Showing posts with label allergens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label allergens. Show all posts
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Mold Diaries
Mold: Is It Hiding in Your Home?We have all heard horror stories from friends and neighbors about mold infestation and the damage it can cause to a house, belongings, and health. It is typical for dangerous or rare types of indoor mold to grab all the attention, but far more common kinds of mold are quietly responsible for headaches, respiratory problems, allergies, sinus inflammation, and other problems for thousands of Americans.
You’ve Got Mold
It is inevitable; every home has some level of mold, no matter how well you scrub, scrape, ventilate or disinfect. Almost any amount of prolonged moisture exposure on wood, insulation, drywall, plaster, or most other surfaces will cause mold spores to grow. This is why mold remediation is so costly – you are not just paying to have the mold removed; in most cases you also have to find and eliminate the source of the moisture.
Don’t Be Fooled by “Toxic” Mold
The term “toxic mold” is one of those media-friendly euphemisms that spice up headlines and boost readership. The truth is, mold itself is not toxic, and the types of aggressive mold that do produce toxins are extremely rare. Furthermore, these rare forms of mold are usually only life-threatening to newborns, the elderly and the seriously ill.
Some types of mold produce mycotoxins, which possess the “toxic” effects often attributed to mold. While these mycotoxins are almost universally harmful, other kinds of mold are simply allergenic or pathogenic. This is where the complications begin. If you have mold allergies, you could be much worse off being exposed to an allergenic mold than a healthy person would be if exposed to a so-called “toxic mold.” For those with compromised immune systems because of illness or disease, a pathogenic mold can produce adverse effects just as devastating as a toxic mold.
So You Think You Know Mold?
There are more than 100,000 different types of mold spores, all of which are nearly impossible for you to identify specifically. Mold can be yellow, green, pink, black, or white – in all different shades and hues. To make matters even more confusing, the exact same kind of mold can appear completely different depending on the situation. Most experts will tell you that it is generally pointless to try to pinpoint the specific type of mold you have in your house; it just doesn’t matter. Unless you or someone in your home is experiencing extremely severe health problems, forget trying to identify the mold and just call a professional in to remove it.
Do Something
If you find mold in your house – and you will – there is no need to run screaming to the nearest emergency room. However, you should keep infants, elderly people, and those who might have an existing respiratory condition from spending too much time in a room where you know mold is present. Mold is most commonly found in areas prone to dampness, like the bathroom or basement, and is likely there even if you can’t see it. If you develop a sudden, unexplained respiratory problem, call in a mold remediation specialist right away. If you notice a leak in your plumbing, call in a plumber to fix it immediately, to stop mold from appearing. The longer you leave a mold problem untreated, the more damage it will do to you and your home.
Related Mold Information from Horizon Services...
You’ve Got Mold
It is inevitable; every home has some level of mold, no matter how well you scrub, scrape, ventilate or disinfect. Almost any amount of prolonged moisture exposure on wood, insulation, drywall, plaster, or most other surfaces will cause mold spores to grow. This is why mold remediation is so costly – you are not just paying to have the mold removed; in most cases you also have to find and eliminate the source of the moisture.
Don’t Be Fooled by “Toxic” Mold
The term “toxic mold” is one of those media-friendly euphemisms that spice up headlines and boost readership. The truth is, mold itself is not toxic, and the types of aggressive mold that do produce toxins are extremely rare. Furthermore, these rare forms of mold are usually only life-threatening to newborns, the elderly and the seriously ill.
Some types of mold produce mycotoxins, which possess the “toxic” effects often attributed to mold. While these mycotoxins are almost universally harmful, other kinds of mold are simply allergenic or pathogenic. This is where the complications begin. If you have mold allergies, you could be much worse off being exposed to an allergenic mold than a healthy person would be if exposed to a so-called “toxic mold.” For those with compromised immune systems because of illness or disease, a pathogenic mold can produce adverse effects just as devastating as a toxic mold.
So You Think You Know Mold?
