The Health Dangers of Mold
In the wild, mold and fungus processes decaying plant and animal matter and enriches the soil around it, but it can bring its share of major health trouble if it spreads in your house. Fortunately, most kinds of mold are typically harmless, but a tiny splotch may later become a big problem. When mold reproduces, it frees spores into the air which can cause illness if breathed in by those with allergies or asthma. According to a few studies, there might be a correlation between an early exposure to mold and the development of asthma in some younger children. Household mold is nontoxic for many people, but can be harmful for those with respiratory problems. Typically, the concentration of mold and severity of a person's allergies will effect their response. If you have a mold allergy, you'll likely sneeze, have a runny nose, cough, red eyes, wheeze, skin irritations or a migraine when you're around mold. More severe allergies can cause harsh reactions such as shortness of breath. Anyone with asthma should be particularly careful around high concentrations of mold as it may trigger asthma attacks. Other groups at risk include:- Babies and children
- The elderly
- Immune compromised individuals
- Those with serious pulmonary disease
Where Can you Find Mold?
Mold and mildew can grow bigger over time in moist places. Mold can get into your your home through doors left open, windows, vents and air conditioning and heating systems. Mold doesn't only enter a home through windows and doors-- it can latch onto your clothes, backpacks, pets and shoes and be moved your home. The continual growth of mold will affect the physical well-being of your family, your possessions and the structure itself. Mold can grow in wet places, but it can be found in places you may not expect. These include:- Paper products
- Ceiling tiles
- Cardboard
- Wood products
- Paints
- Insulation
- Drywall
- Upholstery
Mold Prevention
You can take preventative steps to ensure that mold doesn't make its way into your home. Here's some steps you can take:- Build in ventilation in bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchen
- Control the humidity levels
- In the case of flooding, clean and dry your home meticulously
- Fix leaky roofs, windows or pipes immediately
- Talk to professional mold damage restoration specialists for affordable mold removal
