Mold and Your Health

Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold.

Please read “Is Mold Making You Sick” below for more symptoms of mold.
 

Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets which can and be carried indoors.  Mold will grow in places with moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, heating and air conditioning systems, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home. No matter what type of mold is present, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention state “ you should remove it”. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, the best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth.
 

How can indoor mold growth be prevented?

If you can prevent moisture, you can prevent mold. Kitchens and bathrooms should have exhaust fans. If condensation appears on your windows, humidifiers should be turned off. Leaks should be fixed immediately. The dirt in crawl spaces should be covered in plastic and well ventilated. Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers if hot and humid weather is encountered. Water damaged areas must be dried within 24-48 hours to prevent the growth of mold.

How can mold removal be permanent?

This is a major project with two main components. The mold needs to be cleaned up and the source of the moisture must be eliminated. If only one of these components is dealt with, then the mold will come back. Acting very quickly is of the utmost importance. Among the many ill effects of mold growth is damage to the object that the mold now calls home.

In the worst-case scenario, homeowners have had to evacuate or destroy their house. If you take just one thing away from the information presented here, let it be that mold removal and mold remediation should be dealt with swiftly and by a professional. Notice that in the worst-case scenario presented above, there was no mention of the homeowners trying to sell their house. A mold-ridden home is a home that no one will buy.

Is Mold Making You Sick?

· Fatigue · Muscle aches · Headaches · Joint pain · Morning stiffness · Chronic pain · Memory problems · Mood swings · Unexplained thirst · Persistent weight gain

Bio-toxins from mold growth hidden in your home may be causing your symptoms

• Mold-illness may be the cause of symptoms diagnosed as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Stress, Depression, MS and other disorders
• Mold is the leading source of bio-toxin induced illnesses
• Mold thrives in sheltered indoor environments, often hiding in drywall, insulation and wood

Get a FREE mold inspection from Fogmasters

Call 866-941-MOLD to schedule your inspection
 

Mold may be hidden behind your wall’s if you have the symptoms above.