contractors, insurance professionals, physicians, and everyone else concerned about a common household problem that can have serious consequences. 45 illustrations.