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Indoor mold

Indoor mold on the head jamb of the window in a multi-story building

Indoor mold (American English) or indoor mould (British English), also sometimes referred to as mildew, is a fungal growth that develops on wet materials in interior spaces. Mold is a natural part of the environment and plays an important part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees; indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Mold reproduces by means of tiny spores. The spores are like seeds, but invisible to the naked eye, that float through the air and deposit on surfaces. When the temperature, moisture, and available nutrient conditions are correct, the spores can form into new mold colonies where they are deposited.[1] There are many types of mold, but all require moisture and a food source for growth.

  1. ^ "Indoor Environmental Quality: Dampness and Mold in Buildings – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 1, 2015. Archived from the original on May 18, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2021.