Does Mold have a smell?

Smell

Does Mold Smell?

You may have heard someone mention that a room or building has a moldy smell. This is because several of the components of mold has the ability to produce strong smells. These smells can be quite volatile when they are released into the air. The release of these smells is triggered by the disturbance of the mold which causes it to release spores. As we have already learned, these spores only need a small amount of moisture to grow on their own thus aiding the spread of the mold across large areas.

The components of mold which cause it to smell are called microbial volatile organic compounds or mVOCs. These mVOCs can very often be associated with unpleasant and strong odors. It is these odors produced by the mVOCs that will give a room a moldy smell. Many people also refer to these smells as musty. A building with a moldy smell is one of the first signs of mold growth in the building. If you suspect that you have a mold problem due to a bad smell it is advised that you conduct a thorough investigation as soon as possible to locate either the mold or the cause of the mold.

One of the most important things you need to realize is that there may be health implications associated with inhaling mVOCs although the true effects of doing this are largely undocumented. There have been reported cases where exposure to mVOCs has been associated with nasal irritation, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. There are a number of research studies currently underway to determine the long-term side effects of excessive exposure to mVOCs.