Project Goals

Mold is a kind of fungus that is grow in a multicellular filaments called hyphae. There are many kinds of molds, in fact so many that the exact amount of types are unknown and scientist estimate a range from tens of thousands to three hundred thousand or more. Molds are also everywhere. However, their presence can be captured by unaided eyes only when they form into big colonies. The essential elements for the survival of molds are humidity, temperature and food.

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) has linked mold growth inside human residence with the indoor air quality. Molds can have a great impact on indoor air quality. The most important contributing factor to indoor mold growth is the moisture level of the environment. The presence of molds affects the indoor air quality by producing allergens and mycotoxins. Allergens have potential to cause an allergic reaction in susceptible humans and mycotoxins are natural organic compounds that are capable of initiating a toxic response in vertebrates. The harmful health effects bring by molds include allergic reactions and irritation to the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. For more information on indoor air quality and mold, please visit EPA site on mold.

 

Mold is chosen as an indicator of the air quality of the neighborhood of our interests mainly because of the high moisture in the neighborhood. There is a river in a small distance away from the neighborhood. The goal of the mold quantifier is to find a simple, relatively precise and economical way to quantify the molds in the environment. This quantifier is designed to be used by the residents of the neighborhood and help them learn about their air quality.