Human Health and Mold Spores in the Air: How Big is the Problem?
Mold is a filamentous fungus that is present wherever life exists. This means mold (especially their spores) is in outdoor air to a non-hazardous degree. But these spores can become more than a naturally-occurring phenomenon when they find their way into indoor spaces. Indoor mold that is not adequately managed can quickly become a threat to healthy living:
- The presence of mold and its spores indoors reduces indoor air quality. This means these spores can be inhaled and even ingested when they settle on food or drinks. Prolonged exposure can cause symptoms, especially in those with allergies or asthma.
- Secondly, mold produces toxic substances known as mycotoxins. Toxins are dangerous and can cause respiratory and neurological complications in people exposed to them for long.
- Furthermore, there are different types of mold, and each mold has its degree of toxicity. Black mold is considered to be toxic. It can significantly reduce the quality of air in indoor spaces and also cause some severe health problems.
Health Symptoms of Mold Exposure
You may experience some mold side effects if there is mold in your residence and you do nothing about it. Mold and mold spores do not only reduce the air quality in your business premises and home. They also produce mycotoxins that can irritate your respiratory system and causes other complications in your body.
Some health symptoms of mold exposure include:- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate and palpitations (especially in people with respiratory disorders)
- Itchiness in the eyes, throat, and nose
- Complications with asthma and other respiratory diseases.
However, not everyone exposed to mold will experience some or all of these symptoms. The extent to which mold affects you will be based on your health condition and whether you have underlying health conditions.
If you notice any of these symptoms but do not see physical mold growth in your home, reach out to a mold company. You need to have mold inspection and testing to ascertain the presence of mold spores and hidden mold growth on your premises.
Mold Toxicity Diagnosis
When constantly exposed to mold, you can have an unhealthy amount of mycotoxins in your body. Consequently, this increased concentration can endanger your health and tamper with your immunity.
The only way to know how much mycotoxins you have been exposed to is by running mold toxicity tests. This can only be done by a medical professional in a well-equipped laboratory. They will take urine or blood samples from your body and test them for mycotoxins.
Who Is at Risk for Mold Exposure?
Your risk of mold exposure increases if you live in areas of high humidity, consistent rainfall, and the possibility of flooding. You can also get exposed to mold if you have unresolved plumbing and leaking roof issues or work in environments that constantly expose you to mold. These conditions increase atmospheric moisture, making your premises conducive to mold growth.
The presence of mold in indoor spaces is unhealthy. However, it affects certain groups of people more than it does other people. These groups are said to have an increased risk of mold effects on the body. They include people with:
- Respiratory disorders
- Hypersensitivity reaction to mold spores
- Neurological complications
- Other underlying illnesses.
Mold Exposure Treatment
There are two significant and equally important ways to treat mold exposure.
- The first step would be having mold removal in your home or office to eliminate existing mold.
- Afterward, you can proceed to get medical mold toxicity treatment from a certified hospital.
The second procedure rids your body of the negative health impacts of mold. At the same time, the first ensures that you no longer have mold that can further expose you to mold toxicity.
Can Mold Exposure Be Prevented?
You can prevent mold exposure by taking the following steps:
- Fix all plumbing and water supply problems that could lead to a water leak in your home or office.
- Dry up stagnant water bodies from spills, flooding, or melted snow to prevent mold in your premises.
- Call on professionals if you suspect the presence of mold.
- Seek immediate mold removal and remediation when you discover mold in your home.
- Hire an experienced and well-equipped mold remediation company like Mold KO to handle all the processes, from mold detection to removal and abatement.
Mold-Free House with Mold KO
Want to stop mold exposure in your home or business premises? Then hire Mold KO for mold cleanup and remediation. We have experienced professionals in our team who have what it takes to rid your home of mold and prevent further infestation. Our processes are efficient and will not introduce other contamination on your premises. Reach out to us today - 888-253-4551!