| | | Toxic Indoor Mold

From WikiVerde

1 What Is Toxic Indoor Mold?
2 What Are the Hazards of Toxic Indoor Mold?
3 Protect Yourself!
4 Prevent Mold
5 Get Rid Of Mold
6 References:

What Is Toxic Indoor Mold?

Toxic indoor mold is an unpleasant phenomenon, causing ill-health, allergies and discomfort. Not all molds are poisonous, however; the term “toxic mold” refers only to those types that produce poisons called mycotoxins. It can be easily seen and its distinctive smell makes it easy to identify.

^{A possible toxic mold case}

Where Is Mold Found?

There are more than two hundred thousand types of mold, found almost everywhere. Most are harmless, but it is the poisonous ones that we are concerned with now. Such molds are often found in damp buildings – all they need to spread is moisture, oxygen, appropriate temperature and some form of nutrition. The commonest indoor molds are Penicillium, Mucor and Cladosporium. Helminthosporium and Epicoccum are found in warmer areas, and Aspergillus, a robust type, can even survive in dry conditions. Stachybotrys chartarum or black mold is found less frequently, but all these types of mold are dangerous.

Mold spores can come into your home through doors and windows and through air conditioning and ventilation openings. Spores can also come in on the bodies of animals and humans. They flourish when they land in a damp area, such as places near leaky pipes, well-watered plants, etc. to survive, they then absorb food from paper, fabric, wood, cardboard, and so on.

What Are the Hazards of Toxic Indoor Mold?

Toxic molds are cytotoxic – i.e. they can pass through the walls of our cells and cause harm to cellular processes, resulting in grave health problems. When toxic indoor molds are found in homes, they can cause sneezing and runny noses, breathing problems, and can be extra detrimental to the health of patients with asthma, immune suppression, and pulmonary and respiratory problems. Toxic indoor molds are also believed to be carcinogenic; and they can cause seizures, lung hemorrhage, kidney failure, problems with vision, memory and the central nervous system.

Minor problems resulting from exposure to toxic indoor mold include sleep disorders, sinus problems, vertigo, faintness and vomiting, dandruff, hair loss, irritant reactions like rashes and itching, chronic coughs, headaches and diarrhoea. If you have allergies, mould can affect you more seriously; and patients with existing lung problems can easily get fungal infections.

Asthma is one of the most common consequences of airborne spores of toxic indoor mold. Even unborn babies are susceptible, and are likely to be asthma patients all their lives, if they have been exposed to toxic molds. The AAP (American Academy for Paediatrics Committee on Environmental Health suggests that children below one year of age should not be housed in damp, mold-ridden places. This is probably because the immune system overreacts and narrows air passages permanently, making breathing difficult. Also, a rare illness, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, is triggered by toxic indoor molds. The cause of illness in about 15 – 20% fungal leukemia patients is the Aspergillus mold. This mold also results in fatalities in those who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants.

Mold Legislation

However, the United States Toxic Mold Safety & Protection Act, also known as the Melina Bill, will provide for research on these organisms; public education about the dangers of mold, methods of prevention and precautionary means; and help to sufferers from mold related diseases. This act will also make suggestions for preventing the spread of mold and its proper removal, offer financial support for getting rid of mold in public buildings and start an insurance initiate to protect householders from the costs of dealing with mold.

Protect Yourself!

Reactions vary so widely as far as toxic indoor mold is concerned, that it is difficult to make and implement regulations to protect residents and employees in mouldy buildings. Some people don’t react at all, while others are highly sensitive even to the smell of mold.

Ideally, commercial establishments and homes should be assiduously checked by a Certified Mold Inspector, Industrial or Environmental Hygienist. This is particularly necessary if there are visible signs of mold, high moisture levels or major water leaks, or if occupants are suffering from health problems related to toxic indoor life. If the mould is widespread in the building, it may be necessary to vacate.

Prevent Mold

Check your home or place of work regularly for signs of mold, especially where water leaks, condensation or flooding have occurred. Deal with these basic causes first, before attacking the mold itself.

Avoid high humidity levels – keep them between 40 and 60%. Ensure proper ventilation such as exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchen – rooms which are likely to get wet and retain moisture.

When heating or cooling systems are not very efficient, humidity rises, giving mold a good chance to grow. So make sure your systems are well maintained and cleaned often to prevent mold spores from slipping in from behind the walls. When natural humidity levels are extra high, as during certain months of the year, use a dehumidifier or air conditioner. Use paints and bathroom cleaners which contain mold-preventing elements. Avoid carpets in bathrooms and replace damp, moldy carpets as soon as possible. Poor drainage and leaking roofs can also offer mold a good environment in which mold can easily grow and spread.

There are other indirect causes of mold that you should be aware of. For example, recent forms of construction that aim to make a house energy efficient, sometimes make airflow limited. This facilitates the formation of damp spots, ideal for mold.

Get Rid Of Mold

Any kind of mold can cause illness, so don’t bother trying to identify what kind of mold you have, just get rid of it!

Mold can generally be scrubbed off walls, floors and furniture with soap and water, or a dilute bleach solution, and then dried well. If mould has spread on an absorbent surface like a carpet or upholstery, you may require the services of an expert.

Taking a few simple precautions against toxic indoor mold can make all the difference to the health of your family and colleagues. Do make sure your home or workplace is not a breeding ground for this harmful, dangerous organism.