Archive for July, 2010
The dangers of toxic mold
Posted by: | CommentsThere have been quite a few horror stories in the news lately about toxic mold. We’ve heard about children falling dangerously ill and even about houses that were so full of mold they had to be burned to the ground. Are these stories exaggerated to make them more newsworthy? Or is toxic mold as severe a problem as we’ve been told?
Sadly, the facts about toxic mold are true. It can be extremely dangerous to humans and animals, especially with continuous exposure in a closed environment such as a house or office building. If a form of toxic mold is allowed to take hold in your home, it can send out dangerous spores called mycotoxins into your living environment. These toxins can result in serious health problems.
Some of the problems which have been associated with toxic mold exposure include respiratory illnesses, skin rashes, memory problems and even brain damage just to name a few.
So, how does toxic mold get into your home? Mold can grow in more places than you realize. Some common places where mold can thrive are air conditioning ducts, vinyl wall coverings, washing machines that do not have a drain below them, bathrooms which are not sufficiently ventilated, closets, trash cans, attics, carpets, and upholstery.
The best defense you have against any type of mold is knowledge. Be aware of how and where it can it can appear, measure and maintain the humidity in your home or office, and repair any water problems quickly. It’s also a very good idea to enlist the help of a professional. Consider a company certified in mold remediation. They can test for harmful mold spores as well as assisting you with treatment and clean-up. You will be able to take comfort in the knowledge that the air quality in your home or business has been tested and made safe for your family or your employees.
Moisture control and Mold
Posted by: | CommentsMost of us are aware that molds have many useful purposes. Penicillin is developed from mold, many cheeses require mold as part of their manufacturing process, and molds are essential in nature as they help break down organic materials.
When it comes to your home or business, however, the types of mold encountered there can cause serious problems. Unchecked mold growth inside homes and buildings has been linked to allergies, respiratory distress, and serious illness. Because of its very nature, mold can be extremely difficult to remove. In severe cases, it can even render a building completely uninhabitable.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is no practical way to completely eliminate all molds and mold spores from an indoor environment. Even the most sterile environments have mold spores present in the air. However, mold can be controlled once you understand that it cannot grow without three key elements-moisture, heat and darkness.
The best way to prevent mold is to control moisture. Mold can begin to grow in less than 24 hours, so it is essential to prevent moisture as soon as possible. Some general tips for this include fixing leaky plumbing and water leaks as soon as possible, watching for condensation and wet spots, finding and fixing sources of moisture problems, maintaining a low (below 60%) indoor humidity, and venting moisture-generating appliances to the outside whenever possible.
Keeping moisture out of the building will go a long way in keeping mold out, and regularly inspecting areas that are prone to moisture development will help you keep mold under control.
Mold and Respiratory Infections
Posted by: | CommentsMolds are small organisms found almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. No one knows for sure how many species exist, but the estimates are in the hundreds of thousands. Molds grow best in warm, damp conditions and spreads by making spores. The spores can survive harsh conditions and can be extremely difficult to get rid of.
Over the past decade, studies have increasingly shown a direct link between mold and upper respiratory infections. A 1999 Mayo Clinic study found that nearly all chronic sinus infections (afflicting 37 million Americans) are the result of exposure to mold. In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory symptoms in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in those suffering from asthma; and cases of pneumonia in individuals with compromised or weakened immune symptoms. In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidelines on mold exposure, citing numerous studies linking mold to a variety of conditions including asthma, sinusitis, and allergic reactions.
Depending on the type and quantity of mold, a wide variety of adverse reactions can be experienced. Any type of mold can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The most common symptoms of allergic reaction to mold include sneezing, coughing, itchy-watery eyes, and throat irritation.
Exposure to mold is far more common than many people think. According to a 1994 Harvard study of 10,000 homes in the United States and Canada, half had conditions of water damage and mold associated with a 50-100% increase in respiratory symptoms. Toxic mold is an increasing problem in homes and businesses these days, but even the more common forms of mold can cause allergic reactions, respiratory distress, and illness in individuals.