Is Your Home Making You Sick?

may-article2by Kelsey Fox

Our homes are our biggest and most important investments.  They are where we gather, where we rest, where we grow, and where we make memories.  We feel safe in our homes and work hard to transform them into places of comfort and warmth.  Never would we guess that our homes might be harboring organisms that are making us sick.

What is Mold?

According to the CDC, mold is a type of fungi that can be found virtually anywhere, including the interior of your home, office, or school.  Mold is a living organism that reproduces by releasing thousands of mold spores into the air.  These microscopic spores float around until they are able to land and begin growing.  Mold spores are hardy, can survive in even the harshest of conditions, and can remain dormant until conditions are favorable.

Where Does Mold Grow?

Mold is found in abundance both indoors and outdoors and needs just three key ingredients to grow: organic material, a normal temperature range, and moisture.  It can be found in every corner of the home as long as those ingredients are present.  Surfaces in the home such as wood, paper, latex paint, leather, or cardboard are especially susceptible to harboring spores and facilitating mold growth.

The wettest and least controlled areas of the home are almost always underneath the floorboards.  Crawlspaces and basements are imperfect structures and are often neglected because they are not seen or used on a daily basis.  If your basement or crawlspace has not been professionally sealed, waterproofed, and dehumidified, there is a good chance moisture is finding a way in, feeding mold spores and causing damage that is often unseen.

How Can Mold Affect My Body?

When mold is disturbed, it releases thousands of spores that can be easily ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, eyes, or other surfaces.  Mold naturally produces toxic chemicals called mycotoxins in order to protect themselves from harsh conditions and natural predators which can have a negative effect on the human body.  Everyone’s body responds differently to mold, varying in symptoms and severity.  Mold exposure most commonly causes nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation.  In 2004 the Institute of Medicine published suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure to respiratory hypersensitivity in adults as well as respiratory illness in children.

How Do I Know if I Have Mold?

Mold typically presents itself as a powdery, colorful fuzz growing in circular patterns.  It may also cause an area to smell musty or generally unpleasant.  Many times mold is easily noticed by homeowners but may also find its way into hidden areas such as behind walls, inside carpet, and underneath flooring.  It is always safe to assume that if an area has been water damaged or has been exposed to high levels of humidity, mold has most likely already begun to grow.

Mold testing should always be done by a third party Industrial Hygienist.  Legitimate testing can tell a homeowner if the mold could easily spread to other areas of the home, if it is a dangerous species of mold as well as help plan remediation efforts.

How Do I Prevent Mold Growth and Improve My Home’s Air Quality?

The key to controlling mold growth is controlling moisture levels.  If mold has no moisture, it will not grow!  It is estimated that 50% of the air in a crawlspace will migrate to the floor above, so making sure that part of your home is in good condition is more important than you could have ever imagined.

Taking control of your home’s moisture level is the key to controlling mold growth and improving indoor air quality.  Experts agree that your family’s health and your home’s health go hand in hand.  Luckily, many companies that specialize in moisture control, mold cleaning, and mold prevention offer free estimates and inspections.  Before the hot and humid North Carolina summer weather starts to creep into your homes, call an expert to give your home a thorough check-up any doctor would be proud of.

 

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