There are more than 100,000 different types of mold spores, all of which are nearly impossible for you to identify specifically. Mold can be yellow, green, pink, black, or white – in all different shades and hues. To make matters even more confusing, the exact same kind of mold can appear completely different depending on the situation. Most experts will tell you that it is generally pointless to try to pinpoint the specific type of mold you have in your house; it just doesn’t matter. Unless you or someone in your home is experiencing extremely severe health problems, forget trying to identify the mold and just call a professional in to remove it.
Do Something
If you find mold in your house – and you will – there is no need to run screaming to the nearest emergency room. However, you should keep infants, elderly people, and those who might have an existing respiratory condition from spending too much time in a room where you know mold is present. Mold is most commonly found in areas prone to dampness, like the bathroom or basement, and is likely there even if you can’t see it. If you develop a sudden, unexplained respiratory problem, call in a mold remediation specialist right away. If you notice a leak in your plumbing, call in a plumber to fix it immediately, to stop mold from appearing. The longer you leave a mold problem untreated, the more damage it will do to you and your home.
Related Mold Information from Horizon Services...
Monday, November 1, 2010
Got Mold?
It's Not Just On Your Bread...It Could Be Growing in Your House!Take a close look at your walls, floors and vents or inside closets. Especially in basements or areas that are out of the way and more prone to moisture exposure. See some streaks, spots or unusual coloration? Could be yellow, green, brown or black in color? If so, there just may be a fungus among us...mold.
Most of us know that old food can get moldy. And we've all seen what mold can do to an old pair of sneakers. But not everyone knows that these freaky fungi can get into and take root inside your home. And the results of mold infestation can be devastating.
Mold is certainly unsightly. It can even smell bad. Aww...let face it: mold is downright gross! But more importantly, mold is bad for your health. When mold grows excessively inside your home, it can seriously affect air quality. Airborne mold spores float through your home and are inhaled. This can lead to a variety of respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and persistent cough, as well as chronic conditions like allergies and asthma. The more mold you have in your home, the more likely it is that you or someone in your family will develop one of these health issues.
Mold Growth is Widespread
There are hundreds of different mold varieties, and these can be found virtually anywhere. Even if your home is spotless, mold could be growing in unseen places like behind walls, under floors, inside insulation, in ductwork, or along window sills. In these cases, you may not know about the mold for months, or even years. This allows growth to steadily increase over time; once you are aware of the problem it could mean thousands of dollars in cleaning and repairs.
Obviously, widespread mold growth is a problem that should be handled as soon as possible. However, even small amounts of mold can lead to breathing problems and illnesses for everyone in your home—pets, too.
Mold thrives in warm, moist, dark environments. Old or faulty HVAC systems can produce an environment where mold can grow. So can leaky pipes, poor drainage or any problem that allows water and moisture to accumulate.
Why Mold is So Harmful
- Volatile Organic Compounds: All types of mold produce substances called volatile organic compounds (VOC). These are naturally-occurring chemicals that are found in a variety of things used in the home. Some of the most common volatile organic compounds are generated by paints, household cleaners, and adhesives. The VOC in mold creates that distinct, musty odor that we usually associate with mold or mildew growth. The smell alone can decrease the quality of air inside your home and will gradually worsen if the problem is not eliminated. Research has shown that humans who are exposed to a high concentration of indoor mold growth experience a wide range of symptoms, from allergic reactions to issues with the central nervous system including nausea, headaches, and diminished mental capacity.
- Allergens: Every type of mold also produces allergens. Mold grows in tiny clusters called spores. These spores release invisible toxins that travel through the air inside your home and can trigger allergic reactions when they are inhaled. These reactions are the same as you might experience with any other environmental allergy: itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; coughing; nasal congestion and sinus pressure; and even skin rashes.
Prevent Mold Growth
For visible mold, clean the area with an antibacterial cleaner or a common bleach and water solution. This will get rid of existing mold and will prevent new growth. Remember that mold and mildew thrive in warm, moist places so be sure that your bathrooms are vented properly, open windows whenever possible to allow fresh air into your home, and never leave damp clothing or linens lying around.
If you suspect mold is growing in unseen areas of your home, hire a professional to perform a thorough assessment. You may need to contract with a professional cleaning service or make some repairs if the problem is serious.
Related Mold and Indoor Air Quality Information from Horizon Services...
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