Why Does Mold Have an Odor?

12/30/2020 (Permalink)

A mold smell is a red flag that mold has found a moisture source

The musty odor that most people associate with mold is actually the smell of mycotoxins. A mycotoxin is a type of microbial, volatile, organic compound (MVOC) that mold releases as part of its digestive function. Not all MVOCs are mycotoxins, and consequently, not all mold has a smell.

How MVOCs Are Released

The air in Louisa, VA, is filled with tiny, invisible mold spores. These spores grow into mold when they come into contact with a moisture source, such as a leak. For mold to grow and colonize, it also needs a food source. Most materials can serve as food for mold, including:

• wood
  
• paper
  
• cloth
  
• drywall
  
• food scraps
  
• soil
  
  

Mold grows on the surface of its food source. As it digests this surface material, mold releases MVOCs and mycotoxins. These compounds are, essentially, mold burps.

Why Mycotoxins Exist
Scientists are still in the early stages of mycotoxin research, and the purpose of mycotoxins isn’t completely clear. The most pervasive theory is that they act as a defense mechanism for mold that may be competing with other organisms. In a damp building, there may be several organisms present and competing for the same food and moisture source, including other fungi, bacteria, dust mites, and/or insects. Studies suggest that the higher the competition levels, the higher the production of mycotoxins.

What The Odor Means
A mold smell is a red flag that mold has found a moisture source and is actively eating away at some part of your building. DIY cleanup efforts are often inadequate and can lead to recurring mold outbreaks. To ensure the mold is completely eradicated, it’s best to call a professional mold remediation company. These specialists have the necessary equipment and training to completely remove surface mold and airborne mold spores to eliminate the smell and prevent future mold damage.
While that distinctive, musty mycotoxin odor isn’t pleasant, it does serve as an excellent signal that your building has a mold problem. Don’t ignore the smell: The sooner mold remediation begins, the less mold damage will occur.