More than 30 years ago, a household mold was simply seen as an unsightly thing that plagues many homes. Homeowners used to ignore mold until it spreads and needs to be cleaned up. People did not mind breathing in mold and being exposed to it. That is until several of cases of death and fatal lung condition linked to exposure mold and dampness rocked the country in the early 1990s and start of 2000s.
In recent years, numerous studies have found evidence of the threat mold presents to the human body. Some of the risks were found fatal to vulnerable individuals.
Causes of Household Molding
Mold grows in damp environments. They are present in the air and go to places where there is a lot of moisture. Mold can grow on walls, stick to clothes, and get inside your home through windows, doorways, and your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Mold doesn’t discriminate against many materials (They can even grow in the dust!), but they can be easily found where there are leaks, like near water fixtures, pipes, roofs, and window. Materials made of papers, cardboard, and wood are favorite places for mold growth.
Effects of Household Mold on Your Health
From 1993 through 1996, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated the case of acute pulmonary hemorrhage/hemosiderosis (lung bleeding)—one case led to death—in 10 infants from Cleveland, Ohio. The investigation found a link between the infants’ condition to exposure to molds. By the end of the investigation, experts began to suspect the insidious nature of mold.
By 2004, a report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) finally confirmed many suspicions of the negative effects of mold on people’s health. The findings of the study found sufficient evidence exposure to mold was related to the certain health effects including:
* Upper respiratory symptoms
* Coughing and/or wheezing
* Asthma symptoms in sensitized asthmatic persons
* Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in susceptible persons
Limited or suggestive evidence was found in relation to mold exposure and “respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.” The IMO reported inadequate or insufficient information was linking mold exposure to “a variety of other health outcomes, including acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants.”
Exposure to mold may or may not cause a negative health effect on all people, but for those who are immunocompromised or have existing conditions, the threat can be dangerous.
How to Deal with Household Molding
Mold can’t always be seen by the naked eye. When you suspect that a mold problem is afflicting your home, do a mold test work to determine if you need to call in a professional to deal with the problem. But don’t wait until you notice the health effects enumerated above. Deal with the problem of household molding before or as soon as it arises by taking the following steps:
* Clean the mold
Mold produces spores that can act as seeds, which can grow into a new mold. To get rid of your mold problem, you have to eliminate the sources of mold growth. That means thoroughly cleaning mold-infested areas in the house. Fortunately, there are many safe household products for removing mold. The list includes the ever-versatile baking soda, white vinegar, tea tree oil, and hydrogen peroxide.
* Solve the moisture problem
Moisture greatly contributes to mold growth. You have to address the moisture problem in your home to stop household molding. Check your pipes and water fixtures for any leaks. If you find one, fix it as soon as possible and make sure to dry the area after. Ventilate rooms, including the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom to allow moisture to evaporate. Insulate your home to patch cracks and stop moisture from getting in. Finally, don’t leave liquid spills unattended; dry them as soon as you see them.
* Control humidity levels
Humidity is also complicit in the development of household mold. Controlling the humidity levels in your home helps with preventing household molding. If you have a humidifier, turn it off during spring, summer, or whenever humidity is too high. You can also use a dehumidifier, especially in rooms where humidity is naturally high (e.g., basement, bathroom, and kitchen). Turn on your exhaust fan while cooking or bathing, and leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes after using the bathroom or kitchen.
Conclusion
Household molding is not just a superficial problem. It can have negative effects on your family’s health, especially if you have children, elderly, and member with allergies, asthma, or illness at home.
Fortunately, household mold can be removed easily using a non-toxic household product. Molding can also be prevented through cleaning up existing mold, addressing your home’s moisture problems, and controlling indoor humidity levels.
Never leave mold to grow. Once the situation gets worse, you might have to call in professionals and spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to resolve the mold problem.
Photo by Alexis Montero on Unsplash
I like the idea of doing a mold test. In my last home I noticed that there was mold and did my best to clean it up. My husband as less asthmatic after the clean-up.
Many years ago we had a flood in our basement. We ended up with a bad mold situation and ended up tearing out some walls because of mold. But not until I ended up getting quite ill. Thank goodness it didn’t affect my husband or children.
I’ll look into doing a mold test. I had a leak a year ago and don’t know if it grew any mold.