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FIBERGLASS HAZARDS
  Recognizing Fiberglass Insulation
  Recognizing Fiberglass Duct Insulation
  Lab Identification of Fiberglass
  Fiberglass Fragment Hazards
  Fiberglass Detection in Building Air
  Mold in Fiberglass Insulation
  Mold in Foam Insulation
  Actual mold growth in insulation
  Moldy insulation may look clean
  Why does mold grow in fiberglass?
  When to test insulation for mold
  Fiberglass Hazard References
INSULATION INSPECTIONS
INSULATION MOLD
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Dense pen asp mold in insulationHow to Detect Actual Active Mold Growth in Fiberglass Insulation
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  • Tests and Lab Procedures to find mold growth and contamination in building insulation
  • Occurrence of mold in fiberglass insulation in buildings: causes, hazards, cure, prevention
  • Testing or inspecting for moldy building insulation or moldy heating or air conditioner duct insulation
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This document provides information about the testing for the presence of mold growth in fiberglass insulation in residential and light-commercial buildings. The page top 720x photograph shows a significant presence of Penicillium/Aspergillus type mold spores in our vacuum sample of building insulation that had been exposed to damp conditions..

This website discusses health hazards associated with moldy fiberglass in buildings, with focus on fiberglass insulation, fiberglass fragments, fiberglass in heating and air conditioning duct work, and invisible but toxic mold growth in fiberglass which has been wet, exposed to high humidity, or exposed to other moldy conditions.

Here we discuss how to find or test for moldy insulation in buildings, the probable cause of mold contamination in building insulation, and how to recognize conditions that make that problem likely in a particular case. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Photograph of mold spores of Aspergillus sp. found in crawl space fiberglass insulation.

The photo at left, another sample we collected the interior of mold-suspect insulation shows extensive chains of Penicillium/Aspergillus type mold spores, suggesting that this fungus is probably growing in the insulation itself.

Fiberglass in building insulation is a topic I've been testing and studying for several years, after having traced building mold concerns to a hidden source in this material. I frequently find high levels of mold-contaminated fiberglass insulation in buildings which contain other large mold reservoirs.

 

I have also detected high levels of problematic mold in fiberglass building insulation where other mold reservoirs were either not present or had been previously removed.

Actual Mold Growth in Insulation - Fiberglass insulation can host active mold growth

The presence of both mold spore chains and conidiophores of Aspergillus sp. in the insulation test samples whose photos are shown above confirmed that not only was the crawl space ceiling fiberglass insulation moldy, but it was supporting active fungal growth.

Our screening samples confirmed that this mold was present in other building areas, most-likely emanating from this mold reservoir of mold-contaminated fiberglass insulation. In some of cases, non-visible mold contamination in fiberglass insulation has been enough to cause IAQ, health, or other mold-related complaints by building occupants, and in some cases

Photograph: Water stains on drywall suggest this fiberglass insulation may be mold-contaminated. Mold contamination with Aspergillus sp. was confirmed by special sampling and lab methods.Photograph of mold spores of Aspergillus sp. found in crawl space fiberglass insulation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the partially-opened basement wall shown here at left, the water track stains on the cavity side of the exposed drywall (shown after a test cut was made) indicate that water passed in this wall from above.

In this circumstance, even when the fiberglass insulation looks clean, I often find high levels of Penicillium sp. or Aspergillus sp. in this material. Comparison tests of fiberglass which is new at a building supply store or in homes where the insulation has not been wet nor infested with rodents or other pests, mold is rarely a problem.

The photo at above right shows a very dense presence of Pen/Asp spores and spore chains in this insulation test sample.

Where to Look for Mold in Building Insulation

For buildings which do not have other known mold reservoirs, special attention needs to be given to inspecting and testing for problematic mold in

  • Fiberglass insulation in any building cavity which has been wet.
  • Fiberglass insulation over wet or damp basements
  • Fiberglass insulation over crawl spaces
  • Fiberglass insulation in attics or roof cavities where there has been leakage
  • Fiberglass building insulation exposed to rooms where moldy contents have been stored or where problem mold was growing on other building surfaces such as drywall, paneling, or cardboard boxes
  • Fiberglass insulation in building walls subject to leaks from plumbing failures,previous wetting due to building fire extinguishment, or in freezing climates, walls subject to leaks from ice damming.
  • Fiberglass heating or cooling duct material, especially if it has been wet from building leaks or A/C condensate mishandling

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

FIBERGLASS HAZARDS
  Recognizing Fiberglass Insulation
  Recognizing Fiberglass Duct Insulation
  Lab Identification of Fiberglass
  Fiberglass Fragment Hazards
  Fiberglass Detection in Building Air
  Mold in Fiberglass Insulation
  Mold in Foam Insulation
  Actual mold growth in insulation
  Moldy insulation may look clean
  Why does mold grow in fiberglass?
  When to test insulation for mold
  Fiberglass Hazard References
INSULATION INSPECTIONS

BASEMENT MOLD includes examples of moldy fiberglass insulation found in basements
CRAWLSPACE MOLD includes additional examples of moldy fiberglass insulation found in crawl spaces

FIBERGLASS HAZARDS
  Recognizing Fiberglass Insulation
  Recognizing Fiberglass Duct Insulation
  Lab Identification of Fiberglass
  Fiberglass Fragment Hazards
  Fiberglass Detection in Building Air
  Mold in Fiberglass Insulation
  Mold in Foam Insulation
  Actual mold growth in insulation
  Moldy insulation may look clean
  Why does mold grow in fiberglass?
  When to test insulation for mold
  Fiberglass Hazard References
INSULATION INSPECTIONS
DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS

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More Information on Fiberglass Hazards, Fiberglass Particles, Airborne Fiberglass Dust, Mold in Fiberglass Insulation,Contaminants, and Indoor Air Quality Investigations, Building Diagnostic Inspections, and Building Repairs

For more information about fiberglass as an indoor air quality concern see:

For more information about asbestos as an indoor air quality concern with focus on easy ways to identify asbestos materials in buildings, see:

Note: "DJF Opinion" in this document identifies comments based on my experience and/or field and empirical data but which I do not cite as authoritative.

GO TO the MOLD/IAQ INFORMATION CENTER for in-depth advice on avoiding testing for or cleaning up moldThe Mold and IAQ Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

Mold, Pollen, indoor air quality, field and laboratory services by an expert.On-Site Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan

GO TO OUR MAIN WEBSITE - this authoritative, in-depth Building Diagnostic Information site for building buyers, owners, inspectorsBuilding & Home Inspection, Construction Diagnosis & Repair - Research Website

CONTACT Daniel Friedman - Dan is a senior ASHI home inspector, nationally recognized expert on building inspection, building failures, and sick building investigationContact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting

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05/07/2008 - 01/10/1997 - www.inspect-ny.com/sickhouse/Fiberglass_Mold2.htm - Created 1 Jan 97 - Web page design & content © Copyright 2008-1997 Daniel Friedman all rights reserved.