Mold will grow in places with high humidity, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles and wood products. Mold can also grow on dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpets, fabrics, and upholstery. Most types of mold typically thrive in temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but each type has a range.
While warmer temperatures are ideal for mold growth, extreme cold doesn't kill mold. Mold spores simply become inactive until the environment warms up and can grow again. That's why it's key not only to focus on temperature but also on humidity. Different types of mold have minimum, optimal and maximum temperature ranges for growth.
Many fungi grow well at temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which are also ideal temperatures for human comfort. In addition, as mentioned above, temperature gradients often produce the moisture needed for mold growth. Their small size makes them easily dispersed through wind and water. They can also travel long distances holding on to clothing or fur.
Mold spores can survive in environments that are not conducive to normal mold growth. They will only start growing once they land in an environment with adequate water, food, temperature, and oxygen. Mold requires water, food, and oxygen to grow. It also requires an environment with a temperature in which it can survive.
Mold spores thrive at temperatures of 32 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures of approximately 70 to 90 degrees are the most conducive to mold growth. The chances of mold growth increase considerably between these temperatures. You might be wondering why mold can grow in your freezer.
Mold doesn't die when temperatures drop below 32 degrees, but rather remains inactive until temperatures rise or prepares to warm up. What may be the most surprising climate in which mold can grow is in cold environments. Most types of mold don't usually grow at temperatures below 40 degrees. This is why most foods are refrigerated at 39 degrees.
However, in colder areas, many things can happen that can cause mold to grow. The ideal indoor temperature for mold growth is also often the ideal temperature for humans. Condensation can build up around windows due to differences between outdoor and indoor temperatures. Snow can also blow or get stuck inside, and pipes can leak.
All of this creates a more stable environment for mold growth. Mold growth occurs when mold spores are deposited on a surface at the right temperature, with the right food sources and with the right amount of moisture. No matter how much mold is found on outdoor surfaces, it's important to remove it quickly and thoroughly. If the conditions that allow mold growth persist for a while without any solution, mold is probably already growing.
They point out that, while most cases of exposure to mold do not cause serious health problems, people with a compromised immune system are at greater risk of being infected by mold. Because exposure to mold poses a health risk to people with and without previous health problems, the CDC recommends a “common sense” approach to mold contamination. In addition to the damage that mold causes to surfaces, there are health risks associated with exposure to mold that range from mild to severe.
