Why Be Concerned About Mold?
Mold is another word that is now very often seen headlining magazines and newspapers worldwide. It’s funny how many Floridians think they live in a Petri dish since the hurricanes. Northerners have always had basements, or cellars, that they affectionately describe as ‘musty’ or ‘mildewy’—it’s all the same thing. The truth is mold has been around since the beginning of time. The Israelites were given instruction by God in the Old Testament on how to get rid of the mold in their camps.
Whatever your experience with mold has been in the past may determine the level of concern you have today when the subject arises. Many people think of the various colors that visit the corners of their shower between vigorous cleanings. Some people bring to mind the unidentifiable clumps of fuzz and color where leftovers used to be in the fridge. Many more people have come face to face with and have learned the dangers of some very serious molds. It just happens that the busy hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 have enlightened many who have come to realize that the inside of their homes could be killing them.
What is mold really? Can’t we just splash some bleach on those black spots and make them go away? Absolutely not! In fact, covering mold with bleach will literally open up a whole new set of problems. Drowning mold in bleach will put the spores to sleep, or place them in a dormant state, for a while, but then when they wake up the spores will multiply many times, coming back worse than before.
Mold is “a growth of minute fungi forming on vegetable or animal matter, commonly as a downy or furry coating, and associated with decay or dampness.” (Random House Unabridged Dictionary)
Mold is alive, therefore it needs a food supply to thrive and grow. This food comes in the form of water or dampness, hence the major problems following storms and the constant ‘mildew’ odor present in basements. No doubt about it, molds can cause health problems—they produce allergens, irritants, and sometimes mycotoxins (potentially toxic substances). Touching mold or mold spores, or simply inhaling them may cause allergic reactions. “Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.” (quote from the EPA website)
As the colors of mold are varied, so are the names that describe them. Such names are Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium and the much dreaded Stachybotrys chartarum, more commonly known as “black mold” or “toxic mold”. Please note that though many molds, or bacteria, may appear black in color they are not necessarily “black mold” or Stachybotrys. Contact a Certified IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) Specialist for extensive testing and recommendation for air purification.
Keep in mind that mold is only one of the many contaminants contributing to poor indoor air quality. Not only is our health affected as we enter in and out of homes, stores and workplaces, the quality of life and productivity is compromised. Although you may have the issue of mold under control in your own home, there is the threat of spores and countless other allergens, such as VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), dust and dust mites, pet dander and smoke—just to name a few—that are in every department store, pet store, restaurant and building that has not been properly sanitized and purified. Yes, there is advanced technology that is available to everyone in every application needed to greatly reduce allergens and eliminate mold and the dangers associated with poor indoor air quality.
“Indoor air pollution can impact our health both immediately, with symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and eye, nose, or throat irritation resulting from as little as single exposure, or ever an extended time frame. Respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer are examples of conditions that may occur or be exacerbated with extended or repeated exposure to polluted indoor air.” (AirAdvice State of Our Indoor Air Report 2007)
The following is a list of indications of an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problem in your home:
* Excessive dust
* “Stuffy” rooms
* Some rooms feel hot or cold when the rest of the house feels comfortable
* Moisture on window panes
* A mildew (musty) smell in your home
* Family members often sneeze, feel lethargic, or have dry skin
* Home is located in a high-risk radon area
* In-room air cleaners are in use in the home
* Air fresheners or scented candles are used to improve the smell in the home
Once again, there are answers to these seeming dreaded concerns—you can improve the quality of the air indoors. For situations where you alone cannot control the air quality, such as grocery stores and malls, airplanes and workplaces, there are solutions for that as well.
If indoor air pollution is a concern for you and those you love, consider being a part of the solution. Treating indoor air quality is part of a growing industry called the Wellness Industry.
Kimberly Newsome
©July 2007
For more information visit http://www.YourIndoorEnvironment.com
Kimberly Newsome and her husband, Kevin, are Managing Consultants for Indoor Environmental Consultants International, LLC.
Tags: air purification, allergies, asthma, black mold, IAQ, indoor air pollution, indoor air quality, mold
Related Posts
- Mold Allergy- Prevention Tips
- The Difference Between Inlays-onlays And Dental Crowns
- 5 Simple Weight Loss Tips
- The Promise Of Pediatric Physical Therapy
- Finding Workable Solutions For Emotional Eating
Comments
Leave a Reply