Moisture And Mold: A Critical Concern (NAPSA)}—Havinga good understanding about preventing and con- trolling moldis critical to maintain- ing a healthy home. It is also important to note that controlling moisture is the single mosteffective way to prevent mold growth. These issues have not only becomecritical with construction and the professional contractor, but also the do-it- yourselfer (DIYer). In somecases, even the most modern,energy-efficient and advanced buildings can run the risk of potential mold growth, due to airtight construction trapping moisture inside wall cavities and other enclosures. There are more than 100,000 species of mold present indoors and outdoors, wherever there is standing water or any dampness. Mold can grow in or on virtually any material that becomesdirty or wet. DIYers mustrealize that this includes, but is not limited to, building materials such as fiberglass insulation, lumber, carpet, fabric, vinyl wall coverings, paint, plywood, siding, wallboard, ceiling panels and brick. Even products such as aluminum,steel and glass can support mold growth under the right conditions. While research indicates that the majority of moisture problemsstill originate with water leakage, proper protection of building materials or the job area prior to and during installation can minimize moisture-rich conditions. Another aspect to control moisture and mold in construction is to utilize new and innovative materi- als that are considered mold resistant, or products that are made of materials that actively inhibit mold development. Sheetrock brand Mold Tough™ gypsum panels by United States Gypsum Company (USG), for example, are intended for use in interior areas where incidental \ 8 Homeowners heed to understand moisture to help control it. moisture is a concern, including the basement, bathroom, laundry room or garage. These gypsum panels are the first patented wallboard to have added ingredients that actively inhibit mold growth in the core and on both sides of the surface paper. This wallboard technology scores a 10 (on a scale of 0 to 10) for mold resistance under the American Society for Testing and Materials guidelines and standards. While the use of moistureresistant gypsum panels can help minimize the chances for mold growth, they are just one element of a comprehensive approach to controlling the problem. For more information on proper moisture management, visit www.usg.com, call (800) USG-4YOU or write to USG, 550 West Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661. Mold prevention through moisture control is a focus of the Responsible Solutions to Mold Coalition (RSMC), which is comprised of 13 companies, associations and government and academic organizations that are dedicated to identifying and communicating accurate, science-based information. Moreinformation is available at http:// www.responsiblemoldsolutions.org.
