What Are the Signs of Mold Exposure?
Mold is a colloquial term for a wide range of fungi that produce unsightly spots of black, brown, yellow, pink, green, stinky, fuzzy growths. Even though mold spores can be found anywhere, they thrive in damp environments, like roofs, windows, pipes, or areas where there has been flooding.
Mold may look and smell bad, but the problems it could cause are much worse. Simply stated, mold that is actively growing causes damage to the material it is living on, weakening the structure. Furthermore, mold has been linked to several negative health impacts in people, such as allergies and infections.
Given this information, it is reasonable to be concerned about mold. What are the symptoms of mold exposure? Continue reading to find out.
Mold and Health
Most of an average person’s waking hours are spent within some structure, be it their own home, an office, a school, a health center, or some other public or private establishment. The air quality in those places is a major indicator of their health and well-being. As a result, poor management of indoor air quality poses a serious risk to people’s health.
Indoor air pollution is largely caused by microorganisms. When indoor conditions are damp enough, hundreds of bacteria and fungi can flourish and pollute the air. This results in adverse health effects, including increased respiratory symptoms, allergies, asthma, and immune system disruption.
Clinical studies have shown that hypersensitivity, pneumonitis, allergic alveolitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and allergic fungal sinusitis are more likely to occur when people are exposed to mold and other microbial agents associated with moisture.
These observations are supported by toxicological evidence gathered in vivo and in vitro, demonstrating the development of various inflammatory and toxic responses following exposure to microorganisms isolated from damp buildings.
Why Does Mold Appear?
Dampness and poor ventilation contribute to the proliferation of various microorganisms and other biological contaminants inside buildings. Microorganisms like mold, fungi, and bacteria thrive when there is too much moisture on practically all interior surfaces. These microbes then release spores, cells, fragments, and volatile organic compounds into the air in the home.
The chemical or biological breakdown of materials is accelerated by humidity, further contributing to indoor air pollution. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that dampness is a reliable and robust predictor of the likelihood of developing asthma and other respiratory symptoms, including coughing and wheezing.
Symptoms of Mold Exposure
Whether you have a mold allergy or not, you can have a negative reaction after prolonged exposure. Mold spores, when touched or inhaled, can induce allergy-like symptoms such as
- Headaches
- Eye Irritation
- Runny Nose and Congestion
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Skin Rashes
What to Do if You Have a Mold Problem
If you have a mold problem in your home or office, the best thing you can do is call a team of experts. A mold remediation company can evaluate and treat your mold-infested area to enhance the quality of your indoor air.
Mold Remediation of Orlando is the company you call if you have mold issues in your home or business. We devise a strategy to address the mold problem, then contain the affected area, and lastly and, more importantly, eradicate the mold. Contact us today!