Mold is a fungus that can be found both indoors and outdoors. It thrives in moist environments, so it can be a problem in homes and businesses with poor ventilation or water damage. Mold can cause various health problems, so it’s important to address any signs of mold growth as soon as possible. In this blog post, we will discuss the effects of mold and when remediation may be required.
Early Signs of Mold
There are many different types of mold, but all molds can cause health problems. The most common type of indoor mold is Cladosporium, which can be found on almost any surface and has a musty smell. Other signs that indicate there may be a mold problem include:
- Discoloration of walls, ceilings, and floors
- Foul smells
- Damp spots on the ceiling, windowsills, or walls
- Peeling paint
Mold is a widespread problem in many homes and businesses. In fact, most buildings have a very small amount of mold growing somewhere indoors. However, it only takes a small amount of mold to cause health problems for some people, so it’s important to address any mold problems as soon as possible.
Types of Mold
- Allergenic Molds
Allergenic molds such as Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria are found indoors and outdoors. They can grow on many different surfaces, including drywall, ceiling tiles, carpeting, and wood. While these molds don’t normally cause serious health problems, they can cause allergic reactions in some people.
- Pathogenic Molds
Pathogenic molds such as Stachybotrys, Paecilomyces, and Penicillium are found indoors and outdoors. These molds can be black, grey, or green (although not all green molds are pathogenic), and they often grow on surfaces like walls, ceilings, carpets, and wood. People with a weakened immune system are especially at risk for serious health problems caused by pathogenic molds, but even healthy people can develop lung or breathing problems from exposure to these molds.
Toxicogenic Molds
Toxic molds such as Trichoderma, Fusarium, Alternaria, and Aspergillus are found indoors and outdoors. These molds can be green, blue-green, or black in color, and they often grow on surfaces like walls, ceilings, carpets, and wood. People with a weakened immune system are especially at risk for serious health problems caused by toxicogenic molds, but even healthy people can develop asthma symptoms from exposure to these molds.
Health Problems Caused By Mold
There are several health-related issues linked to exposure to mold. Some of the most common mold symptoms include:
- Skin rashes and irritation
- Watery eyes
- Sore throat
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing for asthmatics
- Fever
- Nausea or other digestive problems
- Headaches or memory loss for people with chronic mold exposure
Treatment of Mold-Related Problems
Nasal corticosteroids are often used to treat respiratory conditions associated with mold exposure.
- Oral corticosteroids might be prescribed for especially severe cases of asthma that are caused by exposure to mold.
- Antihistamines can help reduce allergic reactions to mold.
- In some cases, inhaled steroids might be prescribed for people with asthma who have been exposed to mold.
It is important to be honest with your doctor about past and present exposure because the same molds can cause different symptoms in different people.
Remediation of Mold Problems- Effects of Mold
Mold remediation is defined as the process of removing mold and cleaning up the area where the mold was found. The most important thing to remember about remediation is that not all molds need to be removed and that you should always wear protective clothing and equipment when attempting to clean up the effects of mold.
There are two kinds of remediation:
- Mold Prevention – This type of remediation is becoming more and more common in new buildings. Many building materials emit toxins when exposed to moisture, so some builders install special mold-resistant products such as fiber cement siding and paints, concrete, masonry, and drywall that can contain additives such as silica or zeolites inhibit the growth of mold. These products are much more mold-resistant than conventional products, but they aren’t completely waterproof.
- Water Damage Restoration – Water damage remediation is used in older buildings. This type of remediation can include surface cleaning, painting, repairs to drywall and ventilation systems, insulation replacement, and the replacement or repair of carpets that water leaks have damaged. Also, the area where water damage occurred should be thoroughly dried with fans.
In conclusion, mold is a type of fungus that can cause several health problems for people with a weakened immune system and anyone who suffers from allergies. If you have been exposed to mold, it is important to see your doctor or an allergist immediately so you can be tested and treated.
