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Toxic Mold: Is it Invading Your Home?
A home is usually a safe place to be...for you, for your kids, and for people you care about. Unfortunately, there are things that can go wrong in a house or apartment, regardless of the size. Imagine you're living in your own house, for example. You think everything is fine -- you finally found the house of your dreams. There's plenty of room, a wonderful kitchen and backyard -- you can't go wrong! You move the family in and begin to make your new house a home. As the months pass by, you put a lot of effort into getting things the way you like. But you notice that you haven't been feeling well. As a matter of fact, your whole family is experiencing similar health problems. You think it's the flu, but your doctor tells you it isn't. Your symptoms include coughing, dizziness, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, skin rashes...the list goes on. You are now alerted to the possibility that your house may be making you ill. You eventually find out that mold has invaded your lovely home. But you bought a new house, not an old one!
A few months ago we found out that we had mold growing in our 5-yr old air conditioner's air handler. We had someone come and clean out the mold -- thankfully it wasn't too bad of a problem. But if we hadn't checked, it would have gone unnoticed. I can't imagine what would have happened if it had been left to grow. We now check our air conditioner periodically.
Mold doesn't discriminate - it can grow anyplace where moisture exists. Is there anything you can do?
The following guide will aquaint you with the depths to which mold can affect a home and your health, and attempt to answer your questions about mold. Once your home is infected, you must promptly take steps to try and remove it.
Mold Basics
The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
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.
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 (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in
some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold
or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. 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 the 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. This
brochure provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects
related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health
professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.
How do I get rid of mold?
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will
be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if
moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or
controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you
must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but
don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
Continue reading the following articles for more information on indoor air quality:
Below are some books that deal with indoor air quality. Use Amazon.com's secure server to order:
- My House Is Killing Me! The Home Guide for Families With Allergies and Asthma: - Jeffrey C. May, Jonathan M. Samet.
- The Healthy House: How to buy one, How to build one, How to cure a sick one, 4th revised ed.: - John Bower.
- Creating a Healthy Household: The Ultimate Guide for Healthier, Safer, Less-Toxic Living: - Lynn Marie Bower.
- Indoor Air Quality Handbook: John D. Spengler (Editor), John F. McCarthy (Editor), Jonathan M. Samet (Editor).
- Toxic Mold! Toxic Enemy!: (used) Douglas R. Haney.
- The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Airborne Allergies: 100 New Cures for Symptoms from Pollen, Pets, Dust, and Mold: - Mary S. Kittel (Editor), Prevention Health Books (Editor).
- The Respiratory Solution: How to Use Natural Cures to Reverse Respiratory Ailments: Finally, Relief from Asthma, Bronchitis, Mold, Sinus Attacks: - Dr. Ingram Cass.
Visit the following Internet sites for more information on indoor air quality:
Above article Copyright © Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Reprinted with permission.
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