The Dangers of Mold: Health Risks and Why Remediation is Essential

Mold is a type of fungi that can be found both inside and outside the home, as long as it has the right environment to grow in. This environment includes moisture, humidity, and a food source, often called organic materials. Because of this reliability on organic materials, mold can survive on many surfaces inside your home, including fabric, drywall, paint, and wood. While mold can wreak havoc on your home, it’s also known for being hazardous to your health.

In fact, current statistics show that up to 10% of all U.S. citizens have mold allergies. Unfortunately, only about half of those with mold allergy show symptoms. Left untreated, undiagnosed mold allergies can lead to severe health conditions down the line, such as lung infections. One surefire way to stay ahead is to hire a mold remediation company if you suspect or find mold.

Here’s what you need to know about the health risks associated with mold and why mold remediation is essential to protecting your health, as well as anyone else living with you:

Understanding Mold and its Proliferation

Chances are, you’ve probably seen mold growing at some point in your life. The bathroom is one of the most common rooms in the house for mold to develop. Have you ever seen those black lines growing around the edge of a bathtub? These are a common example of a mold called Stachybotrys chartarum. While we’ll talk a bit about this mold later on, you might not be too familiar with how it and other types of mold operate.

As mentioned above, mold needs the right environment to grow: humidity, moisture, and a food source. If it doesn’t have the right environment, mold spores won’t grow and spread. However, if they are in the right condition and moisture remains present, these mold spores will land in the wet area and multiply. This rapid multiplication is referred to as proliferation. In many cases, the proliferation phase can begin in as little as 24 hours after water exposure.

Health Risks Associated with Mold Exposure

The downside to mold, especially in the proliferation phase, is that it may not always be easy to catch in its early stages. Let’s say water from a recent rainstorm flooded parts of your basement. If you don’t visit your basement often enough, you may be surprised by just how much mold has already developed by the time you discover it.

Because it is easy to miss mold, it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms so you know when to call in the pros. Here are a few signs of mold growth to take notice of that extend past common symptoms like foul smells and rot:

Respiratory Issues

Mold exposure can cause respiratory issues, which is a sign that it’s worth scheduling a mold remediation appointment.

Mold exposure can manifest in the following respiratory symptoms:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Postnasal drip

One of the most severe respiratory issues brought on by mold is an infection called Aspergillosis. Though most cases of Aspergillosis are considered mild, some may turn serious when the infection spreads to the lungs, kidneys, or heart. This type of infection, known as Invasive Aspergillosis, can be fatal; it is recognizable by a combination of symptoms, including headaches, lesions on the skin, fever, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis (coughing up blood).

Stachybotrys chartarum that we mentioned above? It’s often one of the top causes of respiratory issues.

Allergic Reactions

Though infections are certainly possible with long-term mold exposure, most people who develop a reaction to mold will develop an allergy.

Mold allergies can sometimes be hard to assess since many of their symptoms mimic the average cold or seasonal flu. Mold allergies can present itself in the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Watery eyes
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion/stuffy nose

If you aren’t sure whether or not you have a mold allergy or a cold, try and notice when your symptoms occur. If they are persistent, whether you’re inside or outside the house, it’s likely a cold. If they worsen upon visiting a particular room in the house or ease up once you step outside, it’s likely a mold allergy. Certain types of household mold, mainly Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Cladosporium, are usually the biggest culprits of mold allergies.

Asthma Aggravation

Aspergillosis, mentioned above, only affects about 2% of the asthmatic population. Although a small percentage, it highlights just how much mold can affect those with existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma.

In general, those with asthma have lower lung function than those who don’t have the condition. So when microscopic mold spores start traveling in the air, they can get into a person’s airways, constricting them and causing shortness of breath, coughing, and even tightness in the chest.

If you notice a worsening of your symptoms, then it might be the result of mold exposure.

Toxic Mold

Toxic mold refers to all the molds we’ve mentioned here so far, as they can negatively affect your health.

While many of the symptoms we looked at refer to coughing, sneezing, and headaches, long-term toxic mold exposure can also lead to some unique symptoms, such as:

• Increased levels of anxiety
• Unexplainable insomnia
• Numbness in the hands and feet
• A taste of metallic in your mouth
• Hair loss
• Dizziness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Mood changes

It’s not always possible for the untrained eye to determine whether or not a mold is toxic simply by looking at it. Some toxic molds may present a slimy or furry texture, but that may not always be discernible if the mold isn’t easily accessible. As such, hiring a professional for mold remediation is paramount to treating these issues, in addition to a doctor’s help, of course.

The Importance of Mold Remediation

Here are three reasons why the importance of mold remediation can’t be overstated:

Preventing Health Issues

As noted above, exposing yourself to mold can lead to significant and, in some cases, serious health issues.

Understanding how quickly mold develops, including the most common places, can help you catch mold in its infancy so it doesn’t become a bigger issue. After a heavy rainstorm, check your attic and basement for puddles and leaks. If there are, take care to handle any needed water restoration. The sooner you do, the less likely mold is to develop.

Likewise, know the signs of mold. Take notice of common symptoms such as foul smells, rot, wet stains on wood, sinking floor tiles, and any changes in your body. If something feels off, then it likely is. Trust your gut, notice the signs of mold, and know who to call for fast mold remediation. The sooner you call in a professional, the easier it will be to prevent common health issues.

Preserving Property Integrity

In the same vein as preventing health issues, calling in a professional to handle mold remediation also benefits your home.

Like your health, mold can take a toll on your home since it can survive on almost any surface. These surfaces include, but aren’t limited to, your furniture, drywall, paint, wood, and even plastic! Unfortunately, once something is covered with mold, it may not always be possible to save it.

Without proper mold remediation, your home could suffer from weakened support beams, rot, and other issues that will lead to costly expenses – way more than what traditional mold remediation would ever cost!

Enhancing Indoor Air Quality

Last but not least, hiring a mold remediation company can enhance the quality of indoor air. Over time, your nose becomes accustomed to the odors inside your home. Have you ever been away on vacation only to return home and wonder if that’s what your home really smells like? If so, you know just how easy it is to oversee indoor air quality and its importance.

Aside from removing foul odors, mold remediation greatly reduces the amount of mold spores in your home that can trigger allergies. Both of these things can improve the air quality inside your home.

Contact the Pros at BluSky For All Your Mold Remediation Needs

Mold remediation is a straightforward process that includes but isn’t limited to testing for mold, treating it at the source, disinfecting the area to remove mold spores, and removing items that have been infested. If you are looking for a quality mold remediation company, consider BluSky.

Proud of our reputation for excellence, our mold remediation contractors at BluSky have worked with varying types of mold, from minor to major infestations. Don’t let your health suffer due to a treatable mold issue. Instead, call the mold remediation pros at BluSky to schedule an appointment: 800-266-5677.