Mold
Molds are a kind of fungus, the most common found on earth. There
are 1.5 million species of mold, making up 25 percent of the earth’s biomass.
However, only 80 species are known to trigger allergic reactions.
Mold grows easily in most humid, warm conditions, but it also can
occur in conditions that are cool and, rarely, even dry. A common name
for mold found indoors is mildew. Mold spreads by way of spores, which
are like tiny airborne seeds. Most mold in the home originates
outdoors. Mold spores can waft in, or be carried in on clothes. Mold
finds hospitable ground and colonizes in wet basements, humid crawl
spaces, and anywhere leaks, high humidity or condensation are present.
The microscopic spores that mold uses to spread and reproduce are the
primary culprits in mold allergies. When inhaled, they can cause
respiratory allergic symptoms and, potentially, other health problems.
Although mold growth isn’t a reason to panic, large areas of mold
growth may require a special cleanup in order for a residence to be
habitable.
Factors that Influence Amount of Mold
The amount of mold growing inside your home depends on these factors:
- How much moisture is or was in the area
- How long the area stayed wet
- How much air circulates in the area to dry the moisture
- How many times the area has been wet
- How much sunlight comes into the area
It may is not be possible to eliminate all mold spores from your
home environment. But reducing moisture can make the environment
unsuitable for mold to thrive.
Health Risks of Mold
There have been a lot of recent news reports concerned with mold
toxicity, linking mold to memory loss, lethargy, and even hemorrhage in
infants. “Toxic mold syndrome” remains controversial and unproven, but experts agree that it’s best to limit exposure to molds.
Though
rare, mold-induced infections are well known to occur, and are
especially dangerous to people with weakened immune systems.
The most
likely adverse reaction to mold is a respiratory allergic reaction in
mold-sensitive people. These reactions are similar to other respiratory
allergies, causing sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge and
congestion.
People in certain professions may suffer disproportionately from
mold allergies because of increased mold exposure. These include
farmers, dairy workers, loggers, bakers, greenhouse employees and
others.
Just like other allergies, mold allergies can be responsible
for asthma and its potentially serious health consequences. In fact,
21 percent of current U.S. asthma cases are attributable to mold allergies.
Households with a very high mold burden, as measured by the same
technology used in the Family Air Care® Indoor Allergens & Mold
Test Kit, are much more likely to have a child with asthma.
Aside from the health risks, mold can directly damage anything from
a small corner of a room to an entire house. Regularly testing for mold
is not only a way to protect your family’s health but also a way to
protect your real estate investment.
