White Mold On Floor Joists. However the definitive answer is to have it tested. Heavy white mold growth on floor joists.
This scent is an indication that there is a lot of moisture in the air. Like other molds white mold grows due to high moisture levels combined with the presence of a food source and the right temperature. The powder scrapes right off and there appears to be no damage to the joists.
Soak any remaining thin coats of mold with a homemade mold-killing mixture or mold-removal cleaner.
The best temperatures in which mold grows is between 2 and 40 degrees Celsius. The problem is that this moisture eventually aides in the growth of mold in your floor joists. Once you get the area dried out you wont have a mold problem any more. The substance really does not have the appearance of mold but who knows.