Why is mold growing in my home?

[Guest guest]

Why is mold growing in my home?

By M. Acaron, BSME, CHI, CMI (HOMEINSPECTORUS...( M.

Acaron, BSME, CHI, CMI (HOMEINSPECTORUS...)

http://activerain.com/blogsview/747541/Why-is-mold-growing-in-my-home

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a

part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen

leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided.

Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to

the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may

begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are

wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow

without water or moisture. Stachybotrys is a greenish black mold

that grows on material with a high cellulose content or such as hay,

straw, wicker, and wood chips, as well as building materials such as

ceiling tile, drywall, paper vapor barriers, wallpaper, insulation

backing, cardboard boxes, paper files, fiberboard, the paper

covering of gypsum wallboard, particleboard, jute, dust, and wood

when these items become water damaged. This mold requires very wet

or high humid conditions for days or weeks in order to grow. In many

cases, you won't even see it, as it grows between the walls and in

hidden places - This is one of the biggest problems. . . If you

got mold???? get the latest on mold news and litigation, click here

Can mold cause health problems?

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on

a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to

cause health problems. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in

some cases, potentially toxic substances.

Allergic reactions to mold are common and include hay fever-type

symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash.

Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are

allergic to mold. The most common health problems caused by indoor

mold are allergy symptoms. Although other and more serious problems

can occur, people exposed to mold commonly report problems such as:

Nasal and sinus congestion

Cough Wheeze/breathing difficulties

Sore throat

Skin and eye irritation

Upper respiratory infections (including sinus)

Are the risks greater for some people? There is wide variability in

how different people are affected by indoor mold. However, the long

term presence of indoor mold growth may eventually become unhealthy

for anyone. The following types of people may be affected more

severely and sooner than others:

Infants and children

Elderly people

Individuals with respiratory conditions or sensitivities such as

allergies and asthma

Persons having weakened immune systems (for example, people with HIV

infection, chemotherapy patients, organ transplant recipients)

In some individuals, exposure to indoor mold can also can lead to

asthma or to a lung disease resembling severe inflammatory asthma

called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This latter

condition, which occurs only in a minority of people with asthma, is

characterized by wheezing, low-grade fever, and coughing up of brown-

flecked masses or mucus plugs. Skin testing, blood tests, X-rays,

and examination of the sputum for fungi can help establish the

diagnosis. Corticosteroid drugs are usually effective in treating

this reaction; immunotherapy (allergy shots) is not helpful.

Fungi or microorganisms related to mold / fungi may cause other

health problems similar to allergic diseases. Some kinds of

Aspergillus may cause several different illnesses, including both

infections and allergy. These fungi may lodge in the airways or a

distant part of the lung and grow until they form a compact sphere

known as a " fungus ball. " In people with lung damage or serious

underlying illnesses, Aspergillus may grasp the opportunity to

invade the lungs or the whole body. Those with special health

concerns should consult a medical professional if they feel their

health is affected by indoor mold. Are some molds more hazardous

than others? Some types of mold can produce chemical compounds

(called mycotoxins) although they do not always do so. Molds that

are able to produce toxins are common. In some circumstances, the

toxins produced by indoor mold may cause health problems. However,

all indoor mold growth is potentially harmful and should be removed

promptly, no matter what types of mold is present or whether it can

produce toxins. Individuals with chronic exposure to toxins

produced by this fungus reported cold and flu symptoms, memory loss,

muscle aches, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue,

dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss, cancer, and generalized

malaise. The toxins produced by this fungus will suppress and could

destroy the immune system affecting the lymphoid tissue and the bone

marrow.

How do I get rid of mold?

It is impossible to get rid of all molds and mold spores indoors,

but indoor mold growth can be controlled by controlling moisture

indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the

mold and also fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but

don't fix the water problem, the mold problem most likely will

return.

For more information, read the EPA's A Brief Guide to Mold,

Moisture, and Your Home.

Visit: HOMEINSPECTORUSA

[Guest guest]

This is a great article that's informative, accurate and put in

simple laymen' terms for anyone to understand. I should send this to

my family. Maybe it will clarify things for them?

--- In , " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...>

wrote:

>

> Why is mold growing in my home?

> By M. Acaron, BSME, CHI, CMI (HOMEINSPECTORUS...( M.

> Acaron, BSME, CHI, CMI (HOMEINSPECTORUS...)

>

> http://activerain.com/blogsview/747541/Why-is-mold-growing-in-my-

home

>

>