Understanding the Health Dangers of Mold
Mold consists of spores that enter the home through the air.
Mold is a fungi structure that can appear within the home because of too much moisture and dampness. Besides a foul scent and an ugly appearance, mold has considerable health risks. This growth is fairly common in buildings, so homeowners should contact a professional to remove and prevent it from growing.
Keep reading to learn more about the health dangers of mold.
How mold forms
Mold consists of spores that enter the home through the air. These airborne particles thrive on warm and damp surfaces within buildings and outdoors. They thrive in areas with the right temperature and humidity conditions. Many spores can enter the home through open windows, doors, and vents.
When many spores collect in one place, mold starts to grow. Typically, this happens in areas without proper air circulation and around flooding.
Why mold is a health danger
Mold isn’t just an eyesore. Besides the foul smell and appearance, mold can also severely threaten many individuals. Homeowners should contact a professional to help remove it once noticed.
People who have breathing problems such as asthma are especially susceptible. When mold grows, it circulates more spores and organic material in the air. Some of these materials contain toxins and allergens that can make breathing hard, irritate the lungs, and even cause nose swelling.
However, others without breathing issues can be at risk, too. Mold can cause symptoms similar to seasonal allergies, resulting in a runny nose, sneezing, cough, and watery eyes.
The risk of Aspergillosis
Many types of mold with different effects and conditions aid growth. Some of the most common include Alternaria, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus.
Aspergillus, for example, usually occurs indoors on drywalls, fabrics, dust, and food items. It can also cause a dangerous health condition called Aspergillosis. After breathing in the spores, some people might develop severe breathing problems, weight loss, and even a bloody cough.
Other mold-related health problems
The risks mentioned above are just examples tied directly to mold. Homeowners with weakened immune systems can experience many other symptoms, as exposure can worsen other underlying health conditions.
These symptoms include dizziness, wheezing, fatigue, fever, and headache. That’s why it’s important to remove mold from the home as soon as possible.
Get rid of mold the right way
While mold growths might seem small, their effects can be dangerous. Therefore, it’s best to contact a professional to ensure safe removal. Professionals will use the most effective and secure methods and cleaning agents. Companies specializing in waterproofing and foundation repair have the expertise and experience to remove mold while addressing the underlying conditions. Each building is different so homeowners will need a personalized approach.
Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake provide foundation, basement, and crawlspace installation and repair for the greater Baltimore area homeowners.
