Mold

Mold is any of the microscopic fungi that grows in the form of multicellular filaments, called hyphae. Molds were likely created by God on Day 3 of Creation and is a polyphyletic grouping of organisms that have species in the orders Zygomycota, Deuteromycota and Ascomycota. Within an ecosystem that serve as important decomposers and can be commonly found on foods like fruit and bread, and they can be found in the walls of people's houses as well. They can also cause diseases of the skin and in the respiratory tract of humans.

Molds can be found almost everywhere. No one knows how many species of fungi exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth.

Health problem
The potential health effects of exposure to indoor mold are of increasing concern. Mold can cause fungal allergy and respiratory infections or worsen certain illnesses such as asthma.

Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

Despite the aforementioned health problems no conclusive evidence exists that inhalation of indoor mold is associated with a multitude of other health problems, such as pulmonary hemorrhage, memory loss, and lack of energy.

Cleanup recommendations
Water leakage or flooding will lead to mold growth in homes. The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends the following methods for mold cleanup. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Take things that were wet for 2 or more days outside because they may have mold growing on them even if you can’t see it. Take out stuff made of cloth, unless you can wash them in hot water. Also take out stuff that can’t be cleaned easily (like leather, paper, wood, and carpet). Use bleach to clean mold off hard things (like floors, stoves, sinks, certain toys, counter tops, flatware, plates, and tools).

In Leviticus 13:1-46, there are references to mildewed clothes and tents that had to be burned in order to keep from getting skin diseases and being sent into isolation.