The Danger of Mold in the Marine Environment


Introduction Any surveyor who does not know by now needs to understand that evidence is mounting for mold growth in the marine environment and is more than just unsightly or smelly. The scientific and medical evidence is now clear that mold exposure, particularly in confined spaces (such as cabins and below deck areas on ships), poses a health threat to occupants (See figure 1). As such, potential mold contamination should be identified during vessel surveys.


For a marine surveyor to be able to include potential mold contamination as part of their survey, having a solid grasp of some basic information is essential. It starts with the science. Mold is a subset of the fungi kingdom; which also includes yeast, mushrooms, and a number of other plant parasites. What all these organisms have in common with mold is that they produce spores as their reproductive mechanism and do not need light to grow. Since fungal spores, particularly mold, are all around us from their natural growth/dispersion process, all they need to grow in a vessel is a moisture source, some nutrients,


72 | The Report • March 2020 • Issue 91 and the right temperature.


Although mold has a bad reputation in regards to contamination inside vessels, it is absolutely critical to the proper functioning of the world, as fungal organisms are the primary decomposers of plant matter. Without mold and other fungal organisms, nutrients would not be returned to the earth to allow continued life. Despite this positive attribute in an outdoor setting, problems arise when mold grows where it is not wanted, such as inside vessels.


There is an incredible diversity in the fungal kingdom with over 30,000 identified species of mold. These range from surface molds (those that extract nutrients from the outer layers of materials) to rot molds (which produce more aggressive enzymes and break down the structural integrity of plant-based materials). While wood, plywood, paper, and fabrics of natural fibers are principal food sources for mold, they also flourish on glues, mastics, and even plastics. Since they do not need light as an energy source for growth, mold often colonizes in dark and damp


by Michael A. Pinto, CSP, SMS, CMP, CFO, FLS


Wonder Makers Environmental


Critical Information Surveyors Need to Know


spaces (under carpet, behind wallpaper, or drywall), and in difficult to reach spaces such as engine compartments and bilges (See figure 2).


Overview of Potential Health Effects Of the thousands of recognized mold types, few are considered to be “toxic” (a term that is used much too loosely in many conversations about mold), but all can cause problems depending on conditions. The primary problem is that many of the spores and ancillary components of mold are known allergens or asthmagens; materials that trigger allergic responses or an asthma attack. Some molds can cause additional health effects because they produce mycotoxins (poisonous chemicals). To add to the seriousness, a variety of chemical compounds produced by molds are known carcinogens which are typically found inside vessels.


Under the right conditions (particularly with individuals who have compromised immune systems), some molds can actually grow inside the human body as a fungal infection. Such infections


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104